Why Do Dogs Shake?

Shaking in dogs can be a physiological response or clinical sign and can occur voluntarily or involuntarily. It can range in severity, from minor muscle spasms to intense tremors, and affect a certain body part or the entire body, depending on the cause.

Knowing how to read your dog’s body language—shaking included—can help you better understand how they’re feeling and when it’s time to schedule a visit with your veterinarian.

We spoke with experts to answer crucial questions on the matter, including “Why do dogs shake?” and “Should I be worried if my dog is shaking?”

10 Reasons for Dog Shaking

There are numerous reasons why a dog might shake—some are harmless, normal responses and others can be a sign of something potentially serious and require consulting a veterinarian or an animal behaviorist.

Here are 10 potential causes for dog shaking:

1. Fear and Anxiety

Shaking is common in dogs who are experiencing fear or anxiety. You might notice your dog trembling during thunderstorms or if they’re in an unfamiliar place, for example.

“Dogs go through physiological reactions when they feel frightened or uneasy,” says Nicole Kohanski, certified dog behavior consultant, head trainer, and owner at Wiggle Butt Academy in Plano, Texas. “Their bodies release adrenaline in response to these triggers, which readies them for either fighting or running away. Shaking can stem from the adrenaline release or from shaking off the stress.”

Dogs shake off both good and bad stress. Kohanski says she loves to see a good shake-off after a vigorous play session or a stressful event.

When trying to determine whether your dog’s shaking is related to fear, anxiety, or distress, watch for additional signs and what might be triggering this response.

Stress-related shaking causes trembling of the whole body and generally stops when the stressor is gone, says Daniel Dixon, DVM, veterinarian and founder of North Keller Animal Hospital, in Keller, Texas. An example of this is when a dog shakes when another dog or person they don’t know is around and stops shaking once the stranger leaves.

2. Cold

Have the temperatures dropped outside? Or is it a bit chilly indoors?

Depending on a dog’s tolerance for the cold, their entire body can shake and shiver. This is a warming response to cold stimuli and is more common in dogs who are thin or have no coat, Dr. Dixon says. Shaking can also be more prevalent in smaller dog breeds.

Once your dog has slowly warmed up with layers of blankets or you as their human heater, the shaking will slow and stop.

3. Excitement

When our furry best friends are feeling overwhelmed with positive emotions, they can literally shake with anticipation. (Think: Seeing their favorite person—you, engaging in their favorite pastime, or enjoying their favorite treat.)

“Shaking isn’t always about being scared—it can also be about feeling happy,” Kohanski says. “Dogs frequently have big, happy emotions when their family arrives home or gets out the leash.”

4. Itching

Itching can also lead to shaking in dogs. This shaking is more localized (like a dog shaking their head because they have an ear infection) and typically not a full body shake at one time, Dr. Dixon says.

Common causes of itching include allergies and ectoparasites, such as fleas. Pet parents can use soothing shampoos for temporary relief and work with a vet to effectively treat the underlying issue, Dr. Dixon says.

5. Water

Is your pooch shaking after taking a bath or a dip in cold water? It’s completely normal for dogs to shake right after getting out of the water—plus, it’s effective!

Dogs love a good shake to help their coat dry, Kohanski says. This helps make all the water travel down their fur and into the air.

6. Pain

Body tremors can be a sign of pain or discomfort in dogs. This can be localized or generalized depending on the cause, Dr. Dixon says.

Common causes of pain in dogs include:

• Arthritis

• Back problems

• Sprains, strains, or bruising

• Damage to bones or joints

• Ear infections

• Skin infections

• Dental disease

• Surgeries

• Urinary tract infections

• Severe stomach upset

• Cancer

Schedule a vet visit if your dog is showing additional signs, such as whining, limping, or changes in appetite.

7. Aging

While certain dog breeds are predisposed to shaking, such as Bernese Mountain Dogs, Chow Chows, and English Springer Spaniels, any dog might shake as they reach their golden years.

“As individuals grow older, they may experience a condition known as ‘the Senior Shake,’ which is often associated with aging and neurological challenges,” Kohanski says. This is a symptom associated with canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCD or CDS).

8. Medication Side Effects

Like people, dogs can have side effects to medications. One potential side effect is shaking.

Side effects can occur in dogs due to the following:

• The type of medication

• The dosage of medication

• How the medication is administered

• A pet’s health status and age

If your dog is experiencing any adverse reactions to medications, monitor them and consult your vet to learn more about how to best manage or treat the condition.

9. Medical Conditions

Seizures result in shaking that can vary in intensity and duration compared to a normal shake-off or trembling due to feeling excited, cold, or anxious.

A few other symptoms of seizures in dogs include:

• Loss of consciousness

• Paddling limbs

• Loss of bladder and bowel control

“Occasionally, focal seizures can happen that aren’t obvious to the pet parent,” Dr. Dixon says.

Shaking or trembling is also a common symptom of other health conditions, including:

• Corticosteroid-responsive tremor syndrome (CRTS) or idiopathic cerebellitis, aka “shaker syndrome” or “white shaker dog syndrome”
• Addison’s disease
• Cerebellar disease
• Hypoglycemia
• Tremorgenic mycotoxicosis

Seek out veterinary advice when shaking can’t be clearly attributed to an obvious cause and doesn’t improve quickly with appropriate intervention.

10. Poisoning

Dogs who have ingested a toxin might show signs of poisoning. Depending on the toxicity of the substance and the ingested amount, it can affect the nervous system and lead to severe symptoms, such as shaking, shortness of breath, and decreased coordination.

Some common poisons for dogs include:

• Certain human foods (e.g., xylitol, chocolate, grapes and raisins, garlic and onions, and macadamia nuts)
• Plants and flowers (e.g., azalea, tulip, sago palm, foxglove, oleander)
• Household products
• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Human over-the-counter medications and prescription medications

Poisoning is a medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary care. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a potentially dangerous item, call your vet or try the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661, where a consultation fee applies.

Should I Be Worried if My Dog Is Shaking?

An occasional shake from excitement, stress relief, or the cold shouldn’t alert your worry radar, Kohanski says.

However, if your dog experiences sudden-onset shaking from unknown causes or they appear to be showing concerning signs of pain, aging, seizures, or poisoning, our experts recommend taking your pet to the vet.

“Anything that appears to be causing stress or pain to a patient should always have veterinary involvement,” Dr. Dixon says. “Any time a pet isn’t responsive or otherwise acting themselves, the pet should always be seen ASAP.”

A veterinary professional can determine the underlying cause and create a customized treatment plan based on your dog’s individual needs to figure out the next steps.