Have you noticed something weird and funny about your dog or pup lately? It might have been just sticking its tongue out and shaking for no apparent reason. You may have tried to stop them or even offer your dog their favorite treats to distract them. But nothing seems to work. Are you worried about this changed behavior of your dog? Let’s see what you need to know about your dog’s behavior.
It is not uncommon for dogs to stick their tongues out and shake as they need to cool themselves down. They can be seen doing this very often, but sometimes you may notice them do this regularly. Especially after they have indulged in some physical activity, shaking vehemently can indicate serious physical ailments and should be addressed on time.
Why Do Dog’s Tongues Quiver?
As pet parents, you may think some of your furry friend’s activities do not make sense. For example, a trembling mouth is one of the many bizarre yet endearing traits that dogs may possess. Although it doesn’t happen to all dogs, some dogs suffer from such anomalies.
Your dog, whether a baby, a mature, or an old dog, may have a quivering jaw due to various feelings or physiological changes.
Most causes of a trembling jaw are entirely harmless. So, nothing needs to be done regarding them, even if you find them annoying. But, on the other hand, even if you find these quivers adorable, you should not just let your dog be.
Rather, you should have a vet examine it to check out any serious therapeutic causes if it persists.
Also Read: Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws? 7 Common Reasons
Reason For Tongue’s Quiver
A dog’s tongue may quiver for different reasons. Some of the prominent reasons are listed below.
It May Have Some Health Problems
A trembling mouth can indicate that your dog suffers from undetected health issues. For example, your dog could be poisoned, or its salts, potassium, calcium, or glucose level can be out of proportion.
It may also experience neurological issues when its mouth tenses during or after the trembles.
Epileptic Fits Can Also Make Your Dog Quiver
Your dog might be experiencing an epileptic fit sometimes when it swoons. Epilepsy is not to be taken lightly, and we recommend you take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Your dog suffers from White Dog Shaker Syndrome
Some dogs were referred to as “shaker dogs” because they are more susceptible to aftershocks or convulsing. Still, usually, it affects something more than the mandible and spreads to other parts.
This illness affects Rescue dogs and Bull Dogs alike. Named White Dog Shaker syndrome, it can affect both young and adult dogs. Interestingly, it affects light-colored dogs more.
Five Clear Reasons for Your Dog to Stick Their Tongues Out and Shake
As already mentioned that although dogs stick their tongues out, they do not shake very often, that too, for no reason. Therefore, it is recommended to visit your dog’s vet if the condition persists in the long run. Also, try to record your dog, especially when they are shaking, as it helps the vet determine the cause and think of the remedy accordingly.
Let us quickly look at the top reasons for making your dog behave in such a manner.
1. They Have Been Affected by Some Stimulants
To begin with, this erratic and irrational behavior might be a result of some stimulant, which your dog has probably eaten. It may even be due to some jarring or unpleasant noise that they have heard. Under the normative circumstances, once the immediate effect of the stimulant wears off, your dog should be normal, but try to ascertain if there is any change in the behavior of your dog.
Besides, keep in mind that this behavior may be connected to your dog’s medical history. So, consult your vet accordingly, and inform them about any change you may notice in your dog and your pet’s medical history.
2. Your Dog is Suffering from Seizures
Seizures can be one of the worst nightmares for your beloved canine friend. To start, ensure that your dog is on the ground and not standing on any high platform so that it doesn’t fall on the ground with a thud and hurts itself. Remember that if your dog is shaking due to a seizure, it has no control over itself and may accidentally bite you if you try to pull its tongue.
Seizures can lead to a gradual increase in your dog’s body temperature, and in that case, try to apply cold and wet towels to them to bring down their body temperature. Besides, seizures are not to be taken lightly, as they may indicate something wrong with their vital body organs like the liver, kidneys, or the heart. Hence, you should consult your vet as soon as possible, and they will probably run a few tests to determine the seriousness of the condition and prescribe medication accordingly.
3. Your Dog is in Pain
Pain could be a reason for making your dogs stick their tongues out and shake. They may be experiencing grimacing pain due to various reasons, and if you think that your dog’s unnatural behavior is due to pain, you need to take your dog to the vet to ascertain the reason for the same. Your dog’s vet can determine the cause and provide them immediate respite from the pain.
Depending on the gravity of the situation and the nature of the pain, your vet may administer medication, apply muscle relaxants, or suggest anti-inflammatory drugs. Please remember that if you are taking care of your dog at your home while recuperating, try to stop your pet from running around or climbing up the stairs. Ensure that they get ample rest, and they should not be further injured.
4. Your Dog is Suffering from Poisoning
The chances are that your dog has accidentally ingested something, making them stick out their tongues and shake. The toxins from the ingested substance are causing them to behave in such a manner, and in this case, home remedies are the least efficient. So, without wasting any precious time, you have got to take your dog to the vet.
Apart from your vet’s medication, you may also have to admit your dog to a veterinary hospital as they need intensive care until the toxin is flushed out from their bodies. Although your vet may advise you to induce vomit in them to flush out the toxin, which you can do at your home, do not try these tricks on your own, and it is advisable to seek professional help.
