If you’ve noticed unusual behavior in your dog—like shaking and hiding and not eating—it can be a worrying experience.
These signs often indicate that something is not right, whether physically, emotionally, or both. Dogs use body language and changes in behavior to communicate distress, pain, or discomfort.
We outline the common reasons why your dog might be shaking and hiding and not eating, what these behaviors might mean, and when you should be concerned.
Why Is My Dog Shaking and Hiding and Not Eating?
When your dog has a combination of shaking, hiding and not eating behavior, it often signals that they are experiencing physical discomfort, emotional distress, or an underlying health issue.
Common causes include pain or injury, fear or anxiety, illness or infection, poisoning, neurological issues, temperature-related discomfort, hormonal or metabolic disorders, recent vaccinations or medications, and stressful or traumatic experiences.
While each of these conditions affects dogs differently, they all can trigger the instinct to hide, shake, and refuse food—making it crucial to identify the root cause promptly.
Understanding the Symptoms: Shaking, Hiding, and Not Eating
When your dog is shaking and hiding and not eating, it usually points to a physical or emotional disturbance. Each of these signs can be alarming on its own, but when combined, they often signal an underlying issue that shouldn’t be ignored.
Shaking may indicate pain, stress, fear, fever, or neurological problems.
Hiding suggests that your dog is either scared, overwhelmed, or trying to escape discomfort.
Not eating is a strong red flag that your dog is not feeling well—either physically or mentally.
When these symptoms occur together, the underlying cause is usually more serious than a simple upset stomach or momentary fear.
Dog Shaking and Hiding and Not Eating: Common Causes
1. Pain or Injury
One of the most common reasons for a dog shaking and hiding and not eating is pain.
Dogs in pain often retreat to quiet corners to avoid interaction.
They might tremble or shake due to discomfort, and a loss of appetite is typical when they’re not feeling well.
Injuries, joint pain, or internal trauma can all lead to these symptoms.
For example, if your dog has pulled a muscle, fractured a bone, or is experiencing arthritis, they may shake from the pain, avoid social interaction by hiding, and lose interest in food due to general malaise.
Related: Dog shaking and not eating (Causes and what to do)
2. Fear or Anxiety
Dogs who are anxious or scared often display the trio of behaviors: shaking, hiding, and not eating.
Common triggers include thunderstorms, fireworks, car rides, vet visits, or changes in the household (new people, pets, or a recent move).
Shaking is a direct physical response to stress. Hiding is a natural instinct to seek safety, and not eating is often caused by a nervous stomach or a shutdown in the body’s appetite due to anxiety.
Separation anxiety can also manifest in this way, especially in dogs left alone for long periods or who are experiencing a change in their daily routine.
3. Illness or Infection
Underlying illness is another major cause of a dog shaking and hiding and not eating.
This could range from mild to severe, including:
Gastrointestinal issues (gastritis, pancreatitis)
Viral or bacterial infections (parvovirus, distemper)
Systemic diseases (kidney or liver problems)
Fever or inflammation
When the immune system is fighting something off, dogs often feel weak, nauseous, or feverish, leading to trembling, seeking solitude, and refusing food.
4. Poisoning or Toxin Exposure
If your dog has ingested something toxic—like human medication, chocolate, household cleaners, or poisonous plants—they may start shaking, hide due to distress, and stop eating altogether.
Toxin exposure can lead to gastrointestinal distress, neurological symptoms, and systemic issues very quickly.
You may also notice vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, or seizures.
This is a medical emergency and needs immediate veterinary care.
Related: Why is my dog shaking and not moving or eating? (Here’s why)
5. Neurological Issues
Shaking and hiding and not eating can sometimes indicate problems within your dog’s nervous system.
Neurological disorders, seizures, or vestibular disease can cause tremors or disorientation.
In such cases, your dog may instinctively hide because they’re confused or scared by their own physical sensations.
