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A shaking dog is not necessarily ill. A chihuahua in the drizzle or a spaniel waiting for the ball will tremble, and that’s normal. But shaking can also be the first sign of poisoning or pain. Here is how to tell the difference, quickly.
Call a vet straight away if the shaking comes with vomiting, heavy drooling, a wobbly walk, collapse or fits, or if your dog may have eaten chocolate, medication, rat poison or slug pellets. Out of hours, your vet’s phone line will direct you to their emergency service. The Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000, 24 hours, paid service) can tell you whether what your dog ate is dangerous.
In the UK, the worst weeks of the year for shaking dogs are around Bonfire Night and New Year. Fireworks, thunder, the vet’s waiting room, the car: trembling is part of the fear response, with a tucked tail, flattened ears and panting. It stops when the trigger stops.
For firework season: walk your dog before dark, close curtains, put the telly or radio on, and let them hide where they choose. Never force a scared dog out of its den.
The simplest cause. Small dogs, short coats, whippets, greyhounds and older dogs lose heat fast in a wet British winter. The shaking stops once they are dry and warm. A coat on a whippet is not vanity, it is common sense.
The dog that trembles in front of its bowl, at the door before a walk or when you come home from work is simply overwhelmed by emotion. Nothing to worry about if they are normal the rest of the time.
Dogs in pain don’t always yelp. They may shake, hide, refuse to jump into the car or onto the sofa, or stand with a hunched back. Back, tummy or joint pain all need a vet check if the trembling comes with these signs.
Plenty of toxins cause tremors, sometimes hours after the dog ate them. Among the most common in British homes and gardens:
If in doubt, don’t make your dog sick yourself. Phone your vet or the Animal PoisonLine, and note what was eaten, how much and when.
Puppies under three months of toy breeds (chihuahua, Yorkshire terrier, Maltese, toy poodle, Pomeranian) can suffer a drop in blood sugar after missing a meal, a tummy upset or getting cold. Signs: shaking, weakness, wobbliness, a glazed look, sometimes fits.
It is an emergency. If the puppy is conscious, offer food. If floppy or unresponsive, rub a little sugar syrup on the gums, wrap them up and go to the vet. To prevent it, these puppies need three to four meals a day.
Generalised tremor syndrome, sometimes called white shaker syndrome, mostly affects young adults, often under two, and was first described in small white dogs like the Maltese and the Westie. The dog shakes at rest, more when excited, never when asleep. Treatment usually works very well.
Old dog with trembling back legs: common in seniors, especially terriers and larger breeds, and it comes on slowly. The exact cause is unknown and there is no specific treatment, but it doesn’t seem to bother the dog. A check-up is still worthwhile to rule out pain or arthritis.
1. Is there an obvious reason? Cold, fireworks, excitement. If so and it stops when the trigger stops, relax.
2. Could they have eaten something? If so, phone now rather than waiting to see.
3. Are there other signs? Vomiting, diarrhoea, a temperature, not eating, limping, lethargy, shaking that lasts or keeps coming back: book the vet. Film the shaking on your phone, it helps a lot with the diagnosis.
Sources: dvm360, causes of tremors in dogs (veterinary conference proceedings), FirstVet, hypoglycaemia in small-breed puppies, PDSA, Animal PoisonLine
