Surely your dog pressing their head into corners or against objects sounds harmless enough?
It is one of the things that might come across as funny, quirky or weird. Or maybe it can make you think your dog is pouting. What would you think of it if your dog started doing that?
Compulsive pressing head against a wall or objects without an apparent reason is an emergency.
Head pressing indicates damage to the nervous system. Yep, that serious.
What kind of damage? The kind which needs immediate veterinary attention.
Potential causes include:
- tumors
- metabolic disorders
- infection of the nervous system
- toxicity
- head trauma
Toxicity can be from exposure to a poison, such as lead, or toxic accumulation of toxins in the body from liver damage or liver shunt.
Accompanying symptoms can include:
- balance issues
- compulsive pacing
- circling
- impaired reflexes
- disorientation
- vision problems
- and seizures
If your dog starts doing this, be on your way to a vet.
You can observe other symptoms along with head pressing, such as pacing, circling, seizures, vision problems, poor reflexes …
If you found this article because your dog is doing this, drop everything and go.
Related articles:
Circling in Dogs: Why Is My Dog Walking in Circles?
Further reading:
Pressing the Head Against Objects in Dogs