Seeing your dog trembling and panting excessively can be alarming. These behaviors often signal that something deeper is happening — from stress or pain to a potentially serious medical condition.
We outline the common causes of excessive trembling and panting in dogs, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Trembling and Panting Excessively — Why It Happens
Trembling and panting together usually indicate that your dog’s body is under physical or emotional stress. While mild panting after play or heat exposure is normal, excessive or prolonged panting accompanied by shaking often points to pain, anxiety, overheating, or illness.
In some cases, it can be a sign of poisoning, fever, or a hormonal imbalance affecting your dog’s ability to regulate body temperature.
Dog Trembling and Panting Excessively: Common Causes
1. Anxiety or Fear
Just like humans, dogs can experience strong emotional stress. Situations like thunderstorms, fireworks, car rides, or vet visits can make a dog shake and pant heavily.
When frightened, their adrenaline surges, heart rate rises, and body temperature increases — leading to panting and trembling. You might also notice wide eyes, tucked tails, or attempts to hide.
Chronic anxiety can cause recurring trembling even in calm environments, so if your dog often seems “nervous,” behavioral support or medication from your vet might help.
Read more: Dog Panting and Shaking at Night (Here’s why)
2. Pain or Injury
Pain is one of the most common hidden causes of trembling and panting. Dogs instinctively mask pain, but involuntary shaking and fast breathing can give it away.
Joint pain, dental pain, abdominal discomfort, or injury can all cause these signs. Panting helps them cope with stress, while trembling reflects discomfort or muscle strain.
If your dog trembles when moving, avoids being touched, or pants while resting, pain should be suspected and assessed promptly.
3. Heatstroke or Overheating
Overheating can be life-threatening — and panting is your dog’s main way of cooling down. When their body temperature rises too high, excessive panting quickly escalates into shaking, drooling, and weakness.
Heatstroke often happens in hot cars, during walks under the sun, or after overexertion. Flat-faced breeds (like Bulldogs and Pugs) are at greater risk because they can’t expel heat efficiently.
Move your dog to a shaded area, offer small sips of cool (not cold) water, and contact your vet immediately if panting and trembling persist or worsen.
4. Poisoning or Toxic Reaction
Exposure to toxins — such as chocolate, xylitol, rodenticides, or certain plants — can cause panting, trembling, vomiting, and drooling. The body reacts to the toxin with rapid breathing and muscle spasms as it tries to cope with distress.
This situation is always an emergency. Call your vet or the nearest animal poison helpline immediately if you suspect ingestion of anything toxic. Quick action can be lifesaving.
5. Fever or Infection
When fighting infection, a dog’s body temperature may spike, causing both trembling and panting as they attempt to cool down. Fever is common with infections like kennel cough, urinary tract infections, or even tick-borne diseases.
You might also notice lethargy, loss of appetite, or warm ears and nose. A thermometer reading above 103°F (39.4°C) suggests fever — a sign to call your vet.
6. Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
Cushing’s disease is a hormonal disorder that causes the body to produce too much cortisol. Common symptoms include excessive panting, shaking, hair loss, increased thirst, and pot-bellied appearance.
It mostly affects middle-aged and senior dogs. The trembling results from muscle weakness and hormonal imbalance, while panting occurs from internal stress on the body.
If your dog shows these chronic changes, your vet can perform blood tests to confirm and recommend treatment options.
7. Old Age and Muscle Weakness
Older dogs often tremble and pant more easily because of weakened muscles, pain from arthritis, or decreased ability to regulate body temperature.
These changes are usually gradual, but if trembling becomes frequent or severe, it may signal pain or an underlying condition like cognitive dysfunction or heart disease.
Supportive care, pain management, and keeping your senior dog comfortable in a stable temperature can help minimize these episodes.
Read more: Dog Panting and Not Eating (What it means for your dog’s health)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Trembling and Panting Excessively
If your dog is trembling and panting, start by observing the situation closely. Did it happen after excitement, exercise, or heat exposure? Or did it occur suddenly without any trigger?
Move your dog to a quiet, cool, and comfortable place. Offer water and speak gently to help them relax. Sometimes, simple reassurance can calm anxiety-driven trembling.
Check for visible injuries, swelling, or signs of pain such as limping or yelping. If you notice any of these or if the panting seems labored, contact your veterinarian.
Avoid giving human medications — they can be dangerous for dogs. Instead, focus on comfort, hydration, and minimizing stress until you can get a professional opinion.
If trembling and panting happen frequently or last longer than 15–20 minutes, schedule a vet exam to rule out chronic pain, endocrine disease, or toxin exposure.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Contact your vet immediately if your dog:
Pants heavily while resting or sleeping.
Trembles uncontrollably for more than 20 minutes.
Collapses, vomits, drools excessively, or seems disoriented.
Has a rapid heartbeat, pale gums, or glassy eyes.
Was recently exposed to heat, exercise, or possible toxins.
Panting and trembling are the body’s emergency signals. Persistent or extreme symptoms mean your dog is struggling to cope — and urgent veterinary evaluation is the safest next step.
Even if the episode passes, keeping a record (including video) helps your vet identify patterns and make a faster diagnosis.
Read more: Dog Panting and Vomiting (When to worry and call your vet)
Key Takeaway
Trembling and panting excessively are your dog’s ways of signaling discomfort — whether emotional, environmental, or medical.
While mild episodes after play or excitement are normal, persistent trembling and panting shouldn’t be ignored. They often point to pain, overheating, or internal illness that requires professional care.
Stay calm, move your dog to a comfortable spot, and monitor closely. If symptoms don’t resolve quickly or your dog seems distressed, contact your veterinarian right away.
Your attention and quick response can make all the difference in keeping your furry friend safe, comfortable, and healthy.