Why Do Dogs Tremble?

You may have witnessed your dog shivering multiple times. Even after dressing them in warm clothes and setting the house temperature to an ideal level, you may not have been able to prevent the shivering. Because your dog's shivering isn't just related to being cold. A simple event like excitement or a serious illness can cause shivering in dogs. Therefore, it's important to know the reason why your dog shivers. So why do dogs shiver, and when should you consult your veterinarian about shivering in your dog? In the rest of this article, you can find important information about many different situations that can cause your dog to shiver.

The Relationship Between Cold Weather and Shivering

Shivering is an involuntary response that can be triggered in cold weather or environments to increase body temperature and prevent hypothermia. When it comes to cold weather, dogs are no different from humans. If the weather is cold, they get cold and shiver, just like us. They also need protection from the cold for their continued health.

If your dog is cold, you can try to keep it warm. You can dress your dog in dog clothes that will keep it warm. Thanks to these clothes that can be worn on dogs' bodies and paws and help them maintain their body temperature, your dog can feel more comfortable in cold weather. You can view different models of dog clothes by clicking here. You can also change the activities you do outside with your dog in cold weather. For example, instead of playing in the garden, you can take a light-paced walk.

Adjusting the indoor temperature of your dog and/or creating a designated area for it near heat sources can also help prevent shivering. For example, you can place a dog bed near a radiator to keep it warm on cold nights and cover it with a blanket. However, protecting dogs left outside with textiles like blankets can be dangerous. Blankets that freeze in cold weather can cause hypothermia in dogs outdoors.

Stress, Excitement, and Shivering

Dogs can shiver due to stress and excitement. Shivering may also be accompanied by rapid breathing. While stress-related shivering is not harmful in itself, stress is not good for dogs, just as it is not good for humans. Therefore, you should do your best to calm your dog when it is stressed and to remove the source of stress from the environment. If the source of stress is thunder, you can try masking the sound with other sounds, place cotton balls in your dog's ears in a way that won't harm it, or give it therapeutic toys. If your dog's stress persists or recurs, you can discuss this with your veterinarian.

Although it is not known why dogs tremble when they are excited or happy, this type of trembling does not harm them in any way. Since there is no factor such as stress behind the trembling, you just need to wait for your dog to calm down. When your dog calms down, the trembling will also stop.

Tremor and Health Problems

Various health problems can cause dogs to tremble. One of the most common of these health problems is distemper, also known as canine distemper. Canine distemper, caused by a virus, is usually seen in puppies that have not been fully vaccinated. Dogs infected with canine distemper may exhibit other symptoms besides tremors, such as runny eyes and nose, fever, and cough. Treatment for canine distemper generally involves supportive care while the dog's body fights the virus. Treatment may also include antibiotics, bronchodilators, physical therapy, and other interventions. Generalized Tremor Syndrome (GTS) is among the causes of tremors in dogs. The exact cause of GTS is unknown. Although it was first observed in small, white dog breeds such as Maltese and West Highland White Terrier, it can affect dogs of all sizes, breeds, and colors. GTS symptoms usually begin to appear between 9 months and 12 years of age. Treatment typically begins to show results within about a week. Corticosteroid medications are commonly used in treatment. Dog tremors can be a symptom of poisoning. When dogs are poisoned, tremors may be accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. If your dog has consumed foods that are toxic to them, such as chocolate, nicotine, and xylitol, you should discuss this with your veterinarian. Also, you should avoid moving your dog too much until you see your veterinarian. Pain and fractures can cause tremors in dogs. Those experiencing back, neck, and abdominal pain may tremble. Additionally, if there is a problem in the joints, such as arthritis, tremors may occur in the affected limbs. Tremors can also indicate Addison's disease, an endocrine disorder. In cases of fractures, dogs may make movements they didn't make before, swelling may be visible in the affected area, or other signs of physical pain may be observed. If your dog appears to be in pain while playing, being walked outside, or at any other time, you should take them to your veterinarian. While trembling is expected in aging dogs as their legs weaken, another underlying cause should not be overlooked.

Generalized Tremor Syndrome (GTS) is among the causes of tremors in dogs. The exact cause of GTS is unknown. Although it was first observed in small, white dog breeds such as Maltese and West Highland White Terrier, it can affect dogs of all sizes, breeds, and colors. GTS symptoms usually begin to appear between 9 months and 12 years of age. Treatment usually starts to show results within about a week. Corticosteroid medications are generally used in treatment.

Tremors in dogs can be a symptom of poisoning. When dogs are poisoned, tremors may be accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. If your dog has consumed foods that are toxic to them, such as chocolate, nicotine, and xylitol, you should discuss this with your veterinarian. You should also avoid moving your dog around too much until you see your veterinarian.

Pain and fractures can cause tremors in dogs. Those suffering from back, neck, and abdominal pain may tremble. Additionally, if there is a problem in the joints, such as arthritis, tremors may occur in the affected limbs. Tremors can also indicate Addison's disease, an endocrine disorder. In cases of fractures, dogs may make movements they didn't make before, swelling may be visible in the affected area, or other signs of physical pain may be observed. If your dog appears to be in pain while playing, being walked outside, or at any other time, you should take them to your veterinarian. While trembling is expected in aging dogs as their legs weaken, another underlying cause should not be overlooked.

A dog's trembling and convulsions or seizures show different symptoms. Tremors involve relatively normal shaking and swaying, while convulsions and seizures involve loss of mobility and awareness of the surroundings. If you suspect your dog is having a convulsion or seizure, you should take it to a veterinarian immediately.