Why is my puppy shaking their head?
A puppy shaking their head is usually down to something irritating the ear, just as it is in an adult dog — most often an infection, ear mites picked up from their mother or littermates, or simple wax buildup. It's worth a vet check rather than assuming a young puppy will simply grow out of it.
Usually not urgent
This is common and often manageable at home — but see a vet if it persists, gets worse, or comes with other changes.
Why puppies are prone to this
Ear mites are particularly common in young puppies, often passed on from their mother or littermates before they ever came home, and they tend to cause noticeably itchy ears with a dark, coffee-ground-like discharge alongside the head shaking. A vet check can confirm this quickly and it's straightforward to address once identified.
Ear infections can also affect puppies, sometimes linked to moisture getting trapped after a bath or a swim, particularly in breeds with floppy or heavily furred ears. A puppy's ear canal is no less prone to infection than an adult dog's, so the same causes apply from a young age.
Grass seeds are less common in very young puppies who aren't yet out on full walks, but become a real possibility as soon as a puppy starts exploring long grass, particularly in summer.
A conformational issue with the ear canal, more common in certain breeds with narrow or heavily furred canals, can also predispose a puppy to recurring irritation from an early age, which is worth flagging to your vet if head shaking or ear problems keep coming back rather than resolving after one course of treatment.
What to watch for
Scratching at the ear, a smell, redness inside the ear flap, or a puppy who seems bothered by having their head or ears touched are all worth noting alongside the shaking. A head tilt, or shaking that's sudden and vigorous rather than occasional, is worth same-day attention.
Because puppies are still building up their immune systems, it's worth getting things checked sooner rather than later — what might be a minor, self-limiting irritation in an adult dog can sometimes progress more quickly in a young puppy.
A puppy who seems generally quiet, off their food, or reluctant to be picked up or handled around the head, alongside the shaking, is showing signs of discomfort worth taking seriously rather than putting down to normal puppy fussiness.
What not to try at home
Avoid putting anything into your puppy's ear canal, including cotton buds or home remedies, since it's easy to push a problem further in rather than clear it. A gentle wipe of the visible outer ear with a proper cleaner is reasonable, but anything beyond that needs your vet.
Don't assume a puppy will simply grow out of persistent head shaking. Ear mites in particular don't resolve on their own and tend to get more uncomfortable, not less, the longer they're left.
If you're ever unsure whether what you're seeing is normal grooming behaviour or genuine discomfort, it's always reasonable to ring your vet's practice and ask, rather than guessing either way.
Once your vet has had a look
Your vet will be able to tell you whether it's mites, infection, wax, or something else entirely, and what routine care, if any, is worth building into your puppy's grooming going forward. A proper ear cleaner from our eye and ear care range can then be used for maintenance between checks.
Getting your puppy comfortable with having their ears handled early on, as part of normal grooming, makes any future checks and routine cleaning far easier for both of you.
If ear mites are confirmed, your vet may also want to check any other puppies or animals from the same litter or household, since mites spread easily between animals in close contact with one another.
What can help
Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.
Leucillin Antiseptic Skincare Spray for Cats & Dogs
A versatile, alcohol-free antiseptic spray that cleans, soothes, and helps protect your pet's skin from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
From£16.49
Absorbent Cotton Gauze Swabs for Pets – Pack of 100
Highly absorbent, low-lint cotton gauze swabs produced in clean conditions — a practical first-aid essential available in three size and ply combinations.
From£4.49
MPS Medical PetS Boot – Waterproof Paw Protector
A vet-recommended waterproof boot that keeps bandages, dressings, and casts dry during walks and wet weather.
£30.49
Common questions
- Is head shaking normal in puppies?
- Occasional shaking, the same as an adult dog might do, is normal. Repeated or vigorous shaking, especially alongside scratching, a smell, or discomfort, points to something worth a vet check rather than something to assume a puppy will simply outgrow.
- Can puppies get ear mites?
- Yes, and it's actually quite common in young puppies, often passed on from their mother or littermates before they come home. It typically causes itchy ears with a dark discharge and needs your vet to confirm and address properly.
- Should I clean my puppy's ears myself?
- A gentle wipe of the visible outer ear with a proper cleaner is fine for routine maintenance, but avoid putting anything into the ear canal itself. If there's discharge, smell or discomfort, that's a job for your vet rather than home cleaning.
- When should I take my puppy to the vet for head shaking?
- If the shaking is repeated, vigorous, or comes with scratching, a smell, redness, or a head tilt, book a vet visit rather than waiting. Puppies can go downhill from an ear problem more quickly than an adult dog might.
- Can grass seeds affect young puppies?
- Yes, once a puppy is old enough to be out exploring long grass, particularly in summer. Sudden, vigorous head shaking after time outdoors is worth same-day vet attention, since a lodged grass seed needs removing rather than working itself free.
- Can I get my puppy's ears checked at their vaccination visit?
- Yes, a routine vaccination appointment is a good opportunity to mention head shaking or any ear concerns, since your vet will usually check your puppy over generally as part of that visit anyway, rather than needing a separate appointment for a minor concern.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.