Why a dog is shaking: reasons and what to do

An attentive owner always observes their pet and notices any changes in their behavior, such as trembling. This can be due to physiological reasons or pathological conditions associated with various illnesses. However, it's worth noting that trembling in a Yorkie, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, or other small breed is, in most cases, normal and shouldn't cause concern. This is often a sign of fear, and can also include tucked paws, ears, and tail, yelping, and even urinating involuntarily.

Owners of pets of other breeds should also not immediately sound the alarm, but try to understand the causes and rule out the most harmless options.

Physiological reasons

The main distinguishing feature of these factors is that a symptom such as tremors disappears almost immediately after the source that provoked it is eliminated. These include:

• Stressful situations (for example, when expecting punishment or after it).
• Hypothermia, which can be caused by walking in low temperatures or at home, for example, after swimming.
• Fear (the appearance of obvious sources of danger in the field of vision, in the case of loud sounds, etc.).

• Intense excitement associated with positive emotions. Some pets begin to tremble in anticipation of receiving a favorite treat or meeting their owner after a long separation, and even in their sleep if they are dreaming of something pleasant.
• Hormonal surge. This is especially true for male dogs, who experience intense arousal when they see an attractive member of the opposite sex.
• An attempt to attract the owner's attention. In this case, the trembling can be compared to a wagging tail. This expression is typical of breeds whose tails are usually docked (Rottweilers, Boxers, etc.).

But if your dog is shaking as if it has chills, and the above-mentioned "conditions" are not present, this is a reason to take a closer look at your pet and perhaps even go to the vet.

Pathological causes

If your dog starts trembling even at home without any apparent cause, you should assess its overall condition and check for other negative symptoms (increased body temperature, decreased appetite, diarrhea, etc.). This behavior may signal the development of illness or other pathological conditions.

Viral diseases

In unvaccinated pets, tremors can be caused by a number of viral diseases. The most dangerous of these include:

• Viral hepatitis (young individuals under one year of age are most susceptible) – affects the cornea, liver, and kidneys. In addition to tremors, it is accompanied by impaired coordination, paralysis, and other manifestations of nervous system dysfunction.
• Encephalomyelitis (develops in dogs aged 5-8 years) causes impaired coordination of movements, frequent falls due to weakness of the limbs, and, if left untreated, results in complete paralysis.
• Parvovirus enteritis (Puppies under 4 months of age are most susceptible, but older dogs can also experience it) – accompanied by possible tremors, refusal to drink or eat, and prolonged vomiting. It is important to begin treatment within the first 4 days after infection, otherwise the risk of death is very high.

• Adenovirus – accompanied by tremors, coughing, and fever. Proper treatment can clear the disease within 1.5–2 weeks, but the pet will remain contagious to other animals for several months.
• Plague of carnivores – provokes inflammatory processes in the brain, liver, and kidneys. In addition to tremors, symptoms include fever, nasal and ocular discharge, vomiting and diarrhea, photophobia, and difficulty breathing. The illness can last from several weeks to several months and can result in either successful recovery or death.

Parasitic diseases

Parasite infestations in pets are sometimes accompanied by typical tremors as one of the symptoms. These include:

• Helminthic infestation indicates infection of the body with helminths and may be accompanied by the appearance of tremors when attempting to defecate.
• Dirofilariasis is caused by heartworms, which, after entering the body, migrate to the animal's heart, sometimes causing uncontrollable tremors. The disease is accompanied by swelling and edema due to impaired circulation, a dry, frequent cough, and apathetic behavior.
• Piroplasmosis – causes blood poisoning following a tick bite. The disease is accompanied by labored breathing, loss of balance, tremors, and brown urine.

Diseases of internal organs and metabolic disorders

Tremors, along with other symptoms, may indicate problems with the body's internal systems. These include:

• Hypoglycemia (more common in small dogs) – accompanied by uncontrollable tremors, loss of strength, and lethargy. If detected early, hypoglycemia is successfully treated; if not, it can cause limb paralysis and eventually death.
• Hypothyroidism (deficiency of thyroid hormones) is accompanied not only by tremors, but also by weakness and a decrease in body temperature.
• Heart disease (heart failure, myocarditis) – manifests itself in the form of tachycardia (irregular heartbeat), tremors, frequent bowel movements and other symptoms.
• Inflammation of the spinal cord is accompanied by tremors, changes in gait and paralysis of the limbs.
• Eclampsia - appears in dogs during pregnancy and lactation with a significant drop in the level of calcium in the body, as a result of which the functioning of the nervous system is disrupted and the tremors subsequently develop into convulsionsSometimes vomiting, fever and shortness of breath appear.

Other reasons

The appearance of tremors may be associated with other reasons, including:

• An allergic reaction occurs when switching to a different diet or taking medications and is accompanied by itching and sometimes a rash.
• Food or toxic poisoning manifests itself in the form of apathy, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, sometimes increased thirst, and convulsions.
• Heat stroke – the dog not only shivered on a hot day, but also became lethargic and sometimes began breathing rapidly.
• Pain – manifests as tremors throughout the body or at the site of pain, accompanied by whining. This behavior may be associated with injuries, rheumatic pain, abdominal pain, or more serious illnesses, including cancer.
• A side effect of the vaccine is accompanied by severe tremors, loss of appetite and weakness.
• Postoperative condition – the appearance of tremors may be caused by the body’s inability to regulate its temperature normally, an increase in temperature due to the development of an infection, or a reaction to certain medications.

