There are a number of reasons why your animal may be shaking a lot. In fact, “why is my pet shaking?” is one of the most searched topics for pet care! Luckily, many of the reasons are no cause for worry. However, there are a few more serious reasons why the shaking may be occurring, so it’s best to assess the overall situation and other behaviors from your animal.
Common Reasons for Pet Shaking:
- Excitement: No need for alarm. It will likely stop when they calm down.
- Anxiety: Try calming your pet and reassuring them. If anxiety continues or is common, talk to your vet about prescribing anti-anxiety medication in anticipation of stressful events.
- Cold: Just like humans, animals shiver when they’re cold. If you have a small or thin coated pet, consider limiting their exposure to the cold. A blanket and a heating vent will help warm them up!
- Old age: An older animal may develop a tremor in a muscle, or it could be a sign of joint pain or arthritis. It is always a good idea to schedule a checkup for your elderly pet to see how to best help them.
- Nausea: Could be paired with a number of other symptoms including salivating or diarrhea. It’s possible they could have consumed some toxin or it could be a symptom of an underlying problem. Watch your pet’s behavior and contact your vet for the course of action.
- Other problems: Shaking could also be an indicator of several more serious problems including generalized tremor syndrome, kidney disease, distemper, or even a seizure disorder.
In short, there are many reasons an animal might be shaking. Watch your pet and try to figure out when these episodes may occur and even taking a video on your phone is helpful. If you have any worry or concern, it’s always best to contact us to find the root of the shaking. We can be reached at 513-506-1030 to schedule an appointment today.
