Why Your Dog Shakes
All pet owners have seen their companion shake from head to tail. While this behavior is usually harmless, if your dog is shaking it can also be a characteristic of some discomfort .
To avoid risk, it is important to know why your dog is shaking to know when this habit is a cause for concern. To show you when it is necessary to seek the help of a veterinarian, we explain the main causes of your dog’s “shaking”.
5 reasons your dog is shaking
As mentioned earlier, there is more than one cause your dog is shaking. This behavior can occur for a variety of reasons, and it is important to note how often and how it occurs. One must also recognize whether the shaking is occurring along with another trait.
-
Does your dog shake after bathing?
This is the most common reason dogs shake. They try to dry themselves off after bathing or walking on rainy days. It is estimated that by shaking the body, dogs can get rid of up to 70% of the water that has accumulated in their hair and skin.
Dogs instinctively dry themselves for a variety of reasons. First, its fur is much heavier when wet, which limits its range of motion and causes some discomfort. If he shakes himself, the dog immediately feels relieved and regains his agility.
On the other hand, dogs love to cool off on hot days to better endure the heat, but that doesn’t mean they like to be wet for long. The humidity, together with the high temperatures, creates a kind of “greenhouse effect” that is annoying for dogs.
In addition , this warm and humid microclimate favors the multiplication of bacteria, fungi and parasites that can damage the health of our pets. For this reason, we must not forget to dry our dog’s fur well. Don’t forget your ears!
-
Does your dog keep shaking and scratching?
If your dog shakes, scratches, and rolls around on the floor, it may mean he has external parasites. Mites, ticks or fleas like to nest in the dog’s skin and suck blood to obtain nutrients.
The external parasites not only cause itching, but can also cause allergies, inflammation and serious illnesses.
To avoid the risk of infection, it is imperative to get rid of parasites on our best friend on a regular basis. There are numerous anti-parasite products in pet stores, such as collars, spot-ons, sprays, soaps, etc.
-
Does your dog usually spend a lot of time outdoors?
Dogs that typically spend long hours outdoors can come into contact with many types of contaminants or allergens (pollen, dust, or mold). In addition, some dogs find it entertaining to dig in the ground and to roll on the lawn or on the fallen leaves.
All of this will make his fur dirty and eventually lead to itching. If your dog is used to playing outdoors and doesn’t mind getting dirty for fun, he’ll only shake himself to clean himself.
-
Is your best friend eager or stressed?
Dogs who live in negative environments or who spend most of their time indoors can show signs of stress and boredom over time. Since they are unable to get rid of their excess energy, it is accumulated and then released in other ways. So stress can lead to changes in behavior and habits.
When shaken, many dogs feel relieved, they loosen their muscles and relieve tension. In this case, shaking it can improve his mood and make him feel better. It is therefore important to remember that our animal partner needs physical exercise on a daily basis to keep body and mind in balance.
-
Does your dog shake his head and ears often?
If your dog is shaking his head very intensely, it usually means that something is bothering him in the ears. One of the possible causes could be an infection or inflammation of the ear canal (otitis). This shaking can also be caused by a foreign object in the ear.
So if you see your dog constantly shaking his head, it is necessary to carefully check his ears. After that, it will be best to get him to the vet quickly for an adequate examination.
