Why does a Chihuahua tremble and what should be done about it?

What is a Chihuahua?

The Chihuahua is a miniature lap dog, its size is no more than 3 kg.
If more than three, then the dog has serious deviations from the breed standard. They are very fragile and delicate, even a fall from a small height can cause serious injury. However, the small size and fragile body do not prevent the dog from being brave. If they don’t like someone, they won’t notice that the opponent is many times larger than her. Although for Chihuahuas such outbursts of courage often end in tears. At a young age, these dogs are cowardly, and can even wet themselves from fear; some Chihuahuas may have this property even in adulthood.

Also, dogs of this breed are famous for their devotion to one person. They love and respect their owner very much, but if he suddenly decides to spend time with another pet, in front of the little chi, she will be offended and go to her house. These dogs do not require more than necessary care.

It is enough to carry out basic procedures regularly. Of course, it’s fun to have such a friend at home, but what to do if he doesn’t feel well, this article will tell you about it.

What to do if your Chihuahua is shaking?

If the problem is caused by illness, then you cannot do without veterinary help. It is important not to delay visiting a medical facility too much, as delay can cost your dog his life.

If the problem is that the pet is too worried, then it is worth protecting it from stress and anxiety for a while. It is better not to take the sneezing person outside for several days and not to invite guests into the house. And, of course, don’t forget about insulation. After all, if a dog is trembling from the cold, this is also not good. Colds in this breed develop almost at lightning speed.

Cold

The most obvious option, which suggests itself. Having thought about why the Chihuahua is trembling, you need to check whether the dog is experiencing cold. You should know that this breed freezes quite quickly due to its metabolic characteristics. In cool weather, it is better to take your dog for a walk in some clothes.

This will minimize the likelihood of hypothermia. Now there is a large selection of different clothes for dogs: boots, blouses, dresses, jackets. It seems that the small animal is truly defenseless and vulnerable. The owner of a decorative breed dog should take this information into account.

The most basic reason, especially in winter. That is why they try to dress the dog during a walk. However, warm clothes do not always help. During a “cold” walk, it is better to periodically take your pet in your arms.  

Possible causes of trembling in Chihuahuas

Dogs of the dwarf breed have plenty of reasons to tremble. The reasons are conventionally divided into safe and dangerous, which require an immediate visit to a veterinarian.

Reasons that do not cause concern include:

Sometimes tremor is a symptom of serious diseases, such as:

Chihuahuas often tremble for no reason due to the metabolic characteristics of the toy breed. Small dogs are extremely active and curious, and quickly consume heat. The reason lies in the accelerated metabolism inherent in decorative dog breeds. The body cannot cope with an overly “active life position” and, as a result, the dog begins to shake.

Allergic diseases

Chihuahuas have excellent health by nature, but still, if the dog exhibits symptoms of illness, then you need to take action immediately.

List of symptoms that should not be ignored:

Temperature above 39 degrees;
Diarrhea;
Vomit;
Strange substances are released from the nose;
Poor appetite;
Weight loss;
Cough;
Dandruff;
Itching;
Lameness;
Parasites.

If your dog has one of these symptoms, then you need to take action quickly. It is better to consult a veterinarian rather than self-medicate.

When a dog exhibits allergy symptoms, it should be taken to the veterinarian. Here are the allergy symptoms:

Itching on the skin. This may indicate that the Chihuahua has an infection, fleas, or ticks;
Hair falls out. Most likely the dog has hypothyroidism, demodicosis or folliculitis;
Ear discharge. This can be the cause of any allergy.

My mouth stinks. This indicates problems with the skin or the presence of mucus in the mouth;

Dandruff. It may indicate an allergy to any food.

