Why Is My Dog Shaking? Causes, Warning Signs and When to Call a Vet

Watching your dog tremble and not knowing why is unsettling, particularly late at night when the practice is shut. Shaking is a very common symptom and the list of possible causes is long, running from a cold draught to something that needs a vet tonight. For most dogs it is short-lived and needs no specific treatment. It can also be the first outward sign of an underlying problem, so it is worth paying attention to, especially if it is severe, repeated or will not settle.

Key takeaways

• Shaking has many possible causes in dogs, and it can be something as simple as mild anxiety or feeling cold.
• More significant problems, including pain and seizure activity, can also cause shaking, so it is worth discussing with your vet.
• If your dog starts shaking, check their surroundings and watch closely for any other symptoms that appear alongside it.

Is Shaking an Emergency? The Quick Answer

In rare cases, shaking indicates an emergency situation. This is true when a dog is in severe pain, has ingested a toxin or is experiencing a seizure.

For the majority of dogs, who are shaking but otherwise bright, eating and behaving normally, this is not an emergency. If that sounds like your dog, you can take a moment and work through the causes below.

10 Reasons Your Dog Is Shaking

Let’s explore some of the top causes of canine shaking.

1. Cold

Just like humans, dogs shake when they are cold. The rapid muscle movement burns energy and generates heat, which is how the body defends itself against hypothermia.

2. Excitement, Fear or Anxiety

You will also notice that your dog shakes in response to their emotional state. Anxious dogs shake far more often, and you may see it in the car, at the vet practice, or when they hear loud noises such as fireworks.

This shaking is due to the high levels of circulating adrenaline and cortisol. The muscles are primed and ready to ‘fight or flight’.

3. Pain

Another common cause of shaking is pain. Good examples include the pain caused by a strained muscle or an acute ear infection. Again, this is thought to be triggered by high levels of stress hormones in the body, in response to the discomfort.

4. Nausea and Stomach Upset

For some dogs, their shaking will be due to feeling sick. Alongside the shaking, you may notice lip licking, drooling, gagging or a refusal to eat. The trembling itself may be linked to abdominal cramps or a high temperature.

5. Poisoning

Certain toxicities will trigger shaking in our pets. A classic example is a dog that eats mouldy food, where the mycotoxins trigger muscle tremors, seizures and organ failure. Shaking is also seen in cases of chocolate poisoning.

Image: search Pexels for ‘dog sitting next to a bar of chocolate’

6. Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) can occur at any age but is far more common in very young and very small dogs. The shaking happens because the brain treats falling glucose as an emergency and triggers a surge of adrenaline, which signals the liver to release its stored sugar. Alongside the tremors, you may see weakness, wobbliness, disorientation or collapse.

7. Old Age Tremors

Some dogs develop tremors as they age. This is worth investigating rather than accepting as normal, as it often points to an underlying problem such as arthritis pain or canine dementia.

8. Seizure Activity

There are various types of seizures, some of which cause mild and localised shaking, while others cause more pronounced jerking movements and a lack of consciousness. During a tonic-clonic seizure, the dog will not react when called and may pass urine or stool.

9. Hormone and Electrolyte Problems

An imbalance in hormone or electrolyte levels can also lead to shaking. We see this in conditions such as Addison’s disease and eclampsia. The electrical signals normally sent to the muscles are disrupted, which produces twitches and tremors. It is worth noting that a dog can have an imbalance in their hormone or salt levels without shaking at all.

10. Generalised Tremor Syndrome

This condition is also known as Shaker Syndrome or White Dog Shaker Syndrome. Affected dogs experience generalised body and head tremors. Small, white-furred breeds such as the Westie and Maltese are more prone than others.

Signs tend to present in the first few years of life and can worsen with excitement. For most, corticosteroids will be the treatment of choice.

Shaking vs Shivering vs Seizure: How to Tell the Difference

Shaking may be more localised than shivering or a seizure, and might only affect one part of the body. Causes include anxiety, nausea, and pain.

Shivering is a rapid, repetitive movement that runs through the whole body in an attempt to warm it up. It usually settles once the dog is warm again.

Seizures tend to involve rhythmic jerking and the dog may not be responsive when called. After a seizure, the dog may act dazed or sleepy.

What Else to Look For When Your Dog Is Shaking

The shaking on its own tells us relatively little. What your dog is doing alongside it tells us a great deal, and it is usually the thing a vet will ask you about first, so it is worth taking a minute to look them over properly.

Shaking and Panting

Panting can point to pain, nausea or anxiety, and it often goes hand in hand with shaking. In warm weather, or after exercise, heavy panting combined with trembling and unsteadiness can be an early sign of heatstroke, which needs urgent attention.

Shaking and Vomiting or Diarrhoea

A dog that is shaking alongside vomiting or diarrhoea may have abdominal cramps or a raised temperature. It is important to work out whether anything could have been eaten, as a recent toxicity needs treating quickly.

Shaking and Lethargy or Not Eating

If a dog is shaking but also lethargic and off their food, it may be that they feel sick or have low blood sugar. In small or young patients, hypoglycaemia is a big concern.

Shaking and Hiding Away

A dog that shakes and takes themselves away to hide is telling you something is wrong. They may be frightened, or they may be in pain or feeling sick. If they are not acting like themselves, arrange a vet check rather than waiting to see how the night goes.

What to Do If Your Dog Is Shaking

If you notice your dog shaking, there are a few sensible steps you can take.

What You Can Do at Home

If your dog seems cold, move them somewhere warm and settle them on a blanket. Sitting quietly with them helps more than you might think, as your own calm tends to travel down the lead. Run your hands gently over them to check for any painful areas. Keep watching for other symptoms, such as a limp, vomiting, lethargy or a collapsing episode.

What Not to Do

Do not give your dog any human medicine unless your vet has explicitly told you to. Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are toxic to dogs.

There is also no need to restrain or hold your dog tightly, as this tends to make them more anxious and more uncomfortable.

When to Call an Emergency Vet

It is important to contact your nearest emergency vet if you suspect your dog is having a seizure, is in a lot of pain, or may have eaten something toxic. If you cannot safely get them into the car, a vet can come to you.

Get Emergency Veterinary Advice for Your Dog

Contact us at any time if you are worried about your dog shaking, at any hour. No concern is too small to ring about, and sometimes all that is needed is reassurance. Our team will talk through what may be going on and let you know whether your dog needs to be seen right away. If you are in the capital, you can reach an emergency vet in London day or night.

Dog Shaking: FAQs

Why is my dog shaking for no reason?

Shaking has many causes ranging from nausea and pain to a recent toxicity. If you are unsure why your dog is shaking, monitor closely for any other signs and check around to see if there is anything they could have eaten.

Why do old dogs' back legs shake?

While this is a sign that develops more commonly with age, shaking in their back legs is not normal. It can point to arthritis, muscle weakness or a neurological problem. Contact your vet if your older dog has started to shake.

Is my dog shaking or having a seizure?

It is not always easy to determine if a dog is having a seizure or not. During a tonic-clonic seizure, a dog will be unresponsive to the world around them. They often lie down, vocalise, and may lose bladder control.

Can a vet come to my home if my dog is shaking?

Yes, a home visit is often appropriate when a dog is shaking, and for an anxious or painful patient it can be less stressful than a car journey. A vet can examine them in person to work out what is causing the shaking and how best to treat it. Whether a home visit or a 24 hour clinic is the better option depends on how unwell your dog is.