Dog Shaking: Causes, When to Worry and What to Do

What it usually means

Shaking covers a lot of ground, from a happy full-body wiggle to a seizure, so context matters. Many causes are harmless. Dogs shake to dry off, shiver when cold, tremble with excitement before a walk, and shake from stress or fear. These episodes stop when the trigger goes away. Shaking in sleep is most often just dreaming.

Shaking can also mean something is wrong. Pain from arthritis, back problems, dental disease or an upset stomach can cause trembling. Head shaking often points to an ear problem or itching. Poisoning, low blood sugar (a particular risk for toy breeds and young puppies), distemper in unvaccinated dogs, Addison's disease and seizures are all on the list.

Shaker syndrome, also called generalized tremor syndrome, causes rhythmic head or whole-body tremors, most often in small white dogs such as Maltese, West Highland White Terriers and Bichon Frises, though any dog can be affected. It usually starts between 1 and 2 years of age, worsens with excitement and eases at rest. Because the causes range so widely, shaking that has no clear reason deserves a vet's opinion.

Common causes

What you can do at home

Start by checking for a simple trigger. Dry a wet dog with a towel. Warm a cold dog gradually with blankets, and keep senior dogs warm. Give an anxious dog a quiet space, and dry the ears well after swimming. Feed regular meals, which helps prevent low blood sugar in small dogs. Ask your vet before trying calming supplements, wraps or other anxiety products.

Watch for other signs such as whining, limping, appetite changes, vomiting, diarrhea or weakness, and note anything your dog could have eaten. A short video of an episode helps your vet.

If you think your dog ate something toxic, treat it as an emergency. Call your vet or an emergency clinic, or in the US ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply). Never try to make your dog vomit.

During a seizure, move objects away so your dog cannot get hurt, and keep your fingers away from the mouth. Dogs cannot swallow their tongues, and you risk a serious bite. Most seizures last a minute or two. One lasting more than five minutes, or several in a row, is an emergency.

What happens at the vet

Your vet will ask when the shaking began, whether it affects the whole body or one area, what sets it off, and what your dog may have eaten or taken. A full exam looks for pain in the joints, back, ears and mouth.

Tests depend on the picture. Blood and urine tests can rule out problems such as liver or kidney disease and low blood sugar, and your vet may test for infections such as distemper. Some dogs, especially those with suspected tremor syndrome or seizures, are referred to a neurologist for more testing, which can include MRI or a spinal fluid sample.

Treatment targets the cause. Pain, ear infections and itching are treated directly, and poisoning or low blood sugar need urgent care. Epilepsy is usually managed with anti-seizure medicine. Shaker syndrome typically responds to steroids, and tremors often settle within one to two weeks, with an excellent outlook for most dogs. Distemper is treated by supporting the dog and treating secondary infections. Anxiety-related shaking may be eased with behavior changes, calming products or medication that your vet prescribes.

Prevention

Keep toxic foods, plants, medicines and products containing xylitol well out of reach. Our pages on chocolate and xylitol explain why these are such common culprits.

Keep vaccinations current. Unvaccinated dogs and puppies are the most at risk of distemper, which is highly contagious. Feed puppies and toy breeds regular, balanced meals to help prevent low blood sugar.

On cold days, use a sweater or blanket for thin-coated and senior dogs, and dry dogs thoroughly after baths and swims. Dry the ears after water exposure to help prevent ear infections.

For stress-related shaking, plan ahead for known triggers like fireworks and storms, with a safe space and your vet's advice on calming options. If an older dog shakes more, ask your vet about pain. Regular checkups help catch causes like arthritis early.