Key Points
- Dogs express feelings with their whole body, and you can think of shivering, trembling, and shaking as a form of communication.
- Shaking is often a normal response to fear and excitement, or it could simply be a sign that your dog is too cold.
- However, shaking can also be a sign of pain, illness, and arthritis; when in doubt, talk to your veterinarian about this behavior.
If your dog is shaking, you might just assume they’re cold — and a good warm snuggle could be just what they need. But chilly temperatures aren’t the only reason your pup may be trembling.
Dogs are expressive animals. When they’re feeling excited, happy, or scared, they express these feelings with their whole bodies. You may have seen your dog overcome with tail wags and full body shakes over something as simple as an upcoming walk or treat. From the quiver that comes with an after-nap stretch, to shaking from joy when their family gets home, dogs shake, shiver, or tremble for plenty of reasons that are perfectly harmless. But other times, shivering can be a sign of distress, illness, or injury.
As a dog owner, learning the reasons behind normal and excessive dog shaking can help you better recognize problems. So, to make sure your pup is as happy and healthy as can be, you should learn how to read their behavior. Here’s everything pet parents need to know about dog shaking, including potential causes of shaking, when you should be concerned, and when to relax.
Do small dogs shake more than large dogs?
Shaking tends to affect smaller dog breeds more quickly than large dog breeds. Smaller dogs, like Chihuahuas, are more prone to shivering from cold than larger dogs due to their lack of body mass and insulation. In the same way, your smaller pup’s hormonal response to anxiety or fear may happen much quicker than that of a large dog. Smaller dogs may also shake more because they’re more anxious due to their height. Being small can make them feel more vulnerable, leading to higher levels of anxiety and shaking.
If your dog shakes what feels like an abnormal amount, it’s possible they have shaker syndrome, a neurological condition involving generalized head and body tremors in dogs. Shaker syndrome is most commonly found in small white dog breeds, such as the Maltese and Poodle, and in dogs weighing less than 30 pounds. But any dog is susceptible to this condition.
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Common causes for shaking, shivering, or trembling in dogs
Dog shivers aren’t always an emergency. Here are some common reasons why your dog may be shaking:
1. To express they’re cold
Even dogs bundled up in adorable jackets and boots can experience shakes and shivers in cold weather. So, the simplest reason dogs shake is because they’re cold. This behavior is normal, as shaking in colder weather is an involuntary response designed to get a dog’s body temperature up and prevent hypothermia. If your dog doesn’t do well in the cold, it may be a good idea to limit their outside exposure in the winter or invest in a dog coat to keep them warm and ease their trembling.
2. To express excitement
Dogs are often happy, and sometimes they shake from sheer joy and excitement. If they’re playing with you, or if you’ve just gotten home and they’re happy to see you, they will most likely shake, bark, or even urinate from excitement. This is more common in puppies, who tend to have weaker impulse control and excess energy. Fortunately, there’s no danger in this type of shaking, as it will most likely stop once they calm down.
3. Actively dreaming
Have you ever noticed your pup twitching or making noises during their sleep? There’s a good chance your dog is dreaming. Whether they’re dreaming about chasing the neighbor’s cat or running around with you, their best friend, this twitching is a normal muscle movement. Like humans, dogs experience the same rapid eye movement associated with dreaming. This can cause them to bark or twitch their legs just like humans sometimes twitch or talk in our sleep.
4. To express stress, anxiety, or fear
When your pup gets triggered by a loud noise, such as thunderstorms or fireworks, shaking is a normal sign of fear. In most cases, shaking isn’t harmful on its own, but a stressed and overly anxious dog isn’t ideal. If you notice your dog’s anxiety isn’t limited to occasional triggers or events, they may have separation anxiety. If shaking is a recurring problem and occurs with excessive barking, hiding, or pacing, talk to your vet about this behavior.
5. To seek attention
Dogs are smart animals, and they may notice that you rush to their side each time they show a sign of distress. In fact, they may even learn that shaking or whining is a good way to grab your attention — and an extra treat or head scratch. As a result, they may even start shivering or shaking while begging for food to earn sympathy.
6. Old age
As dogs get older, some develop tremors in their hind legs. Shivering in older dogs could be a sign of arthritis, joint pain, and muscle weaknesses. If the shaking is affecting their everyday movement, talk to your veterinarian.
Is shaking a sign of pain?
When dogs shake, this behavior can present itself in a variety of ways. The shaking may spread throughout their entire body or be limited to a particular region, such as their head or back leg. Dogs often show pain through shaking in their hind legs, which could be a sign of pain or arthritis. A dog with an ear infection will shake their head and scratch their eyes frequently.
Shaking or trembling can also be a sign that your dog is suffering from an illness. Shivering and muscle tremors can be symptoms of serious medical conditions, including distemper or hypoglycemia. Shaking for prolonged periods of time or in combination with other symptoms, such as vomiting, could be an indicator of a severe medical condition.
If you can’t pinpoint the cause of your dog’s shaking, they may have an underlying health condition. Some less common reasons for shaking, which can be causes for concern, include:
1. Distemper
Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease. It’s caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of puppies and dogs. They can become exposed through sneezing or coughing, and this illness is most common in unvaccinated puppies. Symptoms include coughing, eye and nose discharge, and fever.
2. Nausea
Dogs can get nauseous from motion sickness, medication, eating too much, or eating the wrong thing, like a plant. They can also get nausea from kidney or liver disease, and may salivate more than usual, hide, yawn, and vomit.
3. Poison or other toxic substances
Poisoning is one cause of nausea, and thus shaking, and seizing is a major indicator of dog poisoning. Dogs can be poisoned by substances that aren’t toxic to humans, such as cigarettes and chocolate.
4. Generalized tremor syndrome
Also known as steroid responsive tremors, generalized tremor syndrome (GTS) is presented as tremors that are rhythmic, repetitive, and involuntary. It may be centralized to one area of the body or may cause the entire body to shake. GTS usually starts between nine months and two years of age and can occur in dogs of any size and breed.
5. Seizure disorders
Normal shaking in dogs is much different than experiencing a seizure, when their muscles seize up and they lose mobility and awareness of their surroundings. A dog may shake, foam at the mouth, collapse, or even bite their tongue when experiencing a seizure. Seizures look different depending on the dog, and they can range from small tremors to violent muscle spasms.
6. Illness and disease
Shaking is also a symptom of some canine diseases, such as Addison’s disease. But before you assume the worst, remember that diseases like this have many symptoms besides shaking. If shaking occurs with changes to appetite, hiding, movement problems, or gastrointestinal distress, then it’s time for a checkup.
When to see a vet about dog shaking
Once you’ve determined your pup’s shakes and shivers aren’t caused by stress, excitement, or old age, you should contact your vet. If your dog is displaying additional symptoms alongside shaking, such as lethargy, limping, drooling, or diarrhea, take them to the vet immediately. Likewise, if your dog’s shaking continues for longer than an hour, talk to your vet.
By keeping your pup warm, up-to-date on puppy vaccines, at a healthy weight, and away from potentially toxic substances, you’re taking all the steps you can to prevent harmful illnesses that cause shaking. If you suspect shaking is caused by a normal trigger like thunderstorms, do your best to soothe your pooch. You should talk about this behavior with your vet if their fear and anxiety seems uncommonly severe.
You know your pup better than anyone, so if you think something is wrong, don’t shake it off — seek veterinary help. As you get to know your dog, you should learn how to read their body language and behavior. You never know what the future holds, which is why dog insurance plans can give you peace of mind should any accidents or illnesses arise.
Frequently asked questions about dog shaking
