Why Chihuahuas Shake: Common Causes and Solutions

Have you noticed your Chihuahua shaking? Maybe he does it before going on car rides, or perhaps he shakes during the winter. While all dogs shake occasionally, this behavior is particularly common in Chihuahuas. They shake more frequently than larger dogs. Here are some of the most common reasons Chihuahuas shake and what, if anything, you should do about it.

Reasons Chihuahuas Shake

Chihuahuas may shake for any number of reasons. Some of these reasons are normal and don’t pose any need for concern. Others, however, may indicate a serious condition. Therefore, you should try to identify why your Chihuahua is shaking so that you can take the appropriate action.

#1) Cold

Chihuahuas may shake when they are cold. It’s an internal mechanism that allows our furry four-legged friends to regulate their body temperature.

The normal body temperature for Chihuahuas is between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which is slightly higher than that of a person’s normal body temperature. If a Chihuahua’s body temperature rises above 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, he may pant to cool off. If a Chihuahua’s body temperature drops below 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit, on the other hand, he may shake to warm up.

Chihuahuas get cold more easily than larger dogs. This is due primarily to their high ratio of body surface area to body volume. They have more skin relative to the size of their small bodies. When exposed to cold temperatures, heat will quickly escape their bodies through their skin.

Shaking allows Chihuahuas to raise their internal temperature through the consumption of energy. As they shake, some of their energy supplies will be converted to heat.

#2) Wet

Chihuahuas may shake when they are wet. Chihuahuas don’t want to walk around with a wet coat. It will weigh them down and increase their risk of hypothermia.

After getting a bath — or jumping in a pool or body of water — they may attempt to dry themselves by shaking. According to a study conducted by the Georgia Institute of Technology, dogs can shake themselves 70% dry in a matter of seconds. Researchers also discovered that smaller dogs, such as Chihuahuas, shake more rapidly than larger dogs.

Shaking will release excess water from the Chihuahua’s coat. Any remaining water will quickly evaporate so that the Chihuahua stays warm and comfortable.

#3) Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a common reason Chihuahuas shake. Not to be confused with hyperglycemia, it’s a metabolic condition involving low blood sugar levels.

Chihuahuas use glucose for energy. The amount of glucose in a Chihuahua’s blood is represented by his blood sugar levels. The more glucose in the Chihuahua’s blood, the higher his blood sugar levels will be. Hypoglycemia is characterized by episodes during which the Chihuahua’s blood sugar levels fall below 60 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) or 3.3 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Chihuahuas have naturally high metabolic rates, which places them at risk for hypoglycemia. They consume more energy relative to their body size than larger dogs. Additionally, Chihuahuas have less glycogen to use for “backup energy.” These genetic characteristics increase the risk of hypoglycemia in Chihuahuas.

If your Chihuahua experiences a hypoglycemia episode, he may shake. Along with weakness and loss of appetite, shaking is an early sign of low blood sugar. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to seizures and even death.

#4) Pain

Pain can cause Chihuahuas to shake. Like all dogs, Chihuahuas are adept at hiding pain. They’ve developed this trait over thousands of years.

Pain is a sign of weakness in the wild. It shows would-be predators that a dog is an easy target. To discourage predators from attacking them, the canine ancestors of modern-day Chihuahuas would hide their pain.

Unless your Chihuahua is in severe pain, he probably won’t yelp. He may, however, exhibit other, more inconspicuous signs, such as shaking. Maybe your Chihuahua is suffering from a toothache or arthritis, or perhaps he recently pulled a muscle. Regardless, if he’s in pain, your Chihuahua may shake.

Other signs your Chihuahua is experiencing pain include:

• Lack of appetite
• Excessive self-grooming
• Sensitivity to touch
• Heavy panting
• Pacing or circling
• Changes in gait
• Restlessness
• Lethargy

#5) Excitement

Excitement can cause Chihuahuas to shake. It’s a natural response to their heightened emotional state. When excited, adrenaline and other neurotransmitters will surge through the Chihuahua’s body. The sudden surge of these chemicals can manifest in the form of physical reactions, such as barking or shaking.

It doesn’t take a lot to excite a Chihuahua. Saying the word “treat,” for instance, is often enough to instill a sense of excitement. After your Chihuahua has learned this magic word, he will associate it with a tasty treat. Your Chihuahua may then shake until you’ve given him a treat.

Jingling your car keys may instill a similar sense of excitement. Most Chihuahuas love going on car rides. When they see and hear your car keys jingling, your Chihuahua may become excited knowing that he will be able to take a road trip. Not all Chihuahuas behave the same when excited, but many of them will shake in response to their weighted emotional state.

#6) Stress

You may notice your Chihuahua shaking if he’s stressed. Stress is a survival mechanism that’s attributed to their fight-or-flight response. Just like we become stressed when exposed to a potential threat, so do Chihuahuas. The perceived threat triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, that activate the Chihuahua’s survival instinct.

As levels of stress hormones increase, the Chihuahua will become energized and alert, which can help him survive the perceived threat. The Chihuahua will essentially prepare to either fight or flee from the threat, and he may shake until making this critical decision.

Common stressors that can cause Chihuahuas to shake include:

• Thunderstorms
• Fireworks
• Changes in daily routine
• Prolonged periods of confinement
• Veterinarian visits
• Separation from owner
• Social interaction with unfamiliar people and animals
• Lack of exercise
• Punishment-based training
• Grooming (nail trimming, ear cleaning, bathing, etc.)

