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Why is My Dog Shaking? Reasons and When to See a Vet

Since we cannot directly communicate with our dogs, there are certain behaviors and actions that immediately concern us. One of these behaviors is a dog shaking. No, not the fun way they shake off water starting from their nose all the way to the end of their tail. We’re talking about that full-body trembling you’ve likely seen your pooch do from time to time. Why do they do it? And is it something you should be worried about?

Why is my dog shaking?

A majority of dog owners in an IAMS™ survey* (64%) think the reason behind a dog shivering is that they are cold. Other top responses were because the dogs are scared (57%) or anxious (54%). High-fives all around because it turns out there are a number of reasons why dogs shake, and all those are possible correct answers. Here are some probable reasons behind a dog trembling:

They're chilly

Just like their owners, dogs will often shiver when cold. Dr. Tammie King, Applied Behavior Technical Leader at Waltham Petcare Science Institute, says: “Dogs shiver in response to falling temperatures. Dogs with short or no hair are especially susceptible. You should get them warm, put coats on them or bring them inside.”

They're They're anxious or scared

“Shaking is a response to epinephrine or adrenaline secretion — a sign of anxiety where the dog is on high alert,” says James Serpell, B.S., Ph.D., Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. You may notice this when you’re at the vet or there’s a situation where they feel threatened. Dr. Serpell also offers a way to help in some cases: “Identify what’s triggering the behavior. Provide them comfort. Going forward, you can gradually desensitize your pet to the thing it’s afraid of.”

They're They’re having seizures

Seizures, a serious medical condition, can be hard to differentiate from normal shaking. Dogs may shake for numerous reasons, with most being relatively harmless. However, seizures require immediate medical attention. Especially because this health issue can result in your dog’s muscles seizing up, causing a loss of mobility and awareness of its surroundings. Hence, if you notice violent shaking in your dog, rush to an emergency room as quickly as possible.

They're They’re excited

This is probably the most comforting answer to every dog owner’s concern. Apart from being a response to anxiety or stress, a dog’s trembling can also be a result of excitement. This trembling or shaking is not a matter of concern and will stop once the animal calms down.

They're They're not feeling well

Trembling can also be a sign of serious issues like injury, poisoning, or kidney disease. Dr. Jo Gale, BVetMed CertLAS MRCVS, Senior Manager, Global Science Advocacy at Waltham Petcare Science Institute urges pet owners to be vigilant: “If a pet is unwell in another way, they could be trembling.” If their shaking is accompanied by symptoms like diarrhea, limping, or vomiting, you should consult your vet straight away.

They’re suffering from Shaker syndrome

Shaker syndrome has been observed in white dogs of smaller-sized breeds. It causes shivering in a dog’s entire body. The precise cause of this syndrome is not yet known; however, your vet will be able to prescribe medications upon close examination.

They're They’re getting old

Old age is also a pretty common cause of shaking and shivering in dogs. This is because age reduces tolerance to even a slight amount of cold. Besides that, shaking can also be a result of other old-age-related issues like joint pains or weakening of limbs.

When to see a vet for dog shivering or shaking?

As mentioned earlier, you should immediately consult a vet if, along with shaking, your dog is also experiencing vomiting, limping, or diarrhea. Even though shaking is a common symptom of old age-related issues, you must take your dog to the vet. If they are suffering from joint pain, early treatment is necessary. It is also advisable to visit a vet if your dog’s shaking or shivering hasn’t stopped even after a few minutes.

Now that you know why dogs shake, ensure that you pay close attention to your furry friend’s well-being. Though most of these reasons pose no threat to its health, some can be concerning. Additionally, look for other symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and blank stares as they can help you gauge the seriousness of the situation.

Frequently asked questions on Why is My Dog Shaking?

Why is my dog shivering?

Your dog may be shivering due to the cold or because they are stressed out. If you are unable to identify the exact cause of dog trembling or shivering, do reach out to a vet immediately.

What should I do if my dog is shaking?

Firstly, identify the potential cause for your dog to shake or tremble. If your dog is shaking out of excitement, anxiety, or stress, it is not a matter of concern, and you can simply try to calm the pet down. If the animal is shaking due to cold, wrap it in blankets and layers until the dog’s shaking stops. However, if neither of these is the cause, look for other symptoms of illness or injury. The shaking might be due to either of those, and your dog may need immediate medical help.

