5 reasons why your dog may be trembling
Surely, you too have seen your dog trembling at some point of time. As a dog owner, you often get scared when this happens because you are worried about your dog.
The trembling can have many different causes, many of which are harmless. With others, however, a veterinarian should be consulted.

5 reasons for the trembling of a dog
- age-related trembling
Shaking from a dog may simply be age related. Older dogs are much more likely to tremble than younger dogs. Older animals are simply more prone to muscle twitching. However, this is due normal and absolutely no cause for alarm.
- Emotional reasons for trembling
A dog will also tremble for emotional reasons. This can include fear, but also joy. In the case of friends, the dog wags its tail and sometimes trembles in the process.
The so-called fear trembling is quite common in dogs. By trembling they reduce tension. There are many different reasons for this fear tremor, such as driving or loud noises, strange dogs or people. If the trembling is fear-related, there are also the other symptoms:
- ears are flattened
- a crouched posture
- tail between the legs
If these symptoms occur, the trembling is fear-related. In this case, the situation should be resolved as quickly as possible. It is important that you keep your calm during this process.
- Trembling in illnesses
However, trembling can also be a symptom of a disease, an example of which is epilepsy. This disease manifests itself through epileptic seizures and can also occur in dogs. In addition to seizures, tremors can also occur. The seizures announce themselves by the following symptoms:
- Restlessness
- vomiting
- Salivation
If there is a risk of epilepsy, a veterinarian must be consulted immediately.
Another disease that has tremors as a symptom is the "White Dog Shaker Phenomenon". It mainly affects white dogs. These then tremble all over their body and lose their orientation.
- Trembling in case of gastric torsion
Stomach torsion can be fatal for dogs. To prevent this, it must be treated immediately. Again, one symptom is trembling. The trembling is caused by the dog's shock and pain. However, there are other symptoms that indicate gastric torsion. These must always occur in conjunction with the trembling:
- Panting
- Restlessness
- Circulatory problems
- Bloated belly
- Vomiting or retching
Not all of these symptoms have to occur. It is mainly larger breeds of dogsthat are affected.
- Trembling while sleeping and dreaming
Another harmless reason for trembling is trembling during sleep. Just like us, your four-legged friend also processes the events of the day while sleeping, thereby relieving tension and stress. With intensive dreams this can absolutely lead to trembling or muscle twitching. However, this is completely normal and no reason to worry.


Generally, it is completely normal for a dog to tremble from time to time. Only in connection with other symptoms, the trembling can indicate diseases. In this case, a vet should always be consulted to be on the safe side. Most of the time, however, you do not have to worry about your four-legged friend.
