# Dog Fell on His Head: Signs of Injury and What to Do If your dog fell on his head, stay calm and check him right where he is before you move him. Most minor bumps cause brief yelping and no lasting problems, but head trauma in dogs can worsen over the first 24 hours. Know what to do if my dog fell on his head, and you can act fast when it matters. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Call an emergency veterinarian immediately if your dog is unconscious, having a seizure, bleeding from the head, breathing oddly, or cannot stand. - Do not pick up a dog with a suspected neck or spine injury unless he is in danger. Slide him onto a flat, firm surface like a board or a stiff blanket. - Watch for vomiting, wobbling, unequal pupil sizes, pacing, circling, or a blank stare. These are signs of brain injury and need same-day care [1]. - Keep a wobbly dog confined in a small, padded space with no stairs and no furniture to fall against. - Symptoms can appear or worsen for up to 24 hours after the fall, so plan to check on your dog through the night. ## What a Head Injury Looks Like in Dogs A head injury means any trauma to the skull, brain, or the tissues of the head. The effects depend on which part of the brain was affected and how severely [1]. Some dogs show obvious signs right away. Others seem fine for an hour or two, then start to change. That delay is one reason head trauma is tricky. ### Signs you might see right after the fall - Yelping or crying at the moment of impact - A swollen area, scrape, or cut on the head - Brief daze, then acting normal again - One pupil larger than the other - Vomiting once or repeatedly - Wobbling, stumbling, or a wide stance ### Signs that point to the brain, not just the bump Injuries to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls coordination, can cause a lack of coordination of the head and legs, tremors, and loss of balance [1]. Injuries to the cerebrum can cause partial or complete blindness, loss of smell, seizures, coma, stupor, pacing or circling, and even failure to recognize you [1]. Injuries to the brain stem can cause loss of balance, limb weakness, hyperactive reflexes, stupor, or coma [1]. That list is long because the brain does a lot. A dog who circles to one side or stares at a wall is not being funny. He is showing a neurologic sign. ### What is normal after a minor bump A dog who yelps, shakes it off, and returns to normal within a few minutes is likely fine. A small bump or scrape on the skin is also common and usually minor. Normal does not mean "ignore it." It means watch closely for the next day. Many dogs with mild head trauma do well, but the first 24 hours are when problems show up. ## Main Causes of Head Trauma in Dogs Falls are one of the most common ways dogs hit their heads. A 2025 study of 61 dogs seen at university emergency centers after falling down stairs found injuries across the head, spine, limbs, chest, and abdomen, with spinal cord injuries ranging from mild to severe [2]. Stairs are a real hazard, especially for puppies, senior dogs, and small breeds. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Fall from a height (stairs, bed, deck, window) | Yelping, limping, wobbling, reluctance to move | Emergency if any neurologic sign, same-day if painful | | Hit by a car | Scrapes, bleeding, shock, trouble breathing | Emergency now | | Drop or rough handling of a puppy | Crying, sleepiness, poor feeding, wobbling | Same-day vet visit, emergency if worse | | Blunt object or fall onto a hard floor | Swelling, cut, brief daze | Same-day if any behavior change | | Dog fight or bite to the head | Puncture wounds, swelling, pain | Emergency, bites can hide deep damage | | Unknown cause (found down) | Confusion, collapse, vomiting | Emergency now | ### Why puppies are different A puppy fell on his head is a common call to veterinary clinics. Puppies have softer skulls, less neck muscle, and they bruise more easily. They also cannot tell you they feel off. A puppy who is quiet, not nursing, or sleeping more than usual after a fall needs to be seen. Small dogs and seniors are also at higher risk. Older dogs may already have arthritis, vision loss, or heart disease, which makes a fall more likely and recovery harder. ## Red Flags That Mean Emergency Care Now Go to an emergency veterinarian right away if your dog has any of these: - Loss of consciousness, even briefly - A seizure, twitching, or paddling of the legs (see our guide on [Dog Had Seizure What To Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-care/dog-had-seizure-what-to-do)) - Unequal pupil sizes, or pupils that do not respond to light - Vomiting more than once, or vomiting with lethargy - Cannot stand, walks in circles, or leans to one side - Breathing that is fast, noisy, or labored - Bleeding from the nose, ears, or mouth that will not stop - A soft or sunken spot on the skull - Collapse, pale gums, or a racing heart Head trauma can also affect the heart. A 2025 case report described an 8-year-old Chihuahua who developed heart muscle dysfunction after head trauma, with changes that resolved within 12 days [3]. That is one more reason a dog with a serious head injury needs monitoring beyond the head itself. ## What to Do if My Dog Fell on His Head: Safe Steps at Home Your job in the first minutes is to prevent more injury. Do not shake, lift, or twist your dog. 1. **Approach slowly.** Speak softly. A hurt dog may bite even if he never has before. 2. **Check breathing and consciousness.** Look for chest movement. Call his name. 3. **Do not move him if you suspect a neck or spine injury.** Slide a firm, flat object under him and keep his head and neck in line with his back. 4. **Control bleeding** with gentle pressure using a clean cloth. Do not press on a soft spot on the skull. 5. **Keep him warm.** Use a blanket. Shock and head injury often come together. 6. **Do not give food, water, or any medication.** A dog who is vomiting or might need surgery should have an empty stomach. Never give human pain relievers, they can be toxic to dogs. 7. **Call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic** and describe exactly what happened, the height of the fall, and the surface he landed on. ### Keeping a wobbly dog safe A dog with balance problems can hurt himself again in seconds. Set up a small, quiet space with padded floors or blankets. Block stairs with a gate or a laundry basket. Remove sharp table corners from his path. Carry him outside for bathroom breaks with a towel sling under his belly if your vet says it is safe. Do not let him jump on the couch or bed. Do not let him play with other pets. Keep the room dim and quiet, since some dogs with head injuries are sensitive to light and sound. ### Watching through the night Set an alarm every two to three hours to check on your dog. Look at his pupils with a small flashlight. Gently call his name and see if he responds. Note any vomiting, pacing, or change in breathing. Write down the times so you can tell your vet. ## What the Veterinarian Will Check