Your puppy can be shaking due to fear, sickness, or low body temperature. Dogs also shake when they feel excited about something. It can be anything from their favorite treat to going on a walk.
Getting a new puppy can be one of life’s most amazing experiences. But there is an adjustment period for both the pup and the owner to get used to living together.
This adjustment period can trigger your dog to exhibit strange behaviors. Shaking, trembling, and shivering are some of these behaviors.
It can be a serious concern that requires your immediate concern if your puppy is shaking uncontrollably.
What Does It Mean if a Puppy Is Shaking?
Puppies shake for various reasons. Most of the time, shaking is nothing to worry about, as it is normal puppy behavior. It can be serious if it frequently occurs over a long period.
New puppies often take time to adjust to the new normal of a new home. Dog owners who have never had a dog before often worry about their new pup’s behavior. You don’t have to rush directly to a veterinarian if you find your pooch shaking.
It’s often nothing to be concerned about.
It’s cause for concern if the shivering continues for a long time. One big reason why new pups shake is the uncertainty and fear of a new home. Most puppies are eager to be adopted and be with their new owners, but it can take some time for some to adjust to their new environment.
6 Reasons Why Your New Puppy is Shaking
Fear is one of the most common reasons dogs shake. Your dog can also be shivering due to low body temperature, shaking puppy syndrome, excitement, dreaming, or low blood sugar. Most causes of shaking in dogs do not require a visit to a veterinarian.
It is frustrating to find your new pup shaking and acting strange. There are several reasons why dogs shake. Most of them are harmless and can be treated with home remedies.
For more severe cases, a visit to the veterinarian is required.
1. Fear of the Unknown
One of the most common causes of shaking in dogs is fear. Shaking is a dog’s way of expressing its fear. When you buy a new pump, you bring it into a whole new environment and lifestyle. This can be too much for your pup to handle, resulting in anxiety.
Apart from the fear of a new place, there is also a possibility that something or someone is scaring your pup. This can be loud noises, fireworks, another dog, or a person.
Identify the probable cause of fear in your dog to help them get calm and comfortable. Your dog should stop shaking once you eliminate the stressor.
2. Low Body Temperature
Dogs shake when they feel cold. It is natural for them. Smaller puppies are more likely to shiver if they are cold compared to older dogs. This is because of puppies’ lower body fat percentage.
Dogs with short coats are also more likely to shiver than dogs who boast a long coat. Test this out by warming up your dog. Ensure your dog gets proper heat if it reacts positively to the increased warmth.
A blanket, warm water, a comfortable bed, and stuffed toys can help make your pooch warm.
Low temperature is not the reason behind the shivering if warmth doesn’t help.
3. Shaking Puppy Syndrome
One extreme cause of shaking in dogs can be the Shaking Puppy Syndrome (Hypomyelination[1]). This condition affects your dog’s central and peripheral nervous systems.
All nerves are covered by a layer of fat called the myelin sheath. If the sheath is too thin, nerve impulses go astray and get lost in the nervous system.
Misfiring nerve impulses can lead to the malfunction of muscles in a dog’s body. Unfortunately, Shaking Puppy Syndrome is not treatable, but most puppies who develop this condition recover from it completely.
Some other symptoms of this condition are:
- Difficulty walking.
- Destabilized balance.
- Heavy shaking while eating
Consult a veterinarian to get a proper checkup of your pooch. The vet can tell you whether your dog is suffering from this disease and how to proceed.
4. Excitement
A less normal reason for shaking is excitement. Some dogs are natural-born shakers. They start shaking when they are excited about something.
Note down when your dog starts shaking. If it occurs when it is your pup’s playtime or when you feed it its favorite treat, there is a possibility that your dog is shaking from excitement.
Anxiety is sometimes confused with excitement as dogs display the same behavior in both circumstances. You can determine whether your dog is trembling due to excitement or anxiety by identifying the circumstances when the shaking is triggered.
5. Dreaming
If your dog is shaking and crying during its sleep, it is likely that your pup is having a dream or nightmare. Shaking while sleeping is common for dogs. It’s typically not harmful or a cause for concern.
Some dogs do not prefer being woken up and can react aggressively if someone disturbs their sleep. Let your puppy sleep it out instead.
It is unlikely that dogs can recall their dreams, unlike humans, so a nightmare won’t have a long-term impact on your dog.
6. Low Blood Sugar
New dog owners are often unaware of how much to feed their dogs, which results in too much or too little nutrition for their dog. Young pups are prone to low sugar levels[2] if they aren’t fed the right amount of food.
Diabetes also leads to a decline in blood sugar levels which has serious impacts if left unattended. To determine if your dog has low blood sugar, observe how it is walking.
A dog with low blood sugar levels walks clumsily and often stumbles. Diabetic dogs also shake if their blood sugar is too high. Consult a veterinarian as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
Related: Do Puppies Know When to Stop Eating?
Is It Normal for New Puppies to Shake?
It is not normal for new puppies to shake with reason. Low body temperature and fear of a new home are the two most common reasons why puppies shake.
Puppies shake when they feel afraid. When you get a new pup and bring it to your home, the changing environment can be too much for the little canine to handle. They can develop anxiety and fear. This does generally go away within a couple of days.
Low body temperature is another factor contributing to shivering in dogs. This is not only reserved for new pups. It applies to dog breeds of all ages and sizes. Cover your dog with a blanket if it is feeling cold and uncomfortable.
Related: Why Is My Dog Shaking?
How to Stop New Puppy from Shaking
To stop your new puppy from shaking, you need to eliminate the stressor or underlying cause. Cover your pup with a blanket in case of low body temperature, or calm them down if they’re afraid or excited. Take your dog to the vet if you are unsure about your dog’s shaking.
Bringing a pup home is a great feeling which can soon turn sour if your dog is acting strangely. Shaking can occur due to several different reasons. It is important to identify the root cause of the problem before looking for solutions.
Here are some of the steps you can take to stop your new puppy from shaking:
- Communicate with your new puppy and gently pat it to make it comfortable around you.
- Eliminate any loud noises that are scaring your dog.
- Keep other animals separate from your new puppy and introduce them gradually.
- Cover your dog with a blanket and move its bed to a warmer part of the house if it is feeling cold.
- Feed your puppy an adequate amount of food to ensure it remains healthy.
- Provide your pooch with proper medication and treatment if it is sick.
Consult a veterinarian for further guidance on how to care for your shaking dog.
Conclusion
New puppies shake due to various reasons. Fear is one of the most significant factors causing shivering in pups. Knowing the root cause of why your dog shakes uncontrollably is important to provide necessary treatment.
Identify the symptoms and figure out the key issue with your pooch. If all else fails or if your dog’s condition worsens, taking it to a veterinarian is the right call.
FAQs
Why Is My 8-Week-Old Puppy Shaking?
An 8-week-old puppy is young and does not have much fat under its skin. It can be shaking due to cold temperatures. Other causes include fear, excitement, and low blood sugar. Identify symptoms and take the required action to help your dog feel calmer.
Does My Dog Have Shaking Puppy Syndrome?
You should visit a veterinarian to check whether your dog has Shaking Puppy Syndrome. They can diagnose the various symptoms and eliminate other possible diseases such as seizures and diabetes.
