It could be a sign of excitement, fear, or even something more serious like a health condition.
If your dog is shaking and drooling excessively, it’s best to speak to your vet to find out the cause.
However, there are also some things you can try at home to make your dog feel better.
Potential causes of your dog’s shaking and drooling
Here are some possible causes for your dog’s shaking and drooling:
Stress
Excessive exercise
Infection
Food allergies
Kidney disease
A seizure disorder
Tumor
Dental problems
Neurological conditions
Allergies
Other health issues
If you have any questions about your dog’s shaking and drooling, it’s best to consult with your vet.
When to seek professional help
The most important thing to remember when seeking professional help for your dog is that if they’re not showing any signs of improvement after a few days, they should see their vet immediately.
You may want to consider taking your dog with you to the vet to prevent them from having to wait in the car while you get an appointment.
If you don’t have time to take them with you, however, you can ask someone else to do so on your behalf.
It’s also important to note that if your dog is suffering from an injury or illness, they may require treatment before you can address the underlying cause of their shaking and drooling.
In this case, it’s best to bring your dog in right away to ensure that they receive the care they need as soon as possible.
This article will provide you with information about what causes your dog’s shaking and drooling, but if you’re unsure whether your pet needs to see a vet, here’s how to tell.
Your dog has a fever: Your dog is likely to shake and drool if they have a fever because they’re uncomfortable. This is especially true if they have a high temperature. If your dog appears to be uncomfortable, they should be taken to the vet immediately.
They’re licking themselves excessively: If your dog is licking themselves excessively, they could be experiencing pain or discomfort. You can use a cotton ball dipped in warm water to encourage them to lick instead of bite themselves.
Their eyes are bloodshot: If your dog has red, irritated eyes, then it’s probably because they’ve been crying or rubbing them constantly. They may also be experiencing pain since they’re continually rubbing their eyes. If you notice these symptoms, you should contact your vet.
They’re urinating or defecating inappropriately: Dogs who are shaking and drooling may be doing both of these things simultaneously. Signs of inappropriate urination include urine spraying all over the place, excessive dribbling, and excessive licking of the genitals. Signs of defecation include copious amounts of feces being passed, excessive licking of the anus, and vomiting.
They’re chewing on themselves: If your dog is continuously chewing on themselves, they could be experiencing a dental problem. It’s also possible that they’re eating too much and trying to self-medicate. Contact your vet if you suspect that your dog is chewing on themselves.
They’re salivating excessively: Saliva will drip down their face if they’re feeling stressed, anxious, excited, or nervous. Other signs of excessive salivation include excessive licking, drooling, and chewing. This is a common symptom of anxiety and stress.
They’re acting aggressively: If your dog is acting aggressive towards other dogs or people, it could be due to a medical condition. While this behavior isn’t dangerous, it could indicate that your dog is frightened or stressed. If your dog is acting aggressively, contact your vet immediately.
They’re foaming at the mouth: Foaming at the mouth occurs when excess saliva gets into the airway, making it difficult for your dog to breathe. The foam will eventually fall off their tongue, but it can be extremely painful. If your dog is foaming at the mouth, contact your vet immediately.
They’re breathing heavily: If your dog has been panting excessively, they may be experiencing a respiratory infection. They’ll also likely be coughing and sneezing. If your dog is breathing heavily, they should be brought to the vet immediately.
They’re trembling excessively: Dogs who are trembling excessively are likely experiencing a seizure. They’ll often appear stiff and lose control of their muscles. If your dog is trembling excessively, contact your vet immediately.
When you’re caring for your pet, one thing that often goes overlooked is how they feel inside.
You probably have an idea about how much energy your dog has left in them after a long day, but what if they’re not feeling well?
The first step towards keeping your dog comfortable is to identify whether they’re shaking and drooling as a symptom of a medical problem or just because they’re tired.
1. Keep an eye on their body language
Sometimes dogs will shake and drool when they’re uncomfortable, so it’s important to pay attention to their body language.
If your dog is constantly licking their lips, yawning, or scratching themselves, this indicates discomfort.
This may also happen if they’re experiencing pain.
To determine whether your dog is having a physical reaction or just being tired, you’ll need to take a look at their activity levels.
Your dog should be moving around normally and not appear lethargic or sluggish.
It’s also worth taking note of any changes in their behavior over time.
If your dog is suddenly becoming aggressive or fearful, these behaviors could indicate that they’re suffering from anxiety or another mental illness.
