Why is my dog shaking?

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

Dogs can shake for a variety of reasons. Trembling, shivering, and muscle tremors can look very similar but are caused by different things. It can be difficult to distinguish between the types of shaking and to pinpoint their underlying causes. If you have a dog, read on to learn:

• The difference between trembling, shivering, and tremors
• Non-neurologic reasons why a dog may shake
• Neurologic causes for shaking in dogs
• What to do if your dog is shaking

Trembling is a behavioral response that looks like shivering or shaking. Though it may be confused with a neurologic condition or shivering due to a low body temperature, trembling is voluntary and is associated with different scenarios, such as feelings of fear, excitement, anxiety, and pain. A dog may tremble due to a sudden loud noise or a visit to the vet.

Muscle tremors, even though they have a similar appearance to trembling, are an involuntary type of shaking caused by neurologic dysfunction due to a medical condition or exposure to a toxin. Neurologic disorders, infectious diseases, and low blood sugar can all cause tremors in dogs.

Noting other symptoms, such as body posture or signs of illness, can help pinpoint why a dog is shaking and if it’s a neurologic issue. It’s important to seek medical attention if you’re unsure why your dog is shaking, if there are other signs of illness, or if they may have been exposed to a toxin.

Shaking can have different appearances. A shaking dog may be trembling, shivering, or having muscle tremors.

• Trembling: A voluntary behavioral response, often associated with feelings of fear or excitement, that causes the body to shake with rapid, vibrating, repetitive muscle contractions
• Muscle tremors: Involuntary, repetitive muscle spasms over part of or the entire body caused by neurologic dysfunction
• Shivering: Similar to tremors because it’s also involuntary, but is a response to cold rather than an underlying health issue

A dog who’s trembling may also hide, tuck their tail, or display signs of fear, such as baring their teeth or raising their fur. Tremors may be accompanied by other signs of illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. Shivering is typically accompanied by other signs of being cold, such as exposure to low temperatures or swimming in cold water. Recognizing other behaviors and symptoms a shaking dog is having can help pinpoint the cause.

Trembling is most often caused by physical pain or situations of stress, anxiety, or excitement. Shivering is a specific type of involuntary shaking that occurs when a dog is cold. Muscle tremors can look similar to trembling but are caused by a dysfunction of the nervous or musculoskeletal system. Tremors are often caused by a neurologic condition or by exposure to toxins that affect the nervous system.

Feelings of anxiety, fear, or excitement

Dogs may tremble when they feel scared, anxious, or overly excited. Trembling due to stress or fear is usually temporary and occurs in response to a particular situation, such as a veterinary visit, a stranger in the home, unexpected loud noises or disruptions, or strange dogs or other animals nearby. However, stress and fear can escalate to the point that they occur in the absence of any apparent trigger and are disproportionate to any actual danger. When this interferes with the dog’s ability to live a normal daily life, it is considered an anxiety disorder. Examples of anxiety disorders in dogs include storm phobias and separation anxiety.

Dogs who are bored or are not mentally stimulated enough may also tremble due to pent-up energy. Regular exercise, playtime, and mentally stimulating toys and puzzles may help. Dogs can also move and shake while sleeping, and there’s evidence to support that they dream, although it may be different from how humans dream. A shaking, sleeping dog is not necessarily having a nightmare.

Cold weather

Similar to humans, shivering is a way a dog’s body tries to keep warm when its cold. Small breeds, dogs with thin hair coats, senior dogs, and dogs with underlying illnesses may be more likely to be unable to regulate their body temperature in the cold, causing them to shiver more. However, any dog can shiver when they’re cold. Dogs may also shiver to warm up or dry off after they’ve been bathed or gotten wet. Indoor heated beds and blankets, outdoor dog jackets, and limiting time in cold weather or water can help. Shaking due to cold will stop once the dog is warm and dry again. If the shaking doesn’t stop, it’s likely due to something else.

