🧠 Tremors and Shivering in Dogs: Vet Guide to Causes and Treatments in 2025 🐶

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

🔍 Is Your Dog Shaking? Here's What It Could Mean

Shivering or tremoring in dogs is a common reason for vet visits. But while a little shake might be harmless—like being cold or excited—it can also signal serious underlying issues 🐾⚠️.

This guide will help you identify the possible causes, understand when to worry, and know what to do if your dog is trembling or twitching unexpectedly.

🧊 Normal Reasons for Shivering

Start by ruling out benign causes:

• ❄️ Cold temperatures – Small or short-haired breeds chill easily
• 😨 Fear or anxiety – Stress from fireworks, storms, or vet visits
• 💤 Dreaming – REM sleep can cause twitching legs or eyelids

If warming your dog or comforting them resolves the shaking, medical intervention is likely unnecessary. But persistent or unexplained tremors warrant further evaluation 🩺.

💪 Tremors in Specific Body Parts

When only part of the body shakes, the issue is often neurological or muscular:

🎯 Intention Tremors (Cerebellar Disease)

Tremors start only when your dog attempts a task—like reaching for food. This suggests a cerebellar issue. Causes include:

• 🧬 Congenital brain conditions (e.g., cerebellar hypoplasia)
• 🧠 Brain trauma, tumors, or inflammation

These tremors are usually dramatic and require diagnostics like MRI and neurologic exam.

🐶 Idiopathic Head Tremors

Seen most commonly in Boxers, Bulldogs, Dobermans, and Beagles. Characterized by up-and-down or side-to-side head bobbing. Unresponsive to seizure meds.

Tip: Distract your dog with a toy or treat to interrupt the episode. Most outgrow it 🧸.

🐕 Distemper Myoclonus

A side effect in survivors of canine distemper. Causes rhythmic muscle twitches in the jaw, neck, or limbs. May not bother the dog, but treatment is often ineffective.

🦵 Orthostatic Tremors

Occurs only while standing. Common in young, large breeds (e.g., Great Danes, Mastiffs, Weimaraners). Often treated with gabapentin or phenobarbital 💊.

🌡️ Full-Body Tremors

When the whole body trembles, systemic or metabolic issues may be the cause. These include:

1️⃣ Hypocalcemia (Low Blood Calcium)

Most often seen in small nursing mothers. Causes tremors, panting, seizures. Requires emergency calcium therapy 💉.

2️⃣ Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Especially in toy breeds, puppies, or dogs with diabetes. Can lead to collapse or seizures if untreated. Give sugar-based syrup and rush to the vet 🍯.

3️⃣ Toxicity

• 🪱 Pesticides or insecticides (permethrin, organophosphates)
• ☠️ Snail bait (metaldehyde)
• 🍫 Chocolate or caffeine

Tremors from toxins are an emergency. Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately 🚨.

4️⃣ White Shaker Syndrome

Also known as steroid-responsive tremor syndrome. Common in small white breeds, but any breed can be affected. Tremors worsen with stress but improve with corticosteroids.

5️⃣ Seizures or Epilepsy

Seizures may present as fine tremors or violent convulsions. Watch for changes in awareness, drooling, or post-seizure confusion 🧠.

🧪 Diagnosis and Next Steps

Your vet will likely recommend:

• 🩸 Blood tests (calcium, glucose, electrolytes)
• 🔬 Urinalysis
• 🧠 Neurological evaluation
• 🧬 Possible MRI or spinal tap

Knowing your dog’s breed, age, medication history, and home environment (including exposure to toxins) is essential for accurate diagnosis 🔍.

🏥 When Is It an Emergency?

🚑 Seek immediate care if your dog is:

• 🥵 Overheating from tremors
• 🧠 Having seizures or losing consciousness
• 💥 Trembling after possible toxin ingestion
• 🍼 A nursing mother or toy puppy with tremors

Violent or persistent shaking can raise body temperature dangerously, risking brain damage if untreated 🧊.

🩺 Long-Term Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause but may include:

• 💊 Seizure medications (phenobarbital, zonisamide, levetiracetam)
• 🦠 Antibiotics or steroids for brain inflammation
• 🧠 Neurologist referral for advanced imaging
• 💡 Gabapentin for nerve pain or tremor control

In many cases, management is possible—even for chronic conditions like idiopathic head tremors or White Shaker Syndrome.

📲 Ask A Vet for Help

If your dog is trembling and you’re unsure why, the safest first step is reaching out to a vet. AskAVet.com offers real-time support for:

• 🧪 Symptom triage and urgency assessment
• 📋 Help interpreting lab tests
• 📦 Home toxin safety checks
• 💊 Managing chronic tremor conditions

📱 Download the Ask A Vet App to connect with licensed veterinarians like Dr Duncan Houston anytime, anywhere—your pet’s peace of mind is just a click away 🐾.

💚 Final Thoughts

Not all tremors are emergencies—but some are. Being prepared, observant, and proactive is the best way to protect your dog’s health 🐶🩺.

If your dog has unexplained shivering or tremors, don’t wait. Visit AskAVet.com or download the app for 24/7 veterinary help.