Chihuahuas shake from cold, excitement, anxiety, or low blood sugar. See a vet if it continues.
Causes
- Cold: Chihuahuas have little body fat and fur.
- Excitement or fear.
- Anxiety.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), common in toy breeds and puppies.
- Pain or illness.
- Poisoning.
Normal
Some shaking is normal, since small dogs have fast metabolism.
What helps
Sweaters, warm bedding, regular meals and calm handling.
See a vet if
Shaking is constant or comes with weakness, vomiting, seizures or limping.
Emergency
Collapse or seizures in a small dog may indicate low blood sugar. Rub corn syrup on gums and call a vet.
Size
Chihuahuas weigh 2 to 6 lb and live 14 to 16 years.
Why Chihuahuas shake
Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed, usually weighing 2 to 6 pounds. Small dogs lose body heat fast because they have a high surface area compared to their body mass, and shivering is the muscle response to produce warmth. Many also have a high metabolism and fast heart rate, which can add to a trembling appearance.
Common reasons
- Cold: temperatures below about 45 F can cause shaking in a Chihuahua with a short coat.
- Excitement: seeing a visitor, a walk, or food.
- Fear and anxiety from loud noises, vet visits, or being alone.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which is common in puppies and toy breeds, and can cause shaking, weakness and seizures.
- Pain, from injured limbs, dental disease, or back problems.
- Poisoning, such as chocolate, xylitol, or certain plants.
- Generalized tremor syndrome, also called shaker syndrome, which affects small white dogs and responds to steroids.
- Neurological disease, including seizures.
What is normal
Occasional shaking when cold, nervous or excited, which stops once the situation changes, is normal. Shaking while resting in a warm room with no trigger deserves attention.
What helps
- Put a sweater or coat on in cold weather and give them a warm blanket.
- Provide a calm, quiet space, and reduce loud noise.
- Offer small, frequent meals to prevent low blood sugar in puppies.
- Use positive training to build confidence.
- Keep toxic foods and plants out of reach.
Hypoglycemia first aid
Rub a little honey or corn syrup on the gums and contact a vet immediately. Puppies under 3 months are at the highest risk of hypoglycemia.
See a vet if
Shaking lasts for more than a few hours, comes with vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, limping, loss of appetite, or pale gums, or if it happens often without a clear cause. A vet can run blood tests, check blood sugar and look for pain or neurological problems.
Emergency
Go to an emergency vet at once if the dog collapses, has a seizure lasting over 2 minutes, was exposed to a toxin, or cannot stand.
Size note
Chihuahuas live 14 to 16 years on average, among the longest in dogs, but need dental care and gentle handling because of their fragile bones and small size.
Care for tiny dogs
Chihuahuas weigh 2 to 6 pounds, so they have a high metabolic rate and a large surface area compared with their body mass, which makes them lose heat quickly. Sweaters help in cold weather. Puppies under 4 months need frequent meals, every 3 to 4 hours, to prevent hypoglycemia. If a Chihuahua puppy is shaking, weak or lethargic, rub a small amount of honey or corn syrup on the gums and call the vet. Chihuahuas may also shake from excitement, fear or pain. Hydrocephalus, a molera (soft spot in the skull) and luxating patella are breed-related conditions that a vet can examine.
Based on data from the American Kennel Club and the Merck Veterinary Manual
