Why is My Dog Shaking?

Why is My Dog Shaking?

               Trembling or shaking in dogs can be caused by a number of things.  Most are not too serious, but some causes of trembling may be more concerning. Dogs may shiver or shake if they are anxious or afraid, if they are excited, if they are painful, cold, or have muscle weakness (usually older dogs). More serious causes of shaking may include exposure to toxins, seizures or other neurological issues, low calcium or blood sugar levels, nausea or fever.

               Excitement may cause shivering or trembling in some dogs and no action is needed if your pup is just super happy or excited about something.  Dogs get cold just like people, so if your pooch seems chilly, cover him with a blanket, use a jacket or sweater or come in from the cold if you are outdoors with your dog.  Dogs can get hypothermia, so limit time outside during extremely cold weather.

Fear or anxiety may also cause shaking. Usually, there are other body language cues if your dog is scared—she may have her ears back, tail tucked up under the body, licking her lips, and the whites of the eyes may be visible.  Frightened dogs may also try to move away from the situation or hide.  If your dog seems frightened, stay calm and speak to her in a reassuring voice but don’t go too crazy coddling your dog as this may reinforce fear behaviors.  If your dog is at home, make sure she has a safe space to go to, consider a tight-fitting calming vest or ask your veterinarian about calming supplements or medications if your dog has severe anxiety.

               Dogs may also tremble or shake when they are experiencing pain.  If your dog has had an injury, has been limping, appears to have abdominal pain, or just seems painful in general, call your veterinarian to have your dog examined.  An exam may reveal the underlying cause or rule out serious issues, and pain medications can make your dog feel better.  Trembling may also be a sign of muscle weakness and is common in older dogs who may have shaking in their hind legs when standing.  As long as your dog is not having any difficulty walking, this is not cause for concern.

               Medical problems such as fever, low calcium or potassium levels, low blood sugar, nausea and others may also cause dogs to shake.  Determining the underlying cause is important, so, if your dog seems ill, have him seen by your veterinarian. Physical exam and blood tests may be needed to find the cause so your dog can be properly treated.

               Neurological conditions and some types of seizures may also cause trembling or shaking as can exposure to certain toxins that affect the nervous system like pesticides, slug baits, some rat poisons, chocolate, nicotine and xylitol as well as others.  If your pet is also lethargic or vomiting or if she appears to be having a prolonged seizure, seek immediate medical attention. These are often more serious causes of shaking and, especially if your dog has ingested a toxin, require immediate care. 

               It may be difficult to determine why your dog is shaking; however, in most cases if it is a minor or non-medical reason such as when your dog is anxious or cold, the shivering should resolve relatively quickly and/or your dog should still seem mentally alert, may still be willing to take treats, etc.  A dog that is shaking because he is ill will likely have other signs such as he may be hard to rouse, may have stumbling or difficulty walking, may be vomiting or refusing to eat, etc.  If your dog seems to be in pain, has other symptoms besides shivering such as loss of appetite or vomiting, you think your dog may have had a seizure, is not alert/not acting like herself or is having trouble walking, or if you suspect your dog has ingested a toxin, it’s time to see your veterinarian.  Severe pain, prolonged seizure activity or toxin exposure may constitute an emergency visit.  Most causes of shaking are relatively benign, but, when in doubt, check with your vet!

               This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/behavior-appearance/why-is-my-dog-shaking-and-shivering?lightboxfired=true

https://apex.vet/blog/why-is-my-dog-shaking-when-to-seek-help/

https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/my-dog-shivering-trembling

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=5862540