Do Dogs Get Headaches? Vet-Approved Signs & FAQ

Do Dogs Get Headaches? A Veterinarian‘s Perspective

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints in humans, with almost half of adults experiencing at least one headache in the past year. These painful episodes can range from mildly annoying to completely debilitating. While we tend to think of headaches as a uniquely human problem, there is growing evidence to suggest that our canine companions can suffer from headaches too.

As a veterinarian, I‘m often asked by worried pet parents if dogs can get headaches. The short answer is yes, although diagnosing headaches in dogs is challenging since they can‘t tell us what hurts. In this article, we‘ll take an in-depth look at the signs that a dog may be experiencing head pain, the potential underlying causes, and when to seek veterinary care.

What Exactly Is a Headache?
Before we dive into doggie headaches, let‘s review what a headache actually is. Put simply, a headache is pain that occurs in any region of the head, on one or both sides. This pain can present as sharp, throbbing, dull, or achy. Headaches may appear suddenly or come on slowly, and can last anywhere from a few minutes to days on end.

In humans, common headache triggers include:

• Eye strain from staring at screens
• Dehydration
• Fluctuations in blood pressure
• Stress and anxiety
• Lack of sleep
• Certain foods and drinks

While a headache can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition, most are harmless and resolve on their own with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter pain relievers. For frequent or severe headaches, it‘s best to consult with a healthcare provider.

Can Dogs Really Get Headaches?
So, do our furry friends also experience the unpleasant sensation of a throbbing noggin? The consensus among veterinary experts is a resounding yes. Dogs have complex nervous systems and brains that are not all that dissimilar from our own. They also experience many of the same triggers that can spark a headache in humans.

For example, dogs can develop eye strain and vision changes as they age. They are prone to dehydration, especially if they are highly active or don‘t have easy access to fresh water. Stress and anxiety are rampant in canines, whether from a change in routine, loud noises, or being left alone. It stands to reason that the canine brain would process these stressors similarly to a human brain.

The smoking gun comes from a 2021 study published in The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. The researchers found a strong correlation between signs of headaches and migraines in dogs who had a specific type of jaw tumor. After the dogs underwent surgery to remove the tumor, the headache indicators vanished, only to reappear if the tumor grew back. This was groundbreaking evidence that dogs can and do suffer from headaches.

Signs Your Dog May Have a Headache
The challenge for pet parents and vets alike is that dogs can‘t verbalize a headache. They can‘t say "Ow, my head really hurts!" So how do we know if a dog is experiencing head pain? We have to rely on the subtle changes in behavior and body language that may indicate a pooch is feeling less than stellar.

Signs that your dog may be struggling with a headache include:

• Lethargy and sleeping more than usual
• Reluctance to exercise or play
• Restlessness or pacing
• Sensitivity to light or squinting
• Aversion to petting or touching the head and neck area
• Pressing the head against you or a wall for relief
• Withdrawal from the family or hiding
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and lip licking

Keep in mind that these signs on their own don‘t necessarily mean a headache. Any of these symptoms could also be indicators of other health problems, from an upset stomach to something more serious like a neurological condition or systemic infection. That‘s why it‘s so important to see your veterinarian if you notice persistent or worsening signs of a headache in your dog.

Possible Causes of Headaches in Dogs
To relieve a headache, it helps to understand why it‘s happening in the first place. Some headaches have no discernible cause and resolve on their own. Others are secondary to an underlying health problem. Conditions that may trigger a headache in dogs include:

Dental Disease: Dental pain from a fractured tooth, periodontal disease, or tooth root abscess can radiate into the head and cause severe discomfort. According to the American Veterinary Dental College, most dogs over the age of three have some level of dental disease.

Ear Infections: The canine ear canal is very deep and extends almost to the jaw bone. An infection of the outer or middle ear can be intensely painful and cause headaches. Breeds with floppy ears like Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds are especially prone to repeated ear infections.

Allergies and Sinus Problems: Just like humans, dogs can suffer from seasonal allergies that trigger sinus congestion and pain. Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus have compressed nasal passages that predispose them to chronic sinusitis. The mucus build-up leads to sinus pressure and headaches.

Encephalitis: Encephalitis is a fancy word for inflammation of the brain. This serious condition can be caused by viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections. Encephalitis can also be idiopathic, meaning there is no known infectious cause. Brain inflammation is extremely painful and requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent brain damage or death.

Head Trauma: A blow to the head from a fall, car accident, or altercation with another animal can cause a concussion. Even mild head trauma can trigger a whopper of a headache. More severe head injuries may result in bleeding in or around the brain, skull fractures, or damage to the brain tissue itself.

