Fortunately, it's not a very common or always dangerous event, but it can happen that a dog experiences temporary or constant and uncontrollable trembling.
The cause may be occasional, or it could be the manifestation of a pathology that needs medical treatment.
Let's learn more and understand the reason behind the tremors, so we can resolve the situation in the best way possible.
What are the causes of trembling in dogs?
The reasons can be varied. Among the most frequent, some are of a psychological nature and others are more serious physical issues, but none should be underestimated or considered less important.
The dog trembles due to fear
This is the most common condition. There are dogs that suffer from anxiety and agitation in certain situations, not necessarily dangerous ones.
Many simple events that are part of the normal routine, for example, bathing, meeting other animals, or visiting the vet, can cause trembling in dogs.
Thunder and fireworks, gunshots, and loud bangs are generally a cause for trembling, and it's important to quickly recognize the symptoms to avoid unpleasant situations such as running away.
The causes of this type of event are quite clear and relatively common to most dogs.
The dog suffers from past traumas
Many dogs, especially if adopted, suffer from traumas related to unknown events of their pre-adoption life: the stress of abandonment, mistreatment or abuse endured, accidents during their stray period, memories of time spent in a shelter.
Like people, there can be minor events that trigger a memory, which in turn causes uncontrollable trembling.
In these cases, the only solution is to pay attention to small details to try and understand what the triggering causes are, and to try to avoid them.
The dog trembles because it's cold
Even when well covered, a dog can tremble because it's cold. There are short-haired or thinly coated dog breeds that poorly tolerate low temperatures, and it's important to understand if it's appropriate to take them outdoors.
Obviously, the weather influences the duration and frequency of walks, but it shouldn't be an excuse not to take them out every day.
However, if the dog trembles inside the house, it will be necessary to ensure raising the temperature, or moving it to a warmer place.
Some dogs, like Pinschers and Chihuahuas, particularly suffer from the cold, so it's essential to take the necessary precautions as soon as the cold season begins.
The dog trembles because it's excited
Although it may seem strange, there are dogs that tremble from happiness, or due to the desire to do something they know is forbidden or that they can't do at that moment.
They might have seen another dog outside the gate, or a cat on the neighbor's terrace, and the desire to chase the prey could cause trembling from excitement.
The dog trembles because it's old
Generally, this occurs as a consequence of certain inflammatory diseases typical of old age, such as arthritis, or due to the dog's bone fragility.
Your four-legged friend might simply be too frail to stand firmly on its legs, and let's not forget that elderly dogs are often blind and deaf, another stressful situation that, combined with weakness, can cause trembling.
Unfortunately, dogs in their geriatric years tend to suffer more from the cold, and this condition itself might manifest as shivering that doesn't depend on any illness.
The dog trembles because it needs to relieve itself
Most dogs alert us that they need to go outside by making a characteristic sound or by approaching the door.
This doesn't always happen, or we may be too distracted to notice that the dog hasn't been out for many hours.
Unable to make itself understood, the dog might start trembling as a reaction to the stress of trying to hold back the urge and not make a mess indoors.
The dog trembles because it is ill
This is among the most important causes to pay attention to. There are illnesses that can result in uncontrollable trembling, among other symptoms, and it's important to recognize this symptom among others that manifest in the presence of the disease.
The most common disorders are:
1) Chronic Kidney Failure
This condition can be due to the normal wear and tear of the kidneys with age, the use of medications, or a disease.
2) Distemper
This terrible disease is not only lethal if not treated in time, but can also be highly infectious and must be diagnosed as quickly as possible. Besides trembling, other symptoms can include coughing, breathing difficulties, sneezing, dehydration, weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting.
3) Addison's Disease
Hypoadrenocorticism, also known as Addison's disease, is a syndrome that stems from an insufficient production of glucocorticoid (including cortisol) and/or mineralocorticoid hormones by the adrenal glands. These hormones are essential for the body. The lack of these hormones can cause:
Increased sensitivity to stress
Hypoglycemia
Muscular weakness
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea
Changes in appetite
Anorexia
4) Neurological Problems
Among the most frequent, we find:
Thrombosis, or the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel
Cerebral ischemia, caused by a reduced blood supply to a more or less extensive area of the brain
Vestibular syndrome, a pathology that affects older dogs and causes a loss of balance
Presence of tumors, both benign and malignant
Senile degenerative syndrome, the classic brain degeneration, or senile dementia, which affects both animals and humans
Hydrocephalus, a condition where water accumulates in the brain, common in small dogs
5) Generalized Tremor Syndrome
This pathology, also known as Shaker Syndrome or White Dog Syndrome, is characterized by the sudden appearance of constant tremors that affect the body, head, and eyes.
It indicates a dysfunction of the central nervous system and can decrease when the dog is relaxed, but must not be neglected. Dogs affected by this disease are often completely inappetent.
6) Epilepsy
This neurological condition is characterized by very distinct events called convulsive seizures. The convulsive seizure, or epileptic fit, manifests with uncontrollable and sudden movements of the animal's body. During the seizure, the dog may lose consciousness or be reactive, or may urinate or defecate uncontrollably. A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes can cause serious side effects and lead to death.
7) Tick-Borne Ehrlichiosis
The disease is caused by a bacterium called Ehrlichia Canis, which enters the animal's body following a tick's blood meal. This bacterium infects the red blood cells causing an alteration in their function and the consequent destruction of platelets. The disease can evolve rapidly and quickly move from the acute to the chronic form, eventually causing the animal's death.
The dog trembles because it has ingested poison
Among other symptoms, such as instability on the legs, nausea or vomiting, and altered mobility, a strong tremor can also be present.
It's important for the owner to immediately recognize these symptoms and promptly take the dog to an emergency clinic or veterinarian.
In cases of intoxication from common poisons, such as rodenticides or molluscicides, the dog can suffer death or irreversible damage very quickly.
Even a simple intoxication from medications or chemical substances in the environment should not be taken lightly. Even if the level of poisoning is not as high as with other poisons, the dog should still be taken immediately to an emergency clinic.
The dog trembles from excessive exercise
Dogs also tremble when they exert themselves beyond their capabilities. Often, owners believe they are doing their pet a favor by subjecting them to exhausting walks, but it's important to understand the animal's limits.
Sometimes exercise needs to be moderated, especially in the case of very small, elderly dogs, or those with pre-existing conditions.
The dog trembles because it feels pain
Unfortunately, our friends don't speak, and sometimes it can be difficult for them to communicate that something is wrong.
When a dog feels pain, and consequently fear, it might tremble in response to the stressful situation occurring at that moment.
Communication between people and dogs is not always so evident, and trembling can be a good symptom to help us understand the seriousness of the situation.
How to behave in case of tremors in the dog
The most important thing is to promptly identify the causes of the trembling. While many of the situations described occur for psychological rather than physical reasons, it's important not to underestimate the symptoms and to consult a veterinarian promptly if necessary.
When something is wrong with the animal, it's crucial to ask the right questions and be able to provide comfort, or to provide the necessary care.
The reasons can be varied, but trembling always represents a condition of stress or pain, and it's our duty to ensure that there are no underlying problems that compromise the health of the dog.
To summarize
Pay attention to all manifestations of trembling and shivers that involve:
But also do not underestimate less worrying causes such as:
Changes in temperature (cold or hot)
Fear
Anxiety
Stress
Excitement
And when in doubt, it's better to avoid DIY remedies and take the dog to the vet.
From the Staff of Small Dogs
If this article has been helpful and you want to learn more about how to keep your dog healthy, we are happy to help. Find here many useful pieces of information to better understand your beloved friend.
