If your dog is shaking and panting and not eating at the same time, it can be a distressing experience.
These symptoms often signal that something is wrong, ranging from mild anxiety to severe health issues.
Dogs can’t communicate their pain verbally, but behaviors like tremors, heavy breathing, and loss of appetite are strong indicators that something is wrong.
We outline the common causes of a dog shaking and panting and not eating. We’ll also go over what you can do at home and when you should see a vet.
Dog Shaking and Panting and Not Eating: Why It Happens
When a dog is shaking and panting and not eating, it often signals an underlying issue that could range from physical pain, stress, or illness to more serious problems like poisoning, infection, or neurological disorders.
These symptoms commonly occur together due to the body’s response to discomfort or distress.
Common causes include pain or injury, stress or anxiety, fever or infection, gastrointestinal problems, poisoning, neurological disorders, heatstroke, hormonal imbalances like Addison’s disease, old age, chronic illness, and side effects of medication.
Dog Shaking and Panting and Not Eating: What it looks like
Before jumping into causes, it’s important to understand how these symptoms present themselves:
Shaking could look like muscle tremors or a full-body shiver
Panting may occur even when your dog hasn’t exercised or it’s not hot
Not eating means skipping meals or showing no interest in favorite foods
Seeing these signs together should never be ignored. When a dog is shaking and panting and not eating, it can indicate pain, stress, or underlying illness that needs immediate attention.
Common causes of Dog Shaking and Panting and Not Eating
Pain or injury
Pain is one of the top causes of dog shaking and panting and not eating. Dogs often hide pain until it becomes unbearable.
Shaking and panting are classic signs of discomfort, and if your dog refuses to eat as well, it’s often because the pain makes it hard to focus on food.
Injuries like sprains, fractures, or internal damage may not be visible at first glance.
Toothaches, abdominal pain, or spinal issues can also trigger these behaviors.
Stress or anxiety
Anxious dogs frequently show physical signs such as shaking, panting, and not eating. Stressors may include:
Loud noises (e.g., fireworks, thunderstorms)
A new pet or person in the house
Separation anxiety
Travel or unfamiliar environments
Panting and shaking are part of the fight-or-flight response.
Not eating often follows because stress suppresses a dog’s appetite.
Chronic stress should be addressed quickly as it can weaken your dog’s immune system and lead to further health issues.
Related: Dog shaking and not eating (Causes and what to do)
Fever or infection
Fever and infections, whether bacterial, viral, or fungal, can cause a dog to shake and pant excessively.
The body attempts to regulate temperature, hence the shaking.
Panting helps release excess heat, and appetite loss is a natural response to illness.
Common infections that may present with these symptoms include:
Urinary tract infections
Gastrointestinal infections
Tick-borne diseases
Respiratory infections
If your dog seems warm to the touch or has a dry nose, fever may be present.
Nausea or gastrointestinal problems
Dogs experiencing nausea may shake, pant, and avoid food. Gastrointestinal issues such as gastritis, pancreatitis, or an intestinal blockage can make your dog feel sick to the stomach.
Other signs to watch for include:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Swollen abdomen
Nausea in dogs is a serious matter, especially when paired with a lack of appetite and shaking.
Poisoning or toxin exposure
If your dog ingests a toxin—like chocolate, xylitol, rat poison, or certain houseplants—it can result in symptoms such as shaking, panting, and refusal to eat.
This is often a medical emergency. You may also notice:
Vomiting
Drooling
Dilated pupils
Disorientation
Toxins act fast, and early symptoms should never be ignored. Get your dog to a vet right away if poisoning is suspected.
Related: Dog is tired and not eating and shaking (Here’s why)
Neurological disorders
Neurological problems such as seizures or tremors can result in involuntary shaking.
Some dogs will pant after a seizure, while others may become disoriented and lose their appetite for hours or days afterward.
Conditions like idiopathic epilepsy, brain tumors, or vestibular disease can cause a dog to exhibit all three symptoms: shaking, panting, and not eating.
Heatstroke or overheating
Dogs don’t sweat like humans. Panting is their main method of releasing body heat.
If your dog is panting and shaking, it might be a sign of overheating, especially in hot weather.
Signs of heatstroke include:
Rapid heartbeat
Glazed eyes
Vomiting or diarrhea
Collapsing
Heatstroke is life-threatening. If your dog stops eating and shows these signs in warm weather, act immediately to cool them down and call your vet.
Hormonal imbalances
Addison’s disease affects the adrenal glands and can result in symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, shaking, and refusal to eat.
This disease can be triggered by stress and may result in an Addisonian crisis, which is life-threatening.
This rare but serious disorder often goes unnoticed until symptoms become severe, which is why any combination of shaking, panting, and loss of appetite should be assessed promptly.
Old age and chronic illness
Older dogs may show these symptoms due to chronic pain from arthritis or degenerative diseases.
As dogs age, their bodies become more sensitive to discomfort and illness.
If your senior dog is shaking and panting and not eating, this could indicate a flare-up of an existing condition or the onset of a new one.
Side effects of medication
Some medications, including steroids, pain relievers, or certain antibiotics, can cause side effects such as panting, tremors, or reduced appetite.
If your dog recently started a new medication and is showing these signs, contact your vet immediately.
What to do if your dog is shaking and panting and not eating
When your dog exhibits this trio of symptoms, it’s essential to act calmly but quickly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Evaluate the environment
Check for obvious sources of stress or danger. Was there a loud noise?
Could your dog have eaten something toxic? Is it hot outside?
2. Check for other symptoms
Look for vomiting, diarrhea, fever, limping, pale gums, or behavioral changes.
The more symptoms present, the more urgent the situation may be.
3. Try to offer bland food
If your dog has skipped more than one meal, try offering plain boiled chicken and rice.
If they still refuse to eat, it’s time to call the vet.
4. Do not force food or water
Never try to force your dog to eat or drink. This could lead to vomiting or aspiration.
5. Cool them down if it’s hot
If you suspect overheating, move your dog to a shaded or air-conditioned area.
Offer cool—not ice-cold—water. Wet their paws and underbelly with a damp cloth.
6. Contact your veterinarian
If your dog is shaking and panting and not eating for more than a few hours, or if symptoms worsen, consult a vet right away.
Even if the symptoms seem mild, it’s better to be safe.
When to see the vet immediately:
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
Blood in vomit or stool
Signs of pain (crying, limping, rigid posture)
Seizures or disorientation
Suspected poisoning
Heatstroke
Symptoms lasting longer than 24 hours
Key Takeaway
A dog shaking and panting and not eating could be experiencing pain, anxiety, illness, or even poisoning.
While mild symptoms may resolve with rest and a calm environment, it’s essential to monitor closely and act quickly if your dog worsens.
Never ignore these symptoms, especially when they occur together.
Early intervention can prevent complications and help your dog recover faster.
Always consult with your veterinarian if you’re unsure of the cause or if your dog’s condition doesn’t improve within a day.
Your dog relies on you to spot the signs of trouble. Recognizing when a dog is shaking and panting and not eating could mean the difference between a mild upset and a serious medical emergency.