Cats bob their head for several cause . While it may be normal in sleepy cat , most of the time it something else cause cat head bob . It can be something simple and easy to treat like an pinna transmission or complicated like a condition in the mentality .

Still , any change in your pot ’s conduct can be alarming . You will want to know : when should I be concerned , and when should I reach out to my veterinarian ? Here we describe when cat head bobsled is normal , the many causes , and when to talk to your veterinarian .

Cat Head Bobbing: Is It Normal?

Head dock is normal when cats are very sleepy and are about to fall numb . When cat-o'-nine-tails are fighting sopor , they can sometimes bobsled their head as they begin to doze off . If your kat only experiences drumhead bobsled when trying to sleep , and the bob is very elusive , there ’s belike no effort for business organisation .

unsighted catsmay have a subtle head bob as they research new surroundings . When their sensory hair touch something , they may move their oral sex back in an magnified direction because they can not see . This is a normal path of exploring new things .

Otherwise , cat head bobbing in other circumstances is rarely normal . It almost always indicates other issues . Head bobbing can be very subtle or very obvious . hombre usually present other symptom at the same meter . These symptoms admit jerk of other parts of the body , increased micturition or thirstiness , changes in pelt pelage , or change in how they take the air .

Cute cat with head tilted

Causes of Cat Head Bobbing

There are many potential causes of fountainhead bobbing in computed tomography . These include :

kat head bobbing is often keep company by other symptoms as well . Noting these other symptoms can help your veterinarian figure out what is amiss .

Ear Infections

When cats develop auricle infections , they often experience inflammation of the inner or mediate ear . This inflammation affects a nerve that plug into to the brainstem and can cause promontory bobbing .

ordinarily other symptoms of capitulum infections in cats let in :

Veterinarians treat capitulum infections with topical medication , antibiotics , and sometimes sex hormone . bass ear contagion can take 1 to 2 months to solve .

Cat head bobbing is it normal cat wide eyes being held

Brain Inflammation or Structural Issues

The brain contain the cerebellum , which controls crusade of your khat ’s body . When inflammation affects this part of the nous , cats can have foreland bobbing or shudder . The repose of the nous , call in the cerebrum , does n’t control movements quite the same way as the cerebellum .

Examples of conditions that can stimulate inflammation in the brain and lead to head bobbing include :

Symptoms of brain inflammation to watch out for

With mastermind conditions , cats often have other neurological symptoms alongside school principal bobbing . These symptoms include :

Metabolic Disease

There are many causes of systemic ( i.e. full body ) sickness that can lead to head bobbing in bozo . These conditions go on with any imbalance of electrolyte , blood boodle , or insulin , affecting nerves and muscles .

Examples of metabolic disease in cats admit :

Cats often have other symptom of malady when they have metabolic disease , including :

Cat head bobbing cat head tilted up and looking confused

Treatment vary look on the condition . Some conditions such as diabetes mellitus , hyperthyroidism , and high blood pressure necessitate womb-to-tomb medication . Chronic kidney disease often require especial diets , hydration , and supplements to support your pool for the residuum of his liveliness . Liver disease may call for supportive concern and supplements , or sometimes operating room .

Seizures

Seizures in catscan be due to the causes listed above , or they can be idiopathic , meaning they have no known cause . Only about2 percent of CT are diagnosed with seizure . Epilepsy can occur in up to60 percent of cats diagnosed with seizure .

Focal seizures present as abnormal movement or squeeze in only one arena of the body , such as certain limb , eyelids , or role of the facial expression . Many times , cats do not lose awareness during these capture . head word bobbing can be traced to a focal capture , but not always .

With generalized seizures , cats misplace consciousness , and their entire trunk convulses for up to minute . Head bobbing can be a neurologic symptom that can progress to generalized seizures

Cat scratching ear outside cause of cat head bobbing

If there is a specific implicit in causal agent of the seizure , treatment is dependent on the cause . With no known cause , raptus are often treated with lifelong anti - seizure medications . Over time , frequent , uncontrolled raptus can make life endanger terms to the brainiac .

Skin Disease

When cats feel fidgety , it can front like header bobbing due to overstimulated nerve . computed tomography often obliterate when scrape or grooming themselves , so it can be hard to know when your computed tomography is itchy .   Itchiness can be due to dry skin , allergies , or even parasites likeear soupcon .

Symptoms include :

Treatment call for addressing the underlying inflammation and infections . Sometimes , veterinarians will prescribe a exceptional dieting .

Cat feeling woozy laying down on tiles outdoors

Mouth Pain

Cats with serious dental problem may bob their heads from pain and overstimulated brass in the mouth . Even cats with normal looking dentition can have painfuldental issueshidden under the surface , diagnosable only via disco biscuit - rays .

Other symptom of backtalk annoyance in cats include :

discourse involves a dental procedure under anesthesia at a veterinary clinic .

Cat spaced out

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome

This complex syndrome is trip by flea , stress , seizure , pain , or brain firing . guy with this syndrome have overactive nerves , resulting in twitching , head teacher bob and changes to behavior . discourse varies depending on cause , but often admit lifelong medications to help your cat ’s behavior .

Anesthesia

If your veterinary surgeon had to anesthetize your computed tomography , he / she may have used ketamine . In rare cases for unknown reasons , hombre begin head bob after but this should resolve entirely within 48 60 minutes .

When to Call Your Veterinarian

If you notice head bobbing unrelated to sleep , take a video of the behavior and call your veterinary right away .

If it occurs while your cat is falling asleep , watch your cat for signs it is getting worse or more frequent . And if frequency increment or it becomes more striking , call your veterinary .

Be prepared to respond your veterinary surgeon ’s questions that may direct specific causes . interrogation may include :

Cat head tilting slightly sitting in the kitchen

Your veterinarian will need to do a blanket form of tryout to decree out crusade for the caput curtsy . These may include :

If these tests do n’t show anything , your veteran may commend other tests , include :

Cats may bob their mind for several reasons , sometimes requiring veterinary intervention . Your vet will help you assess the right discourse plan for you .

Cat laying down staring into the distance

Large cat laying down in the grass

Cat with their mouth open

Cat sitting looking at owner by a window

Cat being examined in the vet

Cat being examined by vet