Why Do Dogs Shiver and Tremble?
There could be several reasons your dog is shaking, trembling, shivering, etcetera. It could be that they’re so excited to see you that they can’t contain themselves. It could be that they’re in pain or the dog ingested something toxic. If your dog’s health is poor, it’s likely their shivering is a result of that. If you’re out in the cold, younger dogs, smaller dogs, senior dogs, and dogs with short hair may shiver simply because they’re cold! Make sure you keep your dog warm when you go out.
Additionally, certain dogs and certain breeds are simply prone to shivering. The only time you really need to worry about your dog shaking is if it’s new or worse than their normal shaking. It’s better to get to the bottom of things rather than leave it a mystery.
Dog Trembling and Shaking: Causes and Treatments
Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons your dog might be shaking.
Excitement: It doesn’t take much to make a dog so happy they get excited. Just coming home after work is more than enough to make some dogs and dog breeds bark, shake, jump, run in circles, and even pee out of excitement. Some dogs will grow out of these traits, but some might not. You should help your pup stay calm by greeting them calmly and maybe even delay a greeting. This can help them view a greeting as less of an event which will help prevent some of these excessive responses.
Anxiety or Fear: Stress, anxiety, and fear are common reasons a dog will tremble or shake. You might have noticed your dog trembling during a thunderstorm or on the 4th of July when fireworks are everywhere. They might get shaky when you go to the vet or experience separation anxiety when you go to work. If you can diagnose the origin of the fear, you may be able to stop the shaking. If it comes down to it, your vet might also be able to prescribe some anti-anxiety medication.
Nausea: Dogs really aren’t that different from people. They can experience nausea for all the same reasons as a human: motion sickness, eating too much, medications, or toxic substances. They can also get nauseous from diseases on top of their other symptoms. Shaking is a common response to nausea. You may also notice them smacking their lips, salivating and swallowing a lot, yawning, hiding, vomiting, or feeling restless.
Age and/or Pain: Dogs get older and develop tremors in their hind legs, especially. This is due to muscle weakness, and it could happen in the front legs, as well. These tremors don’t usually do anything beyond inconvenience your dog, but they should affect movement. If you dog struggles to move because of the shaking, it could very well be pain-related, and you will want to get them to a vet ASAP.
Arthritis: This is a pretty typical cause of shaking, especially in older dogs. Your vet can easily and quickly treat the pain and inflammation that accompanies arthritis. They will often prescribe supplements, medications, and therapies, as well as some gentle exercise.
Poisoning: There are certain substances around your home that might not be toxic to you, but that are highly toxic to dogs. Here are some examples: chocolate, xylitol (sugar substitute in chewing gums), cigarettes, and snail bait. These items are common in many households, but if your dog gets a hold of them, they could cause shaking, tremors, or more severe illness. Dogs are resilient, but they’re also curious. they have to be watched or they’ll get into things they shouldn’t.
Seizure Disorders: For example, Epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects dogs with symptoms such as jerking, collapsing, muscle tremors, stiffening, drooling, loss of consciousness, tongue chewing, chomping, and foaming at the mouth. Treatments include medications such as keppra, potassium bromide, and phenobarbital.
What is Generalized tremor syndrome (GTS)?
Generalized Tremor Syndrome (GTS) is also called steroid-responsive tremor syndrome, as well as white shaker dog syndrome (so named because it was first noticed in small white dogs like the West Highland terriers). It can happen to any dog, regardless of breed, size, or color, and no one knows what causes GTS. Take your dog to a vet to get a prescription that will help get rid of GTS.
Shaking vs. Seizures
Shivering and shaking are different than a seizure. A seizure involves the muscles seizing up so much that a dog loses both their mobility and all awareness of their surroundings. If your dog is showing seizure symptoms and they’re not already being treated for a disorder, they need to be taken to an emergency vet as soon as possible.
Most shivering is relatively harmless. However, it’s always best to reach out to your vet if you have concerns or if the problem escalates. Your vet can diagnose the problem and explain what they uncover. If something serious is going on, it’s always better to catch that early rather than letting it develop.
How to Calm a Shaking Dog
If your dog shakes because of stress or anxiety, there are several steps you can take to help calm them down and get their muscles relaxed enough to stop trembling. Let’s look at some options:
Watch for early signs
It’s always easiest to stop anxiety before it reaches the most intense point. If your dog gets anxious, you need to watch for these signs: yawning, licking their lips, and pulling back their ears. These can all be signs of anxiety that’s settling in. Once these start happening, try to remove your dog from the stressful situation or distract them from their surroundings.
Give them a safe space
A lot of owners make the mistake of associating beds, mats, and crates with punishment, but you need to associate those places with positive things such as treats, toys, and peace. Dogs need safe spaces, especially if they’re trying to calm down when they’re anxious. If your dog gets anxious going to the vet, it will be effective to have a bed that’s a safe space so that your dog stays calm and happy throughout their visit.
Distract them with toys, treats, and games
Lots of dogs soothe themselves by chewing and licking. It’s a good idea to try out some long-lasting treats, puzzle games, and chewable toys as calming efforts. This is an especially useful trick for dogs who suffer from separation anxiety.
Soothe them with touch
It sounds silly to even say it, but many pet owners forget how powerful touch is. If your dog is having an anxiety attack, the simplest and best way to calm them is to touch them. When they tremble, cuddle them. When they shake, do some massaging strokes. It works almost every time.
Stick to a routine
Dogs love routines. They love what they know. Make a daily routine that includes lots of exercise so that your dog stays physically and mentally healthy. Make sure you allow them opportunities to “earn” things through good behavior. That gives them an incentive to do well.
When to See a Vet
Here are some cut-and-dry times when you should take your dog to the vet for shaking:
- If they have had a seizure
- If they are showing signs of having been poisoned
- If they are showing signs of hypothermia
- If they are showing signs of unusual pain or illness
- If they are displaying symptoms of GTS
- If they are showing signs of an ear infection or other ear troubles
- If they are displaying extreme and/or chronic anxiety
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