Why Is My Dog’s Head Bobbing? The Causes of Head Tremors in Dogs
What causes head tremors in dogs?
Why Is My Dog's Head Shaking? Causes of Idiopathic Head Tremors in Dogs
So, your beloved Boxer wakes up one morning and you suddenly notice something odd. He is displaying an unusual head movement that seems to have come out of nowhere. You call him to you and check his head and ears, but you can't find any reason. Baffled, you keep an eye on him for the rest of the day.
A day after, the episode seems to repeat. This time, the head bobbing is much more evident. Concerned, phone in hand, you decide to give your veterinarian a call.
Is a Dog's Head Bobbing the Start of a Seizure?
Head bobbing is a common occurrence in certain breeds such as Boxers, Dobermans, Cavalier King Charles, and Bulldogs. Some cases can also be observed in mixed breeds. The condition is known as idiopathic head tremor syndrome. It cannot be linked to any medical conditions and is in most cases harmless.
Will Medications Help?
It is unfortunate, though, that more often than not, veterinarians treat such cases as seizures and prescribe phenobarbital or potassium bromide. In cases of idiopathic head tremors, such medications do no good because the syndrome is not related in any way to seizure activity. Affected dogs, therefore, will not benefit from such medications and may actually develop unpleasant side effects.
While the syndrome may look strange, it is generally not harmful, and most dogs live happy, satisfying lives in spite of the occasional tremor. Typically, the head bobbing bothers the human observer more than the dog. However, your dog should still see the vet if he loses consciousness or shows any other signs of neurological damage. If he seems unresponsive and will not raise his head when you call his name, it could signal an uncontrollable seizure.
Is your dog's head moving from side to side? What causes head bobbing and tremors in dogs?
Possible Causes of a Dog's Head Tremor
Most dogs will suffer from episodic attacks. They may be symptom-free for weeks or hours, and then the head bobbing will return just as before. The head bobbing also seems to subside when the dog is busy doing an activity such as eating or playing.
- Low Glucose Levels. In some cases, head bobbing may be associated with low glucose levels in the blood. This may occur in lactating dogs, who may have lowered glucose/calcium levels. Head bobbing may also be due to hormonal fluctuations, which can result in more visible head bobbing during estrus. If related to low glucose levels, rubbing some Karo syrup or honey on the dog's gums should minimize the head bobbing.
- Calcium Deficiency. Puppies have on occasion shown head bobbing episodes when their calcium levels are low during their development.
- Heartworm Medication. In some cases, episodes of head bobbing have been linked to the administration of heartworm medication. While there may be a link, no thorough studies seem to have been done as of yet to suggest this as a possibility.
Do You Need to See a Vet?
Any case of head bobbing should be thoroughly investigated to rule out any other more serious causes, such as tumors or head injuries. Normally, bloodwork, an MRI and/or an analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid will suffice. However, consulting with a neurologist may be helpful.
While annoying, most idiopathic head bobbing cases do better if left alone. In some cases, veterinarians may recommend supplements. Most dogs live just fine with the syndrome and adjust accordingly, leading still a good quality of life.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Questions & Answers
Question: I have read that head bobbing for dogs isn't uncommon, but I am worried about my five-year-old Labrador mix. Her head has shaken at least 10 times in the past hour and it's never happened to her before. I want to double check that she is ok and don't know if the vet is necessary or not?
Answer: Many underlying conditions can cause head bobbing in dogs, hence why it's important to see the vet so to rule out some possibilities. It can sometimes be idiopathic, meaning no exact underlying cause can be found, but it would be important to rule out problems with the eat, inflammatory process and more serious things such as brain tumors.
Comments
Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on June 20, 2020:
Hi Kristina, I think her change of behavior should be evaluated for possible underlying pain or other medical causes. Most over the counter pain pills for humans are unsafe on dogs. Your vet should run bloodwork and if all looks good prescribe pain killers. Glucosamine supplements can be given too , both my older dogs benefited from Youmove from Lintbells, costly but effective, but of course only up to a certain point. You can look for low cost vets in your area such as those working for shelters. Care credit can also be used to help with bills and you can pay back within 6 months with no interest in many cases.
Kristina on June 20, 2020:
My dog is female and she has black labrador , pitbull, and chow.
For about 6-weeks or so her appetite, and activities have decreased significantly as well as she has been having tremors with her head like shaking the way humans do when they have Parkinson's and she has been a bit aggressive towards me in whom I'm the one that rescued her as a puppy that had been thrown into a wall by and a young boy of the owners and i rescued 2 others that were rottweilers and found safe homes and called ASPCA and the humane society in which i donate to. When i got her , she had a damaged hip so i repaired it with a cast i made and her 2nd vet visit i was told that whatever i did mended her hip. Amazing but now years later she has been having tremors and being aggressive and snarling and showing her teeth something she never did before. She was always a happy puppy. I'm scared she's dying and she's my best friend and my side kick. I'm so close to her that I'm having her cremated to be with and when i die she'll be with me how ever i go which is cremation . But in the interim what can i do for her and her pain ? And what can i give her as far as pain killers for her hip? Please i need to know if there are any programs to help financially with her vets due to permanent disability I've got a fixed income i live on i fear ill not be able to cover vets so what can i do? Any suggestions on anything I've written? Desperately- Kristina seeking knowledge for my dog NAHLLA. THANK YOU FOR WHATEVER INFO YOU CAN GIVE.
Nicki on November 05, 2019:
My dog just started having this happen when he falls asleep and it last 30 plus minutes or more even if I wake him I’ve taken him to the vet and had blood work done and they say there is nothing I can do but I can’t watch this and I’m afraid to leave him alone im so scared and can’t stop crying it happens all thru the night to where I can’t sleep
Max on July 31, 2019:
I believe I read somewhere over a year ago when my bully first started having head tremors , that it was due to the bulldog needing calcium for cranial development and draining the effect on nervous system and muscles. As we know, the processing partner to calcium is Vit D. Can’t utilize one without the other. His commercial food did NOT have vit D listed but did have calcium. I added a supplement since he liked the food and the tremors never returned. Not once. A year later since then, I have read about how much garbage is in processed dog food and switched my boy to a dehydrated raw food and tremors returned. Looked at the ingredients and sure enough there is a lack of calcium this time but food has a Vit D supplement. Added in egg and shells and tremors gone away again.
Please don’t waste your money on vets pushing meds and scans and operations. Nearly every issue canines have can be managed by a raw diet (or Uber quality processed food - but you’re still gambling) and some decent research.
Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on July 28, 2019:
John so sorry you are taking this part of the article personally. It needs to be pointed out though as those who afford it need to know the importance of these tests when something very serious is suspected. I know the MRI may not be an option as it can be very costly, but the good news is that bloodwork is fairly inexpensive and vets will accommodate testing based on what a dog owner can afford.
John on July 27, 2019:
“Normally, blood-work, an MRI and/or an analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid will suffice.“
Oh, is that all? I simply find it shocking and insensitive when animal “experts” just blurt out that kind of pronouncement as if those options are viable for most people. I have a senior dog that I rescued and I am perpetually disturbed and made to feel guilty because I don’t have the resources for extensive, expensive testing that “will suffice.” This advice is totally skewed and really gives no sensitivity to people who can’t afford those kind of things and need to find other ways to manage their pets health. And pet insurance is not a financial option for me because my dog is 11 years old has pre-existing health conditions and the monthly payments and deductible are so high.