Dogs with neurological issues may also lose their appetite due to nausea, dizziness, or inability to coordinate movement around the food bowl.
6. Temperature-Related Discomfort
If your dog is shaking and hiding and not eating, temperature extremes might be the culprit.
Hypothermia (low body temperature) can cause full-body tremors.
Conversely, overheating or heatstroke can also lead to weakness, confusion, and appetite loss.
Your dog may hide to seek shelter from temperature discomfort and avoid food due to nausea caused by overheating.
7. Hormonal or Metabolic Disorders
Conditions such as diabetes, Addison’s disease, or hypothyroidism may also present with signs like trembling, lethargy, hiding behavior, and appetite loss.
These disorders disrupt your dog’s internal balance and can cause a wide range of symptoms, including changes in behavior and eating habits.
Diabetes, for example, can lead to blood sugar fluctuations that make your dog feel weak or nauseous.
Addison’s disease can cause periodic tremors, vomiting, and overall dullness, making your dog withdraw and avoid meals.
8. Recent Vaccinations or Medications
After receiving vaccines or starting a new medication, some dogs may show signs of sensitivity or side effects.
It’s not uncommon for a dog to be shaking and hiding and not eating within 24 hours of receiving shots, especially if there’s minor discomfort or fever.
If the symptoms persist beyond a day, it could indicate a reaction to the medication or a secondary infection at the injection site.
9. Stressful or Traumatic Experiences
Sometimes, a traumatic event—even something that seems minor to humans—can deeply affect a dog.
Loud arguments, being scolded harshly, boarding at a kennel, or being involved in an accident can lead to temporary behavioral withdrawal.
Dogs who are stressed may start shaking, avoid their usual spaces, and skip meals.
This reaction may fade over time, but it’s crucial to offer reassurance and monitor for any physical symptoms.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Shaking and Hiding and Not Eating
If you notice your dog displaying these behaviors, don’t panic—but act quickly. Follow these steps:
1. Assess the Situation
Check your dog’s environment for anything unusual: toxins, broken objects, loud noises, or changes in household dynamics.
Look for signs of injury or swelling on your dog’s body.
Observe for additional symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, limping, panting, or unusual vocalizations.
2. Monitor for 12–24 Hours
If your dog is only mildly shaking, hiding, and not eating—but still drinking water and acting otherwise normal—you can observe them for a short period.
Offer bland food like boiled chicken and rice and see if they eat later.
However, if symptoms worsen or continue beyond 24 hours, seek veterinary attention.
3. Avoid Forcing Food or Comfort
Let your dog come out and eat on their own terms. Forcing food or dragging them out of hiding may worsen their anxiety or cause them pain if they’re injured.
Speak in a calm voice and keep their surroundings quiet and comfortable.
Dim lights, soft bedding, and minimal activity can help them relax.
4. Visit the Veterinarian
If your dog is shaking and hiding and not eating for more than a day—or if the behavior is accompanied by other alarming signs like vomiting, blood in the stool, whining, limping, or collapse—take them to the vet immediately.
Veterinarians can run blood tests, X-rays, or ultrasounds to diagnose infections, metabolic disorders, internal injuries, or poisoning.
5. Follow Post-Treatment Care
If your vet identifies the issue and starts treatment, follow through with all recommendations.
Monitor your dog closely, provide medication as directed, and maintain a quiet environment for recovery.
In cases of anxiety or trauma, behavior modification or anti-anxiety medication might be prescribed.
Key Takeaway
If your dog is shaking and hiding and not eating, it is often a sign of physical discomfort, illness, stress, or injury.
While the cause could be minor and resolve on its own, it can also point to serious underlying conditions like poisoning, infections, or neurological issues.
The combination of these symptoms should never be ignored.
Monitoring closely, removing potential stressors, and seeking veterinary advice when needed are essential steps in protecting your dog’s health.
By recognizing the signs early and acting swiftly, you can help your dog return to their happy, healthy self and prevent complications down the road.