Why is My Dog Trembling? Is Illness a Concern?

It does not mean your dog is sick if he trembles. There are many reasons for shaking and it is more common in certain breeds. You can tell by observing closely if your dog will calm down or if it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.

You are right to be worried if your dog shakes suddenly. He is probably not sick. There is no need to be alarmed. A dog may shake for other reasons such as stress. You can tell if the dog is healthy and happy by looking at him closely.

Dogs tremble for harmless reasons, including age and emotion

Dogs tremble for the same reasons as humans. As dogs and humans age, they become “rickety”. This is not a bad thing, it’s just part of life.

Body movements are also triggered by intense emotional excitement. Your dog may tremble with fear, but he might also be excited because he is anticipating something big.

After exercise, and even during sleep, dogs tremble.
Trembling is often observed after a vigorous play session. This occurs because muscles need time to recover.

Your dog will still move unconsciously, even when at rest. Trembling can be a sign of intense dreaming, along with the slightly twitching legs.

Some dog breeds tremble more than others.
Breed can be the reason for this. Small dogs freeze faster and are also more stressed because they perceive the world as more dangerous due to their size.

Terriers in particular, who were originally bred to hunt, are almost always under stress. The act of trembling is a way to cope with tension.

A dog trembles to get attention
This phenomenon is also observed with small dogs. Imagine that the master immediately showers attention on his little pelt nose, with petting and comfort treats, as soon as he notices him trembling. The dog will quickly learn that trembling brings rewards.

It does not mean he is chronically ill. But you still need to take his trembling seriously.

Summary of harmless causes for your dog to tremble* advanced age* excitement* muscle spasms after exercise* freezing* tension* learned behaviors

Even though trembling does not mean your pet is sick there are still situations that can be dangerous or stressful for your dog. Stress is at the top of this list. Short-term, stress is not a big problem. To protect your pet’s health, you must address the causes of long-term stress.

Shaking can be caused by a dog in constant pain. Any discomfort will cause the animal to be more stressed.

When a dog has been in an accident it will often be in shock, and trembling is common. This is similar to what happens in humans. Sometimes, the cause of trembling is low blood sugar.

It can happen when the dog is under extreme stress. However, it should not be the norm, because it could quickly become life-threatening. There are also some diseases that include tremors as a symptom. These include:

DistemperShaker Syndrome* Kidney FailureBrain Disease* Epilepsy* Gastritis* Poisoning

What to look out for when your dog is trembling
First of all, it’s important to differentiate between tremors or seizures. Even a very trembling dog can still make eye contact, and respond to you. When a dog attacks, it will lose control of his body, not respond to you and twitches his limbs.

A veterinarian must diagnose and treat seizures. You should closely observe your dog to determine if his trembling is alarming. You should also be on the lookout for other symptoms, including:

* Diarrhea
* Vomiting
* Licking
* Yelping
* Indifference

You should consult a veterinarian if your dog displays any of these symptoms. You pet may be seriously ill and even in danger of death. You must treat some conditions quickly, like poisoning or kidney failure.

Be aware when your pet is shaking. Stress tremors can be triggered by certain people or situations. You can fix the problem once you’ve identified it.