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Causes of trembling in Chihuahuas

If tremors occur from time to time, then you should not consider it as a pathology. Perhaps the pet is simply cold. But if everything repeats itself, most likely, it’s worth taking a closer look at the pet’s health condition. So, a similar problem can result from:

Suffered stress, anxiety. Trembling will certainly appear after the dog experiences emotional shock. Moving, going to the veterinarian, and even having guests over can agitate your pet.
Pregnancy. In bitches, during the process of bearing offspring, tremors develop under the influence of hormonal changes.
Hypoglycemia. A medical condition characterized by a lack of sugar in the blood. Convulsions may occur.
Urolithiasis. In addition to trembling, the dog may experience problems with urine excretion, hair loss, and deterioration in general condition.
Ear diseases. With the development of inflammatory processes in the outer and inner ears, dogs may experience short-term bouts of trembling. At the same time, the sneeze behaves restlessly, shakes its head and scratches its ears.
Allergies. Appears upon contact with an allergen.
Poisoning. In this case, the shaking may be sudden and uncontrollable.
In heat. A Chihuahua may begin to shake as it prepares to go into heat.
Excess energy. If the dog is overwhelmed with energy, it may well begin to shake. However, as soon as she runs well, the symptom disappears completely.

Recognizing what exactly caused the trembling is not so difficult. If the pet feels well, willingly approaches the bowl and has no symptoms of any diseases, then most likely the mental aspect is to blame.

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Fright

Another reason why a Chihuahua trembles is some kind of emotional shock. When a pet experiences fear, its body begins to tremble. Looking at the dog, you can easily notice how it begins to shake. The reason may be a meeting with a large dog that poses a real danger, or with any unfamiliar object. The pet may remain in a state of fear for some time until the irritating factors are eliminated.

Some dogs have the habit of asking to be held by their owner as soon as they feel something is wrong. Others begin to quickly run away, not caring at all whether they will then be able to find their way home and return back.

Eye diseases

Chihuahuas have much larger eyeballs than other dogs. And because of this, the dog develops eye diseases. If your dog has redness, tearfulness, dullness in the eyes, or the dog blinks frequently, then it may have one of the following diseases:

Glaucoma;
Cataract;
Glaucoma.

In this case, you need to immediately go to a canine ophthalmologist. The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the required course of treatment for the dog.

Chihuahuas also have a problem with their eyes falling out of their sockets, this is due to the fact that the eyeballs are attached only to the eyelids. Signs that the eyes may be falling out include bleeding or the dog being afraid of light. You need to quickly take your dog to the hospital, but before that you should:

Provide the dog with peace and make sure that it does not reach the eyes;
Wipe your eyes with saline solution and apply ointment;
Replacing the damage so that it is not cold.

Stress and excitement

At a moment of strong fear, joy, anxiety or other emotions, a person gets goosebumps and sometimes trembles. Everyone is familiar with this uncontrollable state, which ends only after gaining a certain degree of calm. Chihuahuas are also prone to nervous tremors and there is nothing dangerous or unusual about this.

Important! If a Chihuahua tucks its tail, this is a clear sign of fear. When calm or excited, the dog carries its tail at or below the level of the back. During an expert examination, a tucked tail will be regarded as timidity and a low degree of socialization.

The owner of a Chihuahua must be aware of the intelligence of his pet. A dog can commit mischief, know about it and worry to the point of trembling. This condition is explained by the self-awareness of an adult dog or the fear of punishment in a puppy. Most experts in raising small dogs insist on treating your pet with respect in any situation. That is, even if you are very irritated or angry, you need to restrain your emotions. Having once greatly frightened a Chihuahua, many owners observe relapses of tremors in the dog in similar stressful situations.

Anticipation and associated excitement

Dogs worry for both good and bad reasons - if changes happen in their lives, if they are happy about something or see something new. In this case, they simply express their emotions.

We are talking about some pleasant event that excites your pet so much that he cannot sit still. This includes meeting a dear and close creature to whom the dog feels a strong sense of affection. For example, when the owner returns home from work, the pet may shake all over with excitement.

This is how he shows his joy. Trembling does not indicate any pathology. It will go away on its own as soon as you take your pet in your arms and show him that you are really happy to see him.

Causes of Chihuahua trembling and how to resolve them

Chihuahua trembling is one of the common conditions of this breed. These little dogs have a fast metabolism. Trembling serves the purpose of heating, because they do not have enough adipose tissue in relation to muscle tissue. But if your pet shakes very often, then you shouldn’t attribute everything to physiology. This may be a sign of other conditions that require assistance from the owner and sometimes a veterinarian.

