Do you wonder if your dog suffers from headaches? Is your dog experiencing a sinus-ey stabbing pain behind the eyes when she has a virus? How do you know?
According to some, a pet can look just like its owner. Their hair color, facial features, and even their ability to gulp down steaks, in the same way, may be shared.
We may not realize it, but dogs may have more in common with their owners than we think. So, have you ever wondered: “Do dogs get headaches?” What are the symptoms of a dog with a headache? How to handle it? Read this article to learn more.
Dogs can develop headaches similar to when their dog has an allergy or a cold. Headaches can be caused by nausea, vomiting, and avoiding physical activity. Let’s examine some possible causes for headaches in dogs and the symptoms we can recognize.
Table of Contents
Can dogs get headaches?
Yes, for sure. Just like humans, your dog can get headaches.
Although only a handful of studies have shown that dogs can experience headaches in the past, many veterinarians believe they are possible. However, to understand why headaches can occur in dogs, it is necessary to learn how headaches happen in humans.
Anyone who has ever experienced headaches knows that they can cause nausea and bed-boundness. Some people wonder if headaches can be suffered by their pets. Maybe your pet has been showing signs of headaches.
The brain functions as an information channel and is the informer of pain. When certain parts of the body, like nerves, blood vessels, and muscles, become constricted or swelled, it causes pain in the head, which is known as a headache.
Dogs experience the same process due to their genetic makeup, which includes similar blood vessels and nerves, as humans. Even though dogs have similar bodily functions to humans the veterinary community cannot determine if they suffer from headaches. Because our furry friends are unable to communicate their pain and explain why this is what causes headaches.
Many experts agree that headaches in dogs are possible. Dog headaches can be caused by their stronger olfactory sense (senses of smell), than humans.
Do dogs get migraines?
Migraines, which are more severe headaches caused by the sensitivity of light and sound, can lead to nausea and throbbing pain in the head. Dogs may also suffer from migraines, as they have similar internal functions to humans.
Migraines and other primary headache disorders commonly affect everyone. There is evidence that migraines can occur in dogs. The National Library of Medicine has an article on migraines in dogs.
In that article, they present a dog with paroxysmal migraine attacks that are similar to human migraines as well as an overview of migraines in humans.
It is important to find the root cause of migraines and to eliminate stressors in the dog’s environment. These can include bright lights, loud noises, and other unappreciated factors that can cause migraines.
What causes a dog to get a headache?
Dogs can suffer from headaches just like humans. Dogs are unable to communicate their problems so it can be difficult to assist them when they need help. Here are some possible causes of a dog’s headache.
Allergies
Dogs can become allergic to certain foods, smells, and weather. This can cause a headache. Dogs’ olfactory receptors can be more powerful than those of humans and can lead to frustration when they are exposed to certain allergens.
Overheating
Dogs can become heat-exhausted if the temperature rises. Dogs can experience heat exhaustion, which is a result of the heat. You should take your dog to the shelter if they start to exhibit symptoms like dryness, panting, salivation, vomiting, or increased pulse.
Cold Or Flu
People who get the flu or cold tend to prefer to stay in bed all day due to the headaches that often follow. Dogs are the same. Dogs that are sick can be fatigued or sneezing, which could indicate that they are experiencing headaches.
Stress
Dogs can experience many different stress levels than humans, but many things can lead to headaches. Your pet may feel uncomfortable or irritated by loud noises, bright lights, and strangers.
Excessive Activity
Dog headaches can also result from too much physical activity. Sometimes, a dog’s body may heat up if they are playing too rough or running for too long. This can lead to headaches or migraines.
Signs to know when dogs get headaches?
Dogs are not like people. Dogs can’t tell us where the pain is, or how it feels. Therefore, when your dog has a health problem, we cannot know for sure where they are in pain.
There are many people who do not have experience in taking care of hard animals who are very confused when their pet dog is sick.
They don’t know what’s wrong with their dogs? Do dogs get headaches? Pet dogs are like babies, when they have headaches, they are difficult to describe.
Adults can hardly understand the pain in children or dogs when they have a headache. That’s why it’s important to look closely to spot red flags for headaches in children as well as your pets.
That’s why Huy Hoa Team synthesizes knowledge so that you can recognize signs that your pet has a problem with its head.
There are many ways to tell whether your dog is suffering from headaches. We knew some possible causes of headaches in dogs. Here are some signs to watch out for. According to veterinarians, dogs feel the following:
- Trance in their temples
- Sensitivity towards light
These signs may also be seen in a dog suffering from a headache.
- Avoidance of being touched to their head
- Disinterested in food
- Avoid possible sun exposure, disinterest from going outside
- Anxiety such as pacing and constant licking
- Keep their head low to the floor
- Frequent napping and rest
Your dog might experience one or more of these symptoms depending on the severity of the headache. The majority of headaches aren’t fatal and don’t last long. However, it is important to keep your dog safe and comfortable to prevent the situation from getting worse.
Because headaches usually disappear quickly and are not serious, they don’t need to be diagnosed or treated. It would be lucky if your dog only suffered from chronic headaches or migraines.
A physical examination may be all that is needed to diagnose the headaches of a dog. Headaches can be diagnosed by pupils dilation, straining under bright sunlight, and straying away from any approaching hands.
Your dogs may need an MRI in severe cases. This can reveal that headaches could be caused by a brain tumor. However, allergies are the leading cause of headaches in dogs.
