10 Reasons Your Old Dog is Shaking

If your senior dog is shaking, it's actually a totally normal behavior. Shaking is often a natural result of the aging process. 

Keep reading, and we’ll cover 10 common causes of shaking in dogs to help you figure out what's happening to your furry friend and how you can best support them.

Key Takeaways

• Older dogs may shake, tremble, and shiver for many different reasons.
• As dogs age, their muscles and joints naturally weaken, making them more unstable and prone to shaking.
• Senior dogs are also often more vulnerable to the cold, making them more likely to shiver.
• Shaking is also a common sign of strong emotions, like stress or excitement. 
• In all of these cases, Natural CBD Supplements can support senior dogs by promoting relaxation, enhancing joint health, supporting normal muscle recovery, and more.
• Sometimes, shaking is a sign of something more serious, which your vet can help guide you through.

See More: Do Cats Stress Eat or Have Comfort Food?

Why Senior Dogs Might Shake

Sean Zyer, co-founder of Earth Buddy, says:

"Older dogs might shake for many different reasons. They might be excited or stressed, cold or uncomfortable, or seeking your attention. As dogs age, their joints and muscles may naturally weaken, making them more prone to shaking and more in need of joint, muscle, and bone support. Shaking can also sometimes be a sign of something more serious, so if you're worried, make sure to check with your vet."

If your dog is shaking, it's natural to feel worried. But remember, shaking can be a sign of many things, many of them perfectly natural. 

For example, your dog might simply be cold, stressed, excited, or plain old attention-seeking. Senior dogs are also more prone to shaking or trembling thanks to the various bodily changes caused by aging.

Fortunately, there are various ways to get to the bottom of your dog's shaking. And there are simple, science-backed techniques and products that can help support your shaky old friend as they age gracefully.

Before you can support your pup, you need to figure out why they might be shaking. Let's cover the 10 most common reasons old dogs shake.

#1. Old Joints

Like humans, dog joints can become weaker over time. 

As dogs age, the cartilage in their joints often naturally wears thin and becomes more brittle.¹ That makes the joints less effective at providing stability. 

This process is quite natural and more common than you might think. In fact, some studies estimate that 80% of older dogs will experience weaker joints, joint pain, or something similar.²

A few different factors can make this more likely. Certain breeds are more prone to joint issues, for example. Injuries and extra weight can also place additional strain on the joints.³

Bonus: 8 Home Remedies for Healthy Dog Joints

#2. Muscle Weakness

Older dogs may also naturally have less muscle than younger dogs. 

It's entirely natural for dogs to lose muscle mass as they age.⁴ This is often visible, with older dogs looking thinner, especially around the hind legs. 

As you likely know, muscles are important for maintaining stability and strength. In other words, your dog may be shaking simply because they aren't as strong as they used to be.

#3. Cold

In many cases, shaking in dogs isn't specifically caused by old age. Shivering is one potential example.

If you've ever been cold, you likely know one of the classic symptoms: shivering. Both humans and dogs shiver when they're cold. The shaking is an attempt by the body to generate heat and raise body temperature.⁵ 

While any dog can become cold, older dogs are more susceptible, just like older humans. For example, the loss of muscle mass we mentioned earlier can make older dogs more likely to become cold.⁶

Fortunately, it's quite simple to address shaking caused by cold. All you have to do is help keep your dog warm! 

There are plenty of ways to do that. If you need to take them outside in cold weather, consider dressing them in warm clothes. When cold temperatures penetrate indoors, a nice warm blanket should help your chilly dog warm up.

Of course, you could also give them a cuddle. Our bodies naturally generate heat, and the physical closeness may provide general comfort, too. In fact, some lapdogs were actually bred for the express purpose of providing their chilly owners extra heat during cold snaps.⁷

#4. Stress

Have you ever been so nervous that you started trembling? If so, you'll be able to empathize here.

Some dogs shake and tremble due to stress. In many cases, they might be responding to some kind of external stress. Loud noises and car rides are two common stressors.⁸

Stress causes your dog's body to produce adrenaline, a hormone intended to prime the muscles for action. All that adrenaline can make the muscles tense, tremble, or shake.⁹ 

Remember, what is normal to you can still be scary or stressful for your dog. Research shows that dogs can tremble in fear when exposed to noises we might consider normal, and that dog owners often underestimate how fearful their pet actually is.¹⁰

If you think your dog's shaking is due to stress, there are some other signs to look out for. Some are subtle, while others are more obvious.¹¹ They include the following:

• Pacing
• Dilated pupils or showing the whites of their eyes
• Pinned ears
• Cowering, hiding, or running away
• Loss of appetite

#5. Excitement

Stress isn't the only intense emotion that can cause shaking. Excitement can, too.

When your dog is overwhelmed with excitement, they may start shaking. All kinds of things can cause these big emotions: Their favorite person (you) arriving back home after being away, seeing something on a walk, a delicious treat, and so on.¹²

This is generally more common in younger dogs, but that doesn't mean senior dogs won't sometimes shake with excitement, too.

#6. General Discomfort

Like humans, senior dogs are generally more prone to discomfort. That discomfort doesn't have to be joint-related to cause shaking.

If your dog feels uncomfortable for any reason, from an upset stomach to a broken toenail, they may respond by shaking.¹³

#7. Nausea 

Speaking of an upset stomach, nausea could also be the cause of your dog's shaking.¹⁴ It's usually accompanied by some other common signs, such as the following:

• Panting
• Drooling
• Lip licking
• Retching or vomiting
• Swallowing

#8. Old Age

In some cases, trembling or shaking is a simple consequence of old age. Aging dogs go through all kinds of biological and physiological changes, many of which can lead to shaking.

