Why Do Chihuahuas Shake And Shiver?

You must have seen some shivering in dogs at some point, and they are considerably more noticeable in little dogs, whether they are toy or small breed puppies or adults. Although shaking and shivers are extremely common in Chihuahuas, if they are persistent and accompanied by other unsettling symptoms, it is likely that something else may be causing the trembling.

In this post, we’ll explain why Chihuahuas shake so you can understand the causes, determine whether it’s normal or of little concern, and learn how to spot signs that could indicate a problem with your dog’s health.

Shivering In Chihuahuas

You might be wondering “why is my Chihuahua shaking a lot?” Up until two months of age, Chihuahua puppy shivers are common.

All puppies, regardless of breed or mix, are born with underdeveloped senses. For instance, they are born blind and deaf, and they can only crawl and stagger rather than walk. Because of this, it’s normal to see young puppies stumble, shake, and also move awkwardly. Even when they first learn to walk, they frequently trip and fall.

These shakes are less noticeable around two months of age, however this can vary depending on the breed and size of the dog, as the neurological system is already better capable of receiving stimuli and transmitting commands to the dog. 

If your Chihuahua puppy shivers, be sure to keep it warm as a dip in body temperature could be the cause. Keep in mind that puppies can’t control their body temperature adequately on their own until they’re two months old.

It is likely that there has been some maldevelopment in your puppy’s brain or neurological system if, after two months of life, he still experiences repeated shakes. The veterinarian will be able to determine the source of this condition.

Shaking From Emotion

The temperament, activity level, and emotions of the chihuahua breed should be noted. Due to the amount of energy they produce at that time, they are frequently seen to shiver because they are so active and quickly excited.

This implies that, for instance, if you go without seeing your dog for a while or go away from home and return, your puppy will wait for you and welcome you with trembling because he desperately wants to be with you. The same thing occurs when your pet enjoys taking walks outside and starts shaking in fear if you take his leash, or when you give him a delicious meal, pet him, or engage in conversation with him. This is completely normal, it’s part of his personality, and it won’t hurt the dog’s body in any way. These tremors are typically accompanied by actions like racing forward and then backward, shaking the entire body (as when they dry themselves), etc.

Shivering To Regulate Body Temperature

Chihuahuas also exhibit shivers in the presence of cold, which they do in order to regulate their body temperature, though it is advisable to avoid this condition. Small, miniature, or toy breeds, like the Chihuahua, rapidly lose body heat.

These dog breeds typically have a high or quick metabolism, hence their body temperature will always be greater than a large breed dog’s. They react by shivering to produce heat because of their size, body surface, and typically little fat content, which causes them to lose body heat quickly.

Given that this is a common cause of shaking in dogs, it is important to protect the furry little one from the cold by making sure he doesn’t spend too much time outside and by dressing him in a coat to keep him warm when he goes for walks. Additionally, keep in mind that your dog’s paws quickly become cold if he spends a lot of time on cold surfaces.

Hypoglycemic Tremors

If you’re still wondering why your dog is shivering after taking the previous precautions, take note of this additional potential cause of shaking in Chihuahuas. Due to their small stature and high metabolic rate, Chihuahuas frequently experience low blood sugar, which is particularly common in pups, young dogs, and dogs who have gone extended periods without eating.

Because Chihuahuas frequently have poor blood glucose control, it’s important to provide them with a balanced diet and make sure they don’t go for extended periods of time between meals to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) resulting in weakness, and tremors occurring.

Since this issue is significant, only the vet will be able to confirm this diagnosis by looking at your dog. Make an appointment as soon as you can.

Separation Anxiety

The dog may shake as a result of their nervousness, and one of the times when this happens is when they start to experience separation anxiety. They experience severe anxiety when they lose sight of a person or members of the family to the extent that they cry, bark, scream, tremble, relieve themselves in an uncontrollable manner (without even noticing), destroy furniture or objects, search for a way out of the house to go in search of the missing person, etc. This high degree of worry produces a lot of energy, which builds up and manifests as the shivers and acts indicated earlier. Here you can learn how to treat separation anxiety in dogs .

Other Causes of Shivers in Chihuahuas

The following are additional reasons why Chihuahuas shake so much:

• Fear or fear: The dog may also exhibit this uncontrollable behavior in the presence of fears, such as a fear of other dogs, visiting the vet, or receiving a scolding from you.
• Earache: Chihuahuas shiver in any setting that makes them uncomfortable, but earaches are one of the more common reasons of shivering in this breed. In addition to shivering, you can also notice them shaking their heads to ease pain. Here, we’ll show you some home remedies you can try after talking to your vet about your dog’s ear ache.
• Poisoning: The symptoms of your dog ingesting a hazardous substance include shaking, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures, among others. It is something that can be minor or lethal, depending on the poison or toxic material, the quantity they have consumed or inhaled, their body’s capacity to process the quantity, etc. This makes it crucial that you see or phone the veterinarian as soon as you suspect poisoning. Here, we provide you with some information on how to treat a poisoned dog, but the most effective and efficient course of action can only be taken by a veterinarian.
• Hydrocephalus: This disorder is characterized by the buildup of fluid in the brain, which affects the neurological system and results in tremors and seizures. Shaking can be brought on by any issue with the neurological system. Learn more about the signs, prognosis, and treatments for canine hydrocephalus here.
• Fever: Your dog may shiver in response to any pathology that causes fever because this response happens during the process of rising and reducing the temperature. Here we tell you how to know if your dog ​​has a fever .
• Heat stroke: Before a dog passes out from heat stroke, it is possible to notice, among other symptoms, cramps or trembling. More information on the signs and remedies for canine heat stroke can be found here.
• Shaker syndrome: Dogs with white fur are more likely to experience Shaker syndrome, which causes cerebellum inflammation and trembling. Find out more about this problem in this other post about Shaker syndrome in dogs.

When To Take My Chihuahua To The Vet For Shaking

Now that you know why Chihuahuas tremble so much, the best course of action is to visit the vet if you notice that your dog experiences tremors frequently and they do not go away or if, in addition to these more or less noticeable shakes, you notice other symptoms. This is because going to the vet will help to ensure that, in the event that the cause is some pathology or some serious problem, it is discovered as soon as possible so that it does not worsen, especially in situations such as the following:

• If your dog has a fever.
• If after two months of age your dog continues to tremble excessively.
• If they have other symptoms such as weakness, vomiting, diarrhea…
• If your dog has suffered a heat stroke.
• If you know or suspect that your dog has suffered intoxication or poisoning.

Find out even more interesting facts about chihuahuas.