Veterinarians often encounter owners who ask, “Why is my dog shaking?” Below are several reasons and solutions for reducing shaking in dogs, as well as when it is important to consult a veterinarian.
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Cold
If you notice that your dog is shivering, don’t panic. The causes of shivering, trembling, and shaking may not be so serious. Your dog may be shivering because it has short fur, no undercoat, and the temperature outside or indoors is low.
Dogs shiver just like we humans do when they are cold. If you live in a particularly cold climate, it is worth investing in a jacket or coat for your dog. It is also very important if you have a small or thin-coated dog – do not let them stay outside for too long.
In rare cases, if dogs stay in cold air for too long, hypothermia may occur (i.e., a condition in which the dog’s body temperature drops below what is necessary to maintain the body’s metabolism and functioning).
If you notice that your dog is trembling and lethargic, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Stress
Dogs may also tremble due to fear or stress. In many cases, dogs tremble and pant (breathe with their tongues hanging out) due to stress or anxiety. If your dog is afraid of fireworks or other loud noises, it may react by trembling when it hears them. Dogs often feel stressed when unusual and new things happen in their environment.
If your dog experiences severe stress due to loud noises, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian. Veterinarians can prescribe medication to reduce your dog’s stress, which you can give them as needed or before stressful events, especially on New Year’s Eve.
Joy
Sometimes dogs tremble with joy. If you notice that your dog trembles when you return from work or after being apart for a long time, don’t worry, it’s part of expressing joy and positive emotions. This is a natural physical reaction in dogs, during which they use excess energy to calm down.
Illness and pain
If you notice that your dog is trembling for reasons other than stress or low ambient temperature, then you should be concerned. In many cases, dogs tremble due to poisoning, injury, immunodeficiency disorders, viral or other types of diseases. If your dog is trembling for these reasons, it is important to see a veterinarian.
Trembling in dogs can be a sign of pain. Most often, pain and trembling are associated with joint diseases such as arthritis. Arthritis in the hind legs in particular causes trembling in the hind legs of dogs.
Shivering after physical activity
Sometimes dog owners become concerned when their pet starts shaking late in the evening, but there is no need to worry if you have been walking your pet during the day or participating in intensive training or other types of exercise.
In many cases, dogs may tremble after intense physical activity in the evening or the next morning. This happens due to increased muscle innervation, muscle fatigue, or the release of lactic acid. A dog may tremble due to muscle pain if it is not used to increased activity or is rarely very active.
There is no need to worry if this occurs during the first two days after intense exercise. You can help your pet by taking it for light walks, but it is better to take shorter and more frequent walks. If your dog trembles for longer, you should consult your veterinarian.
It is very important to remember that physical activity for your pet should be regular, according to its physical abilities, or increased gradually. Unfortunately, intense physical activity or exercise for an unprepared dog can cause not only tremors but also serious orthopedic diseases.
Dog trembles during sleep
Sometimes, at the vet clinic, owners talk anxiously about their dog shaking during sleep. However, just like humans, dogs dream. A dog may shake while dreaming.
When dreaming, dogs not only tremble, but also whimper and may even bark. A dog’s trembling during sleep may be related to the relaxation of the body and changes in the dog’s sleep phases (from wakefulness to deep sleep and vice versa).
If there are no additional symptoms that could cause concern, there is no need to worry. You should see a veterinarian if your pet not only trembles during sleep, but also urinates, defecates, or drools. Such sleep disturbances can be symptoms of more serious problems.
Dog trembling after anesthesia
Sometimes dogs tremble before or after surgical procedures. This happens because the drugs used to induce general anesthesia affect the thermoregulatory center in the animal’s brain. Dogs are more likely to tremble after surgery when they are trying to wake up from general anesthesia.
The Begemotas Veterinary Medical Center offers a method of general anesthesia that has less effect on the thermoregulatory center: inhalation anesthesia. The drugs used during inhalation anesthesia are eliminated from the body more quickly, allowing dogs and cats to wake up much faster, so their thermoregulatory center is not affected by the drugs for as long.
When should you consult a veterinarian about your dog’s tremors?
If the trembling lasts longer than an hour and/or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting, it may be a sign of a serious illness, so your veterinarian should examine your pet immediately. It is also important to consult a veterinarian if your dog is shaking and panting, shaking and not eating, and the shaking is accompanied by convulsions, vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, and apathy.
If your puppy is shaking and it is not due to cold or stress, you must see a veterinarian. Puppies often shake when they have viral infections, which can occur if the puppy has not been fully vaccinated or has contracted a viral disease when its immunity has not yet developed.
Begemotas veterinarians are always happy to advise all caring owners. Call us or register online to receive all the necessary information from true veterinary professionals.
In addition, if your pet is at risk of poisoning or illness, Begemotas Veterinary Medical Center will perform targeted and necessary tests and prescribe treatment. Begemotas veterinarians will ensure the happiness and health of your pets.
Vet. gydytojas Robert