How do I comfort a shivering dog?

If your dog is shivering due to the cold, wrap them in blankets until they feel warm. If they are feeling anxious, you can take them to a place where they feel safe. You can also talk to them in a comforting tone until they feel calm.

Should I be worried if my dog is shaking?

A dog’s shaking or shivering is not always a matter of concern. For instance, if it is caused by anxiety, stress, or excitement, the shaking will stop in a few minutes, or as soon as your dog calms down. Also, if it is caused due to cold, it will stop once your dog feels warm again. However, if it is caused due to an injury, or is accompanied by symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, it is a matter of concern and needs immediate attention from a vet. You may also need to consult a vet if your dog is a senior suffering from shaking or trembling.

What does it look like when a dog has tremors?

Tremors in a dog are involuntary and rhythmic muscle movements which may occur in the entire body or in parts of the body. These movements may either be fast or slow.

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Common Questions & Tips About Feeding Dogs

Giving your dog the right nutrients and a complete, balanced diet does not have to be a head-scratcher. All you need to know is what can dogs eat, how much to feed your dog or puppy, how to feed dogs, how many times to feed a dog, how to handle treats and supplements, etc. And this article tries to answer commonly asked questions on dog feeding.

How do I decide what to feed my dog?

When deciding which dog food is right for your pet, consider these three factors:

Your dog’s life stage (Whether your dog is a puppy, an adult, or a senior)
Lifestyle (How active your dog is)
Condition (Overall health and body weight of your dog)

How many times should I feed a dog?

Puppies should be fed three times a day from weaning (3 to 6 weeks) to 4 months of age. After 4 months, they should be fed twice a day. Most dogs should continue to be fed twice a day throughout their life, although some pets do well with one feeding.

How much should I feed my dog?

The answer to this question depends on your dog’s age, size, and activity level. Feeding guidelines, which list the daily-recommended portion, are included on all IAMS™ packages. Start feeding your dog with this amount and adjust according to its needs. Remember to divide the portion accordingly if you feed more than once a day.

How much should I feed a puppy?

The amount of food you need to feed your puppy depends on 3 main factors — breed, weight, and age. However, you can look at this puppy feeding table that we recommend for puppies:

Puppy	Adult Target Weight (KG)	Recommended Daily Feeding (g/day)
<3 months 3-6 months 6-9 months 9-12 months 12-18 months
Toy breed	1-3	15-72	32-83	37-83
	3-5	33-106	72-121	83-121

Small breed (25-50)	5-8	48-151	106-172	111-172	111-170	Transition to IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Adult Dog Food
	8-10	69-178	151-204	170-204	170-201

Medium breed	10-20	82-299	178-343	201-343	201-339
	20-25	137-346	339-404	339-404	339-404

Large breed	25-40	136-492	346-575	404-575	396-575	396-563
	40-50	191-509	493-675	575-681	563-681	553-676

This diet contains 390 kilocalories of metabolizable energy (ME) per 100 gms. Remember to have clean, fresh water available for your dog always.

When should I switch puppy to adult dog food diet?

You should not change your puppy’s food to adult abruptly. Giving your pet time to acclimatize to the new taste of adult food is very important. Also, if you suddenly switch your pup’s food, it can cause digestive problems. Go through this schedule that will help you understand how much to feed your dog and transition your dog’s diet from puppy food to adult food:

Day 1 – Add 75% puppy food and mix 25% adult food in your dog’s plate.
Day 2 – Add both foods in equal quantities i.e. 50% puppy food and 50% adult food.
Day 3 – Increase the quantity of adult food to 75% and bring down the quantity of puppy food to 25%.
Day 4 – Fully transition to adult dog food.

If you are wondering how much to feed your puppy by weight and age, check out the weight and age-wise breakdown on when to transition your puppy’s diet to adult food:

Weight Range	Age to Begin Transition
Small breeds that weigh < 9.07 kgs	9 and 12 months of age
Medium breeds that weigh between 9.07 and 22.6 kgs	12 to 14months of age
Large breeds that weigh more than 22.6 kgs	12 to 24 months of age

When should I switch my dog to senior food?