Cold

Cold is the most common reason Chihuahuas shiver. Dogs of this breed easily freeze and catch colds, therefore they require increased attention from their owner. So, starting from the off-season (the first periods of lowering the temperature outside), the pet should be walked in a suit or vest, which should become warmer as the weather gets colder and can be supplemented with special shoes.

In the cold winter, Chihuahuas can do without walking at all. They learn very well to go to the litter tray or diaper.

In cold weather, your Chihuahua needs to wear a warm suit.

Stress

Small Chihuahuas are very sensitive dogs. Any strong emotion can cause them to tremble simply from an overabundance of feelings. It can be equal parts joy and fear. Pets who have misbehaved may tremble, realizing that they are facing punishment. But even if they notice treats in the owner’s hand, Chihuahuas may begin to shake in anticipation of something tasty.

Positive stressful situations can be distinguished from negative ones by the position of the pet's tail - when frightened, he tucks it in. Fear can be caused by:

any loud sounds (fireworks, car horns);
a crowd of strangers in the house;
hosts talking in a raised voice;
expectation of punishment, if in a similar situation the pet has already had to “receive” from the owner.

Dog training specialists draw special attention to owners’ attention to the inadmissibility of physical punishment for Chihuahuas. Also, owners need to restrain their emotions and not even scold their pet loudly. Due to its size, which is very different from the owner’s height, a Chihuahua can be so frightened that it will subsequently always be afraid and tremble when a person appears.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, Chihuahuas may tremble more often under the influence of hormones, and at the end of gestation, trembling may indicate the onset of labor. But here it is important not to miss a condition that is dangerous to the health of the pet - eclampsia associated with a lack of calcium - which can lead to the death of the pet without treatment. The best decision in this case would be to consult a veterinarian.

Trembling can also be observed in Chihuahuas during estrus, also under the influence of hormones.

During pregnancy, Chihuahuas may tremble more often due to hormonal changes in the body.

Diseases

Chihuahua trembling is not always explained by their physiology or mental state. It may also indicate the development of a serious illness.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. More than 10% of Chihuahuas suffer from this disease. Trembling in this condition is associated with a sudden onset of weakness, and usually ends with convulsions. This is a chronic condition that requires a special diet and monitoring by a veterinarian. If you encounter it for the first time with your pet, forcefully give it sweetened water from a syringe and quickly take it to the veterinarian.

Poisoning

Due to their small body size, Chihuahuas are very easy to unintentionally poison. A couple of cubes of dark chocolate or a few grapes, detergent residue on the dishes is enough - and the dog begins to vomit with increased salivation, weakness and trembling. If you suspect poisoning, you need to give your dog any absorbent (at least an activated carbon tablet) and immediately go to the veterinarian.

Poisoning of a Chihuahua can be accompanied by severe weakness, which provokes trembling

For vomiting associated with poisoning, antiemetic drugs should not be given. Toxins also come out with vomit. But the dog must be forced to drink at least 3-5 ml every 15 minutes to prevent dehydration.

Allergic reaction

As an allergic reaction develops, your pet may begin to itch and shake. Allergies can be caused by external irritants (traces of powder on clothing or bedding) and internal ones (new food or a certain product). It is necessary to experimentally identify the allergen and remove it. To relieve the symptoms of an allergic reaction, antihistamines are used (the same as for humans, but in a dosage prescribed by a veterinarian).

Other diseases

Trembling can accompany a number of other diseases:

urolithiasis;
renal failure;
otitis;
injuries.

Before visiting the doctor, the owner should remember when the pet began to tremble, what event preceded it, and observe what other symptoms appear. All this will help to quickly make the correct diagnosis.

Video: why Chihuahuas tremble and how to help them

Chihuahua trembling can be explained by completely physiological reasons, but it can also be a sign of pathological conditions. If you are unsure why your pet is shaking or his behavior seems strange to you, contact your veterinarian who can help determine whether there is a risk to your pet's health.

