Why Is My Dog Shaking? Here are the reasons dogs shiver and shake explained by a vet - from anxiety to seizures šŸ¶

Itā€™s perfectly normal for your dog to shake sometimes, but there are several different reasons they do do.
Being cold is just one of the reasons that dogs shake and shiver.Being cold is just one of the reasons that dogs shake and shiver.
Being cold is just one of the reasons that dogs shake and shiver.

Dog ownership is at an all-time high at the moment, with surging Kennel Club registrations and one-in-three households now including a four-legged friend.

That means there are a huge number of first-time dog owners out there who are paying close attention to their pupā€™s behaviour.

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One thing that can be alarming is when your dog starts to shake, something that is particularly common with the recent fluctuating weather.

To help out, Peter Wright, Harringtons Advanced Science Diet Vet and the star of The Yorkshire Vet, has shared his expertise on the subject.

Hereā€™s what he had to say.

Natural reasons

Shaking can be a natural phenomenon in many dogs. For example, dogs can shake because they are cold, wet, excited or nervous. In some cases, a dog may shake because they are experiencing anxiety.

Age is a factor

Older dogs may shake when theyā€™re in pain or uncomfortable. Owners may also see some muscular and nerve degeneration, which isnā€™t painful, but both can cause dogs to become weaker and shake as a consequence.

Diet is key

Pet parents will often find senior dogs will start to shake just because their muscles arenā€™t as strong as they used to be. You may want to try a specialist dog food that is formulated to help with stronger joints and deliver all the nutrients needed for older dogs.

More serious seizures

On a more serious note, dogs can sometimes have seizures which may appear as panting or shaking. Although, if a dog has a full-blown seizure, owners will notice itā€™s much more than just shaking. Seizures can often just be several muscle groups moving involuntarily, which can appear as twitching or shaking. These episodes of shaking may be very short-lived in mild cases. If you suspect a seizure, a trip to the vet will determine whatā€™s happening.

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