Why is my dog shaking?

Dogs shaking, trembling, or shivering is common, but it can be concerning if the cause is unknown.

There are several reasons why a dog might shake, and most of them are not serious.

However, it’s helpful to troubleshoot at home to determine if your dog needs to visit a veterinarian.

If you want to understand the dog shaking, keep reading.

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Some dogs may experience trembling due to leg weakness or a decline in nerve signals from the brain to the legs.

As dogs age, the nerves can become slower and less effective in transmitting messages.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a disease that can lead to shaking in the hind legs and weakness in the dog’s back end.

In the early stages, DM can resemble arthritis in appearance.

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Our pups can experience a syndrome known as “shaker syndrome.”

The exact cause is unknown, but it tends to be more common in small, white dogs like the Maltese breed.

The severity of the shake can vary, ranging from mild trembling to an all-over body tremor that interferes with the dog’s normal activities.

In most cases, apart from the shake, dogs with this syndrome are generally fine.

Once diagnosed, there are medications available to help treat it.

WHEN TO BE CONCERNED WITH THE DOG SHAKING

If your dog has a quick, whole-body shake that lasts only a few seconds, it’s likely normal and can be fun to watch.

Little shiver-like trembles, whether all over the body or just in one hind leg, are also common and usually not a cause for concern.

It’s worth considering the possible reasons for your dog’s shake, as it could be due to excitement or pain, and there may be subtle clues to help you figure out the cause.

If your pet has a persistent shake that won’t stop or is shaking excessively to the point of struggling with basic tasks like eating, drinking, or maintaining balance, it’s important to seek urgent veterinary attention.