Canine headaches are similar to human headaches. They involve pain in the dog's head, often tied to issues with blood vessels or nerves. While dogs can't verbally express their discomfort, they show signs that suggest they're experiencing head pain.
Dogs can also get headaches from emotional stress like anxiety, worry, consistent triggers like fireworks or thunderstorms, and more. If your dog is excessively worried consistently and this could be causing their headaches, consider a safe calming supplement in addition to the methods discussed below.
Signs and Symptoms of Dog Headaches
Knowing these signs helps you understand when your canine friend might be in pain. Common headache symptoms in dogs include:
- head pressing
- sensitivity to light and sound
- squinting
- head shaking
- Anxiety
- irritability
- solitude-seeking
- whining
- reluctance to eat
It can be difficult to identify the signs of headaches in dogs and distinguish them from symptoms of other issues. Generally, you will get a sense that something is a little off.
If you notice these signs, it's best to take a visit to the vet rather than making a guess at what the root cause is.
Causes of Headaches in Dogs
Headaches in dogs can occur without an underlying health problem. In most cases, though, there's an underlying issue causing a headache in your dog. This is why it's so important to consult with your veterinarian.
Tension headaches and migraines are two types of primary headaches that might affect your furry friend.
Tension headaches in dogs can be caused by stress or muscle tension in the neck and head. Just like humans, dogs can feel stressed by changes in their environment or routine. This stress can lead to muscle tightness and pain in the head area.
Migraines in dogs are harder to identify, but some experts believe they can occur. These might be triggered by bright lights, loud noises, or certain foods. However, diagnosing migraines in dogs is challenging since they can't describe their symptoms.
Treatment Options for Dog Headaches
Vets often prescribe pain relief medications to help dogs with headaches. These might include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) made specifically for dogs. Never give your dog human pain medications, as these can be harmful or even deadly for canines.
CBD oil, a natural compound derived from hemp plants, may help your dog's headache. When buying CBD for your dog choose products made specifically for pets.
Addressing the Root Cause
Treating the underlying cause is key to managing dog headaches effectively. If your dog's headaches are due to an ear infection, dental problem, or other health issue, addressing that problem often resolves the headaches.
Conclusion
Headaches in dogs are relatively common, and they tend to go away on their own. In many cases, a headache is caused by an underlying health condition. If your dog is showing signs that they could be having a headache, the only way to truly resolve the issue is by taking a trip to the vet.
Even though headaches in dogs tend to subside on their own, the underlying health problem causing the headache may not.
