Understanding dog behaviour

Why Does my Dog Shiver all the Time

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: January 16, 2017
Why Does my Dog Shiver all the Time

Trembling in dogs is a very common behavior that is often nothing to worry about. In some cases, on the other hand, can be due to some kind of condition or minor or severe disease. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to any changes in your dog's behavior and watch out for when it occurs and what could be the cause. If your dog trembles and you don't know why, read this OneHowto article and discover why your dog shivers all the time.

You may also be interested in: Why Does My Dog Get Hiccups?
Steps to follow:
1

Before we look at the possible causes why your dog shivers all the time it is important to know that there are some breeds that are more likely to tremble than others, as is the case of Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers. These breeds can tend to tremble for almost any reason, so you shouldn't worry if, for example, your Chihuahua puppy starts shaking when you praise them for good behavior. It simply means that he's so excited and he can't hide it.

Why Does my Dog Shiver all the Time - Step 1
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One of the most common causes of trembling in dogs is excitement. A dog gets very excited when they are really happy such as when you praise them or reward them for something. Their reaction to this can make them tremble.

Why Does my Dog Shiver all the Time - Step 2
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Also, when they are afraid or feel stressed or anxious, most dogs tend to tremble in response to these feelings. If, for example, your dog trembles when they hear very loud, sudden noises like firecrackers, your dog probably has a phobia of these sounds and you should take them to the vet for treatment to prevent this. Remember there are toys like the Kong to treat these states of mind and help them overcome the situation.

Why Does my Dog Shiver all the Time - Step 3
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In addition to behavioral reasons, tremors and shivering in dogs can be caused by physical reasons. One of the most common is low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia. This condition is common, especially in small or miniature dogs, due to their smaller body size. If your dog goes for days without eating and starts to shake, their blood sugar levels are probably far below normal. If this is the case, it is important to take them to a vet because a loss of appetite as well as tremors, may be signs of a more serious disease. Find out what to do if your dog won't eat by clicking on this link.

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Also, low temperatures can cause our dogs to tremble. In the same way as we shiver when we feel cold, so do dogs. This reflex reaction particularly affects small and miniature breeds, as well as short-haired dogs, since they are not prepared to withstand low temperatures.

It could also be the result of a fever. Read how to tell if your dog has fever and how to lower your dog's fever in these OneHowTo articles.

Why Does my Dog Shiver all the Time - Step 5
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If your dog is on a course of medication, this trembling could be one of the side effects of these drugs. If you suspect this may be the cause, it is important to inform your vet and let them decide whether to stop the medication or not. Never stop your dog's medication without first consulting your vet.

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If your dog's tremors only affect certain parts of their body, for example, the legs, they may be suffering from muscle weakness or a disease that causes inflammation such as Canine Arthritis. If this is the case, it is important that your dog rests until they recover. Remember that depending on their size and weight, your dog will require a little exercise from time to time, but overdoing it can cause injury.

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When doing this, if your dog feels any kind of sharp pain, they may tremble or shiver. Try to feel the trembling areas to see if this is the reason.

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Finally, trembling is one of the most common symptoms of Shaker syndrome, also known as white shaker dog syndrome as it is common among small dog breeds in this color. This disease causes twitching, seizures, muscle weakness and tremors. If your dog has any of these symptoms do not hesitate to take them to the vet.

Why Does my Dog Shiver all the Time - Step 9
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