Similarities and differences between headaches in dogs and humans
Similarities between headaches in humans and dogs
There is a commonality in headaches in humans and dogs: the symptoms are often the same as the causes. These signs will be present in both canines as well as humans.
- Bright lights can cause you to squint
- You long to be in a calm, dark, and cool space
When it comes to headaches, both dogs and people feel the effects of:
- Excessive head movement
- Exposure to the sun’s heat for long periods of time
- Allergies
- Stress and anxiety
- Head trauma
- Excessive loudness
Difference between headaches in humans and dogs?
There is a big difference between headaches in humans and dogs. It’s how we express our discomfort. Because they are unable to communicate with us, our furry friends may experience pain in unusual ways.
- Rubbing their heads on the floor or on furniture
- Hidden under beds or couches to hide from prying eyes
- Disinterested in eating or drinking from dog bowls, as it forces them to bend their heads downwards, increasing pain.
Treatment
An allergy test can help to prevent headaches from your pet. This will allow you both to identify any allergies and help you avoid them.
We all know how awful headaches can be for humans. The last thing we want is to see our pets NOT suffer the same. Dog headaches are common, but it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms so that the problem doesn’t get worse.
Dog headaches can be managed with the right care and treatment.
There are some things you can do to calm your dog during a headache episode.
- Make sure your dog has a place to sleep in a dark, quiet area.
- Avoid touching the head, particularly the top.
- Give your dog space and keep other pets and children out of the house. This will ensure that your dog isn’t disturbed.
- Aspirin dosage for dogs should be administered according to a veterinarian’s prescription
- Apply warm or cold compresses to the neck and back gently
Headaches usually subside within 30 to 60 minutes but can last up to an hour if they are constantly agitated by noise, light, or loud sounds.
The pain relief that chiropractic can provide is comparable to craniosacral treatment. To reduce pain, you can add pain relievers to your food. You should not give acetaminophen to pets as it can be toxic.
Veterinarians have specialized medicine that is safe and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can You Do If A Dog Has A Headache?
Every dog who suffers from headaches will have their own routine. There are many things you can do to help your dog with headaches.
Create A Safe Zone
You can help your dog avoid stress by creating a safe area. You can give your dog things that are their scent. Your tender care and the scent of their skin can help them feel at ease and trust. Give them the space they need to heal.
Give Your Dog Space
You can help your dog relax while they have a headache by creating a safe place. Dogs can sometimes prefer to be alone and deal with their own problems depending on how they are wired. Sometimes, even though you'd love to give your dog comfort and allow them to deal with their headaches on their own, it is best to leave them alone.
Hot or Cold Compress
If you are a human, a cold or hot compress can be used on your forehead to reduce any pain. This works well for dogs as well. Hot or cold compresses can be used to calm your dog and reduce tension in their necks and heads if your dog is experiencing headache symptoms.
CBD
CBD is a great way to calm your dog's head pain. CBD, a compound made from hemp, is known for its soothing effects on the body. CBD is not a psychoactive compound, so your dog will not feel the effects of THC.
There are many CBD products that can be used on animals. These delicious, chewy snacks are made from 100% all-natural flavors. They also contain broad-spectrum CBD.
How do you know when a dog has a headache?
The signs of headaches in dogs look very similar to the symptoms that humans experience. Take a look at your dog. A headache in dogs may present as follows:
- Avoid touching your head
- Food insecurity
- Possible avoidance of the sun and disinterest in going outdoors
- Anxious activity such as pacing and constant licking
- Keep your head low to the floor
- Frequent rest or napping
- A tightened jaw or clenched jaw
- Hyperreactivity to touch, mainly on the head and neck
- Incomplete full-body shakes
- Lethargy
- Repeated blinking
- Personality changes
How do dogs get headaches?
The nerves, blood vessels, and muscles that cover the human skull and neck can swell or contract, causing headaches. Dogs also get headaches because they have the same basic nerves and blood vessels as humans.
How often do dogs get headaches?
In fact, dogs are just like humans, it is not natural to have headaches. If he's healthy, doesn't have stress or allergies, he doesn't have a headache. The frequency of headaches in dogs will depend on the dog's health, environment, food, and living conditions.
Do dogs get headaches from barking?
It all depends on their barking intensity and how long they bark, it can lead to headaches in dogs. Barking can be a strenuous physical activity and requires a lot of energy. Barking is often associated with head movements, which can cause neck and head irritation. If the dog barks too often, it can cause a headache.
To reduce your dog's risk, train your dog not to bark as often, or identify the root cause of why it barks so much and eliminate it.
Do dogs get headaches after a seizure?
After the seizure, many dogs present with a clumsy phase, characterized by disorientation. This can be indicative of dogs experiencing headaches following a seizure and can last from a few minutes to hours. The most commonly reported signs were behavioral changes, persistent somnolence, confusion, transient blindness, and bulimia.
Do dogs get headaches from dehydration?
Here are some of the most common symptoms of dehydration for dogs:
- Deep sunken eyes, far away
- Coma or general malaise
- Dry mouth
- Apathy towards food or play
- Gasp
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Unusual manifestations such as sleeping a lot, avoiding exposure to light, not letting people touch the head or body
Knowing your dog and more importantly, knowing when something is amiss, is an important sign that saves your dog's life.
