Have you ever wondered what happens when a Chihuahua shakes too much? If you think that it is cute, then you have to read this article. Chihuahuas shake for various reasons. That’s absolutely true. However, they need to shake their body in order to get rid of excess fur, which can lead them to have seizures if they shake too fast and too hard. But what else may be the reason for their shaking?
This article will tackle the reasons, prevention, and treatment for this medical condition. But first, let’s identify how to determine shaking from other similar manifestations.
WHAT IS SHAKING?
As the name suggests, ‘shaking’ involves the body parts of your Chihuahua being affected by tremors with rapid movements of limbs and body. The muscles of a Chihuahua are constantly in motion even when they sit down or sleep. However, this may increase when they become nervous or stressed out, which results in shaking of their bodies.
Shaking also occurs after burning up calories during exercise. But this is not as common among Chihuahuas if you compare it to humans who suffer from similar symptoms due to overheating or dehydration from excessive physical activity like running long distances without proper hydration levels throughout the process.
REASONS FOR SHAKING
If your Chihuahua is shaking, it can be scary, but it’s not always a bad thing. Chihuahuas shake for a variety of reasons. Some Chihuahuas shake because they’re nervous or scared, while other Chihuahuas do it to get warm or because they have an injury or illness that needs attention. Here’s what you need to know so you can better understand why your Chi is shaking and determine whether you need to seek veterinary care.
🌿 Scared
If your Chihuahua is shaking, it’s vital to know why. If your pup is scared, it may have a fight or flight response. This is where the animal feels so threatened that they either fight the threat or run away from it. When Chihuahuas are afraid, they might shake and hide under the bed until the danger passes. Keep in mind that some ailments can cause Chihuahuas to shake as well. If your pup has an ear infection or other medical issue, their shaking may be related to this rather than fear alone.
🌿 Need help from an injury or illness
Shaking is a common symptom of many illnesses and injuries in Chihuahuas. If you see your Chi shaking its head, neck, or body, it could be a sign that it’s feeling ill or injured. Other symptoms to scrutinize for include shifts in appetite and behavior, difficulty walking or laying down, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, panting excessively, and fever.
There are many potential causes of shaking in dogs:
>>Infection and inflammation
Injuries to the brain may also cause this type of abnormal movement because they affect its function by causing inflammation around the nerve fibers. The source of inflammation could be due to an infection like parvovirus, which involves multiple organs, including the intestines and stomach lining as well as causing fever and vomiting or diarrhea. These are the most common symptoms associated with viral infections.
Another cause could be an autoimmune disorder such as idiopathic polyarthritis, which causes joint pain without any detectable cause, such as injury or disease present within them. But there may still be some underlying reason why it occurs so early on in life, such as a genetic predisposition towards developing both conditions simultaneously.
🌿 Breed type
While there are no guarantees, some breeds are more prone to certain behaviors and health problems than others, so it’s essential to do your research before adopting a specific breed. Here are just a few examples:
- If you have an interest in adopting a Chihuahua, for example, know that this breed has frequently been bred for petite size, and sometimes that means its bones aren’t quite as strong as those of other dogs. So if you notice your Chihuahua is experiencing frequent tremors or even seizures, talk with your vet about ways to manage this problem, so it doesn’t become too severe!
MANAGING CHIHUAHUA’S SHAKING
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of domesticated dog. These canines have a reputation for being loving, loyal, and easy to train. They are intelligent and require a lot of love and attention from their owners. So, when you notice your Chihuahua shaking, what should you do?
🌿 Don’t assume it’s shivering
If you notice your Chihuahua shaking, it’s essential to determine whether the symptoms are due to a medical condition or not. Shivering is a response to cold temperatures and may occur with hypothermia or hyperthermia. While shaking can occur due to anxiety or excitement. If your Chihuahua is shaking in this way, consult with a veterinarian immediately as it could be an indication of a severe condition such as heart disease or liver disease.
🌿 Don’t put on a sweater
First off, it’s not going to be much of a sweater because they’re tiny little dogs. So what if you can cover their whole body? They won’t stay warm anyway! But more importantly, making your Chihuahua wear clothes is just another sign that you don’t know what’s best for them. Your Chihuahua is wearing clothes because YOU are worried about YOUR comfort level and NOT theirs!
So please stop with the sweaters and other clothing items. Just let them be their natural naked selves: happy, healthy creatures who will hopefully live long enough to enjoy life as it was intended, without any knitted jumpers obscuring their view!
🌿 Do Check for Fluid Intake
Because shaking is often a symptom of a medical condition, it’s essential to take your Chihuahua to the vet for an examination. There are several things that can cause shaking and shivering in Chi’s, so it’s important to rule out all possible causes.
First, check for diarrhea and vomiting. If you find either of these symptoms in your Chihuahua, then you should ask your vet about giving it some medication for these conditions. In addition, if you’re feeding your Chi canned food with other meats as part of its diet, then make sure there aren’t any bones floating around in the bowl! Bones can cause injury if they come loose while chewing because they can chip teeth or puncture the roof of a mouth cavity, and they definitely won’t help with digestion either!
