My kitten is tilting her head and seems off balance. What's wrong?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My kitten seems a bit quirky and off balance. She tilts her head oddly a lot, I can never tell if something's wrong or if she's just curious.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 8th, 2016
If you are worried about her balance and the head tilt I would recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian. They will be able to take a full medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. They will be able to determine if your kitten has a neurological condition which could account for what you are seeing or if there is a possible ear infection or if what you are seeing is completely normal. In some instances they suggest further diagnostic tests such as X-rays or blood tests to investigate underlying causes. They will also be able to dispense any medications needed if there is an ear infection or any kind or if there is another treatable condition. Best of luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on October 20th, 2019
Journey is in pain if she can't hold her neck straight. Please do not give her any human pain medications as many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. Take her into a vet first thing in the morning.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Naru, cat, 8 months old. She started vomiting a week and a half after being spayed, and had loss of balance. She had a toxoplasmosis test and we're currently waiting for the results. She's keeping her head tilted to a side making it difficult for her
Head tilt could be caused by deep inner ear infection (or polyp), stroke, infection such as toxoplasmosis, stroke, or even tumor although that would be rare at her age. If the toxo test comes back normal then I would consider requesting a referral to a neurologist where an MRI of the brain can be done. If that is not possible then I would trial treat with antibiotics and steroids. I am so sorry that she is going through this. I am sure you are very worried. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
My kitten is 1 month old yesterday she started roaming around the house a little and today she didn't move from her spot, when she tries to walk or when we hold her her head falls backwards and she loses balance.
his is an emergency. Take her to a veterinarian right away, as this points to either hypoglycemia or an infection or she got hurt while roaming. Confine her to a room at this age as roaming for such a small kitten is dangerous and they can get into trouble easily. Please have her seen by a veterinarian today.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our cat developed a head tilt in February. Since then she has progressively gotten worse. She sways, wobbles and falls over. She has no balance and spends most of her time laying down. She vomits and poops outside of litterbox about once a week. Toni
The next steep would be a test for toxoplasmosis and an x-ray of the head. She could still have an inner ear infection. Unfortunately should als suffer from a brain tumor. You may want to get a referral to a veterinary neurologist..
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 1year old cat is have head tilt and head twitches her pupils are not reacting the same. It almost seems like she can't see Good. She grawling and don't want to be touched.
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Tinsel! She needs to see your Vet when they open. It sounds like she is having a Vestibular event, this is when the balance center is off and they feel like the world is spinning. They can see but the abnormal eye twitching is called nystagmus. The most common cause in a young kitten is a deep ear infection or a nasopharyngeal polyp. She is growling because she is scared and stressed. Be careful and do not get bit. Use a towel or large blanket to get her in the carrier. Gently place it over her body and scoop her up and put her in the carrier. I wish you the best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
2 week old kitten when trying to walk just goes in circles, flips over on back a lot. Does not have control of head. His sister does however and is already beginning to try and walk but straight, is that normal?
It's definitely not normal. I would recommend that you have the kitten checked out by a vet. There could be something congenital (such as a brain issue) or an infection causing these weird episodes. A complete physical and neurologic exam may shed some light as to the cause, or the vet may recommend bloodwork to get an answer.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We have taken in a stray kitty she's very skinny in the belly but eyes are clear and coat shiny...but she's walking with her head tilted to the left. She didn't respond at all when we ran the vacuum until it was next to her and then she just looked a
A head tilt in a kitten often indicates a severe ear infection that affects the middle and inner ear. This could definitely cause her to go deaf in that one ear, but she wouldn't be expected to be completely deaf. However, it is suspicious that she didn't react to the vacuum. It is possible that she has a hereditary defect (more common in white cats) that is causing her to be deaf. In either case, it's best to have her evaluated by a veterinarian. They can help narrow-down the cause of this and ensure she gets the necessary treatment. I hope that helps and all is well with Kee Kee D.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
i have a kitten home here with me but right now she only making noise and moving round in circle
It could be that your kitten is suffering from vestibular disease if she is moving around in a circle. Vestibular disease is a neurological disorder that can be caused by an ear infection, bacterial infection, inflammatory disease, or polyps among other causes. I would have your kitten seen by a vet immediately for this, who can diagnose the cause of her circling and can treat her.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Cats eyes are flickering and head tilted to one side
In any cat this can be a sign of a neurological problem, vestibular disease or an inner ear infection. No one knows what causes vestibular disease but it does often get better with time and treatment. Inner ear infections are also treatable with medication. At your cats age I would be worry about a brain disease such as a tumor or vascular disease to cause these symptoms. She does need to see a vet as soon as possible to see what the problem is and your potential prognosis. They can start medicine to help calm her and minimize the symtpoms
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat third eye is showing, his balance is off, he keeps tilting his head to the right and he keeps sleeping and his eyes keep twitching
Poor Future! This sounds like it could be serious. This could be due to a toxin that he has ingested or come into contact with or some type of bacterial or viral infection. With him being so young, I would take him to your vet or local emergency clinic as soon as possible to have him examined. The vet will be able to do an exam, ensure he doesn't have a fever, and see if this could be an infection versus a toxin. Your vet will also be able to run blood work if needed. If it is an infection, your vet will likely want to start antibiotics or other medication . If a toxin is suspected then they may recommend some fluids to help flush the toxin out. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my cat tilts his head to oneside and has done for about a year, but all of a sudden now he is off balance, has rapid eye movement, loss of appetite, and keeps falling over. He had these same symptoms about a year ago for about 2 weeks and was fin
Hello and thank you for contacting Boop by Petco. These symptoms suggest that Stidi hs problems with the middle ear (infection, inflammation, polyp, tumour) or it may be related to brain disfunction (blood clot within the brain, ruptured vessel in the brain, tumor). Please, take Stidi to your local vets as soon as possible. If the symptoms are due to middle ear problem, he will need a course of strong anti-inflammatory medications and possibly antibiotics to get better.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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