Additional diagnostics: when trembling is a signal for action

Sometimes trembling is just a superficial, fleeting reaction, but it can hide more serious problems.

In such cases, it is worth paying attention to the following signs:

• impaired coordination or gait (staggering, instability when walking) - may indicate damage to the central nervous system, compression of the spinal canal or poisoning;

• weakness, refusal to eat, lethargy - typical for hypoglycemia, systemic infections, organ diseases;

• heavy breathing, tachycardia, fainting - typical of heat stroke or heart disease.

If the trembling is accompanied by at least one of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian for an examination as soon as possible.

Painful and metabolic causes of tremors

Tremors in dogs can be caused by the following medical problems:

• hypoglycemia - low blood sugar (especially dangerous for puppies and miniature breeds);

• hypokalemia is a lack of potassium in the blood that accompanies kidney disease;

• liver and kidney diseases - disrupt metabolism, which manifests itself as muscle tremors;

• endocrine disorders - hypothyroidism (slow metabolism), Addison's disease, diabetes mellitus;

• Cardiopulmonary pathologies - hypoxia, arrhythmia, bronchitis, decreased blood pressure.

Table: Possible medical causes and signs

Neurological and toxic factors

Some conditions are related to the nervous system or exposure to toxins:

• Epilepsyand other convulsive disorders - tremors may be part of a seizure, accompanied by loss of consciousness, tongue biting, and involuntary urination.

• Small dog shaker syndrome— more common in small white breeds (West German Shepherds, Yorkies). The tremor is generalized and intensifies with stress.

• Infections of the nervous system— canine distemper, leptospirosis, encephalitis. Tremors combined with fever, loss of coordination, and convulsions.

• Poisoning— chocolate, medications (isoniazid), neurotoxins (botulism, clostridiosis). Often accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness.

Behavioral and emotional causes

Sometimes trembling is a response to the animal’s psychological state:

• Stress and fearA change of environment, a visit to the veterinarian, or fireworks can cause tremors. The animal hides, breathes heavily, and lies down.

• Overflowing with emotions- joy or excitement, meeting with the owner, a favorite toy - cause trembling as a manifestation of excitement.

• Attention seeking- If trembling previously brought comfort, the dog may use it as a tool of manipulation.

• Sleep phase transitions (REM)— tremors can occur during sleep, especially during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when the animal dreams.

Age-related changes and breed characteristics

• Older dogs— trembling of the muscles of the legs or body can be caused by arthritis, muscle weakness, or impaired thermoregulation.

• Small and short-haired breeds— Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, and Dachshunds often shiver from cold or stress due to the high excitability of their nervous system.

• Physiological tremor — typical for mini-breeds, puppies, dogs with a high metabolic rate and little subcutaneous fat — shivering helps maintain body temperature.

What to do

If the tremors are caused by physiological reasons, it is enough to eliminate their influence:

• Dress your pet in warm clothes for walks in cold weather or limit their duration.
• Dry the coat thoroughly after bathing, perhaps even using a hair dryer.
• Protect your dog from stressful situations, and in case of strong emotions, use tea with a calming effect.

Important! If your dog's limbs begin to twitch sharply and violently during a walk or immediately after returning, this is one of the symptoms of strychnine poisoning. In this case, it's important to take your dog to the vet as quickly as possible, as only emergency measures can save your pet's life.

If the tremors persist for a long time, consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and undergo the necessary examinations and tests. Only then will the veterinarian determine the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment:

1. For allergic reactions: eliminate allergens and take antihistamines.
2. In case of helminthic infestations: deworming with special medications, limiting contact with humans until recovery, since the worms can be transmitted to them.
3. For hypoglycemia: glucose injections, but in advanced cases more serious treatment is required.
4. For inflammation of the spinal cord: antibiotics with novocaine, compresses, massages.
5. For adenovirus: antibiotics, amoxicillin, mucolytic drugs to relieve cough.
6. For paraviral enteritis: immunoglobulins and immunomodulators, hyperimmune serum, water-salt solutions.
7. For viral hepatitis: immunostimulants, hyperimmune serum and vitamins.
8. For piroplasmosis: injections with antiviral vaccines, supportive treatment.
9. For pain syndromes: If the injury or wound is minor, the dog may be able to lick the wound itself, and the owner only needs to ensure that it does not become infected. For serious injuries or no visible damage, consult a veterinarian for treatment.

A quick action plan for owners

Condition assessment:

• Pay attention to other symptoms (appetite, breathing, coordination, temperature);

• Try to warm or cool the dog, depending on the situation;

• Calm your pet, create comfort, and eliminate stress factors.

If the trembling is caused by emotions:

• Calm your pet with calm words, redirect attention with a game;

• Do not feed or comfort if the reason is a desire for attention.

If you suspect a medical problem:

• Contact your veterinarian immediately;

• Prepare information: when the tremors began, what are the symptoms, were there any provoking factors;

• Blood tests (glucose, biochemistry, hormones), ultrasound, x-ray, and infection tests may be required.

At home:

• Monitor your sleep patterns, diet, and temperature;

• Avoid sudden temperature changes and overload;

• Pay attention to the psychological state of your pet, especially mini breeds.

The main thing is not to delay a visit to a specialist for too long, since the disease, if detected at an early stage, is usually easily treated, whereas advanced forms require long-term treatment, and the outcome is not always favorable.

You can also ask our website's staff veterinarian a question, who will answer them as quickly as possible in the comments box below.

Read also:

• Epilepsy in dogs
• Encephalitis in dogs: symptoms and treatment
• My dog ​​was bitten by a tick: what to do