5. Your Dog Has Grown Old
Time flies, and as dog parents, it is hard for us to face the ugly truth that dogs tend to age much faster than human beings. Unfortunately, old age and age-related problems can also be one of the reasons which are making your dog shake while sticking its tongue out. It is equally unfortunate that you can’t do anything specific to provide them respite from this condition in this scenario.
You need to take care of your dog as much as possible and ensure that it is getting a proper diet and rest. Besides, you can engage your dog with some mental activity, as, with age, their capacity to indulge in physical activities is curtailed to a great extent. Moreover, after consulting with your vet, you can begin administering certain medicines and health supplements to ensure that they remain healthy and live fulfilling lives.
Why Does My Dog Shake Like He’s Having A Seizure?
Involuntary trembling, often considered a seizure in a dog, is among the most upsetting things a dog owner may witness.
Nevertheless, as a pet parent, you must be concerned if your dog is experiencing a seizure and would like to know why such reactions occur. So, in this section, let us quickly understand why your dog suffers from seizures.
Your Dog Is Just Shivering
Shivering is a common symptom of anxiety and apprehension in dogs. Although it may look like a seizure, some dogs shiver, and you may mistake it as a seizure. It may also happen when your dog feels cold, just like humans.
Besides, numerous health problems, often triggered by ingesting waste or specific metabolic alkalosis, can trigger your dog to shudder or quiver.
Your Dog Is Suffering From Seizures Only
A seizure is a sign that something is wrong with the forebrain. A variety of internal or external cerebral factors can produce seizures. The stimuli can also be metabolic disorders, electrolyte imbalance, soreness, etc.
According to many experts, dogs are susceptible to the MUO, which also leads to seizures. MOU is an umbrella term used to describe many non-toxic and non-transmissible inflammatory brain illnesses caused by autoimmune reactions.
Your Dog Is Suffering From Other Issues
Several other issues, including behavioral ones like terror and stress, electrolyte levels, issues with the neuron or tendon, lethargy or exhaustion, and susceptibility to particular poisons, can result in convulsions.
Serious injury can also result in traumas, causing seizures.
Your Dog Is Shaking, Which Resembles A Seizure
Shaking can occur for a variety of circumstances, including discomfort. One of the major causes that can cause trembling in dogs from discomfort is arthritis.
For example, in adult dogs with joint issues, pain sometimes manifests as trembling in the back legs.
Shaking or trembling does not always indicate a serious situation. The other simple reasons for shaking are given below.
Enthusiasm
Not every cause of your dog’s trembling is unfavorable. For example, dogs tremble when they feel thrilled, when interacting with you or when you have arrived back from work. This is a physiological response that helps individuals release surplus power and relaxes.
Your dog may also shudder while you’re serving their favorite meal and whenever they spy anything interesting.
Stress
If your dog is afraid of strong noises such as thunderstorms or explosions, it may shake and shiver in reaction. Furthermore, dogs typically suffer anxiety when environmental changes occur in “their domain.”
We recommend contacting your veterinary expert when your dog’s nervousness is bad. In this case, your vet may recommend anti-anxiety drugs for your dog.
Cold
Unless your dog exhibits other worrying signs, it is probably trembling due to the weather. Whenever it’s chilly, canines tremble much the same as humans would.
So it makes sense to spend money on a jacket or even a set of boots if you reside in a freezing region or own a tiny or skinny dog. But your puppy should spend only a little time outside.
In the end, shaking occurs for various reasons; some are threatening, while others are not. So you must identify if it is a seizure or a simple trembling.
What to Do if My Dog is Sticking its Tongue out and Shaking?
Now, since we have ventured deep into the probable reasons that are causing your pet dog to stick out its tongue and shake, let us also look at some of the solutions to this problem.
1. Keep Your Dog Warm and Relaxed
Please remember that it is probably the stimulants which is causing your dog to shake while sticking their tongues out. As a dog parent, you should ensure that your dog is calm and relaxed.
Besides, when your dog is shaking, try to keep it warm by wrapping something around it like a warm quilt. Many times, shaking stops when they are warm, calm, and composed, and you should try and make your dog comfortable.
2. Consult Your Veterinarian Immediately
Please be sure that the shaking part is not just a regular occurrence in your dog. If it is, your dog needs professional help. If you find these symptoms recurring from time to time, it is best to take your dog to the vet and let them know about the recurring symptoms and the health history of your canine friend.
Let them run a few tests on your dog and administer medication to relieve your dog from this uncomfortable situation. Besides, your vet is trained and more experienced in dealing with dogs and should be able to guide you better about taking care of your dog at your home.
3. Avoid Certain Foods Which May Act as Stimulants for Your Dog
As mentioned earlier, there is a huge probability that your dog’s weird behavior is due to something that they may have ingested. And it’s also true that as dog parents, you may not often be aware of certain foods that can potentially harm your dogs.
In case you find that your dog is shaking, it is best to avoid certain food items like nuts (which have a high percentage of salt and fat), especially macadamia nuts, which are toxic and have adverse effects on canines of any sort. Besides, food items like chocolates can be poisonous to your dog and should be avoided at any cost.
