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A Dog That Trembles: Understanding and Responding

6 min read

A dog that trembles isn't necessarily ill: it's sending a signal. Cold, excitement or fear (a thunderstorm, fireworks) can all cause harmless shaking. But trembling that comes on suddenly, has no clear cause, or comes with vomiting, listlessness or a drunken gait calls for the vet without delay.

Why your dog is shaking

Trembling isn't an illness, it's a message to read in context. The very same shaking can come from a chill, a strong emotion, hidden pain or a swallowed toxin: it's what's happening around it that points the way.

Put the trembling back in its context: here are the most common causes, from the most harmless to those that call for advice.

Often harmless

Coldespecially small dogs, short-haired breeds, after a bath or an outing in the rain.

Excitement and joybefore a walk, in front of the food bowl: a passing burst of energy.

Fear and stressa thunderstorm, fireworks, a trip to the vet, a new situation.

Worth getting checked

Paina dog in pain trembles, hunches up, pants for no reason; pain is often silent (WSAVA Global Pain Council).

Poisoningchocolate, xylitol, slug pellets (metaldehyde), grapes or mouldy nuts can trigger trembling and seizures (ASPCA APCC).

Low blood sugara toy puppy, a very small dog or a diabetic dog: tiny sugar reserves, so blood sugar drops fast.

A hormonal or nervous causeCushing's, Addison's, hypothyroidism or neurological disorders set in quietly (veterinary endocrinology consensus).

Shaking only when it's cold or before a walk is nothing to worry about; trembling that comes out of nowhere is another matter.

Responding, step by step

First, read the situation; then act, from the simplest step to the most cautious.

Observe the context

Is it cold? Has he just had a bath, a big burst of excitement, a thunderstorm? The context often explains the trembling on its own.

Remove the cause when it's simple

Warm up and dry a dog that's cold; take a frightened dog into a quiet room, away from the noise, with a safe spot to settle.

Stay calm and reassure without panicking

A calm voice and a steady presence are soothing. Your dog picks up mainly on YOUR state: if you panic, you confirm there's danger.

Look for the signs that should alert you

Vomiting, listlessness, a drunken gait, disorientation, visible pain, or the possibility that he's swallowed a toxin.

Call the vet if in doubt

Especially if the trembling is sudden, unexplained or comes with other signs. In an emergency, phone ahead ON THE WAY.

When to see the vet without waiting

Three levels to place what you're seeing, without ever making a diagnosis yourself.

Nothing alarming

Trembles when it's cold or after a bath
Shivers with excitement before a walk or in front of the food bowl
Trembles briefly during a thunderstorm, then settles

Worth getting examined

Sudden trembling, with no visible cause
Trembles while hunching up, pants without heat or exertion (possible pain)
Trembles, turns away from the food bowl and seems listless

Emergency, call right away

Drunken gait, staggering, disorientation
Trembling with repeated vomiting
Seizures or loss of consciousness
Trembling after possibly swallowing a toxin (chocolate, xylitol, slug pellets, grapes...)

A drunken gait, seizures, loss of consciousness, or trembling after possibly ingesting a toxin: this is a life-threatening emergency, time matters.

Do this right now

Call the vet or an animal poison control centre, and phone ahead ON THE WAY
Keep the dog calm and warm, without putting anything in its mouth
Note what it may have swallowed, how much and when, and take the packaging with you

Call your vetor an animal poison control centre — without delay.

The assistant never replaces a vet. When in doubt, call.

Global Pain Council, guidelines on canine pain, WSAVA (2022)
Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, AAHA (2022)
Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), toxins and what to do, ASPCA
Toxic substances and trembling in dogs, Pet Poison Helpline
Position statement, fear and comfort (fear-free training), AVSAB (2021)
Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, AAHA (2018)

Frequently asked questions

Why is my dog shaking?

Trembling is a signal, not an illness. The most common causes are harmless: cold, excitement before a walk, or fear (a thunderstorm, fireworks). But pain, poisoning or an illness can also cause trembling: it's the context that points the way.

Why is my dog shaking for no reason?

"For no reason" often means "with no visible cause": hidden pain, the start of an illness or a swallowed toxin aren't always obvious. If the trembling is sudden and unexplained, or comes with other signs (listlessness, vomiting), call the vet. Never give a human medicine.

How do I calm a dog that's shaking?

First, remove the cause: warm up a dog that's cold, settle a frightened dog somewhere quiet, away from the noise. Reassure it calmly, a gentle voice does not "reinforce" fear (AVSAB 2021). Above all, don't panic yourself and don't force it towards what frightens it.

My dog is shaking from the cold, is it serious?

Usually not, especially in small dogs, short-haired breeds, after a bath or an outing in the rain. Dry it off, warm it up, and consider a coat for sensitive builds (small, elderly, a puppy). If the trembling continues once it's warm or comes with other signs, see the vet.

My dog is shaking and won't eat, what should I do?

Trembling plus listlessness or loss of appetite: it's the combination that should alert you, as it can point to pain, an illness or poisoning. Don't wait for "it to pass", call the vet. In the meantime, keep your dog calm and don't give it any medicine.

My puppy is shaking and seems weak, is it an emergency?

In a puppy, especially a very small breed (Chihuahua, Yorkshire, Pomeranian), trembling and weakness suggest low blood sugar: this is an emergency, call the vet right away. Don't rub sugar on the gums of a puppy that's unconscious or having seizures (risk of it going down the wrong way).

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