Sign of pain or illness

Shaking in dogs can be caused by pain, nausea, or muscle weakness from illnesses and injuries that do not primarily affect the nervous system, such as:

• Arthritis
• Bodily injury
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Low blood sugar may occur during the treatment of diabetes mellitus after an insulin injection. Dogs who are shaking due to pain or non-neurologic medical issues may have additional signs of illness, such as:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Loss of consciousness
• Weakness

Tremors are involuntary muscle movements caused by disease or toxins that affect the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, or both.

Muscle tremors as a sign of neurologic disorder or illness

Neurologic conditions that can cause tremors in dogs include:

• Canine distemper
• Addison’s disease
• Seizure disorders
• Shaker syndrome

Shaker syndrome, also known as “little white dog shaker syndrome” or idiopathic tremor syndrome, is a neurologic disease that most often affects small white dog breeds. The condition causes full-body trembling that’s often made worse by stress or fear. It’s not usually a risk to overall health, but it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis, as many other neurologic disorders have similar symptoms. Other medical conditions that cause neurologic symptoms may be accompanied by additional signs of illness.

Exposure to toxins or venom

Many poisons can cause muscle tremors in dogs along with other signs of toxicosis, such as:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Weakness
• Difficulty walking (ataxia)

Not all toxins need to be ingested in order to affect dogs. Some can cause symptoms through skin contact as well as inhalation. Examples of possible toxins include:

• Ibuprofen
• Flea medication
• Foods such as chocolate and macadamia nuts
• Xylitol (an artificial sweetener)
• Snail or rat bait
• Cannabis
• Pesticides
• Overdoses of some dog medications
• Venomous snake bites

It’s important to contact a veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has been exposed to a toxin, even if they’re not showing symptoms of toxicosis. Treatment is generally more likely to be successful when started before clinical signs appear.

“Start by trying to determine if the shaking is voluntary or not. If your dog can stop shaking when they are distracted with a toy, treat, or other activity, it’s more likely to be voluntary,” explains Dr. Jo Myers. “Trembling due to fear, stress, or excitement may stop if a stressor is removed or the dog is distracted or comforted. Shivering due to cold and tremors due to a health issue are involuntary and will not stop until the underlying problem is addressed.” Dogs with tremors due to a medical condition can’t stop voluntarily, even if you comfort them or try to distract them with toys or treats.

Noting additional signs of pain or illness may help identify why a dog is shaking. These include:

• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Abnormal body posturing
• Limping

Other things to take note of that could be causing your dog to shake include:

• Cold temperatures, inside or outdoors
• Wet fur, clothing, or bedding
• Triggers for fear or anxiety
• Overexcitement or pent-up energy
• Potential toxin exposure

If you’re having difficulty identifying why your dog is shaking, it’s best to connect with a veterinarian. Many health conditions cause shaking with few to no other obvious symptoms. The shaking may be behavioral, neurological, infectious, due to an injury, or something else.

When shaking is an emergency

Shaking in dogs can be a sign of a medical emergency. Seek emergency veterinary care if your dog:

• Has lost consciousness or is having difficulty walking
• May have been exposed to a toxin
• Has other signs of illness
• Has been seriously injured

It’s best to get veterinary attention if you don’t know why your dog is shaking, even if they have no other obvious signs of distress, pain, or illness. Veterinary professionals are available to triage and provide additional information to help you make the best decision for your dog in virtual vet appointments through the Vetster platform.

Should I be worried if my dog is shaking?

Shaking can be due to fear or anxiety, conserving body heat in the cold, or due to injury, illness, or toxin exposure. If your dog is still shaking after attempting to warm, distract, or comfort them, it’s best to seek veterinary help in case they’re sick or injured.

Why is my dog shivering and trembling?

Shaking in dogs can be due to a wide variety of conditions, including cold weather, fear or anxiety, excitement, pain, neurologic disorders, toxin exposure, and a variety of other issues. If you can’t pinpoint why your dog is shaking, it’s best to talk to a veterinarian in case your dog is sick or injured.

What should I do if my dog is shaking?

If your dog is shaking, take steps to find the underlying issue by offering distractions from potential triggers for fear or anxiety, or a warm environment if they’re cold. If your dog continues to shake, talk to a veterinarian. Many injuries and medical conditions can cause shaking.