Why Is My Dog Shaking? 10 Possible Causes and When to Worry

Your dog is trembling, but you're not sure why. From cold weather and anxiety to pain and poisoning, here's what the shaking could mean — and when to call the vet.

You're sitting on the sofa when you notice something strange.

Your dog is shaking.

Maybe it's a slight tremble in their legs. Maybe their whole body is shivering. Or perhaps they're shaking even though they're warm, comfortable and haven't been outside.

Naturally, you start worrying.

Why is my dog shaking? Is something wrong?

The answer depends on what's happening around them, how they're behaving and whether they have any other symptoms.

Sometimes shaking is a normal response to cold or excitement. Other times, it can indicate pain, illness or a medical emergency.

Here's what every dog owner should know.

Is It Normal for Dogs to Shake?

Sometimes, yes.

Dogs may shake when they're cold, excited, frightened or trying to dry themselves after getting wet.

But unexplained trembling can also be associated with medical conditions.

The important thing is to consider the whole picture.

Ask yourself:

• Did the shaking start suddenly?
• Is your dog behaving normally otherwise?
• Are they eating, drinking and walking as usual?
• Could they be cold, frightened or excited?
• Have they eaten anything unusual?
• Is the shaking affecting their whole body or just one area?

If the shaking is new, persistent, severe or accompanied by other symptoms, contact your veterinarian.

1. Your Dog Is Cold

Just like humans, dogs can shiver when they're cold.

Shivering is one way the body generates heat.

Some dogs are more sensitive to low temperatures than others, particularly small dogs, short-coated breeds and dogs with certain health conditions.

What to look for:

• Shivering in a cold environment.
• Seeking warm places.
• Curling up or appearing uncomfortable.
• Improvement after moving somewhere comfortably warm.

What to do: Move your dog to a warm, dry environment and allow them to settle. If they're very cold, weak, confused or unable to warm up, seek urgent veterinary advice.

2. Fear or Anxiety

Fireworks. Thunderstorms. A visit to the vet.

Sometimes the explanation is something happening around your dog.

Fear and anxiety can trigger trembling, often alongside other behavioural changes.

You might notice panting, pacing, hiding, a lowered posture or increased vigilance.

What to do: Give your dog access to a familiar, quiet space. Offer reassurance if they seek it, and avoid forcing interactions.

If fear is severe or recurring, speak to your veterinarian about a suitable management plan.

The Riley tip: Our Journal also has a guide to keeping pets safe and calm during fireworks season.

3. Excitement

Not every trembling dog is frightened.

Some dogs shake when they're highly excited, perhaps when you arrive home or they're anticipating an activity they enjoy.

This is more reassuring when the shaking is brief, linked to an obvious event and stops once the excitement passes.

However, don't automatically assume excitement is the cause if the shaking is unusual or accompanied by other symptoms.

4. Pain or Injury

Dogs can't tell us when something hurts.

But changes in their movement, posture and behaviour can provide clues.

Pain from an injury, abdominal discomfort or another medical problem may be associated with trembling.

Other signs might include:

• Limping or stiffness.
• Whining or unusual vocalisation.
• Reluctance to move.
• A hunched posture.
• Sensitivity when touched.
• Restlessness or difficulty settling.

What to do: Contact your veterinarian if you suspect pain. Severe pain, serious injury or an inability to walk normally warrants urgent assessment.

Never give human painkillers unless a veterinarian specifically instructs you to.

5. Nausea or Illness

Some dogs tremble when they're feeling unwell.

Nausea, for example, may be accompanied by drooling, lip licking, repeated swallowing or vomiting.

Shaking can also occur alongside other illnesses, including infections and systemic disease.

What to do: Pay attention to additional symptoms.

Repeated vomiting, a painful or swollen abdomen, marked weakness or collapse should be assessed urgently.

A dog that is shaking and seems generally unwell should not simply be assumed to be anxious.

6. Poisoning

Sudden, unexplained shaking can be a sign of poisoning.

Certain toxic substances can affect a dog's nervous system and cause tremors, weakness or seizures.

Potential hazards include some human medications, chocolate, xylitol-containing products, pesticides and mouldy food waste.

The signs and severity depend on the substance and amount involved.

What to do: If you suspect your dog has eaten something poisonous, contact an emergency veterinarian or animal poison service immediately.

Don't wait for symptoms to develop.

Don't induce vomiting or give home remedies unless a veterinary professional specifically instructs you to.

If possible, keep the product packaging to show the veterinary team.

7. Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycaemia, can cause weakness, trembling, disorientation and, in severe cases, seizures.

It can occur for different reasons, including complications of insulin treatment in diabetic dogs.

Very young or small dogs may also be more vulnerable in certain circumstances.

What to do: Suspected hypoglycaemia requires prompt veterinary attention, particularly if your dog is weak, confused, collapsing or having a seizure.

If your dog has diabetes, follow the emergency instructions provided by your veterinarian and seek urgent professional guidance.

