Why Do Dogs Shake, Actually?

Shivering and trembling are fairly common dog behaviors, but they can seem very worrisome if you’re not used to them and don’t know what’s causing them. So, why do dogs shake? There are many different causes, ranging from excitement to illness. Most are completely harmless, but some indicate something is wrong.

Read on for a list of possible explanations for why your dog is shaking. We’ve provided some top tips on what you can do to help your dog out if you notice that your dog is shaking.

Why do dogs shake?

There are many different types of dog shakes. We’ve all seen dogs shake when they get wet. They are clearly trying to remove excess moisture from their fur. Also, most of us have seen head shaking when our ears are itchy! But what about other types of vibrations?

Dogs shake because of their emotions (behavioral shaking), their reaction to their environment (environmental shaking), or because they have a medical problem (medical shaking). Let’s open each of these.

Shaky behavior

Behavior shaking is related to your dog’s mood. These can be positive or negative, but they all trigger a hormonal response that causes the muscles to contract and relax rapidly, resulting in the physiological response of shaking. It’s part of the ancient fight-or-flight response. Your dog detects a threat, and its brain tells its body to start producing the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Their hearts beat faster, their breath quicker, their pupils dilate — and they tremble! Stimuli can be positive or negative.

Excited

A positive stimulus is something that excites your dog or makes them think that something exciting is about to happen (anticipation). It could be because you’re playing with them, or when you get home after a long day out.

It’s best to calm the excitement down if you can. For dogs who suffer from separation anxiety and get overly excited when you come home, you can try leaving an interactive toy when you leave. This will keep their minds busy. When you get home, try giving them a chew toy to keep them focused and calm them down.

anxiety and fear

The negative stimulus of shaking causes the body to release a flood of adrenaline, which prepares the muscles to either defend (fight) or flee (flight). It made them sway. It is usually triggered by fireworks and thunderstorms. Stressed dogs often also have other symptoms, such as panting and whimpering. You may find it helpful to play some calming music. Distracting them with a game of fetch may also help. If it’s really bad, you may want to ask your veterinarian if your dog can take some anti-anxiety medication.

Environmental shock

Like all other animals, dogs have evolved over thousands of years to deal with challenges in their environment. This helps them survive the ever-changing conditions that nature throws at them. The following are the most common examples.

remove water

This is probably the most common form of shaking, and all dogs do it. This is a very effective method of removing moisture from the fur. If you’ve ever stood over a wet dog and shook yourself, you know just how much water they can remove with just a few shakes, because a lot of water will fall on you!

But why are dogs so worried about getting wet? This is because their coats are highly insulating. It traps air to keep you warm, but it also absorbs moisture. A wet coat is not good at keeping heat inside, so a wet dog can get cold very quickly. That’s why cooling vests for dogs work so well.If you’re in an environment where your dog shaking around in muddy water can be a problem, you can invest in a height absorbent dog towel.

warm up

Dogs shiver to keep warm. Muscles contract and relax rapidly, which generates heat and increases core temperature. You’re most likely to see this in smaller dogs, which have thin coats that make it difficult to keep warm as temperatures drop.

The only way to solve this problem is to wrap your dog in a warm coat before you go outside. Warm boots are also a good idea. While at home, make sure they have a warm and comfortable bed, even a heated dog bed, away from drafts, and provide them with some extra dog blankets for snuggling.

medical causes of shivering

Sometimes shaking indicates a problem. Here are some of the main medical causes of shivering in dogs.

pain

Pain can be the result of injury or disease. If the trembling is caused by pain, other symptoms are likely to be present at the same time. You may notice that your dog’s ears are flattened and not as happy as usual. They may become obsessed with (licking and biting) a particular part of their body, which may indicate where the source of the problem lies. You should contact your veterinarian so they can examine your dog and find out what is causing the problem.

elderly

Older dogs will shake when they are tired. You may notice this after they’ve been out for a long time, especially if they’re not used to doing a lot of exercise. Don’t just think of it as age-related muscle weakness, you should have your veterinarian check to see if your senior dog is feeling pain too. There are special senior dog foods that can help with issues like joint arthritis in older dogs.

nausea

Feeling sick isn’t as much fun for dogs as it is for humans. If they feel like they’re going to throw up, they may start licking their lips and drooling and appear to be swallowing a lot. They can also be shaken.

There are many possible causes of nausea in dogs. They may simply be eating too much too quickly, in which case you may need a slow feeding bowl to help them eat calmly. This could be a food allergy and you may need to switch them to dog food for allergies.It could even be motion sickness, in which case dog suitcase Might help reduce confusion on the road!

poisoned

This is one of the serious potential causes of shaking. Dogs can be poisoned by a number of different substances both in the home and out. Poisons that often make dogs tremble and twitch include chocolate, marijuana, slug poison, and cigarette butts.

You may need to use a head halter to prevent your dog from diving after litter in the gutter. If you suspect your dog has ingested poison, you must take them to the veterinarian immediately.

What diseases can cause dogs to shiver?

There are certain medical conditions that can make dogs tremble. These always need to be checked by a veterinarian. Some require long-term treatment.

Nervous system disease

These are diseases that affect the brain and nervous system. They can cause seizures (tremors), which may be mild tremors or severe convulsions affecting the whole body. These can happen to dogs of all ages. Some dogs are born with it, but others develop it as they grow. Here are some examples:

• cerebellar hypoplasiaThe part of the brain called the cerebellum that controls coordination and how certain muscles move does not develop properly. This becomes evident in the pups when they start trying to stand up. Their heads also wobble, and they fall down. It is most common in Chow Chows and Alpine Terriers, but it can also be seen in other breeds.
• tremor syndrome. You also see this condition called generalized tremor syndrome (GTS). It is caused by inflammation (swelling) of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and makes the whole body tremble.It is most common in young and middle-aged Maltese and West Highland Terriers.
• shaken puppy syndrome. This is also known as hypomyelination and can be seen in pups as young as two weeks old. It is caused by problems with the protective covering (myelin) that surrounds nerves. In addition to trembling, affected pups have problems with coordination and standing.It is most commonly seen in male Welsh Springer Spaniels and male Samoyeds, as well as in both sexes of Chow Chows and Weimaraners, but other breeds can be affected
• epilepsy. This is the most common neurological disorder in dogs and it causes recurring attacks. It varies in severity and sadly results in the death of some dogs. However, it can also be controlled in other dogs with the right medication.

Other diseases and conditions that cause tremors

Shaking can also be caused by many other conditions.

• Addison’s disease. This can also cause adrenal insufficiency and affect the hormones that the body normally produces. In addition to shivering, it can cause drowsiness and vomiting.
• Hypocalcemia. In this case, the dog is deficient in calcium. You can make sure your dog has all the minerals he needs by feeding him a high-quality dog ​​food.
• hypoglycemia. This is where blood sugar levels get too low. It causes shaking and convulsions. Dogs with diabetes have difficulty controlling blood sugar levels, and your veterinarian may need to prescribe them medication. You may also be asked to switch them to a dog food made for diabetic dogs.
• Distemper. This is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It is most commonly seen in unvaccinated puppies. In addition to shivering, dogs with distemper often have discharge from the eyes and nose and cough.

What should you do when your dog shakes?

First try to find out why. Is there an obvious reason for excitement or fear? Is your dog wet or cold? These are things you can correct yourself by following the suggestions above.

However, if you suspect your dog has been poisoned or injured, you must take them to the veterinarian. Also, if your dog is cold to the touch or has any other symptoms along with shivering, you must call your veterinarian immediately.

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