Why Is My Dog Shaking? When Shivering Is a Sign of a Health Issue

Common, Non-Serious Reasons Your Dog Is Shaking

Most dog owners will see harmless shaking at some point. Here are the usual suspects and what to do.

Feeling Cold or Wet

Cold weather or after-bath chills cause muscle tremors that generate heat. Dry your dog, add a sweater, and warm the room. If the shaking stops, you’ve likely found the reason.

Excitement or Anticipation

The zoomies, the leash coming out, the doorbell—dog shaking from excitement is common and usually short-lived. Give them a minute to settle.

Stress, Loud Noises, or Separation Anxiety

Fireworks, thunderstorms, vet visits, or being left alone can trigger shaking or trembling. Offer a safe space (crate with a cover, interior room), soothing background noise, and calm handling. For bigger anxiety issues, talk to your vet about training plans and anti-anxiety medications when appropriate.

Dreaming

Light twitches during sleep are completely normal—especially in young dogs. If they wake up fine, you’re fine.

Old Age & Muscle Fatigue

Smaller dogs and seniors can tremble after activity or while standing for long periods. Gentle exercise, traction rugs, and joint care can help.

When Is Shaking a Medical Emergency?

Call a vet now if shaking comes with any of these other worrying symptoms:

• Repeated vomiting, diarrhea, or collapse
  
  

• Pale gums, fast or labored breathing
  
  

• Stumbling, disorientation, or seizures
  
  

• Very high or very low body temperature
  
  

• Exposure to a toxin (chocolate, sugar substitute xylitol, certain medications, snail bait)
  
  

• Recent heat exposure (closed car, hot day → risk of heat stroke)
  
  

If you’re thinking, “I’m worried if my dog is shaking like this,” trust that feeling and get help.

Health Conditions That Can Cause Shaking

Not every shake is an emergency, but these health conditions deserve attention.

Pain (Very Common)

Dogs often shake when they hurt—think ear infection, dental pain, injured joints, or abdominal discomfort. Watch for whining, licking an area, or moving slowly.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Seen in small breeds and puppies, or after long gaps between meals. Signs include dog trembling, weakness, and sometimes confusion. Offer a small meal and call your vet—severe cases need immediate veterinary care.

Nausea & Motion Sickness

Car rides, stomach upset, or certain medications can trigger shivering. Other clues: drooling, lip-licking, or hiding.

Fever or Infection

Shivers can be a body-temperature response. In unvaccinated dogs, canine distemper can cause fever, nose discharge, coughing, and neurologic signs—including tremors. Vaccination matters.

Generalized Tremor Syndrome (Shaker Syndrome)

Also called white shaker dog syndrome (but it can affect non-white dogs). Often seen in West Highland White Terriers and certain other breeds. Dogs develop fine, whole-body muscle tremors that worsen with excitement. Vets typically treat with medications that calm the immune system; most dogs improve.

Addison’s Disease

Adrenal glands don’t make enough hormones. Stress can trigger tremors, vomiting, belly pain, or collapse. A simple blood test panel can screen for it; treatment is very effective.

Kidney or Liver Disease

When the body can’t clear wastes properly, toxins affect the nervous system and cause shaking. You might also see drinking/peeing changes, poor appetite, or weight loss. Bloodwork helps catch this early.

Neurologic Issues & Seizure Disorders

Tremors (rhythmic shaking) are different from seizures (loss of awareness, paddling, stiffening). If you’re not sure what you’re seeing, video it and call your vet. Severe symptoms require urgent care.

Toxin Exposure

Chocolate, xylitol, nicotine vapes, some human meds, and rodent baits can all cause tremors. If your dog ingested something and there’s no obvious cause for the shaking, this is an emergency.

Diagnosing the Cause of Your Dog’s Shaking

A good vet visit starts with your story: when the shaking began, what was happening, any new foods or certain medications, and other signs you’ve noticed.

• Exam: temperature, heart/lungs, joints, abdomen, ears, and a brief neurologic check.
  
  

• Blood tests: glucose (low blood sugar), electrolytes (Addison’s), liver/kidney values, and infection markers.
  
  

• Urinalysis & imaging: urine helps assess kidneys; X-rays/ultrasound look for pain sources, masses, or GI issues.
  
  

• Advanced tests: toxin screens, endocrine tests for Addison’s, or neurology referral if seizures or nerve disease are likely.
  
  

The goal is simple: find the underlying cause and build the right treatment plan.

Treatment Options and Veterinary Care

Treatment depends on the cause, but the flow often looks like this:

• Stabilize first: control temperature, correct low sugar, treat dehydration, manage pain, and address toxins immediately.
  
  

• Target the diagnosis: antibiotics for infections, ear meds for otitis, GI meds for nausea, or specific therapies for shaker syndrome (often immune-modulating drugs).
  
  

• Long-term management: for kidney disease, liver disease, or Addison’s disease, your vet will set up medication, diet, and monitoring.
  
  

• Behavior and anxiety support: training, desensitization, environmental changes, and anti-anxiety medications when needed.
  
  

• Seizure disorders: anti-seizure meds and a safety plan at home.
  
  

Most shaking improves quickly once the root problem is treated.

At-Home Care That Actually Helps

Keep it simple and consistent.

Warmth & comfort. Dry wet fur, add a sweater in cold weather, and provide a quiet safe space during storms or fireworks.

Regular meals. For puppies and smaller dogs, frequent small meals can prevent low blood sugar shakes.

Toxin-proof your home. Lock away xylitol gum, chocolate, human meds, and chemicals. Remind family: “pet-safe only.”

Travel prep. Talk to your vet about motion sickness meds and crate training before long trips.

Track changes. Jot down episodes, other symptoms, and what helped. A 30-second phone video is gold at your appointment.

Preventive Measures You Can Start Today

• Keep vaccinations up to date (protects against canine distemper).
  
  

• Use year-round parasite prevention.
  
  

• Schedule wellness checks—especially for seniors or certain breeds that develop tremors more often.
  
  

• Ask before giving certain medications made for humans.
  
  

Stick with a steady exercise routine to reduce mild discomfort and stiffness.

When Shaking and Weight/Appetite Changes Overlap

Most shaking has non-cancer causes. But if tremors come with unusual behavior, appetite/weight loss, or ongoing fatigue—and routine tests don’t explain it—talk to your vet about broader screening. The Oncotect at-home wellness screen for cancer is a non-invasive urine test that can help flag concerning changes earlier and guide next steps with your veterinarian.
Explore: Oncotect Cancer Screening Test Kit.

What to Do Right Now (Simple Checklist)

• Scan for red flags: toxins, heat exposure, collapse, pale gums → immediate veterinary care.
  
  

• No emergency signs? Note what you see, take a short video, and book a vet visit.
  
  

• Prevent repeat episodes: warmth, steady meals, noise plan, and toxin safety.
  
  

• Think bigger if signs persist: ask your vet about broader screening, including Oncotect, if shaking keeps returning with appetite or weight changes.
  
  

The Bottom Line

“Why is my dog shaking?” has lots of answers—from normal shivers to fix-it-now emergencies. Context is everything. Look for other signs, keep your dog comfortable, and loop in your veterinarian early. Most causes are treatable once you know what you’re dealing with, and a calm, step-by-step approach will get you there. If unexplained tremors linger or come with weight loss or fatigue, add proactive screening to the plan so you can act sooner and keep your pet’s health on track.