It's the same with humans. Older people sometimes experience mild tremors, and in many cases, these are simply due to old age.¹⁵

#9. Seeking Attention

Sometimes, a senior dog's shaking may be nothing more than a ploy for attention.

Think of it this way. Over time, your wily dog may learn that whenever they shake, they receive lavish attention. So when they want to beg for something — attention, food, Their Favorite Hemp Soft Chews — they might deploy a little shaking to try and get you to feel bad for them.¹⁶

#10. Underlying Cause

As you can see, in many cases, shaking is either natural, nothing to worry about, or easily addressed with a few simple techniques.

But that's not always the case. Sometimes shaking or trembling can be a sign of something more serious. 

If that's the case, chances are the shaking will be accompanied by some other unusual behaviors. Once you've ruled out the above, or if you're unsure, take your furry friend to the vet. They'll be able to help you figure out why your dog is shaking and come up with the best path forward to support them.

Supporting a Shaking Dog

Depending on why your dog is shaking, there are various things you can do to support them at home.

Let's say your dog is shaking due to nothing more than old age. Maybe their joints need a little extra support, or perhaps they're a little more prone to stress than when they were younger.

In that case, a high-quality CBD supplement is a great option. Research has shown that CBD can promote relaxation, support joint health, and even help with occasional stiffness and soreness. 

For example, a 2024 study found that dogs given CBD daily were less likely to show signs of stress when taken on a car ride.¹⁷ And a 2025 study of almost 50,000 dogs found that CBD use promoted relaxation.¹⁸

CBD does this by interacting with the endocannabinoid system. This complex system of receptors and signals interacts with many important bodily processes. 

"As animals age … it's probably a good idea to make sure we're supporting their endocannabinoid system," says Dr. Casara Andre. "CBD-dominant products are really, really good at supporting the endocannabinoid system."

Make sure to use high-quality CBD products formulated specifically for dogs. Products made for humans may contain additional ingredients that are unsuitable for dogs. 

Earth Buddy uses organic hemp, grown without pesticides, and puts all products through strict lab testing to ensure high quality. There are plenty from which you can choose. 

You could mix some CBD Oil in with your dog's food, for example. It's full-spectrum, meaning it contains plenty of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds that have been shown to provide many potential benefits for senior dogs. 

Alternatively, you might opt for a dedicated mobility support supplement like our Mobility Hemp Extract. This blends CBD with CBDa and organic MCT oil from coconuts to support and enhance bone and joint health. 

Conclusion

Dogs may shake for all kinds of reasons. Senior dogs are particularly prone to shaking, as their joints and muscles naturally weaken and they become more susceptible to the cold.

There are plenty of ways to support a shaking dog. The first step is identifying the root cause of the shaking. 

In many cases, senior dogs may benefit from the support provided by CBD Supplements. Earth Buddy uses minimally processed, natural ingredients backed by the latest clinical research to produce top-of-the-line supplements that can help promote relaxation, enhance joint function, and generally maximize every moment you have with your furry friend. 

We even offer a Senior Support Pack with two powerful supplements expressly tailored to support your buddy as they enter their golden years. 

Keep Reading: Do Cats Stress Eat or Have Comfort Food?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is My 14-Year-Old Dog Shaking and Falling Over?

Older dogs can shake for many different reasons. As dogs age, their muscles and joints naturally weaken, which can make them more prone to shaking and falling over.

That said, shaking and falling over can sometimes be a sign of something more serious. If you're worried, check with your vet. They'll be able to help you figure out what's happening and how you can support your pup.

Do Dogs Shiver at the End of Life?

Dogs often become more prone to shaking as they age. That's especially true when they near the end.

Shaking, shivering, and trembling can be caused by many different factors, often linked to the last stages of aging. Like humans, dogs nearing the end may become cold and weak, which can cause shivering and shaking.

Why Is My Senior Dog Shaking?

Shaking is fairly common in senior dogs. It can be caused by many different things. 

The potential causes of shaking range from silly to serious. On the one hand, dogs sometimes shake as a ploy to gain sympathy, attention, and treats. They may also become more prone to shaking as their muscles and joints weaken with age, and they naturally become more susceptible to the cold. 

On the other hand, shaking can sometimes be a sign of something more serious. In these cases, shaking is often accompanied by other unusual behaviors. If you think this might be the case with your pup, consider taking them to the vet.

Sources

1. Joint Health and Your Aging Pet - Animal Care Clinic
2. Arthritis in Dogs – Symptoms and Treatment | Purina US
3. Understanding Osteoarthritis in Our Senior Pets
4. Sarcopenia in Dogs: Understanding Muscle Mass Loss in Senior Dogs
5. Why Do Dogs Shiver? 10 Causes and How to Address Them - GoodRx
6. How Do Colder Temperatures Impact Senior Pets? | Coronado Veterinary Hospital
7. 8 Dogs Bred for Oddly Specific Purposes
8. Signs Your Dog is Stressed and How to Relieve It | VCA Animal Hospitals
9. Why does my dog shake | The Kennel Club
10. Stress-Related Behaviors in Companion Dogs Exposed to Common Household Noises, and Owners' Interpretations of Their Dogs' Behaviors
11. Signs of Stress in Dogs | Blue Cross
12. Why Do Dogs Shake? | PetMD
13. 10 Reasons Your Old Dog is Shaking - According to a Vet - PetLab Co
14. Nausea in Dogs | PetMD
15. What Causes My Hands to Shake? | Northwestern Medicine
16. Why Is My Dog Shaking? 6 Common Causes for the Shivers
17. Daily dosing of cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates a positive effect on measures of stress in dogs during repeated exposure to car travel | Journal of Animal Science | Oxford Academic
18. Demographic features, health status, and behavioral changes associated with cannabidiol use in the Dog Aging Project

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.