Your veterinarian will start with a full physical and neurologic exam. They will check pupil size and response, eye movement, gum color, heart rate, breathing, and how your dog walks and places his paws. They may use scoring tools. A 2026 study described a Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Score that predicted survival in dogs and cats with acute head injury, with short-term survival around 66% in dogs in that study [4]. The modified Glasgow Coma Scale is another tool vets use to grade severity [4]. These scores help your vet decide how closely your dog needs to be watched. Blood work and blood pressure are common. A 2024 study of 86 dogs with head trauma found that a higher shock index (heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure) was linked to head trauma compared with healthy dogs [5]. That is one reason your vet may check blood pressure along with heart rate. Imaging such as X-rays, CT, or MRI may be recommended depending on your dog's signs and your clinic's equipment. Not every dog needs advanced imaging. Your vet will decide based on the exam. Treatment depends on findings. It may include oxygen, IV fluids, pain control, anti-nausea medication, seizure medication if needed, and close monitoring. Your veterinarian calculates any medication dose from your dog's weight and health. If your dog has a seizure at home or at the clinic, our guides on [What Do You Do When A Dog Has Seizure](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-care/what-do-you-do-when-a-dog-has-seizure) and [Dog Has Seizure What To Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-care/dog-has-seizure-what-to-do) walk through the steps. ## Preventing Another Head Injury You cannot prevent every accident, but you can lower the odds. - Use baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs, especially for puppies and senior dogs. - Add non-slip rugs or mats on hard floors and stairs. - Keep windows screened and never leave a dog unattended on a balcony. - Use a harness that fits well, and avoid retractable leashes near roads. - Support senior dogs with ramps instead of jumps. - Keep puppies on the floor or in a pen, not on beds or counters. - Ask your vet about vision or balance problems at routine visits, since these raise fall risk. If your dog has had a head injury before, tell your vet at every visit. Prior trauma can matter for future exams. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you how serious your dog's injury is. Only a veterinarian who examines your dog can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian. **Emergency now:** loss of consciousness, seizure, unequal pupils, repeated vomiting, cannot stand, trouble breathing, bleeding that will not stop, or a soft spot on the skull. **Same day:** one episode of vomiting, mild wobbling, a dazed look, a headache-like behavior such as head pressing, or any change from normal after a fall. **Routine visit:** a small bump with no behavior change, or a follow-up check after an emergency visit. When in doubt, call. Emergency clinics would rather see a dog who turns out to be fine than one who waited too long. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long after a dog hits his head can symptoms show up? Symptoms can appear within minutes or develop over the first 24 hours. Some dogs seem normal right after the fall and then worsen later. That is why close watching at home matters even when your dog looks fine at first. ### My puppy fell on his head but seems fine. Should I still call the vet? Yes, call your veterinarian for advice. Puppies can hide early signs and cannot tell you they feel bad. A puppy who is quiet, not eating, or sleeping more than usual after a fall should be examined. ### Can a dog get a concussion? Yes, dogs can develop concussion-like brain injury after head trauma. Signs include daze, vomiting, wobbling, and behavior changes. A veterinarian can grade the severity and decide on monitoring or treatment. ### Should I let my dog sleep after hitting his head? Let him rest only if a veterinarian has examined him or cleared him by phone. If he has not been checked, keep him awake enough to watch his breathing, pupils, and response to you. If he is hard to wake, that is an emergency. ### What should I not do after my dog falls on his head? Do not give human pain medications, do not force food or water, and do not shake or lift him roughly. Do not press on a soft spot on the skull. Do not wait to call if you see vomiting, wobbling, or a seizure. ## Related Articles - [Dog Had Seizure What To Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-care/dog-had-seizure-what-to-do) - [What Do You Do When A Dog Has Seizure](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-care/what-do-you-do-when-a-dog-has-seizure) - [Dog Has Seizure What To Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-care/dog-has-seizure-what-to-do) - [Dog Having Seizure What To Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-care/dog-having-seizure-what-to-do) - [Dog Having Seizure What To Do Reddit](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-care/dog-having-seizure-what-to-do-reddit) - [My Dog Is Having Seizures What To Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-care/dog-seizures-what-to-do) - [Why Is My Dog Falling Over? Causes and When to Worry](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/dog-falling-over-causes) - [Stroke in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-and-first-aid/stroke-in-dogs-symptoms) - [Dog Not Able to Stand Up: Causes and When to Get Help](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-and-first-aid/dog-not-able-to-stand-up) ## References 1. [Nervous System Disorders and Effects of Injuries in Dogs - Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/brain-spinal-cord-and-nerve-disorders-of-dogs/nervous-system-disorders-and-effects-of-injuries-in-dogs). Merck Veterinary Manual. 2. [Retrospective Evaluation of Stair-Related Injuries in Dogs Presenting to Emergency Centers: 61 Cases (2017-2022)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41268968/). Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001), 2025. 3. [Suspected neurogenic myocardial stunning following traumatic brain injury in a dog](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41076783/). Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology, 2025. 4. [Traumatic brain injury clinical score (TBICS) predicts survival outcomes in dogs and cats with acute traumatic brain injury](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41999725/). American journal of veterinary research, 2026. 5. [Retrospective evaluation of shock index and mortality in dogs with head trauma (2015-2020): 86 cases](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39023324/). Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001), 2024. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners) - [Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center: Canine Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information)