Why Do Cats Tilt Their Heads – The Interesting Reason!

There may not be anything cuter in the world than when a kitty opens their eyes wide and tilts their head as if they are completely perplexed by something. It’s an adorable move and makes most of us laugh. But, as with all things feline, it turns out there might be more going on than meets the eye. So, why do cats tilt their heads?

Cats tilt their heads as a way to understand better. Head tilting in cats can also indicate vestibular syndrome, a brain problem, or that the cat is picking up on complex sound frequencies. It’s essential to watch your cat for other behavioral signs to determine if the head tilt is a sign of something serious. 

In this post, we’ll dive into head tilts, the most common reasons for them, and how to determine whether your cat is just being cute or needs medical attention. 

What Causes Head Tilt In Cats? 

Our little kitties like to confuse us, and their tendency to tilt their heads is one way they do it. Animal behaviorists have several theories for why a cat would make this adorable yet quizzical move. Some say it’s an attempt to understand something, so they are tilting their heads as if to say, “what?” Others believe this move shows affection, as the cat is genuinely interested in its human’s words, sounds, and actions. 

There are also several medical reasons your cat could be doing this, the most common of which is a vestibular syndrome. We’ll discuss that later in this post. Remember, it’s always preferable to get your cat checked by a veterinarian to determine if there is a problem. 

Why Do Cats Tilt Their Heads When You Talk To Them 

Aside from showing affection for you, their human, cats could also be hearing an especially complex inflection in your voice. Just as we might squint to read small writing, a cat adapts its natural senses to better understand your communication. Cats’ ears can hear extremely high sound frequencies and pick up very quiet noises from several feet away. 

Additionally, while dogs can understand more words than cats, cats are susceptible to infections and can understand them far more than their canine counterparts. Mostly depending on your voice’s tone and timbre, your cat’s sensitive pinna, our outer ear canal, could be picking up complex sound frequencies when you speak. 

What is vestibular syndome? 

Sadly, while it may be cute, head tilting can be a sign of something more severe in your cat. The most common culprit is called vestibular syndrome or vestibular disease. The vestibular apparatus is located in the cat’s inner ear and is responsible for their usually terrific sense of balance.

The vestibular apparatus is part of a complex collection of nerves and consists of several canals that contain fluids. When a cat moves its head, the fluid signals a change in gravity to the brain. If there is an infection in the inner ear, this sense of gravity is jeopardized. This could cause a cat to become disoriented, and they could wobble, fall, or vomit. 

One way to tell the difference between an innocent, playful head tilt and a head tilt caused by something more serious is to watch the rest of the cat’s body. Namely, determine if the cat has control of its limbs, trunk, and tail. If their head is not following the direction of these other parts of the body or is moving seemingly independently, there is probably something medical going on. A sure sign that something is off is rapid eye movement, 

Vestibular disease is typically temporary and harmless. Occasionally, however, it could be a manifestation of a more severe problem in the brain, so it’s essential to have your cat checked out by a vet as soon as they exhibit symptoms. 

Reasons Cats Tilt Their Heads

There could be other reasons your cat is tilting or shaking its head, including: 

Ear mites: These common little parasites live their lives inside the ear canals of unsuspecting animals. If you see your cat tilting its head, ear mites could be the culprit, though the cat will usually scratch or shake its head as well as tilting it. Ear mites can typically be eradicated with over the counter medication. 

Brain tumor or cancer: The more serious potential reason for a head tilt could be a disease in your cat’s brain. However, a head tilt by itself is unlikely to be a sign of this. Cats with brain tumors or cancer typically have additional symptoms such as nausea, seizures, and decreased food intake. 

Polyps or tumors: Cats can sometimes develop these in their ears independently or as a side-effect of cancer. They can be removed surgically but recur 50% of the time. 

Drug reactions: Occasionally, a drug may cause dizziness or increased fluid in the ear canal, making the cat tilt its head to the side. 

Poor Nutrition: What your cat eats matters. Poor nutrition or the wrong combination of proteins and nutrients can cause your cat to display odd bodily behaviors such as head tilt. Take a moment to monitor your cat’s supplement intake and ingredient balance to help prevent this from being a cause for concern. 

Your cat’s head tilt may seem harmless, but it’s still essential to get it checked by a vet to make sure nothing more serious is going on. 

Head tilts are cute, but be on the lookout. 

How To Do You Treat Head Tilt In Cats 

Provided the vestibular disease is just due to an inner ear infection, it’s mostly a “wait it out” scenario. Kitties should be confined to a safe space where they won’t try to jump to or from high places, potentially hurting themselves. Extra fluids and rest can help too. 

Of course, if your cat is suffering from a severe case of head tilt and you notice other bodily functions are a struggle, you may want to see your vet. Vet’s offer overnight services so they can monitor your cat within a safe space periodically throughout the day.

Vet’s will also sometimes administer some medications to treat your cat. That can include ear drops, for example, or something your cat can take orally. 

Considering this is a mostly wait and see approach, you may want to do this if your cat lives in an environment where you can’t always keep an eye on them. It’s not always fun confining your cat to one room, but it’s necessary for their health in some cases like this. 

How Long Does Vestibular Syndrome Last In Cats?

Cats vary in their recovery time, but typically vestibular syndrome is temporary, and cats will recover within two to three weeks. 

If you think your cat may be suffering from this, it’s important to immediately get them to a vet. If the condition is not treated, then the effects can last much longer than two to three weeks.

There’s a decent chance that when your feline tilts their head, they’re responding to your voice or trying to understand you better, and that’s it.

Provided the activity occurs independent of other symptoms, everything should be fine. But keep an eye out for symptoms of imbalance, as well as lethargy, itching, decreased food intake, and seizures. These are all signs that the head tilt can mean something more serious, and that means it’s time to wrangle the kitty into the car for a trip to the vet!