#7) Illness

Illness is another common reason Chihuahuas shake. While they are considered generally healthy compared to other breeds, Chihuahuas can still succumb to a variety of diseases and medical conditions, some of which may result in shaking.

Infections can cause Chihuahuas to shake. Fever is a symptom of many viral and bacterial infections. As the invading pathogen spreads, the Chihuahua’s immune system will fight it with heat (among other things). The Chihuahua may then shake while his body temperature remains elevated.

Gastrointestinal distress can cause Chihuahuas to shake. Chihuahuas can experience an upset stomach that leaves them feeling nauseous or otherwise “under the weather. Some of them may eat grass to try and alleviate their upset stomach. Other Chihuahuas may simply shake until their stomach issues have subsided.

While not as common as infections and gastrointestinal distress, generalized tremor syndrome (GTS) can result in shaking. Also known as white shaker syndrome, it’s a nervous system disorder that involves full-body tremors. Chihuahuas with GTS will experience episodes in which their entire body shakes. Small dogs, especially those with a white coat, are more likely to experience GTS than larger dogs.

#8) Old Age

Senior Chihuahuas are more likely to shake than their younger counterparts. Chihuahuas have one of the longest lifespans in the canine kingdom, with many of them surpassing the two-decade mark. As they enter their golden years, though, they may exhibit new behaviors, such as shaking.

Age-related shaking is often attributed to muscle atrophy. All dogs, as well as humans, will lose some of their muscle mass as they grow older. Their bodies can’t maintain the same amount of muscle mass, so they burn it off. With less muscle mass, senior Chihuahuas may shake.

Senior Chihuahuas may shake due to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that involves the degradation of protective joint tissues. Chihuahuas have soft, protective cartilage within their joints. Over time, this cartilage may wear down, resulting in painful bone-on-bone contact.

Is It Normal for Chihuahuas to Shake?

Nearly all dogs will shake, and Chihuahuas are no exception. But their small size makes Chihuahuas particularly prone to shaking.

It’s normal for Chihuahuas to shake when they are cold. As previously mentioned, they have a high ratio of body surface area to body volume, so they lose their body heat faster than larger dogs. Shaking allows Chihuahuas to raise their body temperature through the expenditure of energy.

It’s normal for Chihuahuas to shake when they are wet. A water-logged coat is uncomfortable, and it increases the risk of hypothermia. Unless you dry your Chihuahua with a towel or hair dryer, he may attempt to dry himself by shaking.

It’s normal for Chihuahuas to shake when they are excited. Chihuahuas are full of energy, and many of them will get excited at the simplest things. In addition to jumping and vocalizing, they may express their excitement by shaking.

Shaking attributed to other causes is typically abnormal. It’s not uncommon for Chihuahuas to shake when they are in pain, stressed, ill or old. Causes such as these, however, indicate a problem.

What to Do If Your Chihuahua Shaking

If your Chihuahua is shaking, you should try to determine the cause. He may be trying to tell you that he needs help. Ignoring his plea may cause additional pain and suffering for your pint-sized companion.

Abnormal shaking requires action on your behalf. If your Chihuahua is shaking because he’s in pain or sick, take him to the veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian can treat your Chihuahua and alleviate his pain or illness.

If your Chihuahua is shaking because he’s stressed, you can either remove the stressor or desensitize your Chihuahua to it. Stressors are things that cause stress. With the stressor removed, your Chihuahua should no longer shake. Of course, some stressors are beyond your control, in which case you should focus on desensitizing your Chihuahua to those stressors.

For age-related shaking, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. You can’t roll back the hands of time, but there are ways to help your senior Chihuahua so that he doesn’t shake as much. Your veterinarian may recommend lifestyle changes to strengthen your Chihuahua’s muscles, or your veterinarian may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce joint inflammation.

Shaking vs Seizures: Understanding the Difference

Shaking and seizures aren’t the same. Seizures involve sudden and uncontrolled bursts of neurological activity. When a Chihuahua experiences a seizure, electrical activity will increase in his brain.

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of seizure. Focal seizures are isolated to one side of the brain, so they tend to have mild symptoms like dialed pupils and loss of vision and hearing. Generalized seizures, in comparison, involve increased electrical activity on both sides of the brain, which can lead to more severe and pronounced symptoms. During a generalized seizure, Chihuahuas may experience convulsions in which their muscles rapidly contract and relax.

Shaking and seizures differ in several ways. Chihuahuas maintain complete consciousness when shaking, whereas they may lose consciousness or become less aware of their surroundings during a generalized seizure.

Chihuahuas typically have some level of control over their muscles when shaking. Depending on the cause, they may not be able to fully stop shaking. Nonetheless, Chihuahuas can still walk and move their bodies when shaking. A generalized seizure may result in the loss of muscle control. If the Chihuahua experiences convulsions, he won’t be able to control his muscles.

In Conclusion

As an owner, you must distinguish between normal and abnormal shaking. Your Chihuahua may be shaking because he’s cold, wet or excited, all of which are normal. You don’t have to take any action if your Chihuahua’s shaking is attributed to any of these causes. But in cases of abnormal shaking, you should treat or resolve the underlying problem that’s causing this behavior.

Does your Chihuahua shake a lot? We’d love to hear about it in the comments section below!