It’s never easy to watch a beloved member of your family suffer from an unknown illness, and if you have a pet, you know this doesn’t only extend to the human members of your family. If you’ve noticed that after your dog eats, they begin to shiver, then you’re probably wondering if your dog shaking after eating is a sign of a serious health problem.
It can be daunting looking for trusted information about potential illnesses in your dog or puppy. Even though your pets can’t tell you with words what’s bothering them, they do send non-verbal signals about their health and well-being.
So if you find yourself asking, “Should I be worried if my dog is shaking?” then consider some of the most common causes and treatments for a shaky dog.
Before scrolling down this article “Why Is My Dog Shaking After Eating,” here are other common questions: Why Is My Dog Suddenly Sleeping on the Floor? (2023) and Why Is My Dog Breathing Heavily While Sleeping? (2023).
Why Is My Dog Trembling All of the Sudden?
There can be many causes of trembling in dogs — some benign, some serious. On the most basic side, dogs can shake for as simple a reason as excitement. That tail-wagging your pet does when they see you after work? Sometimes it transfers to the rest of their body and can be a shake of excitement.
Apart from excitement, dogs can begin to shake from nervousness, just like their human counterparts. It’s simply a matter of waiting for the nerves to pass on their own by helping your pet feel comfortable. In the case of old age, another common benign cause of trembling in dogs, there’s not much you can do as it will come and go on its own.
Trembling in dogs and puppies can stem from more severe issues in their physiology, however. If you suspect the shaking in your dog isn’t caused by enthusiasm, you should be on the lookout for some of these more serious causes for shaking symptoms in your pet.
Why Is My Dog Trembling After Eating?
If you’ve noticed the shaking in your dog or puppy seems to happen mainly after eating, there can be a few specific reasons which can be cause for alarm.
Here are a few examples of things that can cause trembling in your dog:
Distemper
Canine Distemper is an ailment that shows up in dogs who haven’t received their vaccinations. This virus most often occurs in puppies and adolescent dogs. One possible answer to “Why is my puppy shaking after eating?” could be a lack of proper vaccinations.
If you’re unsure whether or not Distemper is affecting your puppy, check for other common symptoms, including eye and nose discharge, coughing, and fever. This close relative of the measles found in humans is transmitted through aerosol droplets from infected animals, which means that the virus doesn’t come from feeding itself.
It’s essential to pay attention to your dog’s other symptoms if any persist after their shaking. Canine Distemper can move into advanced stages, which can lead to neurological problems down the road and more immediate other behavioral symptoms like head tilt, circling, paralysis, and seizures.
In addition to being dangerous later in life, these symptoms are uncomfortable for your dog now. Be sure to bring any concerns to your veterinarian.
Generalized Tremor Syndrome
When a dog suffers from Generalized Tremor Syndrome (GTS), they shake and have consistent tremors starting from the time they are about nine months old through two years of age.
Although the cause of GTS is still unknown, it has sometimes been referred to as White Shaker Dog Syndrome. While it has been observed in small, white dogs, GTS can occur in any dog breed.
Ear Problems
If you notice a lot of head shaking from your pet, it could be a problem with their ears. There are a few breeds more prone to ear problems, like Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Basset Hounds, and Golden Retrievers, so excessive head shaking in one of those breeds is more than likely an ear condition.
Once you notice your dog engaging in excessive head shaking, you must follow up with a visual inspection to see what’s bothering them. Redness, inflammation, or a strange smell from the ear of your dog is an indication that they’re suffering from an ear infection or other ear condition that may require medical treatment.
Nasal Mites
Mites are tiny parasites that latch onto their host and can cause a litany of health problems. Nasal mites attach to your dog’s nose and can cause sneezing, reverse sneezing, nasal discharge, and excessive head shaking.
Even though none of these symptoms on their own are unique to a nasal mite infestation, if you notice your dog shaking their head vigorously and reverse sneezing an unusual amount, it might be time to get them checked out for these parasites.
Much like with fleas, nasal mites are transmitted through direct contact. They can survive off their host for up to 19 days, and they have been reported in up to 24% of dogs, with the percentage growing higher as more vets can properly find and diagnose them.
If you have reason to think your dog had mite exposure, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention. The good news, however, is these parasites only affect dogs, so other animals can’t transmit to them. Also, your dog can’t give them to other furry members of your family.
Hypoglycemia
More commonly known as low blood sugar, Hypoglycemia can occur in any dog, but it most commonly affects small dog breeds and puppies. When you see your dog shaking after eating, if it stems from Hypoglycemia, then the best preventative measure is checking the content of your pet’s food.
The meals you give your canine should be well-balanced and contain all the necessary vitamins and nutrients they need to thrive. Additionally, it may help to set a regular feeding schedule and stick to it to keep your pet from getting shaky. Low blood sugar can directly affect your dog’s energy levels and physical abilities, but feeding regularly and smartly can keep them from getting the shakes.
What Should I Do If My Dog Is Shaking?
It can be frightening to see your dog shaking after a meal, even after you know the cause. Of course, taking your dog to see the vet with your concerns is always the first suggestion for serious concerns.
Treatments Your Vet May Prescribe and How They Affect Your Dog
The following are common treatments your vet might prescribe to treat your pet and how they might affect your trembling dog.
Antibiotics
If the underlying cause of shaking in your dog is viral or infectious, your vet is likely to prescribe antibiotics. Usually, these are contained in a pill or other oral method of application. They may be prescribed alongside another treatment, like an anti-inflammatory, to further ease your pet’s health issues.
Corticosteroids
This family of medicines usually referred to as steroids can be used to treat afflictions like GTS. Since corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory, they’re invaluable in treating GTS since it affects the muscles of the dog. Still, you may be wondering about the negative effects of using a steroid on your dog.
Generally speaking, in the short term, there are a few common side effects that occur while on prescribed steroids. Symptoms like excessive thirst, loss of energy, and hunger may seem relatively minor. Still, if symptoms worsen or grow more severe, like vomiting and nausea, it may be time to bring your dog back to the vet and see if alternative treatments are available.
Over the long term, a prescription of steroids can cause more severe side effects in dogs, including UTIs, development of mange, susceptibility to bacterial infections, and development of hard plaques on the skin. These symptoms can develop after three to four months of corticosteroids. If they do develop, it’s of vital importance that you visit your vet again with your concerns.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, are often prescribed for pain in your canine. They help with pain reduction, joint swelling, and stiffness, so they’re a common aid in a dog’s health.
To make sure these medicines don’t have any adverse effects on your pet, check your dog’s behavior and appetite, if they have redness or sores, and if they’re vomiting. All of these could be symptoms of a reaction to the medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s a range of signs to look out for including vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, you should always consult your veterinarian.
Not necessarily, but shivering can indicate that your dog is in pain or unwell, so it’s worth investigating further.
There are certain general behaviors to watch for, including shaking, panting, whining, excessive licking, lethargy, limping, flattened ears, and a loss of appetite.
Conclusion for “Why Is My Dog Shaking After Eating?”
There are many possible answers to the question, “Why is my puppy shaking after eating?” It could be anything from excitement to a health risk. It’s important to keep an eye on any and all warning signs your dog displays.
Seeing your dog shaking after eating can be unnerving. If you’re concerned, contact a vet and set up an appointment to check. It’s better to schedule a check-up than to let your beloved dog suffer.
If you find this guide, “Why Is My Dog Shaking After Eating,” helpful, be sure to check out:
If you want to learn more about dog shaking, watch “6 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Shaking or Shivering” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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