2. Pay attention to their environment
Dogs are very sensitive creatures who can pick up on subtle changes in their surroundings.
If you notice anything unusual in your dog’s environment, such as a change in temperature, it’s likely they’re reacting to something.
For example, if you notice that your dog is shaking and drooling when you leave the house and becomes calm again once you return, this could mean they’re simply sensing that you’ve left the house.
However, if they become agitated and nervous when you open the front door, this could be due to a change in temperature.
In this case, it’s best to bring the air conditioning down before you leave the house in order to prevent your dog from getting overheated.
If you have pets with you while you’re outside, it’s also worth paying attention to the way they act.
For instance, if your dog is shaking and drooling when you’re walking through a park, this could be a sign of stress.
This is particularly true if they’re barking, growling, or showing aggression towards other dogs or people.
3. Check their paws
If your dog is shaking and drooling due to poor circulation in their feet, it’s likely that they’ve developed a fungal infection.
To treat this, wash your dog’s feet daily with warm water and soap and apply a foot cream twice a week.
Make sure to check their feet regularly to ensure that they don’t develop any blisters.
If your dog is shaking and drooling due to a lack of exercise, you’ll need to work with your vet to set up a schedule to walk them every day.
If this isn’t possible, you’ll need to consider enrolling your dog in a local dog training class.
4. Take them to the vet
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from a medical condition instead of just being tired, it’s best to contact your vet immediately.
A number of different illnesses can lead to your dog shaking and drooling, including heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, and diabetes.
You should always consult your vet before treating your dog yourself, however, as they’ll be able to provide advice on the best course of action to take in order to keep them comfortable.
In addition to discussing your dog’s symptoms, your vet will also want to know about their lifestyle and diet.
These factors can affect the severity of your dog’s condition.
Possible treatments for your dog
For minor cases, your pet may just need some extra attention.
You can offer him some treats to comfort him, such as a good chew toy or a favorite treat.
Some other possible causes for your dog shaking and drooling include:
An overactive thyroid gland. Thyroid disease can cause your dog to have a hyperactivity disorder. An overactive thyroid gland can cause your dog to shake and drool excessively.
A brain tumor. Brain tumors are very rare in dogs, but if one does occur, it can cause the animal to have seizures. Seizures can cause your dog to shake and drool excessively.
Kidney problems. Kidney disease can cause your dog’s urine output to increase, which can result in shaking and drooling. This can happen in older dogs as well as younger ones.
Dental diseases. Dental disease can cause your dog to have severe tooth pain. Tooth pain can lead to excessive saliva production, which can result in your dog shaking and drooling.
Urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause your dog to urinate excessively. UTIs can also trigger vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive salivation.
Mastitis. Mastitis is a painful inflammation of the mammary glands. This can cause your dog to shake and drool excessively, as well as vomit and have diarrhea.
Heartworms. Heartworm disease can cause your dog to shake and drool excessively. Heartworm disease can also cause coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties.
Infection. Infections such as Lyme disease, ringworm, and fleas can cause your dog to shake and drool excessively.
Cushing’s disease. Cushing’s disease is a hormonal disorder that affects how much cortisol your dog produces. This hormone regulates blood pressure, metabolism, and immune system function. High levels of cortisol can cause your dog to shake and drool excessively.
Parvovirus. Parvovirus is a virus that causes diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy in puppies. This virus can also cause your dog to shake uncontrollably.
FAQs about dogs shaking and drooling
Here are some common questions about what causes dogs to shake and drool, along with answers from our vets.
My dog shakes when he gets excited. What should I do?
My dog shakes and drools when he’s nervous. What can I do?
I think my dog has worms. How can I tell for sure?
What can I do about itchy skin on my dog?
How often should I wash my dog?
Is it normal for my dog’s eyes to be red?
My dog has diarrhea and she’s shaking. Should I take her to the vet?
What to do if your dog starts shaking and drooling
When your dog shakes and drools excessively, it’s usually because he or she is experiencing extreme anxiety or stress. If your dog is shaking and drooling for no apparent reason, contact your veterinarian immediately. You should consider a visit with your veterinarian every time your dog shakes and drools. You may notice that your dog has started shaking and drooling when he or she is anxious or excited. It’s important to note that this behavior isn’t always caused by something bad happening. It’s normal for dogs to shake and drool during times of high emotion. This type of behavior can be triggered by the excitement of playing fetch, meeting new people, or doing a fun activity. When a dog experiences these emotions, they will usually shake and drool until their body temperature returns to normal.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
