Dog losing balance – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

This is not usually an emergency on its own – contact your vet if it lasts, gets worse or your dog seems unwell in any other way. One of the most common causes is vestibular disease.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Head tilting to one side
Flickering eye movements
Muscle weakness and wobbling
Falling over
Unsteady walking
Walking round in a circle
Difficulty placing feet
Standing with legs wide apart
Balance getting worse when concentrating on a task such as eating

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
Keep fresh water available
Let your dog rest somewhere calm

Don't

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

What it can mean

Loss of balance can be caused by many different problems.^[1] One of the most common causes is vestibular disease.^[1] Problems affecting the inner ear or brain could cause balance issues.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Vomiting or retching
Lip licking
Swallowing
Drooling
Being off food

Possible causes

Vestibular disease
Problems affecting the inner ear
Problems affecting the brain

What the experts say

“Overview. Loss of balance can be caused by many different problems; one of the most common is called vestibular disease. Balance and coordination are controlled by the inner ear and brain, problems with either of these areas could cause balance issues.”
— 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 can cause loss of balance in dogs?

It can be caused by many different problems; vestibular disease is one of the most common.^[1]

What signs can come with loss of balance?

Signs can include a head tilt, vomiting or retching, flickering eye movements, muscle weakness and wobbling, falling over, unsteady walking, walking in a circle and difficulty placing the feet.^[1]

When should I contact a vet?

Book an appointment with your vet ASAP if your dog is having problems with their balance.^[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