Wondering why your four-legged friend seems restless, and noticed that its body is shaking? Trembling in dogs can have many causes, from the body’s natural response after strenuous exercise through to signs of more serious health problems.
In this article we take a closer look at what may lie behind this behaviour and which signals should give us cause for concern. You will find out whether a dog’s breed affects its tendency to shake and which emotions can trigger a similar reaction in dogs. Watching your dog tremble in its sleep or after a hard run can be worrying. It is worth knowing when this is a normal bodily response and when it may point to a condition that needs veterinary attention.
You will also find practical tips on what to do when you notice your dog shaking and what steps to take to help it. Providing the right care and understanding our dogs’ needs is key to their health and wellbeing.
Why is my dog shaking? The most common causes
Watching our four-legged friend’s behaviour is key to understanding why a dog is shaking. Shaking can be a response to stress or fear, for example during a thunderstorm or fireworks. On the other hand, it can also be a sign that the dog is cold or has a chill, particularly in short-haired or smaller dogs. Bear in mind that shaking can also be a signal of neurological disorders or pain, so this behaviour should not be ignored and, if necessary, a vet should be consulted.
Then again, shaking can also be a perfectly normal physiological response to excitement or an excess of energy, especially in young dogs and puppies. However, if the shaking is frequent and accompanied by other worrying signs such as a change in appetite, lethargy or aggression, it may indicate more serious health problems. In such cases an immediate consultation with a vet is essential. Remember that a proper diagnosis and prompt action can make a real difference to your pet’s health and wellbeing.
Dog shaking and panting: involuntary muscle tremors after exercise
Strenuous exercise can cause involuntary muscle tremors in dogs. This is a natural bodily response brought on by fatigue or overheating. Muscle tremors after a hard run or play session are a way of relaxing the muscles and speeding up their recovery. On the one hand this is a sign of a healthy adaptive mechanism, but on the other it can indicate that the body has been overworked, which deserves the owner’s attention. If your dog is shaking and panting after a walk or a training session, you may simply have overdone the intensity.
While mild muscle tremors should not be a major cause for concern, severe or prolonged shaking may indicate too much exertion: exhaustion, dehydration or even the early signs of heatstroke. In such cases the dog must be allowed to rest somewhere cool with access to fresh water. Owners should also keep an eye on how often and how hard they exercise their pet in order to avoid future health problems.
That said, regular physical activity is essential to keeping a dog healthy and developing properly. The important thing is to strike a balance that keeps the dog fit without pushing it beyond its limits. If you are unsure why your dog’s muscles tremble after exercise, it is a good idea to consult a vet, who can help tailor the level of activity to the animal’s individual needs.
Dog whimpering and shaking: what is the likely cause?
When we notice that our dog is whimpering and shaking at the same time, it can be a sign that something worrying is going on with our four-legged friend. There are several possible causes of this behaviour worth considering so that we can respond appropriately and give our dog the best possible care.
Pain or discomfort
One of the most likely causes of whimpering and shaking is pain or discomfort. Dogs often express pain by whimpering, and shaking may be a response to the intensity of the pain or the stress that comes with it. The pain may stem from an injury, inflammation, digestive problems, dental or ear trouble, or other conditions.
Whimpering, shaking and paddling the legs as if running: possible epilepsy
If, on top of the simultaneous shaking and whimpering, the dog moves its legs as though it were running or trying to run, we are most likely dealing with a common neurological disease: epilepsy.
Epilepsy in dogs can be classified as primary or secondary, which means it can appear unexpectedly at any point in the animal’s life. During a seizure it is important to watch the dog carefully and keep it safe so that it does not injure itself. Every seizure should be reported to a vet straight away. The standard treatment is anti-epileptic medication aimed at preventing further seizures.
Dog suddenly starts shaking: what is the reason?
Sudden shaking in a dog most often occurs together with the signs described above, such as whimpering and leg movements that mimic running. Unfortunately, this combination of behaviours usually points to the same cause: epilepsy.
When a dog suddenly starts shaking, it may also have been poisoned by a dangerous substance. If the dog is shaking unexpectedly and we cannot pin down a specific reason, our friend may have come into contact with substances that are toxic to its body. In that case it is worth checking whether its gums are pale and whether it is drooling.
Dog shaking in its sleep
Watching a dog shake in its sleep can be unsettling for an owner. In most cases, however, this is completely normal behaviour linked to the stages of sleep. Just like humans, dogs go through different sleep stages, including REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), during which muscle movements, including twitching, can occur. Here are a few points worth keeping in mind:
Nevertheless, there are situations in which a dog shaking in its sleep can point to deeper health problems. For example, if the twitching is intense and frequent, it may be a sign of neurological disorders or other conditions. In such cases you should consult a vet, who will carry out the appropriate tests and recommend treatment. Here are a few warning signs to watch for:
Stress, fear and other strong emotions can also be the cause
Dogs, like people, experience strong emotions that can lead to physical reactions such as trembling. Stress and fear are common reasons why our four-legged friend may shake. Loud noises such as fireworks or thunderstorms, for instance, can trigger anxiety that shows itself as trembling.
Positive emotions, such as excitement or anticipation of a favourite game, can also be the reason a dog shakes. It is important to read the context of the situation in which the dog is shaking in order to respond appropriately. If the trembling is caused by stress, the dog needs a safe, calm environment. If it is a reaction to joy, there is no cause for concern. However, if the shaking is frequent and not linked to any obvious emotional trigger, a vet should be consulted to rule out other potential health problems.
