Why Does My Yorkie Shake?
[11 Reasons + Tips]

author
Aaron Rice Expert Dog Trainer
Written: January 17, 2022

There can be many different reasons behind a shaking and trembling dog. Most dog owners like to assume it is cold. However, such assumptions can be dangerous for your Yorkies’ health. If such symptoms have occurred frequently in your dog, then do not let it go undiagnosed. 

As common as a Yorkie shaking may be, it can be a case of serious problems. First of all, all dog owners should know how to differentiate between a severe issue and typical dog shaking. Here are all the common reasons that lead to shaking in Yorkies with their treatments.

Hypoglycemic

Hypoglycemia equates to low blood sugar levels in Yorkie dogs. Whenever your dog lacks a sufficient amount of sugar, they start shaking.

This condition occurs more frequently in Yorkshire puppies that are around four months old.

Hypoglycemia happens because the dog cannot process or regulate sugar levels, leading to losing consciousness or, worst-case scenario, death. 

Poisoning By Accident 

Yorkies have a small body which makes them more prone to poisoning. Even a tiny amount of food can poison them. As a result, they have tremors and shivers from consuming a poisonous plant or harmful human food. These foods might include toxins; they harm their internal organs and lead to muscle weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and confusion. 

Body Temperature

Yorkshire Terrier breed only has one coat, unlike most dogs which have two layers of fur. A single coat puts them at a disadvantage because now they are more likely to be chilled and cold. Shivering, shaking, and tremors resulting from your dog’s body reacting to the cold temperature. It can also happen when they just had a bath or were out in the rain, and other problematic causes can be windy days, cold days, and drafty locations. 

Emotions

Yorkies don’t just need the warmth of a blanket to protect themselves from cold; they also need the warmth of human touch. They crave being close to their dog owners and tend to act very needily. Their love for being pampered by family members and pet parents only keeps growing. However, a Yorkie having separation anxiety can show symptoms such as shaking. Not just detachment, but an array of other emotions can also cause these shivers. Some examples are jealousy, excitement, and fear. 

Scared

Dogs can be afraid of many things; one of them is heights. Have you noticed your Yorkie shaking because you picked them up? That’s because they are fearful of heights. Other than that, they can also be sensitive to loud sounds and might feel threatened if they hear a loud thud out of nowhere. There can also be fear of other dogs due to bad experiences of being overwhelmed by their size. 

Nausea

Humans can barely tolerate nausea. We despise the feeling of being nauseated and feel helpless even when we can communicate our discomfort.

Imagine how horrible the experience is for a tiny Yorkie, and you can only guess to find out what is wrong with them.

Common symptoms of nausea include vomiting, yawning, and drooling. 

Indigestion 

Indigestion is caused by eating food that is harmful to their body. We know it is difficult to resist a cute Yorkie that wants everything you are eating, but it is incredibly detrimental to their health. Indigestion can cause stomach pain, discomfort, lousiness, shaking, uneasiness, etc. Yorkies are an active dog breed, so when you find them reacting weirdly, you can tell something is wrong.

Severe Pain

A Yorkie shaking can be a sign of severe pain in their body. It might be hard for us to pinpoint where this pain is coming from because they are efficient at hiding it. Years of evolution have given them the ability to hide their pain; it helps them be safe from predators in the wilderness. 

Over excitement

Now, this is rather cute, but some Yorkies shake from overexcitement. This reaction can be triggered by seeing you or other family members after a long time or just squeaky toys and treats. Learning to differentiate between when your Yorkie is excited or scared is essential; you do not want to confuse the two!

Stress

If Yorkies are under a lot of pressure, and they start to shake, they are probably suffering from stress. A sudden change in emotions can also be stressful for Yorkie; being happy one moment and scarred for life the next can start a stress-induced response like trembling and shivering. 

Disease

Discharge from eyes and nose, paired with coughing, fever, trembling, and shaking, are Distemper symptoms. Tremoring is also a result of other neurological disorders like adrenal gland problems, kidney diseases, and liver diseases. 

Solutions

  • To fight low blood sugar levels, provide your beloved pet some nutritious and healthy food. Some owners feed their dogs the food they consume; this excludes anything harmful to their health.

  • Avoiding poisoning can be difficult; you can take them to a vet if the matter becomes worse. As a precaution, do not give your pets anything that contains artificial sweeteners or chocolate.

  • Regulating your dog’s body temperature is vital if they are unable to do so themselves. Always have a towel and dryer handy after your Yorkie takes a bath, don’t let them out in the rain, and make them wear cute clothes to keep their body warm.

  • Petting your Yorkie timely and not leaving them alone is the first step to curing their separation anxiety. Make them feel wanted by expressing your love through random acts of kindness.

  • If your puppy looks shaken from fear, gently pet them and try to give a sense of security. Recognize the source of your dog’s anxiety and try systematic desensitization to reduce it over time.

  • Nausea can happen due to motion sickness. Avoid taking your dog on car rides if you find them dizzy and shaking after a trip. Recognize the mentioned symptoms and take them to a vet if they look inactive even after vomiting.

  • Indigestion is a result of improper diet patterns. If you have been feeding your dog too much unhealthy food, then stop immediately because this will have a long-term negative impact on their health.
  • If you suspect that the cause behind your Yorkies’ shake and shiver is unidentified severe pain, then take them to the vet for treatment as soon as possible.

  • A Yorkshire Terrier shaking from overexcitement is not alarming; instead, you should look forward to such moments and maybe even capture them on camera.

  • Avoid putting your pet on an emotional roller coaster. Some dog owners might get a kick out of this, but it can be a traumatic experience for the animal. Do not startle them while they are playing or threaten them just for a few laughs.

  • Such ailments are common in small breed dogs like Yorkshire Terriers. A Veterinarian can treat them by using corticosteroids and other medical methods. Do not treat such diseases yourself; there are no home remedies for them, and only an expert should handle such matters. 

Conclusion

As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to keep track of all the reasons that will leave your Yorkie shaking. We humbly request all pet parents to visit a good veterinarian if the symptoms are too severe because We can not treat everything at home.

We hope that now you have a better understanding of why your Yorkie shakes and what preventive measures you can take to avoid them.