Headshaking

Hi,

My nearly four year old Bengal girl has suddenly started to shake her head just following when she meows!! Sounds crazy but true. Even more crazy is that it is only when she makes certain meows that this happens. I have looked in her ears and they look OK and she is not scratching. It does seem to bother her as she seems bemused by her own actions. It is now day three and is still happening. Any ideas ? She is an indoor cat with no other pets so I cannot see how she could have picked anything up. To repeat this only happens on certain volume meows but can be as many as 10 in a day.

Kind Regards,

Barry.

Maybe she has an ear polyp (which are often not visible when just taking a peak into their ear)? My cat had one when she was younger and she was always shaking her head and she seemed confused a lot.

I do believe she should see a vet and have her ears, teeth and head throuroughly examined. As sometimes head-shaking is a sign of a more serious problem like a brain tumor or a deep, inner ear infection.

Persistent head shaking is a common "symptom" of an ear problem in a cat. Could be a variety of things (ear mites, infection, etc.), so best to see a vet and find out what it is for sure!

As others have said, the only way to be certain is by exam. It could be anything, ear mites are a big one. Also, it could just be something as simple as ear wax that has hardened and broken loose, which is now sitting in her ear unable to get out. Or a foreign object. The vibration of her head during the meow, may cause the item to giggle inside her ear, causing the reaction you are seeing.

These are guesses, and only a proper ear exam will tell you with any certainty what is going on with your kitty.