Why Do Cats Shake Their Heads When Eating? Top 6 Reasons

Why do cats’ heads wobble when they eat?
I am always paying attention to my cat’s behaviour to try to decipher what she is trying to communicate and what it signifies. Cats have many endearing characteristics, such as the ability to understand their tail motions and the reason they bake biscuits.

My cat has started bobbing her head as she feeds recently, I’ve observed. I pondered whether this was usual cat behaviour as a result. Your cat’s tiny head shake while she feeds often indicates satisfaction. But it may also be a sign that they are experiencing difficulty chewing, perhaps as a result of dental issues.

Reasons Cats Shake Their Heads When Eating

1. Dental Issues

A dental issue like gingivitis, unpleasant bulging gums, or tooth cavities may also be the reason for your cat’s difficulty eating. All of these conditions are rather common in cats, and between 28 and 68 per cent of adult, cats lose teeth as a result of resorption lesions. This may lead to a loss of weight as well as a decrease in appetite and a reluctance to eat. 

2. Nasty Tendencies

Have you ever seen a wild cat eat a little animal? Naturally, they will start by looking for and searching for their victim. They capture it, but they don’t consume it right away. Instead, they begin to play with it, hitting it back and forth between their paws and teeth while shaking their heads. There is a serious cause for the head shaking, despite the fact that it all seems to be good fun. 

3. Dissatisfaction

On the other hand, others claim that a cat will shake its head while eating to indicate discontent, just like we do when we’re saying no. They may be trying to inform you that they don’t like the food you’ve made by doing this. If your cat thinks this, it will be obvious because they will turn away from their food bowl and refuse to eat.

It is common for cats to turn down their food because they are notoriously fussy eaters. Cats, for example, prefer flowing water and won’t drink from a dish of motionless water. My cat paws at her dish, starting the water to run.

4. Hypoglycemia

Often, a head shakes while eating is not a cause for alarm. In contrast, a cat that trembles while feeding is often suffering from the condition known as hypoglycemia. Your cat will experience a dangerously low blood sugar level at this point, making them feel weak and disoriented. Agitation, seizures and confusion can also be brought on by these low blood sugar levels.

Never spend longer than 12 hours without eating, as hypoglycemia commonly arises from extended fasting. Similar to humans, cats can get hypoglycemia from prolonged, intensive activity that depletes their glucose stores.

5. Enjoyment

Many people think that cats would only shake their heads at a really appetising dish in a household setting, as they do while eating their prey in the wild. Since your cat will be eating their meal rapidly and appearing peppy and content, this is typically simple to identify.

Check to observe whether your cat moves its head while eating if you feed it different kinds of cat food, such as wet food in the morning and dry kibble during the day. When eating this type of food, people must like it if they merely nod their heads in agreement.

6. Eating challenges

They’re having some problems swallowing their meal, which is the most common response to the question. The type of feeding issues your cat has depends on the cat food you provide them.

If you give your cat moist food, they should have no issue consuming it. However, cats commonly tilt and shake their heads while using their teeth to bite down strongly. This frequently happens when a cat is having trouble eating dry food. This mouthful is being chewed with significant difficulty, as seen by the head tilt.

Why Does My Cat Shake Her Head and Attack Me?

If your cat bit you and shook her head, that can be a sign of her predatory tendencies. Given that cats have a long history of hunting, they still have a certain wildness about them. To ensure that they have left with their victim already they shake.

As a result of their predatory instinct, they shake the object they bite to ensure that it won’t move. Don’t worry; your feline friend won’t rip you to pieces. After a few shakes, they will quit. Give it something with your fragrance on it to stop it from biting.

Find Out: Cat Keeps Shaking Head But Has No Mites Why?

Is it Normal for My Cat to Shake his Head While Eating?

If you give your cat excellent food, it could shake its head in thanks. A study found that the behaviours your cat displays when eating is a sign of how much she appreciates the food. In a nutshell, the action of your cat’s head shaking is entirely normal. Everything should be well if your cat isn’t displaying any additional symptoms.

Other Reasons for Cats Shaking their Head?

Everything is OK as long as head shaking only happens sometimes. But a head shakes every several seconds usually indicates health issues.

The following factors may also cause them to shake their heads. Your pet may be having issues with: ear infections or ear injury, hematoma of the ear aural mite, the ear has a foreign body stuck there, skin diseases that are allergic or inflamed or lump or growth in the ear.

Keep an eye out for any more indications that your cat may be experiencing issues. Among them are a deficit in balance Itchy ears smelly ears or constant face rubbing.

In addition, if you try to examine your cat’s ears closely, you could see any of the following:

Redness, swollenness or junkiness.

Why Does My Cat Tremble While She Chews?

Adult cats may struggle to eat if their lips are dirty or if something is stuck in their teeth. When eating too rapidly, your cat may experience an upset stomach or prolapsed stomach tissue, both of which can cause trembling. Even if your cat eats and drinks regularly, is in great condition, and has regular bowel movements, they still could lose their appetite.

So, try massaging organic coconut oil into the base of their hindquarters and tail before meals. As a result, your cat will become more at ease and be eager for a tasty meal.

The Bottom Line on Cats Shake Their Heads When Eating

Understanding a cat’s shaking while eating requires paying attention to other behaviours that our pets exhibit. They either appreciate the food or there are some problems. We may have to admit that this is just one of the strange behaviours that cats have that we just don’t understand, so don’t worry about this behaviour as long as your cat isn’t displaying any other symptoms.

But if your cat displays signs of hypoglycemia or dental issues, schedule a visit with the doctor. Additionally, you may try gradually moving to different cat food that your cat likes if it is refusing to eat. Again, the best person to ask for guidance or to make sure that this isn’t related to another underlying medical condition is your veterinarian.