Dog Shaking: Is It an Emergency?

Dog shaking can be a normal response to excitement or cold, but it can also signal a serious health emergency. Knowing when to worry about trembling in your pet could save their life.

Veterinarians see many cases where dog owners waited too long to seek help for shaking, not realizing it was a warning sign of poisoning or illness. Understanding when trembling is normal versus when it requires immediate attention is crucial for every dog owner.

Top Questions About Dog Shaking

When Should I Rush My Dog to an Emergency Vet?

Dog shaking becomes an emergency when accompanied by collapse, confusion, vomiting, or breathing problems. Severe trembling that doesn't stop within minutes needs quick veterinary attention. If your dog's shaking comes with pale gums or inability to stand, call an emergency veterinary hospital right away.

Could My Dog's Shaking Be From Poisoning?

Toxin exposure often causes sudden, severe trembling along with drooling, vomiting, or unusual behavior. Common household poisons include chocolate, xylitol (in sugar-free products), rodent poison, and certain plants. If you suspect poisoning, check your home for evidence of ingested substances and call an emergency veterinarian immediately.

How Can I Tell If My Dog's Shaking Is a Seizure?

Seizures involve rhythmic jerking movements, loss of consciousness, and sometimes loss of bladder control. During a seizure, your dog cannot respond to you, unlike regular trembling. Any first-time seizure requires quick veterinary care, as does any seizure lasting longer than 2-3 minutes.

What Should I Do If My Dog Won't Stop Shaking?

Persistent shaking that continues for more than a few minutes warrants veterinary attention. Call an emergency veterinarian if the trembling is severe or if your dog shows signs of stress. Unrelenting tremors may indicate pain, neurological issues, or toxin exposure that needs professional evaluation.

Why Dogs Shake

Dogs shake for many reasons ranging from normal responses to serious medical conditions. Harmless causes include excitement, anxiety, drying off after getting wet, or feeling cold. Age-related tremors can happen in senior dogs, while some breeds naturally tremble more. However, shaking can also signal pain, fever, stress, or more serious conditions like poisoning or metabolic disorders.

Spotting Mild Cases

Mild shaking often stops quickly and doesn't affect your dog's overall behavior. Brief trembling after exercise, during excitement, or in chilly weather is usually not concerning. Small breeds like Chihuahuas may shake when nervous or cold due to their size. If your dog continues eating, drinking, and acting normally despite occasional trembling, you can watch them at home while keeping them comfortable.

Recognizing Serious Cases

Serious shaking typically persists, worsens over time, or appears alongside other worrying symptoms. Watch for trembling accompanied by weakness, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty walking. Severe pain can cause whole-body tremors, particularly if your dog also shows reluctance to move or cries when touched. White small breeds may develop "shaker syndrome," an immune condition causing full-body tremors that requires veterinary treatment.

What To Do

Step 1: Move Your Dog to Safety

If you suspect your dog has encountered something toxic, move them to a safe area away from the potential danger. Remove access to any substances that might have caused the shaking. Keep other pets away to give your affected dog space and prevent any stress-related behaviors.

Step 2: Call Emergency Veterinary Care

Call an emergency veterinary hospital immediately if your dog's shaking is severe or accompanied by other symptoms. Describe all symptoms in detail, including when the shaking started and any possible triggers. Ask if you should bring your dog in right away or if there are any steps you should take first.

Step 3: Watch for Additional Symptoms

While waiting to speak with a veterinarian, note any changes in your dog's condition. Watch for worsening tremors, difficulty breathing, collapse, or unusual eye movements. Keep track of when symptoms started and their severity to help the veterinary team make an accurate assessment.

Potential Life-Threatening Conditions

Severe, sudden shaking may indicate poisoning from substances like chocolate, antifreeze, or certain medications. Low blood sugar can cause trembling, especially in small breeds and puppies, and may lead to collapse if untreated. Addison's disease presents with shaking, weakness, and vomiting, requiring quick medical help.

Helping Your Pet Before the Vet Visit

Keep your shaking dog warm with a blanket, as trembling can sometimes be related to feeling cold. Minimize handling if your dog seems painful, as excessive movement might worsen their condition. If your dog hasn't vomited, you may offer small sips of water to prevent dehydration, but call your veterinarian or emergency clinic for guidance on feeding and watering instructions.

We're Here to Help

Our hospitals provide care for dogs experiencing concerning symptoms like shaking. We understand how frightening it can be when your pet isn't feeling well, and we're equipped to provide appropriate care.

For mild symptoms like occasional trembling that stops quickly with no other concerning signs, scheduling an appointment with your primary veterinarian is appropriate. For severe symptoms—including uncontrollable shaking, collapse, or signs of poisoning—call an emergency veterinarian immediately.

If you're not sure whether your dog's shaking constitutes an emergency, call us—we can talk you through the situation and help you make the best decision for your pet's health.

Key Takeaways

• Dog shaking can range from harmless responses to serious medical emergencies requiring quick veterinary attention.
• Severe or persistent trembling, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting or collapse, should never be ignored.
• Trust your instincts—if your dog's shaking seems unusual or concerning, seeking professional advice is always the safest choice.