Why Do Chihuahuas Shake All The Time? What’s Behind The Shivering

Last Updated on September 3, 2021 by admin

One common question most Chi owners end up asking is – why do Chihuahuas shake all the time. If you’re the same, then this article is for you!

If you’re a new Chihuahua parent – seeing your pet start shaking for the first time can be a bit unnerving. In fact, when it comes to Chihuahuas, there may be numerous reasons behind your Chihuahua shivering. Chis can shake due to anxiety, excitement, cold, hypoglycemia, and other reasons.

However, before you start worrying yourself sick over your pet’s well-being – take a moment to go through our article. We’ve compiled some of the most common reasons behind your pet getting a bad case of the shakes and what you can do to help your Chi through it.

Why Do Chihuahuas Shiver All The Time – Five Most Common Reasons

Chis are lovable creatures who form a deep bond with their owners. That’s why it’s not exactly difficult to understand why Chihuahua parents can sometimes get over-anxious when they catch their pet shivering. However, rest assured that if your pet is shaking, there’s a logical explanation. Here are some of the usual suspects behind Chihuahua shaking at times.

•  Metabolism

Believe it or not, one of the answers to why Chihuahuas shake all the time can be high metabolism. It’s often difficult to relate a fast metabolism to a tiny terrier like the Chihuahua. But this particular toy breed can burn calories up to three times faster than most other dog breeds. This means that as soon as your Chi eats its food – its system starts breaking down the nutrients at a super-sonic speed. The fat content in your canine’s food contributes to sustaining its body heat regulation too. And once the food has been digested, your doggo’s body heat may start to dip, bringing on the shivers.

• Excitement

You may be surprised to learn that the answer to why Chihuahuas shake all the time can be – excitement. So, don’t be surprised to find your pet shivering whenever it’s time to do something it really loves – like eating treats or going on walks. And, if you’re Chi is shaking out of excitement, then there’s nothing for you to worry about. It is just standard Chihuahua behavior.

While it’s cute to see your pet shaking out of excitement, try not to go overboard when feeding your Chihuahua treats. Remember that Chis are prone to obesity, which can lead to a whole host of health problems. Your pet’s treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of its daily caloric intake.

• Hypoglycemia

Chihuahuas are susceptible to developing hypoglycemia (aka low blood sugar). That’s because their tiny bodies cannot generate and store enough sugar to sustain their energy levels. It’s primarily why veterinarians advise feeding your Chis three to four portioned meals throughout the day to ensure their sugar levels don’t dip.

Symptoms of low blood sugar include shivering, lethargy, and unwillingness to move. If you suspect your pet is experiencing hypoglycemia, you can balance its sugar by giving it a dropper of sugar water. However, once your Chi’s sugar has stabilized – it’s best to consult your vet about how to deal with the situation in the future.

• Hypothermia

Some dogs can deal with the cold better than others due to their thick coats and body mass. However, Chihuahuas don’t have much protection in terms of body fat or fur. That’s why they’re more susceptible to the cold. In fact, any time the weather dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit – your Chihuahua can start shaking due to the weather. So, why do Chihuahuas tremble when the weather turns? That’s simple. It’s because your pet is feeling cold.

Learn more about: Do Chihuahuas Have Hair Or Fur: Groom Your Canine The Right Way

You need to prep for your Chi for the winter and ensure it has all it needs to beat the chill. For instance, heated dog beds, jackets, boots, etc., can all help your canine withstand freezing temperatures. Also note, that when the weather dips below 35 degrees Fahrenheit – it’s best to not keep your Chihuahua outdoors for too long to avoid the dangers of hypothermia.

• Anxiety

The fact that Chis are super-close to their humans can sometimes lead to them developing separation anxiety. In fact, Chihuahuas are quite prone to nervousness because of their fast metabolism too. If your pet starts to shake when it’s time for you to leave home or if something your pet doesn’t like is taking place – it’s possible its jitters are related to anxiety.

Before you help calm your pet’s nerves, you’re going to have to identify the cause of its worry. At times, the anxiety can be the effect of adding a new pet or the presence of a stranger in the house. Once you’ve identified the source of your Chi’s concerns, you can take steps to alleviate its distress.

How To Help Chihuahuas When They Shake

How you can help your Chihuahua relax when it gets the shivers will typically depend on why it’s shivering. That may sound a little obvious, but it’s not always easy to tell the reasons apart. For instance, how do you know your pet is shaking from excitement or anxiety.

In such cases, it generally helps to look at the surrounding factors or symptoms for clues. For instance, if your pet’s meal has been delayed somehow – it’s possible it may be shivering due to low blood sugar. However, note that hypoglycemia will also have related symptoms like lethargy or low energy levels.

Similarly, if your pet is shivering during the winters but stops shaking right after you provide it ample insulation – it’s likely the freezing temperature is responsible.

More often than not, Chi parents will face the most difficulty in deciphering the reason behind their pets’ anxiety. Nonetheless, you’ll still be able to unravel the mystery by looking out for clues. For instance, is there a particular time your Chihuahua starts shaking and does it coincide with other factors like your absence?

Conclusion

We’ve often had Chihuahua owners reach out to ask us why do Chihuahuas shake all the time. And, we mostly reply with – it depends. There are a bunch of viable reasons behind why your adorable Chi can start shivering. However, the good news is most of the concerns aren’t too serious and can be easily overcome. Nonetheless, if your pet has symptoms like lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting along with shaking and shivering – have your Chihuahua checked out by the vet to rule out other concerns.