If the dog is shaking all over, it is a sad sight that raises questions among some dog owners.
What does it mean when the dog is shaking and panting? What can be the reason for your dog shaking when resting or sleeping?
We explain to you why it can be if your Dog is shaking and acting weird and when you should consult a veterinarian.
In a nutshell: Why is my dog shaking?
Tremors in dogs can indicate a variety of causes. In addition to stress, fear, exertion, tension or insecurity, joy and excitement can also be reasons for the dog to tremble. However, it can also indicate serious illnesses such as epilepsy or distemper! If you are unsure why your dog is shaking, be sure to contact a vet!
You can also use the online veterinarian Dr. Call Sam. He is available to you almost around the clock 365 days a year for all your questions and can see his patient (your dog) via WhatsApp video call.
This saves you a trip to the vet for the time being and you will still receive competent help and advice on what to do next. Just try it out, the first consultation costs nothing!
4 reasons why your dog is shaking and acting weird
Above all, it should be said that trembling in dogs can have many reasons. This is especially common in smaller dog breeds, but why is that?
Behavioral tremors
A trigger for your dog to tremble all over his body could be that he is feeling unsafe or uncomfortable in a situation. Stress, anxiety, tension and insecurity are often expressed in a trembling canine body.
By shaking, the dog reduces stress or tension.
But also Excitement, euphoria and joy can cause your dog to tremble and pant. In this case it is a matter of joyful anticipation, for example with regard to the next toss of the favorite ball.
Health related tremors
If you can’t see your dog tremble in an exciting situation (whether it’s with fear or joy), you can too health reasons behind it.
Frequent, persistent or sudden tremors can indicate some diseases, such as:
- Ingestion of toxic substances
- Damaged nervous system
- renal insufficiency
- Addison’s disease
- epilepsy
- gastric torsion
- distemper
- heart defect
- pain (e.g. abdominal pain)
- White Dog Shaker Syndrome
- tremor
All of these diseases are of course accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, restlessness, thirst, circulatory problems, coughing, smacking, seizures and others.
The tremor is just one of several symptoms.
Attention danger!
Please contact a vet before trying to guess why your dog is shaking!
Age-related tremors
Tremors are more common in older dogs. Also here can harmless or serious reasons behind it, which is why it is particularly important to have your senior checked regularly by the vet.
In old age they will muscles weaker, just like us humans. One trembling hindquarters It can also be caused by muscle breakdown.
However, this is especially the case with older dogs Risk of heart attack or cardiovascular problemsboth of which express themselves, among other things, in severe tremors.
Why do small dogs tremble?
Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers, Yorkshire Terriers or Bolognese, small dogs can often be seen just standing, sitting, lying and trembling all over.
This is simply because they more sensitive to external stimuli and temperature react. They are more excited, stressed, insecure or scared and freeze faster than their larger conspecifics.
Nevertheless, even small dogs can have the same health problems as large dogs, so it is better to have your vibrating mini checked by a vet.
Good to know:
Does your dog tremble when resting or when sleeping? Then it can easily be that he is dreaming! Dreaming dogs sometimes make very interesting noises, «walk» in their sleep, growl, bark or tremble.
When to go to the vet for tremors?
It’s actually pretty easy to see why your dog is shaking. At least you can tell if it’s a behavioral or health-related tremors acts.
Your dog is shaking and panting while you are walking with him in the shopping area or he is waiting with you in front of the supermarket for his master to return, then excitement, tension or stress could be behind it.
If your dog is trembling all the time, if it only shakes its head, if there are other symptoms or if you already have previous illnesses, you should not hesitate and contact a veterinarian in any case!
Perhaps the online vet Dr. Sam interesting for you? He can see your dog and assess the situation via WhatsApp video call. You can reach him and his team 365 days a year, even late into the night and on Sundays! After a free initial consultation, you can take out a subscription and from then on you can always reach a competent veterinarian. Also for small questions!
What can I do for my dog?
In any case, the first thing you should do is determine the cause of your dog’s shaking!
Behavioral tremors you can with targeted training get a grip. Or much more the excitement, nervousness, insecurity or fear hiding behind it.
It is well known that practice makes perfect, which is why you should train with him regularly and build positively on situations in which your dog usually starts to tremble.
Feel free to consult a dog trainer here!
It is about health-related tremorsyou must have one diagnosis wait before you can support your dog at home.
For some diseases, healing can be supported by changing your diet, giving feed additives or making small changes in everyday life.
Yours too trembling old dog may need support in the form of muscle building training (physiotherapy) or dietary supplements. Here you should inform yourself again specifically!
Conclusion
There are many reasons why our dogs tremble.
From Anxiety, stress and insecurity above Excitement, joy and euphoria up to serious illnesses.
So it’s important to distinguish between behavioral and health-related tremors.
Please do not take it lightly, because in an emergency, the tremors can indicate a damaged nervous system, cardiovascular problems, ingestion of a poison bait or a tremor.
If you’re not sure if your little dog is just shaking from tension or if there’s something really wrong with him, it’s better to contact a veterinarian.
If you like, contact the online vet Dr. Sam. He can see your dog through the phone camera, judge and guide you on what to do. So you have a competent contact person 365 days a year, with whom you can save time, money and nerves. Try it out, the first consultation is free!