8. Age-Related Changes and Muscle Weakness

You might notice an older dog trembling while standing or moving.

Age-related changes, reduced muscle strength, pain and conditions such as arthritis may contribute.

But shaking shouldn't automatically be dismissed as a normal part of ageing.

What to do: Arrange a veterinary assessment, especially if you also notice stiffness, reduced mobility, changes in appetite or reluctance to exercise.

9. Neurological Conditions or Tremor Disorders

Some dogs develop involuntary tremors because of conditions affecting the nervous system.

These can include certain inflammatory or neurological disorders and generalised tremor syndrome.

The shaking may affect one part of the body or several areas.

Neurological problems may also cause changes in coordination, balance, awareness or movement.

What to do: Persistent or unexplained tremors should be assessed by a veterinarian.

A video of the episode can sometimes be helpful, provided filming doesn't delay necessary care.

10. Seizures

A seizure isn't always the same as ordinary shivering.

Some seizures involve falling, stiffening, rhythmic movements or a change in awareness.

Others may be less obvious.

Possible signs include:

• Sudden collapse.
• Involuntary movements.
• Stiffening of the body.
• Reduced awareness or responsiveness.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control.
• Confusion afterwards.

What to do: If your dog appears to be having a seizure, keep them away from stairs and other hazards, don't restrain them and don't put anything in their mouth.

Time the episode if you can do so safely.

A first suspected seizure needs urgent veterinary advice. A seizure lasting five minutes or longer, or repeated seizures without full recovery, is an emergency.

My Dog Is Shaking but Acting Normal. Should I Worry?

This is one of the most common questions owners have.

If your dog is trembling but still eating, drinking, walking and behaving normally, there may be a relatively harmless explanation.

Perhaps they're cold, excited or responding to something in their environment.

However, acting normally doesn't completely rule out a medical problem.

Consider whether the shaking is new, recurring or unusual for your dog.

If there's no obvious explanation, it continues or you're concerned, contact your veterinarian for advice.

My Dog Is Shaking and Vomiting. What Does That Mean?

Shaking and vomiting together deserve particular attention.

They can occur with several conditions, including gastrointestinal illness, pain, poisoning and metabolic problems.

It's not possible to determine the cause from those two symptoms alone.

If your dog is repeatedly vomiting, weak, distressed, has a swollen abdomen or may have eaten something toxic, seek urgent veterinary care.

My Dog Is Shaking in Their Sleep. Is That Normal?

Dogs can twitch or move during sleep.

Brief movements that stop when a dog wakes normally may be associated with ordinary sleep activity.

But prolonged, unusual or violent movements, difficulty waking, changes in breathing or abnormal behaviour afterwards require veterinary advice.

Don't put your hands near a dog's mouth or attempt to physically restrain them during a suspected seizure.

When Is Dog Shaking an Emergency?

Seek immediate veterinary assistance if shaking occurs alongside any of the following:

• Collapse or unresponsiveness.
• Difficulty breathing.
• A suspected seizure, particularly one that is prolonged or repeated.
• Suspected poisoning.
• Severe weakness or inability to stand.
• Significant pain or serious injury.
• A swollen, painful abdomen.
• Severe overheating or suspected heatstroke.

If you're uncertain whether the situation is an emergency, call a veterinary service promptly.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Starts Shaking?

Start by checking whether your dog is responsive, breathing comfortably and able to move normally.

If there are emergency signs, seek veterinary care immediately.

Otherwise:

1. Look for an obvious trigger. Are they cold, wet, frightened or excited?
2. Check for other symptoms. Look for vomiting, weakness, pain or unusual behaviour.
3. Make them comfortable. Offer a quiet, safe environment without forcing them to move.
4. Record what happened. Note when the shaking started, how long it lasted and which body parts were affected.
5. Contact your vet. Seek advice for unexplained, persistent or recurring shaking.

Avoid giving medication or attempting home treatments without veterinary guidance.

Why Your Dog's Medical History Matters

When something unusual happens, the details can make a difference.

Has your dog experienced shaking before?

Are they taking medication?

Have they recently been diagnosed with a medical condition?

Was there a similar episode six months ago?

Having that information accessible can help you give your veterinarian a clearer history.

And that's one of the reasons we built Riley.

How Ask Riley Can Help

Riley brings your pet's important health information together in one place.

You can keep medical records, medications and veterinary documents organised, making them easier to access when you need them.

With Ask Riley, you can also ask general questions informed by the health information you've saved about your dog.

But Ask Riley cannot determine the cause of unexplained shaking or replace a veterinary examination.

If your dog is shaking severely, showing emergency symptoms or may have been poisoned, contact a veterinarian immediately.

The Bottom Line

Sometimes dogs shake because they're cold.

Sometimes it's excitement or fear.

And sometimes it's their body's way of showing that something isn't right.

The important thing isn't to guess.

It's to notice what's unusual, pay attention to accompanying symptoms and know when to ask for help.

Because knowing your dog means recognising when something has changed.

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