Your dog is shaking and you are trying to figure out if it is something serious or if they are just being dramatic. Fair question. Dogs shake for a lot of reasons, and most of them are not emergencies.
Here is how to tell the difference.
The Simple Reasons First
They Are Cold
This is the most obvious one, but people overlook it. Small dogs, short-haired breeds, puppies, and senior dogs get cold easily. If your dog is shaking near a door, on a tile floor, or after being outside in cooler weather, they are probably just cold.
The fix is simple. A blanket, a sweater, or moving them somewhere warmer usually stops the shaking within minutes.
They Are Excited
Some dogs shake when they are fired up. You walk through the door, someone picks up a leash, or the treat bag crinkles, and suddenly your dog is vibrating like a phone on silent.
This is normal. It is excess energy with nowhere to go. You will usually see it paired with a wagging tail, jumping, or spinning. Nothing to worry about.
They Are Scared or Anxious
Thunderstorms, fireworks, car rides, vet visits. Dogs shake when they are stressed, just like humans might tremble when nervous. It is a physical response to fear or discomfort.
Common anxiety triggers include loud noises, unfamiliar environments, separation from their owner, and other animals. If the shaking stops when the trigger is removed, the cause is pretty clear.
They Are Drying Off
The full-body shake after a bath or a swim is not a mystery. Dogs (and other furry mammals) can remove up to about 70% of the water from their coat by shaking, typically within a few seconds; results vary by coat and size. It is efficient, impressive, and guaranteed to soak everything within a five-foot radius.
Reasons That Need Attention
Pain
Dogs that are in pain will sometimes tremble or shake. This is especially common with abdominal pain, joint pain, or back problems. The shaking might come with other signs like whimpering, reluctance to move, loss of appetite, or a hunched posture.
If your dog is shaking and seems uncomfortable, stiff, or unwilling to do things they normally enjoy, a vet visit is a good idea.
Nausea
Dogs shake when they feel sick to their stomach. Car sickness is a common example, but nausea can also come from eating something they should not have, medication side effects, or an underlying illness.
Look for other signs like drooling, lip licking, yawning, or vomiting. If the nausea is from motion sickness, it usually resolves once the car stops. If it persists, call your vet.
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
This is more common in small breeds and puppies. If your dog is shaking, seems weak or lethargic, and has not eaten recently, low blood sugar could be the cause.
Offer a fast-acting sugar source such as a small amount of corn syrup or honey rubbed on the gums, while arranging urgent veterinary care. If your dog cannot eat, seems disoriented, or the shaking does not stop, get them to a vet quickly.
Muscle Weakness or Fatigue
Older dogs sometimes shake because their muscles are not as strong as they used to be. You might notice trembling in the back legs when they stand or after a longer walk. This can be age-related muscle loss, arthritis, or joint disease.
If the shaking is progressive, meaning it is getting worse over time, have your vet evaluate it.
Toxin Exposure
This is the one to take seriously. If your dog is shaking and you know or suspect they ate something toxic, this is a vet emergency. Common toxins that can cause neurologic signs (tremors, seizures, and/or metabolic collapse depending on the toxin) include chocolate, xylitol (which more classically causes rapid hypoglycemia and liver injury, though tremors may occur), certain plants, snail bait, and some medications.
Other signs of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, seizures, and loss of coordination. Do not wait on this. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately.
When Is It a Vet Emergency?
Go to the vet right away if the shaking comes with:
– Seizures or loss of consciousness
– Repeated vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood
– Difficulty breathing
– Known or suspected toxin exposure
– Extreme lethargy or inability to stand
– Severe abdominal pain
– Shaking that lasts for hours with no clear cause
– Any combination of the above
What About Specific Breeds?
Some breeds shake more than others and it is completely normal for them:
Chihuahuas tend to shake more than most breeds. It is part of the breed. High metabolism, small body, big nervous energy. That said, persistent shaking can still signal pain, illness, or neurologic issues even in breeds prone to it, so keep an eye on changes.
Italian Greyhounds and Whippets have almost no body fat and get cold easily. Italian Greyhounds and Whippets often tremble when cold.
Small terrier breeds often tremble with excitement or alertness. It is intensity, not illness.
If you have a breed that is known for shaking, you probably already know this is their baseline.
What You Can Do
For cold: Provide warmth. Blankets, sweaters, heated beds.
For anxiety: Create a safe space. Some calming supplements may help with mild anxiety, though effects vary by product and individual dog; for moderate to severe anxiety or noise phobia, a vet-guided plan is more reliable. Thunder shirts and consistent routines help.
For excitement: Just wait it out. They will calm down.
For pain or illness: Vet visit. Do not try to diagnose it yourself.
For toxins: Emergency vet, immediately.
The Bottom Line
Most shaking is nothing to worry about. Your dog is cold, excited, nervous, or just shook off some water. Pay attention to context: when does it happen, how long does it last, and what else is going on with your dog.
When in doubt, a quick call to your vet can save you a lot of worry. They would rather answer a simple question than see you wait too long on something that matters.
Tyler Tilton
I do not write surface-level dog advice. When our dog got sick, I learned the hard way that most of what is out there is recycled, watered down, or just wrong. I started The Daily Dog to be the resource I could not find, the one that goes deeper, asks harder questions, and gives you the full picture so you can make real decisions for your dog.
