The Causes of Dog Shivers

Dogs may experience shakes and shivers. Many people would assume that this is due to the dog being cold, but there are many reasons your dog may have shivers. What causes a dog to shiver? This article will list the common reasons why dogs get shaky and some tips on what you can do to help.

Cold – Shivering in fridig environments is a response to get the blood pumping to raise body temperature. Determine if your dog fares well in cold weather. Limit exposure if your dog breed is not meant for cold weather.

Stress, Anxiety, and Fear – Did you know that intense emotions can cause shivers of fear and anxiety? You can help your dog remove sources of stress. For example, if your dog is shaking due to loud fireworks outside, keep your dog calm by making the sound of the fireworks.

Excitement – Yes, that’s right. Some dogs shake and shiver when they are excited! The good thing is that there is no danger in this type of shivering and will most likely stop once the dog calms down.

Seeking Attention – Dogs are intelligent. With this said, they may shake and shiver to get your attention. If there’s no other reason your dog might be shivering, it is best to ignore this attention-seeking behavior.

Pain or Illness – Shivering could signify that your dog is in pain or suffering from an illness. The best thing you can do is look for signs of sickness or injury. If the shivering is accompanied by abnormal behavior or seems out of character for your four-legged friend, please contact the veterinarian immediately.

As you can see, there are many reasons why dogs shiver and shake. Although it is not always a major reason which causes harm, you need to understand the reasons behind this behavior. Remember that normal shivering and shaking are much different than a seizure. If you suspect your dog has a seizure, immediately take them to the emergency veterinarian.