Shaking is common with most toy-breed dogs, like Pomeranians. However, the belief that shaking happens because the dog is nervous is usually wrong. Pomeranian shaking can happen when the dog is afraid, but this is much less common than you might think.
When the Pom grows up in a safe environment, often interacts with other dogs, and constantly receives love, shaking tends to be a sign of something else. So why is your Pomeranian shaking? Here we will look at the most common reasons why this behavior appears.
1 – Most Common Reason Why Pomeranian Shaking Occurs: The Pom Is Cold
Because Pomeranians have a lot of fur, many owners mistakenly think that they cannot be cold. In reality, toy breeds tend to be very sensitive to changes in temperature.
When the Pom is cold, regardless of age, shivering can appear. This shivering looks a lot like shaking. In fact, there is such a thing as winterizing the Pomeranian dog, which is a necessity if you live in an area with really cold winters.
Protecting the Pom’s Paws
A very big problem that few dog owners understand is that the paw of this tiny dog breed is made of skin. Even if the skin is thick, it is still skin. It can only handle regular environments. When the paw touches very cold surfaces, the dog can easily start to shiver. Remember that cold surfaces can also appear indoors during colder days.
You should never leave the Pomeranian inside cold rooms like entry hallways or garages. When you are indoors, maintain a temperature of around 70 degrees and double-check that the sleeping area of the Pom is not close to a window or a door. These can create unwanted drafts that would make the dog cold.
Walking the Dog During Cold Weather
Obviously, you will need to walk the Pom, but you should try to do it only for ten minutes tops. If you walk with the dog for a longer time, a sweater (or dog coat) and doggie boots are recommended. Some owners think that clothing is not necessary for Poms because of the thick fur they have. In reality, it can get too cold for the dog and clothes are vital for his well-being.
When you notice that the Pomeranian starts to shake and you suspect it is because he is cold, quickly move the dog to a warmer area. Use a baby blanket and wrap the dog in it. Then cuddle the dog for a while to increase body temperature faster. If the Pomeranian shaking does not disappear after one hour has passed since you moved the dog to a warmer area, you need to seriously consider going to the vet.
Frostbite might have appeared and the condition is just as dangerous for dogs as it is for humans. Immediate treatment might be needed.
2 – The Pom Has Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in Pomeranians is usually seen in puppies, but it can appear at virtually any age. The Pom is most vulnerable to this issue between birth and three months old, and usually, the drop in blood sugar appears because of stress.
The problem with hypoglycemia caused by stress is that the owner rarely notices that the dog is stressed. We might naturally think that a dog has no reason to be stressed when the truth is that there are several problems with the dog that should be addressed.
Bringing Your Pup Home
If you buy a Pom from a breeder, the trip to your home will be stressful for the pup. Separation anxiety will likely appear and fear is very common.
As the owner, you will be excited. But for the puppy, huge changes are happening. The dog’s entire world is changing, from new people to new home smells.
Fortunately, it is quite easy to help the pup feel better and deal with the shaking that might appear after the move.
However, you need to be aware of the signs of low blood sugar.
The most common ones are:
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Problems walking
- Wobbling
- Falling
- Walking into walls
- Fainting
When the pup faints, it is a pretty clear sign that hypoglycemia is the cause. In this case, you should take the dog to a vet immediately. The good news is that you can prevent this unwanted scenario. When you notice the other signs, take some honey and then rub it into the Pom’s gums.
This makes the honey enter the bloodstream faster and can counteract hypoglycemia. By using honey, you stabilize the puppy’s condition. Basically, you gain some time you need to take the dog to the vet. There, IV solutions can be used to balance out the Pom’s sugar levels.
Remember that hypoglycemia can be fatal when severe cases are untreated. If you do not have honey on hand, use Karo syrup. But remember that it can cause more problems since it can have a laxative effect. If the vet tells you that your Pom has serious problems with glycemic control, he might prescribe some medication that you need to give to your dog regularly.
3 – The Pom Is Sick
When your dog is ill, you obviously want to do all that is humanly possible to help him. The problem is that most owners simply think about the symptoms and not the underlying problem that can be solved by making a quick trip to the vet. There are various medical issues you cannot treat at home.
When the Pom is shaking, going to the vet is absolutely mandatory if your dog is having other serious symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, limping, nipping, or glazed eyes. Also, whenever the dog refuses to drink or eat, it is best to be safe and go to the vet as soon as you can.
Getting back to the main topic at hand, here we will look at some of the common illnesses that can lead to Pomeranian shaking.
Distemper
Distemper is a canine virus that is highly contagious. It typically appears in young dogs and puppies when vaccinations are not given. The condition can cause tremors and is often accompanied by symptoms like coughing, fever, discharge, and other symptoms like those of the flu.
Canine distemper is a very serious condition that requires professional help. The Pomeranian needs to stay rested and comfortable as its immune system is fighting the virus. Also, medication might be needed, including antibiotics, physical therapy, fluids, and airway dilators.
Nausea
Just as with us, Pomeranians can be affected by nausea when they eat something that is toxic, or just when they simply eat too much. Also, it can be as a result of a medical condition. Shaking is often a symptom, together with swallowing, lip smacking, vomiting, lethargy, and yawning.
Treating nausea is all about what causes it. A veterinarian is needed and you have to take the Pom to the vet whenever vomiting appears. The reason nausea appeared might be due to kidney disease or lethal poisoning.
