Cat itchy ears and head shaking – when to see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. Head shaking usually indicates a problem with the ears, and possible causes include an ear infection, ear mites, a swollen ear flap, something stuck in the ear, an ear injury, allergic or inflammatory skin disease, or a lump in the ear.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Head shaking more than usual
A sudden head tremor that your cat cannot control

What you can do now

Contact your vet
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
Take a photo or short video to show the vet
Let your cat rest somewhere calm
Keep fresh water available

Don't

Do not give any human medicine
Do not wait if it gets worse

What it can mean

Head shaking usually indicates a problem with the ears.^[1] Possible causes include an ear infection, an aural haematoma, ear mites, something stuck inside the ear, an ear injury, allergic or inflammatory skin disease, or a lump in the ear.^[1]

Possible causes

Allergic skin disease
An ear infection
Fleas
Ear mites
A swollen ear flap
Something stuck in the ear
An injury to the ear
A lump in the ear

What the experts say

“Overview. Has your cat been shaking his/her head more than usual? Head shaking usually indicates a problem with the ears. Book an appointment with your vet if you have noticed your cat shaking their head more than usual.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What does head shaking usually indicate?

Head shaking usually indicates a problem with the ears.^[1]

When should I book a vet appointment?

Book an appointment with your vet if your cat is shaking their head more than usual.^[1]

What is an emergency warning sign?

A sudden head tremor that your cat cannot control needs an emergency vet appointment.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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