When your dog is both shaking and vomiting, it’s a clear sign something’s wrong. These symptoms combined can range from mild illness to life-threatening emergencies depending on the underlying cause.
This guide explains the most common reasons why a dog may experience shaking and vomiting, what you can do at home to stabilize them, and why prompt veterinary attention is important.
Dog Shaking and Vomiting — Why It Happens
Dogs shake and vomit due to pain, poisoning, gastrointestinal distress, or systemic illness. The shaking usually reflects the body’s stress or discomfort from the vomiting, discomfort, fever, or nausea, while vomiting is the body’s attempt to expel something harmful. Together, they signal the need for close monitoring and often veterinary evaluation.
Do dogs shake when they are unwell?
Yes. Shaking is a common sign that a dog is unwell. It can indicate pain, fever, nausea, or internal discomfort.
Dogs may also shake when they feel stressed or weak due to illness. While mild shaking can happen with simple issues like a mild stomach upset, persistent or intense shaking is a red flag that something more serious may be going on and should be checked by a veterinarian.
Dog Shaking and Vomiting: Common Causes
Toxin Ingestion
Ingesting chocolate, xylitol (in sugar-free gum), grapes, medications, or household cleaners can cause shaking and vomiting.
Additional symptoms may include drooling, rapid breathing, seizures, or collapse.
If you suspect your dog ate something toxic, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Time is critical.
Gastroenteritis
This inflammation of the stomach and intestines causes vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes shaking due to abdominal discomfort.
Common causes include dietary indiscretion, infections, or sudden food changes.
Mild cases may resolve with rest and bland food, but dehydration or persistent vomiting require a vet visit.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is a painful condition that can cause vomiting, shaking, abdominal tenderness, and loss of appetite.
Often triggered by fatty foods, this condition is serious and often requires hospitalization.
Dogs may stand in a hunched posture or seem unwilling to lie down.
Related: Dog shaking and not eating (Causes and what to do)
Fever or Infection
Fever from viral or bacterial infections can cause full-body tremors and vomiting as the immune system fights the illness.
You might also notice warm ears, lethargy, nasal discharge, or coughing.
Veterinary evaluation is needed to determine the source of infection and begin appropriate treatment.
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)
Though more rare, bloat is a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists, trapping gas and food.
Early signs include vomiting (often non-productive), shaking, restlessness, and a swollen abdomen.
Bloat requires immediate emergency surgery—don’t wait if you see these signs.
Dog Shaking and Vomiting Yellow
A dog shaking and vomiting yellow foam or liquid usually means the stomach is empty and bile is being brought up, often due to nausea, acid buildup, or mild stomach irritation.
The shaking can be a sign of discomfort, pain, or anxiety associated with the nausea. While a single episode may pass, repeated vomiting, refusal to eat, or ongoing shaking needs veterinary attention to rule out pancreatitis, GI inflammation, or toxin exposure.
Dog Shaking and Vomiting and Diarrhea
When a dog is shaking along with vomiting and diarrhea, it’s often a sign of a more serious stomach upset, infection, or toxin ingestion.
The combination of fluid loss and discomfort can quickly lead to dehydration, which makes the shaking worse.
Even if symptoms appear suddenly, this combination is not normal and requires prompt veterinary care — especially if your dog becomes weak or stops drinking water.
Dog Shaking and Vomiting White Foam
Shaking paired with vomiting white foam may indicate stomach irritation, kennel cough irritation from gagging, acid reflux, or early stages of bloat — a life-threatening condition in deep-chested breeds.
The shaking suggests the vomiting is causing pain or distress. If the vomiting repeats, the belly swells, or your dog appears restless and pacing, seek immediate vet care.
Dog Shaking and Vomiting Blood
Vomiting blood alongside shaking is an emergency. Even small streaks of red or dark coffee-ground material signal bleeding in the stomach, throat, or intestines.
The shaking often reflects pain, shock, or toxin exposure. This situation requires immediate veterinary treatment to identify internal bleeding, poisoning, ulcers, or severe gastrointestinal disease.
Dog Shaking and Vomiting Clear Liquid
Clear liquid vomit typically comes from water or stomach fluid being expelled due to nausea.
When shaking accompanies this, it often means your dog is uncomfortable, chilled, or in pain from whatever is causing the nausea.
Causes range from simple stomach upset to infections or kidney issues. If vomiting occurs more than once or shaking persists, a veterinary check is recommended.
Old Dog Shaking and Vomiting
In older dogs, shaking and vomiting together are more concerning because senior dogs are more vulnerable to dehydration, organ disease, and infections.
The shaking may indicate nausea, pain, or weakness. Vomiting in senior dogs can be caused by kidney disease, liver issues, pancreatitis, or severe stomach upset.
Even if symptoms seem mild at first, it’s best to call your vet promptly — early care prevents complications and helps identify age-related conditions sooner.
Related: Dog suddenly vomiting and shaking (Why it happens)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Shaking and Vomiting
Remove food and limit water intake for a few hours while you observe your dog’s condition.
Keep your dog in a quiet, comfortable space where you can monitor their behavior and breathing.
Do not attempt to give human medications or induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet.
If symptoms subside and your dog seems stable, reintroduce a bland diet in small amounts.
Track vomiting frequency and behavior to report accurately to your veterinarian.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek immediate veterinary care if your dog:
Vomits repeatedly or cannot keep water down.
Is shaking uncontrollably or seems in pain.
Shows signs of bloat (hard belly, unproductive retching, pacing).
Has blood in vomit or diarrhea.
Becomes lethargic, collapses, or seizes.
Prompt action can prevent complications and may be life-saving.
Read more: Dog Shaking and Panting (What it means)
Key Takeaway
Shaking and vomiting together suggest serious discomfort or illness in dogs, from mild stomach upset to poisoning or pancreatitis.
Monitor symptoms closely, and if vomiting persists, worsens, or is paired with other warning signs, contact your vet immediately for diagnosis and treatment.