Severe stress

Why does a Chihuahua tremble? This can happen as a result of severe stress. For example, the experiences associated with visiting a veterinary clinic are sometimes so pronounced that the pet becomes restless, constantly whines and shakes. After all, it’s not just people who tend to get nervous. Animals are also capable of experiences.

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Unlike a person, a dog cannot explain his own fears to himself and consider the situation from different angles in advance. All the dog has is the ability to actively experience an alarming event. In most cases, this is enough for the owner to pay attention to her condition.

Chihuahua has diarrhea

Diarrhea is the periodic occurrence of loose stool in a dog. In this case, it is better to take your dog to the doctor because diarrhea can be caused for various reasons.

Causes of diarrhea:

Fleas on Chihuahuas

No dog breed is immune to fleas. Likewise, Chihuahuas can develop these blood-sucking parasites. If a dog has fleas, its behavior changes greatly:

The dog is nervous;
Itches often;
Bites the fur.

In this case, you need to carefully examine the animal’s body. The presence of fleas is indicated by red dots from bites.

To rid your pet of fleas, you need to use special products, of which there are many on sale.

Zooshampoo

Such shampoos contain substances that can rid your dog of fleas in a short time. For prevention, you can re-bathe her with this shampoo after 2-3 weeks.

Flea drops

In order not to subject your dog to water procedures again, you can use special drops. Just one drop on the dog’s withers is enough and within a day the fleas will disappear.

Aerosols

You need to apply the aerosol and rub evenly over your entire body. The validity period of this product is about a month.

Flea collar

The collar contains substances that kill fleas. The skin is poisoned by this substance and when a flea bites a dog, it dies immediately. The collar can last about 3 months.

Calm your pet

It is best to try to immediately pick up the dog in your arms. Feeling the proximity of the owner, many animals almost immediately calm down and stop being nervous. This can be done, for example, while waiting in line at a veterinary clinic. It is important for any living creature to feel the presence of a loved one. After calming your pet, you will notice that he has stopped shaking and showing signs of fear. Why does a Chihuahua tremble in its sleep? This phenomenon also has its own explanation. He must be having a disturbing dream.

Nervous tension can cause trembling throughout the body. In this case, it is best to quietly touch your pet’s fur. Most likely, even while sleeping, he will feel your care and concern.

Vaccinations

Getting vaccinated is not a mandatory procedure, but it is still better to get them to prevent diseases. It will be much more economical and easier than treatment. Below is a vaccination schedule for Chihuahuas by age:

The first vaccination is given at two months. It is done to prevent enteritis, plague, leptospirosis and parainfluenza and other diseases. The drug Nobivak Lepto is suitable for her.;
The second vaccination is given at three months. This is prevention against the same diseases for which the vaccine was given at two months.;
The third vaccination is given at three months. The same Nobivak Lepto is used. After the third vaccine, this drug needs to be administered only after a year.;
The last vaccination is given a year. This time the vaccine is against rabies. For this purpose, the drug Eurican LR is used.

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Why do Chihuahuas shake?

This breed of dog tends to tremble, but if it trembles very often, then there may be another reason for this.

Reasons why Chihuahuas shake:

Cold. These dogs have a thin undercoat, so they can easily get cold. Therefore, you need to buy your pet a jacket;
Excitement. Fear, joy, or a change of scenery can cause a Chihuahua to tremble;
Low blood sugar. In this case, you need to change the diet and feed your pet according to time.

Possible Causes of Trembling

Such a characteristic feature of the Chihuahua as trembling is mainly due to the rapid metabolism in the dog’s body, so periodic trembling is considered normal for this breed. But if this condition has become permanent, then the owner needs to observe the pet’s behavior.

The main causes of Chihuahua trembling can be divided into two groups:

psychological;
physical.

Psychological aspect

A Chihuahua may begin to tremble if it is very excited or agitated. For example, a dog is waiting to go for a walk or knows that he will now be given a treat. If a pet notices that its owner is picking it up while shaking, it can use this ability to get into the arms.

Some dogs tremble due to bouts of fear. An animal experiences this feeling if it was bullied in childhood. For example, they beat or shouted at the puppy.

Some individuals have a very nervous character. If something bothers a dog, it begins to whine and tremble, thus expressing its dissatisfaction.

