SHAKING / TREMBLING IN DOGS/CATS
WHAT THIS SYMPTOM USUALLY MEANS
Shaking can mean fear, pain, nausea, toxin exposure, fever, or neurological disease. Not all shaking is anxiety—many cases indicate serious medical problems
MOST COMMON CAUSES
MILD
• Fear, anxiety
• Cold
• Mild nausea
MEDICAL
• Pain
• Fever
• GI disease
• Ear disease
• Hormonal disease
EMERGENCY CAUSES (HIGH CONCERN)
• Toxins
• Seizure activity
• Heatstroke
• Severe abdominal pain
• Low blood sugar
RED FLAGS: WHEN THIS IS AN EMERGENCY
• Shaking + vomiting
• Shaking + collapse
• Shaking + pale gums
If you’re unsure, treat it as urgent.
WHAT A VETERINARIAN WILL CHECK
• Neurological exam
• Bloodwork
• Temperature
• Toxin screening
• Abdominal palpation
MOST LIKELY DIAGNOSES (BASED ON 40 YEARS OF CASES)
• Pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Early seizures
• Toxin ingestion