Have you recently noticed that your dog has been shaking or shivering more frequently than normal? Or perhaps this is a behavior they have always exhibited, and you’re curious as to why it happens.
Dogs can shake for a wide range of reasons. Some are normal, and others indicate an underlying health condition.
If your dog is exhibiting new symptoms, visit a veterinarian in Manhattan to assess their health and rule out serious causes. You can also review a few potential reasons your dog may be shaking below.
1. Your Dog Is Excited
One of the more harmless reasons dogs shake is simply because they are excited. Your pup may shake when you walk through the door, when a friend comes over, when they see you handing them a treat, or at any other time they become overly excited. Other symptoms of excitement include barking, whining, yawning, and even accidentally urinating.
If your dog is shaking because they are excited, the behavior should stop once they have calmed down. Many dogs grow out of this behavior, but if your pup has only recently developed it, you may want to rule out other causes first.
2. Your Pup Is Experiencing Anxiety or Fear
On the opposite end of the spectrum, dogs can also shake with fear or anxiety. Loud noises, strangers, going to the vet, car rides, being alone, and unfamiliar environments are all common fears in dogs. Some dogs are more anxious than others, meaning your pup may start shaking when you cannot identify the exact source of their anxiety.
Pups often display other physical symptoms of anxiety, such as:
- Panting
- Pacing
- Being overly clingy
- Tucking their tail underneath their belly
- Destroying things
If your dog shows any of these signs along with shaking, you may be able to attribute their behavior to fear. Your vet can discuss anti-anxiety medications and other treatments to help them feel calmer.
3. Your Pup Is Chilly
Like humans, dogs can shake or shiver as a physiological response to feeling cold. Shivering helps reduce body heat loss and generate metabolic heat to increase body temperature.
Some dogs are more prone to feeling cold than others. These include:
- Small breeds
- Dogs with short fur
- Young or old dogs
- Dogs with thin body compositions
If your pup is shaking when they are in a chilly environment, pay attention to whether the behavior subsides once they warm up. Different dogs have different levels of cold tolerance, so be aware of how cold weather exposure affects your pup and consider keeping them inside or putting a jacket on them when outdoor temperatures drop.
4. Your Pup Is Experiencing Pain or Illness
The above three reasons dogs shake are some of the most harmless and straightforward. If you have ruled out these causes, it may be time to dig deeper into a potential health concern.
Dogs sometimes shake when they are in pain, uncomfortable, or experiencing an illness. If your dog has recently developed this behavior, look for other new symptoms that may indicate pain, such as:
- Panting
- Tensing the painful area
- Lack of appetite
- Resistance to movement
- Vocalizing with movement
These behaviors should prompt an urgent vet visit. Your pup may be experiencing an injury or serious illness that requires veterinary intervention and could worsen without treatment.
5. Your Dog Has a Neurological Disorder
Neurological disorders or seizures can also cause dogs to shake. In some cases, seizures in dogs present as uncontrollable shaking or twitching. Other signs of a seizure include:
- Muscle stiffness
- Drooling
- Disorientation
- Collapsing
- Urinating or defecating
- Eye rolling
Seizures typically last between a few seconds and a few minutes. At this point, the shaking may subside.
Shaking can also occur as a neurological symptom outside of seizures. Other signs of neurological disorders may include:
- Wobbly or drunken walking
- Muscle twitches
- Head tilting
- Abnormal eye movements
- Paralysis
If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
6. Your Small-Breed Dog Has Generalized Tremor Syndrome
If your small-breed dog has recently begun shaking, don’t rule out generalized tremor syndrome or “shaker syndrome.” This is a neurological condition that causes full-body, involuntary shaking. It most frequently affects small breeds like Bichon Frises, West Highland White Terriers, and Maltese dogs.
This condition is generally treatable with medication, but some dogs do not require treatment and recover on their own.
7. Your Furry Friend Has Hypoglycemia
Toy breeds and dogs with diabetes are at risk of developing hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, due to inadequate or excessive sugar intake. Early signs may include:
- Extreme lethargy
- Restlessness
- Shivering
- Lack of appetite
- Reduced alertness
More severe symptoms may include seizures, weakness, or loss of consciousness. If you suspect your dog is experiencing hypoglycemia, call your vet and prepare to take your pup to an emergency veterinary hospital.
8. Your Dog Is Reacting to Poisoning or Toxin Exposure
If you think your dog recently ingested something they shouldn’t have, they may be shaking as a symptom of poisoning or toxin exposure. A few common items that can elicit this response in dogs include:
- Chocolate
- Nicotine
- Xylitol (an artificial sweetener)
- Snail bait
Toxin exposure is also a medical emergency. You can call ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for assistance, but prepare to take your pup to the emergency vet as well if they are displaying concerning symptoms.
Schedule a Veterinary Appointment To Uncover the Root of Your Dog’s Symptoms
Why is your dog shaking? If you suspect your dog is sick or are concerned about new symptoms, it never hurts to make a veterinary appointment. In the best-case scenario, you can rule out potential problems and gain peace of mind. But if your pup is experiencing a new illness, prompt veterinary intervention can give them the best chance of returning to their happy, tail-wagging self.
Hudson Animal Hospital sees pet patients from around NYC with a compassionate, thorough approach to veterinary care. Make an appointment today by calling 212-706-4088.