What Causes Pet Trembling?

Pet owners are responsible for keeping their pets happy and healthy. That job is sometimes difficult when your pet displays a generalized symptom, such as trembling. A trembling pet may be the result of many things, but once you determine the cause of your pet's trembling, the problem can be eliminated.

  1. Broken Bones

    • Fractured bones often cause animals to tremble. The fracture causes pain, which in turn causes tension in the animal's body. Other reasons fractures cause trembling include fear or shock from the injury. The animal may tremble all over or only in the area of the fracture.

    Anxiety/Fear

    • Animals become fearful in many situations. Unfamiliar circumstances such as a new home, new family members or the presence of new animals may cause trembling. Loud noises, storms or travel in vehicles may cause fearful trembling in pets. Other things that induce fearful pet trembling include veterinary visits, fireworks and doorbells.

    Seizures

    • A seizure occurs when the brain malfunctions, firing off neurons at a rapid pace. Just as humans do, animals also have seizures. Seizures cause trembling to severe shaking and convulsions. Causes of seizures include medications the animal is taking, epilepsy, or even trauma.

    Genetic Predisposition

    • Some animals are hard-wired to be high-strung. They always seem to be wound up in a bundle of nervous energy. You may have noticed this behavior in small dogs or rodents. This type of trembling is just specific to that particular breed of animal and is perfectly safe and normal.

    Illness

    • Trembling is a classic symptom that most all animals display when ill. The animal often becomes feverish, lethargic or reclusive. One or all of these symptoms may be observed along with trembling. If your pet displays this type of behavior, veterinary treatment is recommended.

    Shock

    • Animals go into shock after traumatic events such as car accidents, attacks by other animals or head injuries. In addition to trembling, symptoms of shock include pale gums, rapid pulse or very weak pulse and low body temperature. Shock should be treated immediately by a veterinarian.

    Cold

    • Cold temperatures make humans tremble, and the same goes for pets. Pets automatically tremble when they are cold, as a way to warm the body. Place your pet in a warmer environment (indoors, in a warmer room, provide blankets) to alleviate this behavior.