Shivering, shaking and trembling in dogs
What to do
Causes
When to worry
Prevention
Home treatment
Vet treatment
Risk
Shivering, shaking and trembling in dogs
Shivering, shaking or trembling in dogs happens for a number of reasons. These range from a normal response to cold weather to serious illness. Dogs of any age, sex or breed will shiver at times. Unexplained shivering should always be investigated by a vet.
Shivering generates warmth, which helps keep the body warm in a cold environment. Older dogs, young puppies and thin-skinned or hairless breeds are most likely to shiver with cold. However, shivering in dogs can also indicate stress, pain or other illnesses. Understanding why your dog is shivering will help ensure they get the best treatment.
What to do if your dog is shivering or trembling
If your dog is shivering or trembling:
Make sure they are warm by placing your hands on their tummy and paws. These areas should normally feel comfortably warm. Other signs of feeling cold include moving less or curling up tightly.
Check they've been fed recently and/or are eating.
Check they’ve not eaten anything that may be harmful.
Check them over for any other signs that there could be something wrong, such as limping or tummy pain.
Call a vet if shivering continues or is unexplained.
Common causes of shivering in dogs
Trembling, shaking or shivering isn’t something your dog can consciously control. Groups of muscles tighten and then relax repeatedly in very quick cycles.
The most common causes of shivering or trembling in dogs include:
Feeling cold: shivering generates heat
Being excited or wanting attention
Feeling anxious or stressed: caused by household changes, separation anxiety, or fireworks
Being in shock: may be caused by blood loss or a bloated stomach
Being in pain: including arthritis, tummy pain, injuries, and disc disease
Having an illness or fever: infections, liver or kidney disease, electrolyte (salt) imbalances, or low blood sugar
Eating something toxic (poisonous): antifreeze, slug bait, illicit drugs, chocolate
Generalised Tremor Syndrome (GTS): a poorly understood cause of tremors in small dog breeds
When to worry about shivering or trembling in dogs
Speak to a vet if trembling or shivering is unexplained, especially if accompanied by other symptoms.
Seek emergency vet care if your dog is shivering and:
Repeatedly retching or trying to be sick
Restless and pacing
Developing a bloated tummy
Collapsed
Becoming weak or wobbly in the legs
Speak to a vet as soon as possible if shivering and:
Not eating, vomiting or losing weight
Very tired or lethargic
Drinking more or not at all
Joii can help with:
Understanding why your dog is shivering
Advice on keeping dogs and puppies warm
Caring for puppies needs, including nutrition and worming
Helping anxious or frightened dogs
Tips for preventing shivering
Not all trembling and shivering is a cause for concern. Trembling with excitement is a happy response. Although extremes may still be a concern!
Ways of preventing the preventable causes of shivering include:
Protecting against the cold: using warm coats, avoiding walking in weather extremes, and thoroughly drying will help keep your dog warm and reduce the need to shiver.
Reducing stress or anxiety: using calming diffusers, thundershirts, calming supplements, and avoiding triggers.
Keeping human food and potential toxins out of reach of your dog.
Keeping up to date with preventive treatments, including worming and vaccinations.
Keeping a close eye on your dog’s general health.
Home remedies for shivering
Things you can do at home to help your shivering dog:
Provide warmth: Make sure they’re dry, wrap them in a blanket, and turn on a heater.
Provide calm, reassurance, and cuddles to stressed or anxious dogs: Calming diffusers, food supplements and calming treats may also help.
Review feeding: Your dog may benefit from a different diet to provide more nutrition or energy.
Vet Treatment
Where shivering isn't helped by a cuddle or a warm coat, your dog will need to see a vet. Treatment will depend on what’s causing the shivering. So firstly, your vet will try to find out why the shivering is happening. The investigation will start with your report of what’s been happening at home and a full physical examination.
Tests to investigate shivering:
Blood tests: Checking general health, specific illnesses, electrolytes (salts), and hormones
Urine sample: Dipstick analysis and checking for bacterial infection
Neurological examination: Checking balance, awareness, nerve reflexes and control
Imaging: X-rays, CT or MRI
Specific treatments may include:
Painkillers
Emergency fluids; given directly into a vein
Fluids with glucose to treat any hypoglycaemia
Inducing emesis (vomiting) to empty your dog's tummy if they’ve eaten something they shouldn't have
Antibiotics for bacterial infection
Anti-seizure medicine for brain-related causes, like epilepsy
Emergency surgery: for certain conditions, including GDV, intestinal blockages, broken bones, and pyometra
Which dogs are most likely to shiver or tremble?
Some dogs are more likely to shiver than others for reasons that may relate to their size, breed, age, general health or lifestyle.
Dogs most likely to feel the cold include newborns, small-breed dogs, thin-skinned breeds, and sparsely-haired breeds. These include Whippets, Basenjis, Chinese Crested, and Hairless Chihuahuas.
Certain breeds are susceptible to Generalised Tremor Syndrome, including Maltese Terriers and West Highland White Terriers.
Older dogs suffering from weaker, stiffer joints, poorer body condition and arthritis.
Dogs with other illnesses, such as diabetes.
Dogs that scavenge are more likely to eat something harmful.
What else can look like a shiver or tremor?
Shaking off water: Most dogs will give an almighty shake after swimming or escaping the bathtub. This looks like a very exaggerated shiver, but it's an effective way of getting rid of water droplets.
Dreaming: Dogs will often tremble or shake in their sleep. This is usually a harmless sign that they’re having a great dream.
