Your dog has the same reaction after each bath: A head-to-toe shake that sends water droplets flying in every direction. Their reaction is more than just comical (and messy). Researchers have used high-speed cameras to track the speed of the “wet dog shake" and found that shaking helps dogs get almost 70 percent dry within seconds.1
But drying wet fur after a bath or swim is different from spontaneous shaking and shivering.
The difference between a dog shaking and seizing
Seizures are different than shaking. Seizures in dogs aren't uncommon but less than 1% of the canine population suffers from epilepsy.2 This is a neurological condition that can cause spontaneous muscle movement, loss of muscle tone or rigid muscles, facial twitching, drooling, urination, defecation or vomiting.2,3
In some dogs, seizures last for seconds to minutes or can occur as a cluster of several seizures in a short time. Seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes or seizures that happen one after another always require medical attention.3
The major difference between shaking and seizing is consciousness. Pets that are just shaking are still aware of their surroundings and should respond to commands and to their name. On the other hand, a seizing pet will usually lose all or partial consciousness.
Seizures are generally more concerning than shaking. If you are struggling to differentiate between the two, always consult a veterinary professional. Shaking, on the other hand, may not be neurological and can be a symptom of an underlying issue that may improve with treatment.
If you've ever wondered, “why is my dog shaking?" these nine possible causes could be behind it.
1. Old age
Inevitably, as pets age, they can lose some muscle mass and experience deteriorations in fine motor control. The combination of these two things can lead to tremors, especially in the hind end and when standing.
You might also notice your senior dog shaking more often when it's cold outside. Older dogs have a harder time regulating their body temperatures, causing them to shiver.4
What you can do: Be sure to rule out arthritis pain as a cause for shaking and tremors. Shaking related to loss of fine motor control and muscle weakness shouldn't be painful and may not require intervention or treatment. If it's cold, consider dressing your senior canine companion in a warm sweater for walks or bundling them up in a blanket in the house should stop the shivering.
2. Ear infection
Frequent head shaking is a telltale sign that a dog is suffering from a painful or itchy ear infection. Scratching, whining, odor, discharge and hair loss around the ears are other common symptoms of an ear infection in dogs.5
Although ear infections can be diagnosed in any breed, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, West Highland Terriers and other dog breeds with floppy ears are more prone to ear infections.6
What you can do: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Dry your dog's ears thoroughly after a bath or swimming to prevent ear infections. Using an over-the-counter astringent ear cleaner can help to break the surface tension of water and dry canals out. Never put water or any other liquid not meant for ear use into the ear canals. Most ear infections require a prescription ear medication to clear, seek immediate vet care if your dog shows any signs of an ear infection.4
3. Temperature
Curious why dogs shiver, even with a fur coat? Just as humans shiver when cold, shaking helps a dog increase its body temperature and is often one of the first signs that a dog needs to warm up.7
Very thin dogs and puppies, seniors, and dogs with short hair are at the greatest risk of catching a chill.7 Smaller dogs may become chill more easily than larger dogs. If left in the cold for too long, dogs can develop hypothermia, which can lead to heart and kidney damage, blood clots and a reduced ability to fight infection.7
What you can do: Be mindful of weather conditions. If you're bundled up, your dog will likely need some bundling too. Keep your dog from catching a chill by limiting their time outdoors in cold weather, offering blankets and lukewarm drinking water to help them increase their body temperature — and if you suspect your dog has hypothermia, or is suffering from prolonged exposure to the cold, call your vet immediately.7
4. Stress
Some dogs shiver during thunderstorms, fireworks or trips to the vet. Anxiety and nervousness commonly cause a stress response and can manifest as tremors. Stress-related shaking often goes hand-in-hand with other anxiety-driven behaviors such as panting, barking, whining and pacing. These are all common ways thatdogs relieve stress.8, 4
What you can do: Since it's impossible to shield dogs from all stressful situations, look for products that will help ease the tension: Compression vests9 and pheromone diffusers10 are among the tools that have been shown to have a calming effect and might help stop the shakes. If your dog has generalized anxiety, consider consulting with your veterinarian about anxiety medications that can be used to help some dogs cope.
5. Excitement
Your dog might start shivering in anticipation of a treat or a trip to the dog park. Shaking linked to positive experiences is often a sign of excitement and it will stop the moment you offer the treat or unclip the leash in the park.4
What you can do: Embrace the joy!
