Why Is My Dog Shaking? 10 Common Causes

When Shaking Is Normal - and When It’s Not

Dogs shake and tremble for many reasons, and most of them are completely harmless. But some causes of shaking require immediate veterinary attention. Understanding the difference can help you respond appropriately.

Here are the 10 most common reasons your dog might be shaking.

1. They’re Cold

The simplest explanation is often the right one. Small dogs, short-haired breeds, lean breeds, and senior dogs are especially prone to getting chilled.

Breeds most sensitive to cold:

Chihuahuas
Greyhounds and Whippets
Italian Greyhounds
Miniature Pinschers
Chinese Crested

What to do: Provide a warm blanket, dog sweater, or move them to a warmer area. If the shaking stops when they warm up, cold was the culprit.

2. Excitement or Anticipation

Many dogs shake when they’re excited - before a walk, when you come home, or at mealtime. This is a physical expression of emotional overload and is completely normal.

How to tell: The shaking is accompanied by a wagging tail, jumping, spinning, or other happy body language. It stops once the excitement passes.

3. Stress or Fear

Thunderstorms, fireworks, vet visits, car rides, or unfamiliar situations can all trigger stress-related trembling. This is part of the fight-or-flight response.

Signs of stress shaking:

Tucked tail
Ears back
Panting
Hiding or cowering
Lip licking or yawning

What to do: Remove the stressor if possible, provide a safe space, and speak in calm, reassuring tones. For chronic fear (like storm phobia), consider working with a vet behaviorist.

4. Pain

Dogs often shake when they’re in pain. The trembling can be subtle - a slight vibration you only notice when petting them - or obvious, especially if the pain is severe.

Possible pain sources:

Joint pain or arthritis (common in senior dogs)
Abdominal pain (bloat, pancreatitis)
Back or neck pain
Dental pain
Post-surgical pain

What to do: Look for other pain signs - reluctance to move, decreased appetite, whimpering, changes in posture. See your vet if shaking is accompanied by any of these.

5. Nausea

Nausea can cause dogs to tremble, drool, lip-lick, and swallow repeatedly. Common triggers include car sickness, dietary indiscretion (eating something they shouldn’t have), and medications.

What to do: If your dog is nauseated from car sickness, ask your vet about anti-nausea medications. If the nausea is unexplained or persistent, a vet visit is warranted.

6. Old Age (Geriatric Tremors)

Many senior dogs develop mild tremors, especially in their hind legs, as they age. This can be caused by muscle weakness, arthritis, or neurological changes.

When it’s normal: Mild trembling that doesn’t worsen rapidly and doesn’t prevent normal activity.

When to see the vet: Sudden onset, rapid worsening, tremors that affect mobility, or tremors combined with other neurological signs.

7. Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Small breed puppies and toy breeds are especially susceptible to hypoglycemia, which can cause shaking, weakness, disorientation, and in severe cases, seizures.

What to do: If you suspect hypoglycemia, rub a small amount of honey or corn syrup on your dog’s gums and get to the vet immediately. This is a medical emergency.

8. Toxin Ingestion (Poisoning)

Shaking and trembling are common symptoms of poisoning. Common household toxins include:

Chocolate
Xylitol (sugar-free gum, some peanut butters)
Rodent poison
Slug and snail bait (metaldehyde)
Marijuana/THC products
Certain mushrooms
Grape and raisin toxicity

What to do: This is an emergency. If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxin, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately.

9. Generalized Tremor Syndrome (GTS)

Also known as “White Shaker Syndrome” (though it affects all breeds), GTS causes full-body tremors. It’s most common in small, white-coated breeds like Maltese and West Highland White Terriers, but any dog can be affected.

Symptoms: Full-body trembling that may worsen with activity and improve with rest. Dogs are otherwise alert and healthy.

Treatment: Corticosteroids are typically effective. See your vet for diagnosis.

10. Distemper

Canine distemper is a serious viral infection that can cause tremors and seizures. It’s most common in unvaccinated puppies and dogs.

Other symptoms include:

Fever
Coughing and nasal discharge
Eye discharge
Loss of appetite
Hardened nose and footpads

What to do: Immediate vet care required. Distemper is life-threatening but preventable through vaccination.

Quick Reference: Shaking Causes by Urgency

Urgency	Possible Causes
Normal	Cold, excitement, after getting wet
Monitor	Stress/fear, mild aging tremors, nausea
See vet soon	Pain, persistent tremors, GTS, hypoglycemia
Emergency	Poisoning, distemper, seizure-like tremors

When to Go to the Vet

See your vet promptly if your dog’s shaking:

Is new and unexplained
Lasts more than a few hours
Is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy
Comes with other neurological signs (stumbling, head tilt, seizures)
Follows possible exposure to a toxin
Is getting progressively worse

The Bottom Line

Most shaking in dogs is harmless - they’re cold, excited, or a little stressed. But when shaking is sudden, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms, it deserves attention. When in doubt, call your vet. It’s always better to have a “nothing’s wrong” visit than to miss something important.