Why Is My Dog Shaking? A Real Vet’s Guide to What It Means

I’ll never forget a client who rushed into the clinic, absolutely frantic. She was holding a tiny chihuahua who was shivering uncontrollably. The owner was convinced it was a seizure, that her dog was dying. The little one was limp and shaking all over. My first move? A quick check of her gums—they were pale and felt tacky. A tiny drop of corn syrup on her tongue, and within just a few minutes, the shaking stopped. She lifted her head and blinked. It wasn’t a seizure at all. It was severe hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar.

That day taught me one of the most important lessons in veterinary medicine: shaking in a dog is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It’s a flashing red light that something is off, but the cause can range from something as simple as being chilly to a life-threatening emergency. My job is to be a detective—to look at the dog, listen to the owner, and follow the clues to find the real problem.

I know how terrifying it is to see your best friend tremble. But understanding the why can help you stay calm and take the right steps. Let’s walk through it together.

First Steps: What to Do in the First 60 Seconds

Okay, before you panic, take a deep breath and become an observer. What you see in these first few moments is the most valuable information you can give your vet. Is your dog awake and looking at you? Or are they completely out of it? Does the shaking stop if you call their name or offer a tasty treat? Are there any other signs, like vomiting, diarrhea, or a wobbly walk?

Here’s your immediate action plan:

1. Check for Consciousness. This is your number one priority. If your dog is conscious and responsive, the situation is likely less dire. But if they’ve lost consciousness, are unresponsive, or the shaking is violent and looks like a convulsion, that’s a true medical emergency. You need to get to a veterinary clinic immediately, no questions asked.

2. Rule Out the Obvious. Could your dog just be cold? It sounds simple, but it’s incredibly common. Small dogs, puppies, seniors, and lean breeds with short hair (like my own greyhound, who shivers if the AC is blasting) get cold very easily. Try covering your dog with a warm blanket. If the shaking stops after a few minutes, you’ve probably found your answer. A decent doggy sweater or coat can cost anywhere from $15 to $50 and is a great investment for susceptible pups.

3. Consider Fear or Excitement. Is a thunderstorm rolling in? Are there fireworks booming outside? Some dogs tremble intensely from fear. Others shake with pure, unadulterated excitement—like when you even think about grabbing the leash for a walk. If the shaking is clearly tied to an emotional event, it’s likely behavioral. Try moving your dog to a quiet, secure room to help them settle down.

4. Scan for Poisons. Think hard. Did your dog get into the trash can? Could they have chewed on a plant in the garden or licked something in the garage? So many common household items and garden products can cause tremors. Snail bait, certain types of mulch, moldy compost, and human foods like chocolate or xylitol are notorious culprits. If you even suspect your dog ate a toxin, it’s an emergency. Grab the packaging if you have it and head straight to the vet.

Emergency Room vs. Vet Appointment: Making the Call

This is the tough question, and making the right choice can feel overwhelming. Here’s a general framework I give my clients. A heads-up: an emergency visit can easily run several hundred dollars just to walk in the door and can climb over $1,000 with diagnostics and treatment. A regular vet appointment is typically more manageable, often in the $75-$150 range for the exam.

Go to an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if the shaking is paired with:

• Loss of consciousness or collapse.
• Violent, uncontrollable convulsions (seizures).
• Obvious difficulty breathing.
• Pale, white, or blue-tinged gums. (Quick tip: Healthy gums are bubblegum pink. Gently press one; the color should rush back in 1-2 seconds. If it doesn’t, that’s a red flag.)
• A very swollen, hard, or bloated belly.
• You know for a fact they ate something toxic.
• A body temperature over 104°F (40°C) or under 99°F (37.2°C).

Good to know: To take a temp, you’ll need a digital rectal thermometer (don’t use an old mercury one!). Lubricate the tip with some petroleum jelly or water-based lubricant, gently lift your dog’s tail, and insert it about an inch. It’s a two-person job for most dogs, so be safe.

Call your regular veterinarian for an appointment if:

• The shaking is a new thing and has no obvious cause.
• The shaking seems to come and go.
• Your dog also seems to be in pain (limping, yelping when touched, not wanting to move).
• Your dog has other mild symptoms, like a poor appetite or just being tired.
• The shaking is only in one part of the body, like just their head or one back leg.

Honestly, when in doubt, just call a vet. We would much rather you call about something minor than have you wait too long on something serious.