6. Canine distemper virus
This contagious virus causes a host of symptoms such as eye discharge, fever, coughing, vomiting, muscle twitches and convulsions or shaking. Canine distemper is very rare in appropriately vaccinated dogs, so most illness is seen in puppies and unvaccinated dogs.11
The canine distemper virus is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through airborne exposure to an infected dog or contact with infected wildlife. While an uncommon cause for shaking, canine distemper should be considered in young puppies and unvaccinated dogs, especially when accompanied by other clinical signs such as eye discharge or vomiting.11
What you can do: Distemper is serious and can be fatal; it requires immediate medical attention. Pet vaccinations are the best protection against the virus, and in general, are very effective.11 A canine distemper vaccine is considered a core vaccine by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
7. Pain
Dogs can be experts at hiding pain. Often the clinical signs of underlying pain are subtle but shaking (or trembling) and muscle twitches are often due to underlying muscle or joint pain. Especially if the shaking is accompanied by limping and struggling to rise, pain should be considered as a diagnosis.
Many dogs will suffer in silence, but occasionally you might see whimpering, decreased appetite, increased licking and restlessness that could also indicate your dog is in pain.
What you can do: Make an appointment with your veterinarian to get an accurate diagnosis and establish a treatment plan.12
8. Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar can cause tremors, shaking and even seizures. Hypoglycemia is not a common metabolic disorder in dogs, except for diabetic dogs being treated with insulin. Administering too much insulin or administering insulin without the pet having eaten a meal can lead to a dangerous drop in blood sugar.13, 14
Other causes for low blood sugar can include insulin-secreting tumors, certain toxicities such as xylitol ingestion, severe liver disease and pancreatitis. While rare, it can also be caused by excessive exercise or malnutrition.15
If hypoglycemia is severe enough to cause muscle tremors, seizure or collapse, emergency veterinary care is imperative. Weakness is a common sign that a dog has hypoglycemia.14
What you can do: The treatment for hypoglycemia depends on the cause. Offering corn syrup, honey or another form of glucose will help raise blood sugar but dogs shivering due to low blood sugar should always be seen by a veterinarian.14
9. Toxins
Shivering, tremors and muscle jerking could be a sign that your dog has been exposed to a toxic substance.
The ASPCA Poison Control Center lists the most common toxic causes for sudden tremors in dogs and it includes a range of medications, foods, insecticides and illegal drugs. It includes macadamia nuts, rodent poison, cannabis, caffeine, chocolate and xylitol (the artificial sweetener).4
What you can do: Toxic exposures can cause trembling, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. If you suspect your pet may have been exposed to a toxic substance, always call your vet immediately.4 There is an animal poison control hotline, information is available on the ASPCA's website.
The bottom line
There are many reasons that dogs may shake or shiver. Some can be dangerous and require emergency treatment, other causes can be a normal body response. Paying attention to the environment and other physical symptoms can help you identify why your dog is shaking and allow you to take action to stop it.
From Pets Best
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SOURCES
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2“Understanding Canine Epilepsy." Canine Health Foundation. https://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/top-health-concerns/epilepsy/understanding-canine-epilepsy.html, accessed September 30, 2022.
3“Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy. University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center." https://vhc.missouri.edu/small-animal-hospital/neurology-neurosurgery/facts-on-neurologic-diseases/canine-idiopathic-epilepsy/, accessed September 30, 2022.
4“Why Is My Dog Shaking? Causes & Solutions." H. Meyers. (4/2022). American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-is-my-dog-shaking/, accessed September 30, 2022.
5“Dog Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention." E. Racine. (9/2019). American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-ear-infections/, accessed September 30, 2022.
6“Pseudomonas otitis externa in dogs." C. Pye. (11/2018). The Canadian Veterinary Journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6190182/, accessed September 30, 2022.
7“Hypothermia in Pets." (12/2021). The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/hypothermia-in-pets/, accessed September 30, 2022.
8“Stress-Related Behaviors in Companion Dogs Exposed to Common Household Noises, and Owners' Interpretations of Their Dogs' Behaviors." E.K. Grigg et al. (11/2021). Frontiers in Veterinary Science. www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.760845/full, accessed September 30, 2022.
9“The effectiveness of the Anxiety Wrap in the treatment of canine thunderstorm phobia: An open-label trial." N. Cottam, N.H. Dodman, J.C. Ha. (5/2013). Journal of Veterinary Behavior. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787812001190?via%3Dihub, accessed September 30, 2022.
10“Dog-appeasing pheromone collars reduce sound-induced fear and anxiety in beagle dogs: a placebo-controlled study." G.M. Landsberg et al. (9/2015). The Veterinary Record. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4602264/, accessed September 30, 2022.
11“Canine Distemper." American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/canine-distemper, accessed September 30, 2022.
12“Pain Management for Dogs and Cats." American Animal Hospital Association. www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-guidelines/pain-management/painmanagement_dogs_web.pdf, accessed September 30, 2022.
13“Hypoglycemia in dogs: Causes, management, and diagnosis." O. Idowu and K. Heading.(6/2018).The Canadian Veterinary Journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5949948/, accessed September 30, 2022.
14"Hypoglycemia: Causes, Essential Diagnostics and Treatment." A. Koenig. (2010). International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium.
15"The Hypoglycemic Crisis: When Dextrose Fails." SA, Smith. (2002). ACVIM.