Seeing your dog sick and shaking at the same time can be extremely alarming. Shaking is rarely random — it’s almost always a sign of pain or an underlying medical problem.
We outline the common causes of shaking in sick dogs, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Sick and Shaking — Why It Happens
A dog that is sick and shaking is usually experiencing discomfort, nausea, fever, or distress within the body. Shaking can be triggered by pain, gastrointestinal upset, toxins, anxiety, or inflammation affecting internal organs. Sometimes the illness is mild, like an upset stomach, but shaking can also signal serious conditions such as pancreatitis, poisoning, or infection.
Because shaking is the body’s natural response to stress or imbalance, it often accompanies sickness when a dog is feeling overwhelmed or physically uncomfortable.
Paying close attention to the intensity of shaking, appetite changes, and energy levels helps determine how serious the situation may be.
Dog Sick and Shaking: Common Causes
Gastrointestinal Upset
Dogs who feel sick to their stomach often shake due to nausea and discomfort.
Nausea triggers the nervous system, causing dogs to tremble, drool, or pace.
Shaking may appear before vomiting or diarrhea, or it may continue afterward as the dog’s body tries to stabilize.
You may also notice lip-licking, refusing food, swallowing repeatedly, or hiding.
Mild stomach upset can improve with rest, but shaking can also indicate more serious digestive issues that need attention.
Read more: Dog sick diarrhea and not eating (Causes Explained)
Pain
Pain is one of the most common reasons sick dogs shake. When a dog is hurt — whether from abdominal pain, spinal issues, joint discomfort, or injury — shaking is often a visible sign of distress.
Pain-related shaking may appear suddenly or come and go in waves. Dogs might also pant, pace, refuse food, yelp when touched, or hide.
Because pain can point to many underlying medical problems, including injuries, organ inflammation, or gastric issues, it should never be ignored.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a painful and dangerous inflammation of the pancreas, often triggered by fatty foods or sudden dietary changes.
Dogs with pancreatitis often shake because nausea and stomach pain are intense.
You might also see vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, a tense belly, or a hunched posture.
The shaking is a natural response to the severe internal discomfort the condition creates.
Pancreatitis can quickly become life-threatening if untreated, making early recognition very important.
Fever or Infection
A fever can make a dog feel chilled, weak, and shaky — just like in humans. Shaking is the body’s attempt to raise internal temperature and fight the illness.
Respiratory infections, urinary infections, tick-borne diseases, and viral illnesses can all cause fever and shaking.
Sick dogs with fever may also have a warm body, shivering, lethargy, coughing, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
Because fever can rapidly worsen, shaking combined with heat or weakness means a vet check is necessary.
Toxins or Poisoning
Many toxins — including household chemicals, medications, poisonous plants, human foods, and rodent poisons — can cause sudden shaking and sickness.
Shaking often develops within minutes to hours of ingestion as the nervous system reacts to the toxic substance.
Other symptoms may include drooling, pacing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or collapse.
This is one of the most serious causes of dog shaking and is always considered an emergency.
Anxiety, Fear, or Stress Response
Some dogs shake when they feel scared or overwhelmed, and sickness can increase their stress levels.
A dog who feels unwell may become more anxious, especially if the illness causes discomfort.
Stress-related shaking tends to be more subtle and may come with whining, hiding, panting, or seeking comfort.
While anxiety alone is usually not dangerous, shaking combined with sickness can mask more serious problems.
Read more: Dog Sick and Diarrhea (What it means)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Sick and Shaking
Start by staying calm and observing your dog carefully. Shaking is a sign of discomfort, so create a quiet, safe environment away from noise and activity.
Check your dog’s gums, breathing, body temperature, and overall behavior. Offer fresh water, but do not force food — especially if your dog is nauseous or vomiting.
Look for clues in the environment such as spilled trash, chewed plants, missing medications, or anything out of place that could suggest toxin exposure.
If the shaking comes with vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or weakness, your dog may need professional care sooner rather than later.
Avoid giving human pain or nausea medications unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian — many are toxic to dogs.
If stress seems to be contributing, gentle reassurance, soft lighting, and a calm environment often help.
If your dog improves within a short time, monitor closely for the next 12–24 hours.
If shaking worsens or new symptoms appear, veterinary care is necessary.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
You should seek veterinary care right away if your dog is sick and shaking and any of the following are present:
- If shaking is intense, continuous, or accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or refusal to drink, your dog may be dehydrated or in pain. This combination needs prompt evaluation.
- If your dog has a fever, shivers uncontrollably, or feels warm to the touch, an infection or inflammation may be present.
- Fevers can escalate quickly and require medical attention.
- If your dog is trembling and showing signs of abdominal pain — such as a tense belly, hunched posture, or crying — pancreatitis or internal issues may be involved.
Pain-based shaking is a red flag. - Seek emergency care if you suspect toxin ingestion, medication overdose, or exposure to poisonous foods or chemicals.
- Sudden shaking is one of the earliest signs of poisoning. Shaking with pale gums, collapse, difficulty breathing, seizures, or extreme weakness is a life-threatening emergency. Act quickly to give your dog the best chance of recovery.
Read more: Dog Sick and Not Eating (Understanding the causes)
Key Takeaway
When your dog is sick and shaking, it often means they’re dealing with pain, nausea, fever, or distress.
While some causes are mild and temporary, others — like pancreatitis, poisoning, or infection — require urgent veterinary attention.
Watching your dog’s behavior, appetite, and comfort level helps determine how serious the situation may be.
With timely care and close monitoring, most dogs recover well and return to their normal selves.