Common (and Often Benign) Reasons for Shaking

The good news is that many times, shaking isn’t a five-alarm fire. In my practice, I see these common causes every single day. Understanding them can save you a ton of worry.

Just a Little Chilly

The science here is pretty simple. When a body gets cold, muscles contract and relax rapidly to generate heat. We call it shivering. It’s a totally normal, involuntary reflex. Smaller dogs have a higher surface-area-to-volume ratio, which just means they lose heat way faster than big dogs. It’s why Chihuahuas and Min Pins are the poster children for shivering. The same goes for dogs with very little body fat, like Greyhounds and Whippets.

This is usually an easy fix. Grab a sweater or coat for cold-weather walks. Make sure their bed is cozy and positioned away from drafts. And if your dog gets wet, dry them off thoroughly. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference.

Big Feelings: Fear, Anxiety, and Excitement

A dog’s nervous system can go into overdrive during intense emotional states. A flood of adrenaline and cortisol—the classic stress hormones—prepares the body for action, and that can result in trembling.

I once worked with a huge German Shepherd who would shake like a leaf in the waiting room. He wasn’t sick or cold; he just had severe anxiety about being at the vet. We worked with his owner on a plan that involved short, happy visits with just treats and no exam. We also gave him a mild anti-anxiety medication before his appointments. Over time, his fear-shaking got so much better.

Try to recognize your dog’s triggers. If it’s thunderstorms, create a cozy

Inspirational Gallery

Is it pain? Or something else?

Shaking that isn’t from cold or fear can often be a sign of pain. Look for other subtle clues: is your dog more vocal than usual, perhaps whining or yelping when touched? Are they hunched over, reluctant to jump onto the sofa, or repeatedly licking a specific spot on their body? Pain-related tremors are often accompanied by panting, a tucked tail, or pinned-back ears. This cluster of signs, especially in older dogs who may be developing arthritis, is a clear signal to call your veterinarian for a check-up.

A 30-second video of your dog’s shaking episode can be more valuable to a vet than a 10-minute verbal description.

When you’re on the phone, it’s hard to accurately describe the type of tremor. A quick video captures its speed, intensity, and whether it affects the whole body or just one area. It also shows your dog’s level of awareness during the event. This visual evidence helps your vet differentiate between neurological issues, pain, or anxiety much more effectively, leading to a faster and more accurate diagnosis.

Pressure Wrap: The Thundershirt, a popular brand, applies gentle, constant pressure to a dog’s torso. This can have a calming effect similar to swaddling an infant, making it useful for anxiety-related shaking during storms or fireworks.

Pheromone Diffuser: Brands like Adaptil release a synthetic copy of the calming pheromone a mother dog produces. Plugged into a room, it creates a general sense of well-being, helping to reduce stress-related trembling over time.

For sudden events, a pressure wrap offers immediate help; for ongoing anxiety, a diffuser provides continuous background support.

For dogs prone to shivering from cold or anxiety, creating a

• Reduces stress during vet visits or thunderstorms.
• Improves body awareness and balance.
• Strengthens the bond between you and your pet.

The secret? A technique called Tellington TTouch. It involves using gentle, circular touches with your fingers on different parts of your dog’s body. It’s not a massage, but a way to bring calm and focused awareness. Many free guides and videos online can teach you the basic movements, offering a no-cost tool for managing mild anxiety-based shaking.

Also known as

A Critical Warning: Never give your dog human pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) if you suspect their shaking is due to pain. These medications are highly toxic to dogs and can cause severe kidney failure, liver damage, and stomach ulcers, even in small doses. Always consult your vet for canine-safe pain management options.

If your dog suddenly starts shaking, seems dizzy, and holds its head in a persistent tilt, the problem might not be systemic but localized to the inner ear. Vestibular disease, common in older dogs, affects balance and can cause trembling, a drunken walk (ataxia), and rapid, involuntary eye movements (nystagmus). While it looks alarming, it’s often not life-threatening and can resolve with supportive care from your vet.

For a dog prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), like the tiny chihuahua in the vet’s story, having a simple kit on hand is crucial. Your vet can advise you on the specifics, but it often includes:

• A tube of high-calorie nutritional gel (like Nutri-Cal)
• Corn syrup or honey and a small syringe for application
• A high-protein snack for after the initial recovery
• Your emergency vet’s phone number, prominently displayed