As a pet parent, you have probably noticed occasions when your dog was shaking and asked yourself, "Should I be worried if my dog is shaking?"

Dogs shiver for harmless reasons like excitement, to mildly concerning reasons like cold, and to dangerous reasons like underlying health conditions. Although all dogs shake from time to time, there's a difference between normal shaking and shaking that should alarm you as a pet parent. 

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Let's explore the common causes of a dog shaking, how you can help them, and whether you need to visit the veterinarian.

1. Cold Environment

When it's cold, dog shivering is a natural temperature regulation response by their bodies that helps them warm up. Shivering causes muscles to alternately tighten and relax, generating heat.

Certain dog breeds, such as Dobermans and greyhounds, are more sensitive to cold. These breeds carry little fat on their bodies and have thin coats. Also, small dogs and young puppies are more likely to shiver during cold weather than adults.

If your dog is trembling and shivering, immediately move them to a warmer environment to avoid hypothermia. Think about purchasing a sweater or jacket to keep your dog warm.

2. Excitement

Many dogs become overly excited when their pet parents return home, causing shaking or shivering. These mild canine tremors aren't dangerous or harmful; it's simply a physical expression of their excitement and will resolve on its own.

3. Stress

Your dog may shiver when stressed or anxious. Dogs can become stressed for a variety of reasons, such as loud noises, meeting new people, and trips to the vet clinic.

Other signs of stress in your dog include:

If your dog seems stressed or anxious, reassure them and then do your best to behave as normally as possible, so your dog sees that you are not worried by the noises or people around. 

If your dog remains stressed despite your best efforts, consult your veterinarian, who will discuss further training and may prescribe anxiety medication.

4. Attention Seeking

Dogs are intelligent and sometimes play mind games with their owners. For some dogs, trembling is their way of seeking attention. It often works because pet parents give them attention when they are shaking. Although this behavior is harmless, it's important not to encourage it. Ensure you offer your dog plenty of attention when they are not shaking, and try to ignore them when they are.

5. Pain or Illness

Dogs can shiver when in pain, which may be due to injury or illness. When your dog is in pain, they will be reluctant to play, have a poor appetite, and may tense or cry out in pain when picked up or walking.

Some illnesses that can cause shivering are seizure disorders, canine distemper, motion sickness, and neurological diseases. Continuous shivering could also indicate generalized tremor syndrome or shaker syndrome. This serious medical condition can only be treated under the guidance of a veterinarian.

6. Old Age

Older dogs become prone to shaking, especially when walking. This is because their muscles weaken, especially those in the hind legs. Consult your veterinarian to rule out arthritis and for supportive care for your aging dog.

7. Distemper

Canine distemper is a sickness caused by a virus. Your dog can catch this contagious virus from another infected dog. Symptoms of canine distemper include shivering, fever, coughing, and nose and eye discharge.

Distemper must be treated with veterinary medicine. Protect your dog from this virus by keeping their vaccinations up to date.

8. Ear Infections

If your dog is having ear problems, they may tremble in addition to shaking their head. Long-eared dogs and dogs that frequent the water are more prone to ear infections. Clean the ears regularly with a veterinary-approved ear wash to prevent infections.

A dog with an ear infection will have ears that are red, inflamed, and smelly. Ear infections need to be treated by a veterinarian.

9. Seizure Disorders

If your dog is suffering from a seizure disorder such as canine epilepsy, one of the symptoms will be shaking. Seizure disorders are the most common dog neurological conditions, affecting around one in 20. Seizures can result from other health problems that may require treatment, and canine epilepsy often responds to anti-seizure medications.

10. Other Reasons

Other causes of shivering in dogs include low blood sugar, poisoning, and muscle tremors due to things like brain injury. It is best to visit a veterinarian to determine the cause and a suitable course of action.

When to See a Vet

As a pet parent, you must know the difference between regular shaking and seizures. Harmless shaking is different from shaking from a seizure or a chronic condition. In cases of a seizure, your dog loses awareness of its surroundings and the ability to move. If your dog is having a seizure, call the veterinarian immediately.

You should also consult your veterinarian if you notice any of the following symptoms accompanying your dog's shivering:

Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?

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Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?

Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?

1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Conclusion

As a pet parent, you may have noticed your dog shaking and wondered whether you should take them to see a veterinarian. However, dogs shake for various reasons, including pain, excitement, cold, anxiety, attention seeking, low blood sugar, and advancing age. Considering your dog's shaking alongside any other symptoms, you can decide whether to consult a veterinarian. If you are unsure, you can chat with a BetterVet veterinarian for more advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I be worried about my dog shaking?

Dog shaking is concerning when your pet also experiences other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, loss of appetite, stiffness, or lethargy. It is also worrying if the shivering persists and your best efforts to calm and comfort your dog don't help. In these cases, see your veterinarian immediately.

What is the difference between shaking and seizures for dogs?

With normal dog shivering, your dog can still move and has a sense of its environment. With seizures, your dog's shaking leads to mobility loss and a lack of awareness of its environment.

Can anxiety or fear cause dogs to shake?

Yes. When dogs experience fear or anxiety, they shake. Try to get your dog to relax by reassuring them.

What should I do if my dog is shaking excessively or uncontrollably?

Call the veterinarian immediately to determine the underlying cause.

Are there certain breeds or sizes of dogs that are more prone to shaking?

Puppies and smaller dogs are more prone to shaking than larger dogs, due to their small body size. Also, certain breeds like greyhounds and Dobermans are prone to shaking due to their thin coats and lean bodies.