Dogs shake for several different reasons that generally fall into three categories: behavioral, environmental, and medical. Behaviorally, dogs may shake due to strong emotions such as excitement, fear, or anxiety. Excited shaking is common in younger dogs and usually stops once they calm down. Fear or stress, such as from thunderstorms or vet visits, triggers adrenaline release causing shaking as a physical response to prepare for action. Environmentally, dogs shake to dry themselves when wet. Their fur retains water which can make them cold, so shaking off water is a very energy- efficient drying mechanism. Dogs also shiver when they are cold to generate body heat through muscle contractions. Medically, shaking can signal pain, illness, or other health conditions like poisoning, hypoglycemia, or neurological disorders. Older dogs may shake due to age-related muscle weakness or joint pain. Helping a dog stay calm, warm, and dry can prevent many common causes of shaking. If shaking is severe, frequent, or accompanied by other worrying signs, a veterinarian should evaluate the dog. In summary, dogs shake due to excitement, anxiety, cold, wetness, pain, or illness, and the context usually helps determine the cause.
