Why is my dog shaking?

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Our dogs tend to wear their feelings openly through their body language: that wagging tail of friendly alertness or the pricked-up ears and watchful stance that show they are on guard. One habit that can be more difficult to understand, though, is shaking in dogs, as the causes can be either physical or emotional.
We’re not talking about the kind of energetic shaking you see in wet dogs drying themselves off after a dip in a pond or bath, but a shivering or trembling action where the cause is not always immediately clear. And while some instances of shaking in dogs are nothing to worry about, others can be a sign of a serious health issue. So, should you be worried if your dog is shaking or trembling? Paying attention to when they’re doing it can help you narrow down the possible reasons, and decide what to do next.
Dog shivering in the cold
What to do if your dog is shivering
Dog shaking in fear, anxiety or excitment
Both positive and negative emotional states can cause trembling in dogs. Young dogs, especially, may tremble with happy excitement if you’re playing a fun game with them, if they sniff out something interesting on a walk or if they’re simply pleased to see you come home! If your dog is shaking with fear, however, they may also cower, whimper, growl or pin back their ears. This is their ‘fight or flight’ response kicking in, as adrenaline is released into the nervous system.
Some fear triggers may be obvious, such as fireworks, thunder or feeling intimidated by other dogs. A dog that missed out on early socialisation may be particularly easily spooked. Phobias (think: the postman, umbrellas, wheelie bins) can also be responsible for giving them the shakes.
What to do if your dog is shaking in fear
Shaking as a symptom of poisoning in dogs
What to do if you think your dog is poisoned
Inherited shaking in dogs
Some dogs are genetically more prone to shaking, especially when young. Generalised tremor syndrome (GTS), often called ‘shaker syndrome’ or ‘puppy shake’, can begin at an early age and continue through a dog’s adolescence, up to two years old. Breeds known for this hereditary condition include Maltese Terriers, West Highland White Terriers (it’s even sometimes called ‘white dog shaker syndrome’) and Chihuahuas, and it has also been noted in male Welsh Springer Spaniels and Samoyeds, Dalmatians and Golden Retrievers.
Another inherited condition, cerebellar hypoplasia, affects puppies when part of their brain – the cerebellum – hasn’t fully developed, making them ‘wobbly’ on their feet. Airedales, Boston Terriers and Bull Terriers are more prone to this type of shaking in dogs.
What to do if your dog has shaker syndrome or cerebellar hypoplasia
Other medical causes of shaking in dogs
What to do if your dog is shaking for no clear reason
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