Short answer: if your dog shakes their head or scratches their ears regularly, see your vet. PDSA says it can be a sign of an ear or skin problem and that the sooner it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.
What PDSA says
PDSA lists common causes as skin allergies, ear infections and ear mites. It says to contact your vet as soon as possible if your dog is head shaking or scratching their ears.
What to do
Book a vet visit. Ask your vet before cleaning the ears yourself. Our guide on ear cleaning explains the basics. See emergency signs if your dog seems very unwell.
Get the right help
The vet will look in the ears, find the cause and tell you how to treat it.
This article is general education, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems unwell, is in pain, or something changed suddenly, call your vet. If it could be an emergency, do not wait.
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Sources
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Frequently asked questions
What does it usually mean?
PDSA lists skin allergies, ear infections and ear mites as common causes, and says the sooner it is checked, the easier it is to treat.
What do I do?
Book a vet visit, and ask your vet before cleaning the ears yourself.
What happens at the visit?
The vet looks in the ears, finds the cause and tells you how to treat it.
When is it urgent?
If your dog seems very unwell, treat it as urgent and get seen right away.
