Unless you live in Hawaii, your dog will spend some of her time in cold, frosty air. And she will react just as humans do, by shivering or trembling. This is the body's technique for warming itself up a bit, explains James Dalley, D.V.M., associate professor of small animal clinical sciences at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in East Lansing. Cats also get cold, but they are less likely than dogs to shiver.
It is not just the cold that puts muscles in motion. Pets also tremble when they are scared or nervous, says Dr. Dalley. Some dogs, in fact, are so tightly wound and have such high levels of nervous energy that they tremble nearly all the time. This kind of trembling is normal and doesn't cause any problems.
In older pets, shivering and trembling may be a sign of underlying problems like arthritis or weak muscles. It can also be a sign of neurological problems, says Jerry W. Northington, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
A variety of illnesses, including lupus (an immune system problem), hypothyroidism (a condition resulting from underactive thyroid gland), and some kinds of anemia can also cause pets to shiver. Pets with fever will often shiver and tremble. In rare cases, so will pets that have low levels of calcium. This tends to occur in female dogs that are nursing puppies and losing calcium through the milk, says Dennis O'Brien, D.V.M., Ph.D., a neurologist in the department of veterinary medicine and surgery at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia.
Finally, pets with epilepsy may have seizures that cause them to shiver and tremble, says Sheldon A. Steinberg, V.M.D., professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia. Seizures are usually accompanied by other symptoms as well, such as falling down, disorientation, or salivating heavily.
See Your Vet If...
- Your dog is nursing puppies
- Your pet is elderly or getting weak
- She occasionally seems disoriented or loses her balance
- Your pet has been hit by a car or has taken a bad fall, even if she seems fine afterward
- She is acting confused and disoriented
- The joints are swollen or tender
- Her sleep patterns have suddenly changed
- She is fainting or having seizures
- Your pet has gotten wobbly or clumsy
- She is stiff or sore for no apparent reason
- Her abdomen is bloated or feels tight
- Your pet is pregnant and overdue or has passed a dead kitten or puppy
- Her feet are cold or swollen
- Her skin, gums, or mucous membranes are turning yellow
- Your pet is reluctant to move or can't stand up
- She is shivering or shaking even when it isn't cold
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