🌿 Don’t Rush to Conclusions
Shaking is a common problem with Chihuahuas. It is a natural reflex, and Chi’s will shake when they are cold, hot, or nervous. Shivering is also a way of releasing heat from the body when it gets too hot or overstimulated. For example, if you move too quickly with your dog in your arms. However, there are many other reasons why your Chihuahua may be shaking that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s cold outside!
As mentioned, make sure to check for fluid intake before assuming that this could be an illness or disease. Dehydration can cause Chihuahuas to become weak and shaky. If you think there might be something else going on with your pup besides being cold outside, then schedule an appointment at the vet’s office as soon as possible so that they can get tested for any underlying causes of their distress.
PREVENTION
Chihuahua is a charming little breed of dog that is small and compact but looks like they have so much personality. They’re friendly and intelligent, and if you have your own Chihuahua, then you’ll know just how wonderful they can be. There’s nothing quite like seeing your little pup wagging its tail, waiting for you to come home after a long day at work, or when it comes running up to the door to greet you with excitement.
However, sometimes Chihuahuas shake uncontrollably, which can be alarming for their owners, who don’t know what is going on with them. If this is something that frequently happens with your Chihuahua, then it is essential to understand why it occurs and what you can do about it.
🌿 Vet check
If a Chihuahua has been shaking for an extended period of time without provocation, there may be something wrong with the Chihuahua’s health or body chemistry. This could indicate an underlying injury or disease process such as tick fever, which needs immediate attention from your veterinarian.
🌿 Don’t force it to socialize
Don’t force your Chihuahua to meet new people, animals, or situations if you can see they are scared or nervous. Chihuahuas are very small and can be easily stepped on by unassuming adults and children. They may also bite out of fear or discomfort, so it’s best not to take them places where there’s a lot of commotion until you know that they’re okay with it.
🌿 Reduce source of over-excitement
You may also want to downsize the number of people coming in and out of the house as this can make a Chihuahua over-excited. The more people who come in and out, the more excited your Chi will become. If you are going on vacation, try to put your Chi in a boarding kennel instead of leaving it alone in your home, where it could chew on things and get into trouble.
🌿 Prevent too many movements
It’s important not to let your Chihuahua jump up and down on and off furniture. This naturally aggravates joints that are already fragile and prone to dislocation. Additionally, any kind of impact can cause severe damage to their bones, hips, and joints.
Do not also let your Chihuahua run around like crazy in circles all day long. Your Chihuahua should get plenty of exercise but going on walks or playing games is all they need. Don’t let them go crazy running around the house unless it’s necessary, such as doing laps around the room before bedtime.
🌿 Support landing
Chihuahuas are susceptible to a number of health problems, including luxating patella or slipping kneecaps and intervertebral disk disease. In order to help control these injuries, it’s essential to supervise your Chihuahua when it is jumping and make sure that they do not fall or jump down from high places.
🌿 Minimize surprises
Some situations that will cause shaking in your Chihuahua are being over-excited, nervous, or scared.
- When you get home from work, please don’t rush to greet it as it will become nervous and start to shake. Instead, allow it time to adjust first before greeting him with excitement.
- If your Chihuahua is afraid of something like thunder or fireworks, then it’s best not to expose them to the situation until they have used to it. It is also important not to try and force them into the situation if they don’t want anything to do with it.
If your Chihuahua ever becomes excessively excited when meeting new people, such as when a friend comes over, try putting them in another room so that they can calm down before introducing themselves by shouting loudly.
HEALTH CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SHAKING
A Chihuahua shaking is like human shivering. It’s their body’s natural response to an external source of stress. They can be prone to shaking when they feel cold, scared, or anxious. However, there are some underlying medical conditions that can cause Chihuahuas to shake or tremble as well. These medical conditions should be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian immediately.
🌿 Cold Temperatures
If your Chihuahua is shaking and the room is warm, it means that they are actually feeling cold. Chihuahuas are very sensitive to temperature changes, so if you notice this symptom make sure to check for other signs.
Suppose your Chihuahua has exposure to something that makes them feel sick or uncomfortable in any way. In that case, it will most likely continue shaking even when out of the harmful environment. Shaking is also often accompanied by a fever, which you can measure with a thermometer. The best way to treat this type of shaking is by keeping your Chihuahua warm until they’re better!
If you’ve noticed these symptoms in your Chihuahua, seek veterinary attention immediately!
🌿 Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when the blood sugar in your Chihuahua’s body becomes dangerously low. This can be induced by not eating enough food or by eating too much, and it’s characterized by shaking and shakiness as a Chihuahua seeks to keep its balance while walking around without falling over.
If you see this behavior in your Chihuahua, you should immediately give it some food. A good example is carrots because they’re easy to chew and digest quickly. This is to raise its blood sugar level again before it has a seizure or falls into another dangerous state from which it might not recover without medical help.
