Shaking is normal in pregnant dogs close to delivering. It usually means that they are going into or are in labor. If your dog is shivering but not in labor, it may be cold, anxious, in pain, excited, or sick. Dogs can also shake after giving birth. This happens because of exhaustion or low blood calcium levels.
Is your pregnant dog shaking? Maybe even breathing heavily, shivering, and trembling?
Shaking, among other things, is normal for pregnant dogs. Sometimes it happens because it’s going into labor. Other times, it happens for unrelated reasons.
In this article, you will learn why pregnant dogs shake before, during, and after giving birth. We will also discuss other causes of shaking in pregnant dogs, the signs of labor, and more.
What Does It Mean When a Pregnant Dog Is Shaking?
Shaking in pregnant dogs usually means they are in labor and the first puppy is on its way. Pregnant dogs also shake for other reasons that are unrelated to giving birth. The most common ones are cold, pain, or illness.
The most common reason why pregnant dogs shake is that they are going into labor. Shaking is a natural response as giving birth involves heavy physical strain on the body.
Shaking can vary from mild to intense and can last tens of minutes.
Shaking during labor happens for several reasons:
- Pain[1]
- Dramatic drops in body temperature
- Hormonal fluctuations
If this is your dog’s first litter, make sure there’s a vet to monitor the birthing. Some females have a narrower pelvis, which can make it difficult for chubby puppies to come out. They can get stuck and suffocate if not intervened.
The same thing can happen when small dogs breed with large dogs. The puppies are usually too big for normal birthing, so the vet may recommend a C-section.
Do Dogs Shake While Giving Birth?
Yes, some dogs shake while giving birth for the same reasons they start shaking before giving birth. They can also start shaking out of sheer exhaustion.
Why Is My Dog Shaking After Giving Birth?
Dogs shake after giving birth for two reasons: because they are exhausted, or because they have low calcium levels.
This is the case for humans, and women can experience shaking up to 45 minutes after giving birth.[2]
Shaking From Exhaustion
It is normal to see your dog shaking immediately after birth. Natural birth is a process that puts pressure on the body, tiring, and draining it of energy.
Contact the vet if your dog shakes uncontrollably after birth for a long time.
Low Calcium Levels in the Blood Causes Shaking
Low levels of calcium in the body (hypocalcemia) can endanger your dog’s life if not treated immediately.
Milk production in females requires a large amount of calcium. This process can exhaust your dog’s body, causing it to shut down.[3]
Signs of low calcium in the body in females that have given birth include:[4]
- Shaking
- Panting
- Stiffness
- Muscle spasms
- Increased nervousness
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- Disorientation
- Walking problems
- Seizures
Contact the vet immediately if your dog shows these symptoms.
Other Reasons Why Pregnant Dogs Shake
Other reasons why pregnant dogs start shaking are because they are cold, anxious, excited, in pain, or sick.
Cold
The ambient temperature plays a big role in your dog’s comfort. If it is too hot, pregnant dogs will start panting. If it is too cold your pregnant dog will shiver. So, make sure your pregnant female is comfortable.
Here’s what to do if your dog is cold:
- Turn up the thermostat or fetch a heat source.
- Cover it with a blanket or electric blanket.
- Place hot water bottles wrapped in cloths next to your dog.
Anxiety and Excitement
Strong emotions such as excitement, anxiety, or fear can make dogs shake. Stress is the number one factor that causes anxiety in dogs.
When dogs are stressed, hormones such as cortisol are released into the bloodstream. These hormones can cross the placenta from mother to pup and change the puppies’ stress response system. [5]
Stressed dogs also don’t take care of their puppies as they otherwise should which affects the behavior of the puppies in the future.
Here’s what you can do if your pregnant dog is anxious:
- Eliminate the source that causes stress.
- Mask loud noises with soothing music.
- Give her toys.
- Spend time with her.
- Pet her and talk to her in a soft tone.
Pain and Illness
Pain and certain medical conditions can make a pregnant dog shake:
- Low blood sugar levels.
- Gastrointestinal disorders.
- Viral diseases or organ diseases.
Pain can come from a blow, an accident, or the pregnancy itself.
Look for other signs of illness or injury and go to the vet if the shaking persists and is accompanied by other signs:
- Abnormal behavior.
- Crying and yelping.
- Panting
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
The Stages of Dog Labor and Delivery
There are three stages of labor: In the first stage, the dog’s body begins to prepare for the actual birth. In the second stage, the birthing of the pups takes place. In the third stage, the removal of the placenta takes place after each puppy.
While dog births generally don’t have complications, it is good to be around to intervene if problems arise.
Labor usually lasts a few hours for dogs, but can take up to 12-36 hours.
It takes place in three stages.[6]
First Stage
In the first stage, the dog’s body prepares for birth:
- The cervix dilates.
- The vulva swells.
- Your dog may pant, shake, vomit, refuse food, and will be agitated.
Second and Third Stage
In the second stage, the female gives birth to the pups one by one, and in the third stage, the placenta comes out after each pup.
If the contractions are strong, the puppies should come out less than one hour after each other. Nevertheless, it is normal for the female to rest after each pup. She may not have contractions for up to two hours after each baby.
Contact the veterinarian immediately if an hour passes and the female has strong contractions but does not give birth to any puppies.
If the pups come out tail first, pull the tail gently. Don’t pull it hard. Their bones are still soft and you risk breaking the tail.
Brownish-green discharge usually suggests that the placenta has detached and the next pup will come soon.
If your dog is eating the placentas, let her. They are extremely nutritious and the female needs the nutrients.
Although it is normal for your dog to vomit the ingested placentas later, contact your veterinarian if your dog vomits persistently.
Conclusion
It is normal for pregnant dogs to shake before, during, and after giving birth. The most common cause for shaking in a pregnant dog is that she has gone into labor, which means she is ready to give birth. Birthing in dogs can take a day in some cases, so don’t be alarmed.
Other causes of shaking in a pregnant dog that is not in labor are cold, illness, pain, anxiety, and excitement.
