Do Dogs Shiver When They're Cold? Understanding Shivering Causes

Shivering, shaking, and trembling can be a sign that a dog is cold, but it can also be a symptom of many other things. Dogs often give an all-over shake when they are wet; when they're feeling stressed, scared, or anxious; when they're in pain; when they wake up; or when they are ill with an ear infection or other physical ailment.

Dogs don't have to attend fireworks to shake with fear; just hearing them or plain old thunder nearby scares many dogs so much that they shake. Of course, you may not see them trembling because they might dive under the bed. Dogs don't understand "it's just thunder," and the fear of loud noises, which is called noise anxiety, can overwhelm them to the point of trembling. They may remember that after the loud booms comes heavy rain that beats against the windows and wind that howls like a wild animal.

Anything that scares a dog or makes a dog stressed can cause trembling, including a new pet or new baby joining the household or meeting strangers. Some dogs have separation anxiety and may tremble when they see you putting on your coat or picking up your car keys. A special toy to bite and chase may help distract them while you're gone, and a small spritz of lavender on their doggy bed may have a calming effect. Since a dog's sense of smell is much stronger than a human's, only the tiniest amount is needed, and spraying too much can rile up a dog again.

Shaking from pain

Intense pain can make dogs shake, and since older dogs are more apt to experience pain from arthritis and other degenerative diseases, senior dogs are prone to shaking. Sometimes, just one part of the body will shake, like one leg, because the muscles and ligaments are no longer strong enough to hold the dog's weight or due to an injury of a ligament or tendon. When dogs continually shake their head with or without their body shaking, they might have an ear infection.

Shivering with excitement

Trembling, shivering, and shaking are not always signs that something is wrong. Some dogs quiver with the anticipation of fun to come, such as when they see you pick up their leash or a bag of treats or when a dog they know comes over to play. Seeing squirrels or other critters while on a walk or experiencing intense scents can also get dogs excited. If their tail is wagging and they eagerly charge ahead, it's clear they are trembling with joy, not fear or pain.

Recognizing more serious conditions

Sometimes, shaking or shivering is an indication of serious illnesses, like generalized tremor syndrome, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, poisoning, or distemper. If your dog is shivering and does not seem to be cold, stressed, or excited, consider the possibility of a serious condition that warrants a call to your vet, especially if the shaking is accompanied by vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, limping, drooling, panting, lethargy, or other troubling symptoms.