Head tilting.

[Christina Noraas]

I've read that chins who tilt their head is bad, and I've noticed that Big Momma tilts her head sometimes, but generally only when she's looking at me. Is this something to be worried about?

 

[GorillaJTA]

There is a curious head tilt which is a natural action, and the scritches head tilt which are perfectly normal.
The head tilt to worry about is a persistent and obvious tilt and sometimes lean in which the chin cannot seem to correct itself. It can be cause by several things, most notably ear infections and neural defects. With a problem tilt, you would normally see some disorientation and other spatial issues. It is like a chinnie version of vertigo because the ear infection is messing with its balance. In that situation, a vet needs to be seen ASAP for treatment or the damage can become more severe or permanent.

 

[tunes]

Head tilting with a sick animal is often also accompanied by the animal walking in circles. They hide their illnesses so long, that they really dig in and took root before you notice them. When the circling starts, you're in trouble. It's causing imbalance issues and it's affecting their neurological system. It's very, very hard to save a chin that has reached that point. Rats you can do it with, but they frequently retain the head tilt even after they are cured. I only know of one chin that was saved after progressing to the point of walking in circles. I know I myself had a girl who did it and, despite my best efforts, it was a losing battle.

 

[Laurie]

I have a chin who naturally tilts her head. She doesn't do it all teh time, but when she is perched up on her highest perch she likes a slight tilt to her head. So yes you need to see if a head tilt is followed by other symptoms as Peggy said.

 

[Milo10]

Milo had this, and then she started walking in circles! I got her into the vets and on a antibiotic and now she still does the head tilt once in a blue moon but she doesn't cirlce anymore. But now I'm battling a scratched cornea!