While transitioning from adult dog food to senior dog food, it is important to factor in your dog’s weight. Look at this weight table to know when to transition your dog’s food from adult to senior:

Weight Range	Age to Begin Transition
More than 40.8 kgs	5 years
23.1 to 40.8 kgs	6 years
9.5 to 23.150 kgs	7 years
Up to 9.07 kgs	7 years

What is the best way to introduce a new diet to my dog?

When changing your dog’s food diet, it’s important to slowly introduce new food. Start by offering your dog’s daily portion in a ratio of 25% new food to 75% current food. During the next three days, gradually increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of the old food.

What to feed my dog if they are overweight?

If your dog has gained unhealthy weight, make sure to cut down on fats along with increasing regular exercise. We recommend you browse through IAMS™ products and choose dog foods that are low on fat. How much food to feed your dog if they are overweight is another major concern. You can consult your vet to understand the right amount of food your furry friend needs for each meal.

What should I feed my pregnant or nursing dog?

It’s important to understand that your dog’s nutritional needs change during pregnancy and ensure you feed her nutrition-rich food. For pregnant dogs, we recommend IAMS™ Puppy food as it’s full of proteins that can help your pregnant dog during the gestation period and improve the quality of milk to nourish her puppies post-delivery.

Is it necessary to feed both wet and dry food?

Wet food is an excellent treat that can be fed alone or mixed with dry food. Although IAMS wet dog foods are nutritionally complete and balanced, it is not necessary to offer wet food at every feeding. Our dry foods are formulated with high-quality protein sources such as chicken and contain all the essential nutrients pets need. The crunchy texture of dry food also promotes healthy teeth and gums, and aids in overall good oral hygiene. In addition, some of our dry dog foods contain a dental enhancement to help block tartar buildup on teeth during and after meals.

Will my dog be bored eating the same food all the time?

No. Unlike humans, dogs have fewer taste receptors. Hence, they won’t feel the urge to eat something different every day. In fact, if you find something that suits your dog’s overall health and preferences, stick to that food.

Is it all right to moisten dry food?

Soaking dry food will ease up the initial job of the digestive enzymes. While water will not change its nutritional value, the food should be eaten relatively soon. Moreover, ensure that the leftover portion is discarded to avoid spoilage. We recommend providing your dog with IAMS™ dry food because it is beneficial to your dog’s dental health as well.

Will it hurt my dog if they eat my cat’s food?

No. Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements. Moreover, cat foods are made with higher fat levels, which can be harmful to a dog. While it is okay for dogs and cats to sniff and lick some food from each other’s bowl, you shouldn’t let dogs eat cat food.

How many biscuits can I feed my dog each day?

We recommend feeding your dog approximately two to four small biscuits per cup of food. Keep in mind that when you add biscuits to your dog’s daily diet, this increases its daily calorie intake, so you should reduce the amount of food you feed. Check the calorie content of the biscuit since biscuits vary in size and formulation.

Can I supplement my dog foods with vitamins, minerals, oils, etc.?

Since IAMS™ dog foods are nutritionally complete and balanced, adding more vitamins, minerals or oils can disrupt the balanceour dog food provides. The reason why you provide your dog with a high-quality product is that it has been developed to offer nourishment in proper ratios and ensure optimal nutrition. Hence, nothing needs to be added.

Why does my dog need to eat protein?

Protein is one of the essential elements that should be a part of your dog’s diet. Including protein in your dog’s diet will strengthen its muscles, ligaments, and cartilages. A protein-rich food also brings about a healthy shine to your dog’s coat!

Why should one maintain a feeding schedule for dogs?

It is important to maintain a feeding schedule for dogs so that they are conditioned to expect food at that time and avoid irregular snacking in between.

What are the things a dog dannot eat?

You should never feed your dog home-baked goods, candy, gum, chocolate, limes, onion, and grapes. They can harm your dog’s digestive tract and cause infections as well.

Why should you feed IAMS™ dog food over homecooked food?

IAMS™ dog food is full of key nutrients that your dog needs for its healthy growth. The basic ingredients in our food include chicken, fish oil, beet pulp, wholesome grains, and natural prebiotic.

How can I learn more about pet nutrition?

Follow our blogs to know more about pet nutrition & and dog food diet. Feel free to contact us here in case of any queries.

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Why is My Dog Shaking? Reasons and When to See a Vet

Why is my dog shaking?

When to see a vet for dog shivering or shaking?