Dog shaking: possible diseases, with a table and discussion
A shaking dog can be a symptom of a range of health conditions, from disorders of the nervous system to exposure to extreme temperatures, so it is important to watch closely for any additional signs that accompany this behaviour. The table below sets out the causes that may make a dog shake:
| Disease / condition | Description | Signs other than shaking |
| Psychological disorders | Separation anxiety, phobias, distressing past experiences. | Over-reaction to stimuli, anxiety |
| Electrolyte imbalances | For example low calcium (hypocalcaemia). | Muscle weakness |
| Kidney failure | Poisoning, high fever or blood loss can lead to acute kidney failure. | Restlessness, loss of appetite, infrequent urination, thirst, weight loss, apathy |
| White Dog Shaker Syndrome | Hereditary condition seen mainly in white-coated dogs. | Loss of consciousness, rapid eye movements |
| Addison’s disease | Deficiency of adrenal hormones, more common in females of large breeds. | Apathy, diarrhoea, poor appetite, abdominal pain, increased thirst |
| Hypothermia | Low body temperature, often after prolonged exposure to cold. | Lethargy, weak pulse, difficulty breathing |
| Hyperthermia / heatstroke | High body temperature, often in hot weather. | Rapid breathing, reddened mucous membranes, lethargy |
| Hypoglycaemia | Low blood sugar, more common in small breeds. | Weakness, lack of coordination, loss of consciousness |
| Gastric torsion | The stomach twists on its axis, causing severe pain. | Breathing difficulties, bloating, restlessness, circulatory problems |
| Toxins and poisoning | Ingestion of toxic substances. | Vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drooling |
| Infectious diseases | Viral or bacterial diseases such as parvovirus or leptospirosis. | Varies with the disease. Parvovirus: vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, lethargy, abdominal pain, fever, among others. Leptospirosis: jaundice, changes in urination (frequent urination or difficulty urinating, dark urine), muscle pain, nosebleeds and other bleeding, among others |
| Distemper | A viral disease that can damage the brain. | Seizures, nasal discharge, shortness of breath, coughing, paralysis |
| Epilepsy | Excessive activity of brain cells. | Intense seizures with loss of consciousness |
| Liver disease | Advanced liver disease in dogs usually refers to cirrhosis of the liver or chronic liver failure. Cirrhosis is a condition in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, leading to loss of liver function. Chronic liver failure refers to a gradual decline in liver function as a result of long-term damage or disease. | Ascites, jaundice, clotting disorders, reduced appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea |
| Muscle / nerve disorders | Myopathies or neuropathies. | Muscle weakness |
| Epilepsy (chronic form) | A chronic neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures. | Loss of consciousness, whimpering, unusual behaviour before and after a seizure, drooling, temporary paralysis |
The table of diseases and conditions that can cause shaking in dogs covers a wide range, from mild complaints to very serious disorders of the nervous system, the muscles or the body as a whole. It includes both chronic diseases and acute conditions that require immediate veterinary attention.
The most common causes of shaking in dogs tend to be behavioural or environmental, such as stress, fear or a reaction to cold. Diseases such as kidney failure, Addison’s disease or epilepsy, although less common, are important to recognise because they require specialist treatment and long-term care.
Breed and shaking. Why does my Yorkie shake? Does a dog’s breed matter?
Yorkies and their tendency to muscle tremors
Shaking in dogs, and particularly in breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, can be triggered by a variety of factors. Yorkies are known to be more sensitive to cold because of their small size and short coat, which makes them more prone to losing body heat. In addition, these little dogs often form strong attachments to their owners and may shake when they feel nervous or frightened. Here are some of the main reasons a Yorkie may shake:
If we notice that our Yorkie shakes regularly, there are several steps we can take to help our pet. First, make sure the dog has a warm, comfortable place to sleep, away from draughts and cold floors. On chilly days it is worth considering a warm jumper for the dog. If we suspect that stress is behind the shaking, we can try calming techniques such as massage or relaxation exercises. In any case, observing our Yorkie and responding appropriately to its needs is key to its wellbeing.
Shaking and your pet’s breed
Dogs of smaller breeds, such as the Yorkies described above, Shih Tzus or Chihuahuas, tend to shake more often than larger dogs. Just as with Yorkies, every smaller member of the family should be given extra protection on colder days, for example in the form of clothing, because a smaller dog’s body loses heat more quickly.
Shaking in larger dogs can worry their owners, although it is not always a cause for alarm. Unlike miniature dogs, which often shake because of emotion or in response to cold, in larger breeds trembling may have other causes.
Larger breeds such as Labradors, German Shepherds or Golden Retrievers are naturally better insulated thanks to their denser coats and greater body mass. So when a dog of this size starts shaking, it is worth looking at other potential causes beyond low temperature alone.
It is also worth remembering that some breeds, such as terriers, shake naturally, and in most cases this should not raise any suspicions about the dog’s health.
Undercoat and why dogs get cold
The undercoat, the layer of hair closest to the skin, plays a key role in a dog’s thermal insulation, protecting it from shivering caused by low temperatures. Not all breeds have this layer, however. It is absent in breeds such as the Boxer, the Maltese, the Yorkie mentioned once again, the Hungarian Short-haired Vizsla, the Short-haired Weimaraner and the Italian Greyhound. These dogs feel the cold more than breeds with a well-developed undercoat. Even dogs that do have this layer can be vulnerable to cold if their coat has been clipped for aesthetic reasons or to prevent matting.
What to do when your dog is shaking?
When we notice that our dog is shaking, a calm and methodical approach to finding the cause is essential. The checklist below can help you assess the situation and take the right steps:
A prompt response and the right action can prevent more serious health problems and help our pet make a speedy recovery.
