What does it mean if your dog is shaking

Tom Bury

BVSc PgC in Small Animal Surgery MRCVS

Just like us, dogs can shake with excitement or fear, or shiver with the cold. Sometimes the reason can be medical, and a little more complicated. We look at some of the most common reasons for a dog shivering.

As always, if your dog’s behaviour is unusual, or you have any reasons to suspect something is wrong, call your local vet and get your pet checked out.

Common reasons for shaking and shivering in dogs

• Excitement or anticipation
• Fear or anxiety
• Cold
• Illness
• Poisoning
• Pain
• Old age

Excitement or anticipation

Many dogs will shiver or tremble with excitement. This is perfectly normal – it’s simply a way of expelling excess energy. 

Fear or anxiety

Some dogs are afraid of sudden loud noises such as fireworks, and may cower and whimper at the banging involved in DIY, a car backfiring, or even particularly loud music.

If your dog is showing signs of noise fear it is important to make sure they are able to display their natural behaviour to cope with this which is to escape this fearful event. As a result it is important to keep them indoors but ensure they have a safe place where they can go and hide. Making a den for them in the quietest part of the home, closing the curtains and providing environmental white noise, such as the radio or TV, to minimise any startling noises outside will all help them to relax. It is natural to want to comfort and soothe your pet but this should be avoided as it can reinforce the behaviour making the anxiety or fear worse in the future. If your pet shows these signs veterinary advice should be sought to learn ways and techniques to stop it getting worse in the future.

Cold

We all know that feeling of being chilled to the bone, and your dog can experience the very same feeling, despite his furry coat! If your dog is shivering after getting caught in a heavy downpour, be sure to dry him thoroughly with a nice warm towel as soon as you get home.

Of course, most dogs shake themselves to remove excess water from their fur. This is an important reflex that helps to prevent your dog from developing hypothermia, and is perfectly normal – just stand well back!

Illness

You know what it’s like when you’re under the weather and you get a nasty case of the aches and shivers. It’s no surprise that your dog can experience the same symptoms.

Medical reasons for a dog shaking

If there’s no obvious reason for your dog shaking – such as the causes we’ve described above – make an appointment with your local vet.

Why is my dog shaking? Possible medical causes

There are a number of medical reasons why dogs shake, including:

• Generalised tremor syndrome (GTS) – often called white shaker dog syndrome as it affects small, white dogs like West Highland and Maltese terriers
• Inflammatory brain diseases
• Distemper – this can be vaccinated against so ensure your dog is up to date
• Chronic kidney failure
• An underactive adrenal gland
• Seizure disorders

Poisoning

One serious reason for shaking and tremors in dogs is poisoning. You’ll find more details in our article on protecting your dog from common poisons here.

In the meantime, always keep poisonous and toxic substances locked out of reach of your dog – and if you have any reason to suspect your dog may have eaten something poisonous, get him to your local vet fast.

Common dog poisons include:

• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Bleach
• White spirit
• Pesticides and insecticides
• Antifreeze
• Grapes or raisins

Old age

Many elderly dogs develop arthritis or inflammation and pain in the joints, and it’s common for this weakness to lead to tremors in the legs. Talk to your vet about pain management if you suspect your dog has developed arthritis.

Need advice on a dog shivering?

If you’ve noticed your dog shivering, shaking or trembling and you need advice, get in touch with your local vet.

Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page, or speak to a vet online using Online Vets.

At one point or another, most dog owners have probably noticed their dog shaking. Not knowing the cause can be frightening. Most of the time a dog shivering is nothing more than an expression of anxiety or fear. However, it can also be a sign of serious medical issues.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common causes of shaking in dogs, and how to determine when they warrant medical intervention.

It’s common for dogs to tremble when they experience fear or anxiety.3 Every dog has different triggers, but the most common ones include fireworks or thunderstorms.

If your dog is anxious, do your best to comfort them. Talk to them in a calm, reassuring tone. Try to create a safe space where they feel protected. If you can remove your furry friend from the situation causing their anxiety, do so immediately. Otherwise, do your best to comfort them until their fears subsides. If your dog is aggressive, that could mean that you should give them some space.

If anxiety is an ongoing issue for your dog, speak to your veterinarian. There may be medication they can prescribe to help relieve symptoms during certain situations.

Many dogs will tremble out of excitement. This is often not a cause for concern, and usually the pup’s excitement will subside after a few minutes. Young or very high-energy dogs may take longer to calm down.

You can help calm your dog by speaking to them in a calm voice. You may also try to keep your movements slow and deliberate as well, so you don’t add to their excitement.

Dogs may have furry coats, but they can still get cold. If you notice your dog trembling on a cool day, it’s possible that they’re just shivering.

If your pup doesn’t have a thick undercoat, they may need a sweater or jacket to keep them warm during cold snaps. Try to make sure your pup has a warm place to rest and sleep. If their bed is on a tile or concrete floor, place a piece of cardboard underneath it for extra insulation. Make sure the bed is situated out of the way of any cool drafts, and away from windows.

Many dogs develop tremors as they age. This is often due to their muscles weakening as they get older. It could also be a result of their nervous system deteriorating. If your older dog suddenly develops a tremor, be sure to take them in for a check-up with your vet. There’s always a possibility that the tremor is indicative of a more serious underlying issue.  In which case, a dog insurance policy may be able to help.2

Trembling can be an indication that your dog is in pain. Usually, pain-related tremors are accompanied by other symptoms as well.4 Take note of your dog’s overall posture and behavior. Is your dog limping? Do they look stiff? Are they restless?

Often, dogs that are in pain will shift position constantly, trying to find one that alleviates their discomfort.5 They often pace and may whine, cry, or even drool excessively. If your dog is exhibiting any combination of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Sometimes dog shaking is a side effect of a medical condition, such as kidney disease, distemper, vestibular disease, and other medical conditions.4

If you notice any changes in your dog’s normal behavior or physical state, take note of them. If there’s an underlying medical condition, the tremors are probably just one of many symptoms. Consider your dog’s energy levels, appetite, stool consistency, and anything else that might seem off. This information will help your veterinarian make an accurate diagnosis.

Shaker syndrome can affect any dog, though it most often affects small dogs.6 It’s sometimes referred to as “little white shaker syndrome” because many cases occur in small, white-furred dogs such as the Maltese, poodle, and Maltipoo breeds.

This hereditary disorder affects a dog’s nervous system. The exact cause is unknown, but once diagnosed, this syndrome can be managed with medication.

Because trembling can have so many different causes, it’s important to take note of all of your dog’s symptoms and address them as a whole with your vet. Generally speaking, if your dog doesn’t typically tremble, contact your veterinarian to ensure they aren’t experiencing a serious medical issue. It’s always better to play it safe when it comes to the wellbeing of your furry friend.

Although it’s often innocuous, trembling could indicate something more serious. We all want what’s best for our furry family, but that often comes with a hefty vet bill. A dog health insurance policy is one way to provide pet parents with the peace of mind and make sure your dog can get the help they deserve.2  Read our cost breakdown to see if MetLife Pet Insurance is worth the investment for you and your pooch.1

What should I do if my dog is shaking?

What makes a dog shake for no reason?