🌿 Nausea
Nausea is a common symptom that can be caused by many things. It’s important to know that nausea is not a disease. It’s a symptom. Nausea can be due to an illness, and it can also occur due to something your Chihuahua ate, like too much salt. It can also occur when you have no discernible reason for being appalled at all.
🌿 Anemia
Anemia is an ailment that causes the body to have fewer red blood cells than usual. The condition can be yielded by a variety of factors, including diet, genetics, and certain diseases. Anemia is more common in Chihuahuas than in other breeds.
You may want to talk with your vet if you notice any symptoms of anemia in your Chihuahua, especially if they’re already experiencing some other health conditions that may be related to their blood production or levels. These signs include lethargy or fatigue, weakness, pale gums due to low oxygen saturation, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing deeply when exercising intensely. This occurs especially when compared to before the onset of symptoms. Lastly, this condition may have increased heart rate during exercise or excitement.
🌿 Fever
When your Chihuahua has a fever, its body is fighting an infection. If its temperature stays above normal for more than three days, it’s time to see a doctor.
Fever is one of the signs of illness. It is a symptom that indicates your Chihuahua is sick and should probably stay in bed with plenty of fluids and rest until it feels better. But there are several types of fevers, each caused by different conditions: bacterial infections, viral infections, and fungal infections. Your Chihuahua may also experience a low-grade fever that doesn’t qualify as an illness per se but can still make it feel lousy without any other symptoms.
🌿 Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders can cause shaking, including:
>>Brain tumor
>>Brain infection
>>Stroke
These are a disruption in blood flow through the brain that causes damage to brain cells over time. Stroke can be due to a clot blocking an artery, bleeding into a damaged area, or bleeding from another part of your Chihuahua’s body getting into its bloodstream and flowing toward its head until it reaches an artery leading directly out from its heart. At which point it clogs up with platelets when it aggregates together around injured tissue after an injury occurs.
EFFECTS OF TOO MUCH SHAKING
As mentioned above, Chihuahuas are known to shake. It’s part of the breed standard, and it’s cute. But sometimes, they shake too much. Shaking is a Chihuahua’s way of keeping warm, but that’s not why they do it all the time. They also shake when they’re scared, excited, or even when they’re bored. Shaking is an integral part of being a Chihuahua, but some shaking is terrible for them.
🌿 Shaking normal frequency
While a Chihuahua’s tiny size means that the amount of shaking it does is not as much as other breeds, it is still more than 100 times more than its weight. So if you have a six-pound Chihuahua and it shakes ten times in one minute, then this means that it has shaken 600 times in one minute or 300 times per pound, which works out to be 150 pounds in total.
Of course, this is an extreme example. But on average, small dogs like Chihuahuas can shake up to 200 times per minute. This is not necessarily anything to worry about unless they are shaking so much that they are losing control over their body movements or begin panting excessively and drooling uncontrollably. In which case they may need physical therapy or they may need medication).
🌿 Disoriented walks
If your Chihuahua is shaking too much, the most likely consequence is that it will have a problem with its walking. The Chihuahua may be unable to walk properly and you have to carry it around. If this problem persists over time, it may also have to be put down.
🌿 Fast digestion (More hunger)
You may have heard the rumors. “Chihuahua owners should worry about shaking,” they say. While this isn’t a myth, there’s no reason to panic at first. It’s just one of those things you need to be aware of if you have a Chihuahua.
Chihuahuas are small dogs with tiny stomachs, so they need to eat more than other dogs in order to maintain their weight. This means that if your Chihuahua is getting enough food from its meals and snacks, it will be fine if you encounter it shaking around once in a while and even more often during bath time. But what if it doesn’t get enough food over the course of several days or weeks? Then it becomes a real problem! The poor Chihuahua will start losing weight rapidly, which can lead to illness and even death!
🌿 Breathing problems
Though it was mentioned previously that shaking is not that serious, it still can be a sign of a serious problem if it persists for a longer time. Contact your veterinarian if you notice shaking, especially in addition to any other symptoms or if it occurs for longer than five minutes at a time.
Chihuahuas that shake too much may also have difficulty walking, eating, and breathing because of the excessive motion caused by their constant shaking. These breeds often lose weight as well due to their lack of appetite and difficulties moving around usually.
Conclusion
Even though shaking can be a sign of illness, injury, or fear, you should still not panic if your dog exhibits this type of behavior. It could also just be an element of their breed type and nothing to worry about. However, if you are disturbed, it is best to bring your Chihuahua in for a checkup so they can rule out any severe medical conditions.
Chihuahuas are small dogs who love to shake. Shaking is very important for a Chihuahua because it helps them get rid of excess energy and stay cool on hot days. But if they shake too much, this can lead to health problems like joint pain or a heart attack! We hope that by reading this article, you have learned what causes your Chihuahua so much shaking and how to help it stop shaking more than they need to.
Please contact your vet if you are ever worried about your Chihuahua’s behavior. The most important thing to remember is that if you’re concerned about your Chi’s health or behavior, it’s always best to have them checked out by a professional.
If your Chihuahua keeps on howling, check our next article! Just click here!
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
