Hello and welcome. If you’ve ever looked down at your dog shaking and felt that jolt of panic—are they cold, scared, sick?—this episode is for you. I’m going to give you the exact, simple framework pros use so you can go from “Oh no” to “I’ve got this” in under two minutes. Here’s the key shift: don’t guess the cause first. Start with triage. Shaking is a symptom—it can be benign or urgent. The difference between panic and confidence is a repeatable process. Let’s do the ninety-second check. 1) Safety snapshot: - Is your dog responsive? Can they stand? Do they recognize you? - Check gums if safe: pink and moist is normal. Pale, white, or blue is a red flag. - Any repeated vomiting or diarrhea? Collapse? Stiff, rigid muscle activity? - If your dog tolerates it, take a temperature. Normal rectal temp: about 101 to 102.5 F (38.3 to 39.2 C). Over 103 suggests fever. 106 or higher is an emergency. Under ~99 suggests hypothermia; 97 or lower is also an emergency. 2) Context scan: - Any chance of toxin exposure? Sugar-free gum or mints (xylitol), edibles (THC), nicotine vapes, human meds, chocolate? - Recent surgery or signs of pain? - Toy-breed puppy that missed a meal? - Noise triggers like storms or fireworks? Decisive rule: if you see any red flags—pale/blue gums, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting/diarrhea, or known toxin exposure—go to an ER vet or call poison control immediately. Save these numbers: - ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435 - Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661 (There may be a fee, but they’re lifesavers.) Quick reality check: modern homes have modern hazards. Edible cannabis has driven a spike in THC exposures. Xylitol shows up in gum, some peanut butters, dental products, even kids’ vitamins; it can drop blood sugar in 10 to 60 minutes, causing weakness, tremors, seizures. Nicotine vape liquid is highly concentrated and dangerous in small amounts. Lock these up like you would for a toddler. Now, not all shaking is the same. - Shivering vs tremors: Shivering is whole-body, rhythmic, and often stops with warmth or calm—like after a bath. Tremors can be localized (head bob, one leg) or persistent despite comfort. - Tremor vs seizure: With tremors, dogs are usually awake and responsive; they can follow your voice or a treat. Seizures often mean loss of awareness, stiffening or paddling, and a wobbly, disoriented recovery phase afterward (the post-ictal period). - Quick test: can your dog stay engaged with you during the episode? If yes, tremor or shiver is more likely than a seizure. - Insider tip: video beats description. If your dog is safe, record 15–30 seconds. That clip can change care decisions. Let’s turn this into action with a red–yellow–green plan. Red: go now. - Known or likely toxins: xylitol, THC, nicotine, chocolate, human meds. - A seizure >5 minutes, or multiple seizures close together. - Pale/blue gums, collapse, non-responsiveness, severe vomiting/diarrhea. - Extreme temperature: 106 or higher, or 97 or lower. - Postpartum female trembling or restless: possible eclampsia (dangerous calcium crash). What to do: head to the ER or call poison control on the way. Keep your dog safe and quiet. Don’t induce vomiting unless told to. Bring packaging/labels from any suspected toxin. Yellow: call your vet the same day. - Recurrent tremors, especially in young or small white dogs (some have generalized tremor syndromes that are treatable). - Toy-breed puppy trembling, lethargic, or after a missed meal (risk of hypoglycemia). - Shaking with signs of pain: panting at rest, yelping, stiffness, reluctance to move. - A first-time shaking episode in an older dog. Green: monitor and manage at home. - Short-lived shivering after a bath, in a draft, or with mild excitement. - Known fear triggers like thunder or fireworks when your dog stays responsive and otherwise normal. - Shaking that resolves with warmth and calm within 10–15 minutes. So what helps in green situations? - Make it boring and cozy: dry thoroughly after a bath, offer a warm towel, use a sweater for thin-coated or small dogs, move to a quiet, draft-free room. - Sit with them, speak softly, and let your calm lead. - For predictable noise phobias: close blinds, add white noise, create a safe den, consider a snug wrap. If yearly panic happens with storms or fireworks, talk to your vet before the season for evidence-based meds. Early plan beats last-minute scramble. Unsure if you’re in green or drifting into yellow? Watch for resolution. If shaking fully settles within 10–15 minutes with warmth and calm and everything else looks normal, keep notes and monitor. If it persists, worsens, or new symptoms show up—pain, vomiting, odd behavior—move up a tier and call your vet. Practical nuggets: - Cold or bath time: warm the room first, towel-dry thoroughly, avoid letting a wet dog sit on a chilly floor. - Hot days or after hard play: know heat signs. Move to shade or AC, use a fan, and wet paws and groin with cool (not icy) water. Extreme temps are emergencies—use your thermometer and head in if you read 106 or higher. - Possible hypothermia (common in small or wet dogs): wrap in warm, dry towels, use gentle warmth like a warm water bottle wrapped in cloth. Avoid direct heating pads or hot water. Reassess how your dog feels, not just the number. - If you think it’s a seizure: time it if you can. Protect from stairs and sharp edges, gently cushion the head, and don’t put your hands in their mouth—they won’t swallow their tongue, and you could get bitten. Afterward, keep lights low, give space, and call your vet, especially if it’s a first event. One habit that helps your vet help you: keep a simple log. Note: - Time and duration of shaking - What happened right before - Whether your dog stayed responsive - Gum color and temperature if checked - Recent meals or missed meals - Meds or supplements - Anything they could have gotten into Pair it with a short video, and you’ve handed your vet gold. Prevention is your best friend: - Sweep your kitchen and bags for sugar-free products—gum, mints, peanut butter, candies, kids’ vitamins—and read labels for xylitol. - Lock up cannabis and vape products high, not just in a drawer. - Treat human meds as hazards—watch purses, backpacks, nightstands. - For toy-breed puppies, feed consistently and frequently; avoid big gaps between meals. - For older or stiff dogs, address pain proactively. Pain can hide behind panting, restlessness, and shaking. You don’t have to be perfect. You just need a plan. - Step 1: Run the ninety-second triage—safety snapshot, temperature if safe, quick context scan. - Step 2: Decide red, yellow, or green. - Red: out the door or on the phone with poison control—ASPCA 888-426-4435, Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661. - Yellow: call your vet today, bring notes and a video. - Green: warm, calm, and monitor. Perspective to keep your shoulders down: lots of shaking is normal—cold after a bath, excitement before a walk, a little storm worry. Your job isn’t to eliminate every tremble; it’s to spot the few that matter, fast. If you do one thing right now: save those poison control numbers in your phone and jot down the normal temperature range—about 101 to 102.5 Fahrenheit. Then post a quick fridge checklist with the triage steps and red flags. Next time your dog gets wobbly, you’ve got a map. You’re not guessing—you’re triaging like a pro, acting with purpose, and keeping your best friend safe. Thanks for listening. Give your dog a gentle scratch from me, and remember: when in doubt, call your vet. You’ve got this.