Constant scratching, licking or head-shaking is a medical sign, not a habit — find the cause.
Head shaking, scratching, odor or brown discharge point to an ear infection, common in floppy-eared and hairy-eared breeds. Do not poke cotton buds deep into the canal; have a vet check and treat it, as untreated ears become painful fast.
Fleas are the most common cause of itching, so keep parasite prevention current. Persistent itching without fleas often points to environmental or food allergies, which a vet can help investigate and manage rather than guessing with diet changes alone.
Red, bald, smelly or weeping patches, sudden intense itching or repeated licking of one spot need a vet, not a wait-and-see. Early treatment stops a small hot spot from becoming a painful, infected wound.
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