Shaking

What conditions cause shaking in pets?

Pets develop shaking, tremoring, shivering, or trembling secondary to many medical conditions, including:

• Painful conditions
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Ear infections
  • Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Pancreatitis
  • Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) 
• Neurologic conditions
  • Brain tumors
  • Distemper
  • Seizures
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Wobbler syndrome
  • White dog shaker syndrome
  • Degenerative myelopathy
  • Cognitive dysfunction
  • Vestibular syndrome
• Diabetes
• Nausea
• Hypoadrenocorticism
• Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)
• Toxin exposure
• Kidney disease

Your pet may also shake because they’re cold, excited, scared, or anxious. Look carefully at other clues from your pet to decipher why they’re shaking. 

How can shaking affect my pet's quality of life?

Your pet’s shaking or tremors can severely impact their quality of life if the origin of the underlying cause is neurologic or painful. While a minor tremble here and there generally won’t affect your pet’s life much, frequent tremors and excessive shaking—especially when paired with cognitive deficits—can greatly affect their daily activities. Your family veterinarian can help you determine if your pet’s shaking is caused by pain, a neurologic issue, or other medical condition, and if treatment is available to manage the problem. However, if your pet’s shaking interferes with their basic needs, like eating, drinking, walking, eliminating, or sleeping, and treatment modalities are not helping, your beloved pet is likely suffering.   

How can I manage my pet’s shaking at home?

If your pet is shaking, these tips may help you manage their condition and keep them safe:

• Block access to stairs and other dangerous areas if your pet has severe tremors that may cause them to fall.
• Reduce household chaos and excitement, as many neurologic conditions that lead to shaking can be triggered or made worse through intense activity or emotion.
• Keep your pet warm and comfortable with cozy, supportive bedding. 
• Fit your pet for a Thundershirt or other compression wrap if they are anxious or nervous. 
• Keep your pet away from potential toxins, such as medications, household cleaning products, lawn chemicals, and certain foods and plants. Incorrect flea and tick prevention is a major cause of shaking in pets, especially cats who receive a dog flea preventive.
• If your pet’s shaking is caused by a medical condition that medication can help, ensure you administer their treatment on the proper schedule. 

When should I seek veterinary help for my pet’s shaking?

If your pet has a chronic condition, you should maintain close contact with your family veterinarian about their progress and management. Contact your family veterinarian in these situations:

• Your pet also displays vomiting or diarrhea
• Your pet is limping or appears painful
• Your pet seems unaware of their surroundings or fails to recognize you
• Your pet is straining to urinate or defecate
• Your pet has a known history of toxin exposure

Your family veterinarian may have additional management tips for your pet’s shaking, and may prescribe anti-anxiety medication, nutritional support for neurologic conditions, or medication to alleviate pain. 

Before your pet’s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life, beginning end-of-life care discussions is vital. Learn more about pet hospice, in-home euthanasia, and our telehospice services, or contact a Lap of Love veterinarian in your area, so you can feel fully prepared for this difficult time.