4. Try to Engage Them More in Physical and Mental Activities
One of the quick remedies to deal with this situation is a distraction, and you may try doing so in a lot of ways. Apart from giving it regular treats, you can try to engage them more in physical or mental activities. While the physical activities may include regular walks or hiking, mental activities may include giving them new toys, introducing them to new faces, or letting them be a part of the household chores, which they enjoy.
While indulging your dog in physical or mental activities, don’t forget that these exercises may not have immediate effects in the long run, but eventually, they may help. Also, the level of physical activity depends on your dog’s physical age and fitness. For instance, if your dog tends to stick its tongue out and shake due to sheer old age, you can’t expect it to take long walks with you. So, decide the level of physical activity accordingly, and if required, take help from professionals.
Should I Be Concerned If My Canine Is Shivering?
If you have a pet dog at home, you must have noticed that when it falls sick, it shivers. While shivering, in general, is considered to be associated with cold or fever, dogs quiver and shake for various reasons.
While shivering is not to be taken seriously, if it continues for a long period of time, it may indicate serious issues.
Apart from shivering, you can also see your dog shaking and trembling, which could also be signs of serious conditions in dogs. This includes intoxication and renal failure. So, if your dog begins shivering or trembling, pay attention to symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, or hobbling.
Taking it to the vet is probably the wisest decision.
FAQs
If your dog is acting weird and trembling, it may suffer from psychological issues, including tension, worry, and separation anxiety. Your dog may also have stress whenever it starts to shake and act abnormally throughout a rainstorm or laser show.
Also, if the weather is hot, watch out for your dog, as shivering is a common symptom of heatstroke in dogs.
If your dog shakes and smacks its lips, it may have stress and fear-related problems. Just notice carefully, and you will find that it is sucking its lips, arching its eyebrows, and its body language has become stiff.
It is probably feeling worried or afraid as well. Last, there is a good chance that it is feeling nauseated due to ingesting some foreign particle.
Suppose your dog is acting scared and shaking its head. In that case, it is probably stressed due to natural phenomena like thunderstorms, gusty winds, torrential rains, and loud noise.
Besides, some dogs may also become uncomfortable due to the presence of unwanted guests within the house.
If your dog is in pain, it will show physical, behavioral, and mobility-related symptoms like:
• Tightening of muscles
• Its back may be arched
• It may also try to duck its head below its shoulders
• Your dog will also shake, pant, or tremble.
• It will also moan loudly and won’t like being physically touched.
• It will be restless and may become aggressive at times.
• A dog may also begin to limp or refuse to walk altogether.
• It will also avoid climbing any stairs and may become lethargic.
If your dog has seizures, it may lean to one side, lose consciousness, and suffer from regular involuntary contractions. Besides, it may also pull its legs and show jaw-crunching motions. Also, some dogs may end up peeing, pooping, and licking themselves.
As a result, it becomes much more challenging to identify focused epilepsy, sometimes known as a partial seizure.
If your dog is stressed, it will often exhibit glassy eyes and fast blinking. In addition, they could seem shocked as they expand the white portion of their eyes.
Besides, its normally attentive or comfortable ears are shoved back against the head, and it may make alterations in its position.
If your dog is shaking from anxiety, try to reassure your nervous dog that everything is fine. Use a soothing voice when giving them any command. Seek to form a secure environment where kids have a sense of security.
Besides, take your companion away from the stressful setting. In case of acute stress, contacting an expert is a better choice.
One of the easiest methods of calming a stressed dog is exercise. Just like with individuals, exercising has a powerful calming effect. Strolling or practicing fetch might benefit your and your dog’s relaxation.
It is a great way to give your dog a secure area of the house where he should retreat from stressful events. In addition, you can also try to give it a massage and engage it in calming therapy or some calming coats.
There are three major indicators that a dog requires your assistance. They are physiological changes, behavioral alterations, and soreness or uncomfortable indications. Alteration in the schedule of consuming food and fluid also indicates the same.
Dogs’ typical symptoms of anxiety include shaking, bulging eyes, and an inflexible stance. In addition, they can be gasping, sweating, screaming, or wailing.
Furthermore, some can be restless, self-destructive, and try to flee at times. They may also pee or poop uncontrollably as well. Last, they can even exhibit behaviors like staying away or hiding.
Conclusion
While it is common for dogs to stick out their tongue if they are shaking at the same time, it is a bad indication and is probably an indication of some major ailments that they are suffering from. Therefore, as a responsible dog parent, you need to be careful and notice how these behavioral patterns affect your dog’s mood and temperament.
Besides, it is always better to be sure, and you should be seeking professional help from a veterinarian or a dog behaviorist. They will be able to ascertain your dog’s physical and mental health implications.
Hi, I’m Walter,
I live in Oklahoma City, USA, and have extensive dog caring and grooming expertise. In addition, I provide dog training tips and tricks through my blogs in Canine Weekly. I have a Dog Behavior and Training diploma and have previously worked as a Dog Trainer at ROC Animal Training and Behavior and Tip Top K9 of OKC Dog Training.
Apart from writing on Canine Weekly, I share my views on Twitter and Linkedin.