When your dog is panting, vomiting, and shaking at the same time, it’s not just alarming—it’s potentially a medical emergency. These three symptoms together point to acute distress, whether from pain, illness, poisoning, or severe stress.
We outline the common causes of dog panting, vomiting, and shaking, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Panting Vomiting and Shaking — Why It Happens
Panting, vomiting, and shaking together suggest a serious problem—either internal or external—that your dog is urgently trying to cope with. This combination often means the body is overwhelmed by pain, a toxin, heat, or metabolic dysfunction.
Common Causes of Dog Panting Vomiting and Shaking
Poisoning or Toxin Exposure
This is one of the most urgent causes to consider.
Dogs that ingest chocolate, grapes, antifreeze, rodenticides, or human medications may show signs of vomiting, panting, and full-body tremors or seizures.
You may also notice drooling, pale gums, collapse, or uncoordinated movements.
This is a medical emergency. Call your vet or poison control and bring any packaging or details of the toxin.
Do not wait to see if symptoms resolve—timing is critical.
Gastrointestinal Obstruction
A blockage in the digestive tract can trigger vomiting, abdominal pain, restlessness, and shaking.
Dogs may pant as a response to pain or nausea.
Causes include swallowed toys, bones, socks, or hair ties.
Look for signs like repeated retching, bloated abdomen, constipation, or whining.
Surgery is often needed to remove the obstruction—early treatment improves the outcome.
Severe Pain or Injury
Pain from internal injuries, fractures, pancreatitis, or other inflammatory conditions can cause all three symptoms.
The shaking is often a response to pain; panting comes from distress or inflammation; vomiting may result from nausea triggered by discomfort.
Dogs in pain may also pace, hide, avoid being touched, or vocalize when moving.
A thorough veterinary exam is essential to find the source and provide pain relief.
Read more: Dog Panting and Shaking (Common causes)
Heatstroke
Dogs suffering from overheating will often pant excessively, vomit, and shake due to rising body temperature and internal distress.
Other signs include red gums, rapid heart rate, confusion, or collapse.
If not treated quickly, heatstroke can lead to organ failure and death.
Cool your dog with damp towels, move them to shade or air conditioning, and go to the vet immediately.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas causes vomiting, abdominal pain, shaking, and panting due to severe discomfort.
Affected dogs may assume a “praying” position (front legs down, hind legs up) or appear hunched.
Triggers include high-fat meals, obesity, or metabolic conditions.
Veterinary treatment involves IV fluids, pain management, and special diets.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar, especially in puppies, toy breeds, or diabetic dogs, can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, and panting.
Your dog may appear disoriented, stagger, or even collapse.
A small dose of sugar (like honey on the gums) may help temporarily, but you should still seek veterinary evaluation.
Underlying causes may include insulin overdose, poor nutrition, or infection.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Panting, Vomiting, and Shaking
Stay calm and keep your dog in a quiet, safe area.
Do not offer food or water until vomiting stops and the cause is identified.
Note what your dog ate recently and whether they had access to potential toxins.
Avoid giving human medications, and do not try to induce vomiting without veterinary instruction.
Monitor their breathing, gum color, and responsiveness.
If symptoms are severe or ongoing, transport them to the vet or emergency clinic immediately.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek urgent veterinary care if your dog:
Has repeated vomiting or dry heaving
Shakes uncontrollably or seizes
Pants heavily while resting or indoors
Collapses or shows signs of disorientation
May have eaten something toxic
These signs indicate a potentially life-threatening issue that cannot wait.
Read more: Dog Panting and Throwing Up (Why it happens and what to do)
Key Takeaway
Panting, vomiting, and shaking together are clear signs of serious distress in your dog.
Whether it’s poisoning, heatstroke, pain, or a blocked intestine, fast action can save your dog’s life.
When in doubt, call your veterinarian—because when these symptoms show up together, every minute counts.