Some of the smallest breeds of canines — Chihuahuas in particular — are known for their tendency to shake, but it can be a bit startling when your old dog starts shaking. Especially if he’s a larger breed or has no history of tremors, you might find yourself looking up this question: “Why is my old dog shaking?”
Just like with any health condition, there’s more than one cause for a symptom. Your old dog’s shaking may or may not have anything to do with his age, though it’s not uncommon for older dogs to develop issues that result in tremors. Whatever the cause, you can help your senior pup stay happy and healthy with your keen eye and lots of TLC. If you’re concerned, don’t ever hesitate to contact a trusted vet, either. They’re here to help!
Why does my senior dog shake?
Weakening muscles
As dogs age, it’s common for them to lose muscle mass — regardless of their diet and exercise regimen. One way weakening muscles present themselves is through instability and shaking, particularly in the legs.
You may be seeing your pup’s neck muscles start to atrophy if his head seems to bob or tremble (it may be time to take off that heavy collar). A quick checkup from your vet will make sure that your dog isn’t in pain, but they can recommend therapies and medications either way. Every pup has their own journey!
Arthritis or joint pain
Another common condition for older pups to have (and some humans can relate, too) is arthritis. Over time, the cartilage that separates bones from one another can erode, weaken, or swell up — all of which result in discomfort in the joints.
According to ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, dogs may be more at risk of developing arthritis if they have or are:
- Overweight or obese, as this puts more pressure on the joints
- Previous injury of the joint, either to ligaments, tendons, or the surrounding bones
- Developmental deformities such as hip dysplasia
- Spinal deformities or injury
Shaker syndrome
According to the Brook-Falls Veterinary Hospital, shaker syndrome — also called generalized tremor syndrome or steroid-responsive tremors — is a painless, treatable autoimmune condition that causes rhythmic tremors throughout a dog’s body. They may shake from nose to tail, but they may tremble only at one part of their body as well. Shaker syndrome may look scary, but it’s not painful or fatal.
Shaker syndrome is sometimes known as little white shaker syndrome because many dogs who develop this condition in early adulthood are small white pups like poodles.
Stress or fear
Similar to tremors for the cold, stress shakes will affect your senior dog’s whole body rather than just his head or legs. You can expect these tremors to go away once your pup is relaxed again, though something like a ThunderShirt or exposure therapy can help ease your dog’s fears.
To know whether your dog is shaking from fear, look out for some of these other symptoms of stress:
- Excessive drooling or licking
- Restlessness
- Whining or barking
- Tucked tails
- Panting
- Changes in frequency of urination, defecation, etc.
Pain
Sometimes, a dog will express pain through shaking in the hind legs. If you notice your senior pup doing this, be aware that the pain may not be coming from his hind legs even though that’s where he’s shaking.
This pain could be from arthritis or another chronic condition, but if it happens suddenly, you should let your vet know. It could be an emergency if any other severe change in behavior accompanies this shaking.
Cold
Sometimes, just like people, your dog will shake just because he’s cold. These shivers will happen over the whole body, as opposed to just the head or hind legs. Thankfully, this isn’t a serious issue and has several easy fixes: dog sweaters, a self-warming mat, or a good snuggle from the person they love.
It’s normal for smaller dogs like Chihuahuas to shake from chilliness rather often. With less body mass, they also have less fat and muscle to keep them warm, though their coat of fur always helps!
If your older dog starts shaking, don’t panic! Many causes of tremors are not urgent, but you should have your vet double-check if shaking is a new issue for your pup. It never hurts to make sure, especially when your fur baby’s health and comfort are at stake. Besides, treating the problem behind trembles isn’t terribly difficult; it’s all about a change in routine and lots of TLC for your sweet senior buddy.
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