Sudden loud noises, crowds of strangers in public places - because of all this, the Chihuahua can experience stress, which leads to trembling.

Physical aspect

If your toy dog begins to tremble too often, especially in the morning, it may have hypoglycemia - low blood sugar.

Despite the small size of the Chihuahua, it is capable of accumulating a large amount of energy. The dog does not always have the opportunity to get rid of it, for example, due to a long absence of walks in the fresh air. In this case, the animal’s body begins to shake.

If your pet is shaking and shaking his head at the same time, his ears may be hurting. In general, any pain can cause trembling in a Chihuahua.

Trembling in a dog can indicate the presence of some kind of disease. For example, liver, kidney or joint disease.

Lactating bitches may tremble because during lactation there is not enough calcium in the Chihuahua's body. This condition is called eclampsia.

During a walk, especially in the cold season, a dog can easily freeze. Accordingly, she will begin to shiver from the cold.

If your pet begins to tremble after feeding or when switching to another type of food or feed, this may be a manifestation of an allergic reaction. This can also happen when the dog is given medication.

If your toy dog begins to tremble and then vomits or has diarrhea, it is most likely poisoned.

Consultation with a zoopsychologist

In some cases, it won’t hurt to consult a specialist. Consultation with a zoopsychologist is recommended in cases where for a long time it is not possible to find the cause of a certain condition of a pet. If the possibility of developing diseases is excluded, then you need to pay attention to psychological factors.

Thus, there are several reasons why a Chihuahua trembles and does not find a place to rest. Only in a few cases is this behavior caused by real health problems. In other options, the pet simply may not have enough of your attention and care. When a dog wants to attract attention, it may begin to tremble.

What can you do to stop your dog from shaking?

Depending on what is causing the trembling, the Chihuahua owner can take one of the following steps::

Cold . You need to take the pet in your arms and cover it with clothes. And in the future, when going outside in cool, rainy or windy weather, dress your Chihuahua in suitable clothing. If your pet is cold in the room, then you also need to dress him in a suitable sweater, vest or blanket.
Fright . Take the animal in your arms and calm it down.
Stress . It is necessary to eliminate the reasons that caused the pet to be stressed. If this is not possible, then you need to minimize their manifestations.
Increased emotionality or excitement . The pet needs to be calmed down and then distracted, for example, with a game.
Health problems . It is necessary to consult a veterinarian, since it is unlikely that you will be able to independently determine the cause of the tremors and the accompanying symptoms.
Excess energy . It is recommended to keep your Chihuahua busy with active play, training, or going for a walk with your pet.

In some cases, when trembling is caused by health problems, the dog needs to be given first aid immediately without waiting for the veterinarian to arrive.

So, in case of eclampsia, you should try to feed the dog several tablets of vitamin supplement containing calcium: this will help calm the trembling and prevent seizures.

And in case of hypoglycemia, before taking the dog to the clinic, you should try to give it sweetened water to drink.

Trembling in a Chihuahua, if its cause is an accelerated metabolism or the inability to release accumulated energy, is not a pathology and a threat to health, and, moreover, does not pose a threat to the dog’s life.

It’s another matter if the Chihuahua is shaking because the dog is sick and shaking is one of several symptoms of ill health.

In this case, it can be difficult to determine the cause of the animal’s condition on your own, and therefore it is best to take the pet to the clinic.

If the Chihuahua is trembling because he is cold or scared, then you need to warm the pet or calm him down.

How long does a Chihuahua live?

It is generally believed that the smaller the dog breed, the longer they live. Unfortunately, this rule does not apply to Chihuahuas. The larger the dogs of this breed, the longer it pleases its owners.

So an ordinary Chihuahua weighing three kg can live as long as 20 years. And a dwarf, whose weight does not reach one kilogram, will live no more than 10 years. But every rule has an exception, and a dwarf Chihuahua can live up to 15-20 years.

The Chihuahua is a decorative dog; first of all, people take it to decorate themselves or their apartment with a small, cute pet. But in order for your pet to feel good and live for many years, you need to carefully monitor its health.