Brain Tumors: Both malignant (cancerous) and benign brain tumors can cause painful headaches in dogs as the mass grows and puts pressure on surrounding tissues. Other signs of a brain tumor include circling, seizures, vision changes, and a wobbly gait.

Tick-Borne Diseases: Ticks can transmit a variety of nasty illnesses to dogs, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These infections often cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to headaches, fever, joint pain, and neurological symptoms.

Hypertension: High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can cause blood vessels in the brain to bulge and lead to headaches. While true hypertension is relatively rare in dogs, it can develop secondary to kidney disease, Cushing‘s disease, or an adrenal gland tumor.

When to See the Vet
Any time you notice signs that your dog just isn‘t acting quite right, it‘s worth making an appointment with your veterinarian. Headaches can be tricky to diagnose, so the more information you can provide about changes in your dog‘s behavior and habits, the better.

Keep a log of concerning symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, sensitivity to light, or a reluctance to exercise. Note how long the signs have been going on and if they‘re getting progressively worse. Capture a video of body language indicators like squinting, head pressing, or lip licking so you can show your vet exactly what you‘re seeing at home.

If your dog is showing any of the following symptoms, see your veterinarian right away:

• Severe lethargy or weakness
• Persistent or worsening head pressing
• Repeated vomiting
• Extreme sensitivity to light
• Walking in circles or staggering
• Rapid eye movements from side to side (nystagmus)
• Screaming in pain when the head or neck is touched
• Loss of consciousness or collapse
• Seizures

These signs could point to a potentially life-threatening neurological problem, such as encephalitis, meningitis, or a brain tumor. The sooner you get your dog to the vet, the better the chances of a positive outcome.

Your vet visit will start with a thorough physical exam and neurological assessment. Depending on the findings, your veterinarian may recommend bloodwork, a urine test, X-rays, or advanced imaging such as a CT scan or MRI to look for underlying causes of the headache. Treatment will be tailored to the specific diagnosis but may include IV fluids, pain relievers, anti-nausea medications, antibiotics, or anti-seizure drugs.

Never give your dog human pain medications without checking with your vet first. Many over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers, including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin, are toxic to dogs and can cause stomach ulcers, liver failure, or even death.

How to Help a Dog With a Headache
Mild headaches that are not linked to an underlying illness often resolve on their own with a little TLC. To help your dog feel more comfortable, try the following remedies:

• Provide a cool, dark, quiet space for your dog to rest. Close the curtains or blinds and consider moving your pup‘s bed to a quieter area of the house away from foot traffic and noisy kids or pets.

• Make sure your dog has easy access to fresh, clean water at all times to prevent dehydration. Adding an ice cube or two can encourage reluctant drinkers. You can also offer sodium-free bone broth or Pedialyte to replenish fluids and electrolytes.

• Gentle massage can help ease head and neck pain. Use light pressure to stroke your dog‘s forehead, temples, and back of the neck in a circular motion. This increases blood flow and promotes relaxation.

• A cold compress applied to the head or neck may numb pain and reduce inflammation. Wet a clean washcloth with cool water, wring it out, and drape it over your dog‘s head or neck for 5-10 minutes at a time. Alternatively, you can use a bag of frozen peas or corn wrapped in a damp towel.

• Acupuncture and chiropractic can be beneficial for dogs with chronic headaches or neck pain. These alternative therapies help balance the flow of energy through the body and release tension in tight muscles. Ask your vet for a referral to a certified animal acupuncturist or chiropractor.

If your dog‘s headache symptoms persist for more than a day or two, or if your dog is very painful, it‘s best to err on the side of caution and take them to the vet to get checked out. Headaches are often a sign that something else is going on under the surface, and it‘s important to get an accurate diagnosis so you can help your dog feel better fast.

The Bottom Line
While we may never know for sure what a doggie headache feels like, all signs point to yes, dogs do get headaches. Our furry friends have complex brains and nervous systems that process pain in much the same way human brains do. Dogs can also experience many of the same headache and migraine triggers as people, including dehydration, allergies, stress, and lack of sleep.

The key is to know your dog‘s normal behavior and habits inside and out. The better you know your dog, the faster you‘ll be able to tell when something is off. Symptoms like lethargy, hiding, head pressing, and sensitivity to light or touch may indicate your pup is in pain. Any time you suspect your dog has a headache, it‘s a good idea to check in with your vet. They can help you determine if there is a more serious underlying issue at play and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your pet.

By staying alert to signs of headaches in dogs and acting quickly, you can be your dog‘s best advocate and help them get back to living their best, pain-free life. Because at the end of the day, that‘s what every pet parent wants – a happy, healthy furry friend by their side.