Aging
When the dog ages, tremors can appear and they are very similar to the shaking that occurs because of fear. This is especially the case with the hind legs. Usually, these tremors do not affect the movements or gait of the animal. If the dog is older, shaking can appear due to geriatric pain or simply because of age.
As with the other conditions, when you notice your Pom is in pain and is older, you should go to the veterinarian for the pain to be properly managed. This might require medication.
Poisoning
If your Pomeranian eats everything he lays his eyes on, it is possible he will get into real trouble as he might eat something toxic. Poisoning often leads to shaking as a side effect, and you need to act fast. The Pom can be poisoned when eating several things that can easily appear in an outdoor environment, like cigarettes, xylitol, and chocolate.
When you suspect your Pom ate something poisonous, go to an emergency vet as soon as possible. Do not wait for any confirmation that the dog was poisoned as you might lose valuable time that could save your furry friend’s life.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder. It can cause seizures characterized by muscle twitches, tongue chewing, drooling, foaming around the mouth, tongue chewing, or collapsing. Although it is not what we call regular shaking, it needs to be mentioned because treatment always involves medications including potassium bromide and phenobarbital.
Trauma or Anxiety
For most of us, fear and anxiety are synonymous. With dogs though, anxiety can appear without the presence of fear. Pomeranian shaking can be caused by the presence of anxiety, which often appears if the dog enters an unknown environment or lacks exercise.
Also, trauma and fear can cause shaking. As a simple example, a rescue dog that was abused in the past can cry and shake when in the presence of other people. The Pom can be triggered by anything that reminds them of previous trauma, like holding a classroom ruler in your hand, since it would resemble a bat he was hit with, in the past.
Helping a traumatized or scared Pom is all about patience. Shaking will disappear in time as the dog starts to trust you.
4 – The Pom Is Excited
This is something you are likely aware of. Your Pomeranian can always shake when too excited or too happy. In fact, the Pom can be so excitable that he will start barking and trembling whenever his owners come home after work. Usually, dogs simply outgrow this phase. You can speed up this process through training. Also, when you come home, calm your Pomeranian’s nerves by greeting it lightly.
Do not exaggerate with affection, since this is what rewards his behavior and leads to him repeating it. If the dog is used to having to be calm to get a pet, he will do exactly that, and shaking will eventually disappear.
5 – The Pom Is Afraid
This usually happens if you recently brought home a Pomeranian puppy. He will feel afraid and insecure, as he is in a new environment. As already mentioned, the pup might end up suffering from hypoglycemia, but this is not always the case.
Sometimes it is just fear and there is no medical condition present. If your Pomeranian is afraid, the solution will depend on whether he was recently brought home or if he has already been settled for some time.
If the Pom Was Recently Brought Home
The solution to this is very simple. You just need to provide a calming atmosphere for when the dog gets home. For most of us, it seems loving to be all around the dog, giving him cuddles. But for the dog, this is very scary. The best option in this case is to create a safe place for the dog. A good canine bed is usually enough.
Put it in the corner of a room and make sure the area is warm. Add some treats on the bed and let the Pom take them whenever he feels confident. He will then associate the bed with a safe area. Make sure that you do not leave the dog alone though. This can lead to feelings of isolation.
Simply act as you would normally, and do not make it a big deal that you have a beautiful Pomeranian in your home. The dog needs to see you to gain trust while having a safe area to retreat to when afraid. Just have patience and the shaking will disappear, since fear will also disappear too.
General Rules to Follow When Your Pomeranian Shakes
The possible reasons mentioned above, all have one thing in common. You need to make the right choices to protect your pet. Whenever you feel that you do not know what to do, the best thing is to go to a veterinarian as soon as you can. Look for professional guidance to deal with the cause of the shaking.
What to Do When Your Pomeranian Is Shaking?
When your Pom allows it, pet him or hold him to show you care. Just be careful of the dog potentially biting you, especially when the dog is scared. Then, make sure you create a safe environment for the dog and make sure you do not disturb him. If the shaking does not stop, contact emergency vets as soon as possible. Always see a vet immediately if the dog is having a seizure.
What to Do After the Shaking Stops?
What you do after the Pomeranian shakes is just as important as what you do while the episode happens. Fortunately, there are some great things you can do. For starters, pay close attention to what triggers the Pomeranian shaking episode. Is it because of fear? If so, you can limit future shaking by simply avoiding those triggers.
Is it because of hypoglycemia? Make it a habit to have honey with you, and get your dog checked by a vet as soon as possible. Remember to always stay calm as the dog starts shaking. If you overreact and you become stressed, the Pom will feel it. This can only create extra unnecessary stress for both of you.
Always try to avoid being anxious since Pomeranians are very good at detecting how you feel. Record everything you remember about the shaking. Write down when it happened and what led to it. This can give the vet important information about how to treat a possible medical condition.
For instance, if foaming appears around the mouth of the dog while he shakes, there is a possibility that he is suffering from epilepsy.
Final Thoughts
Pomeranian shaking is scary, but usually, it is not a serious condition. Most Poms shake because of feeling stressed, scared, or overexcited. However, this does not mean you should dismiss shaking because it can be a symptom of a much more serious condition like hypoglycemia or distemper.
The rule of thumb is to observe the dog and contact the veterinarian whenever you feel that shaking is not caused by excitement, stress, or fear. Even if you are wrong and your dog is perfectly fine, it is better to be safe.
