Why Is My Yorkie Shaking: 12 Common Reasons

Yorkie shaking is often a problem for owners just because most owners don’t understand what led to the shaking of their Yorkie.

I will be discussing the most common reasons for your Yorkie shaking, and also I will highlight how to help a shaking Yorkies with each of the reasons.

I will try to keep things as simple as they can get, so keep reading!

Why is my Yorkie shaking

In Yorkies, shivering and shaking might indicate a major problem like high fever, poisoning, distemper renal illness, signs of old age, generalized tremor syndrome, and signs of nausea.

Look for additional indications such as diarrhea, vomiting, or limping if your Yorkie starts shaking or shivering.

Then contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, because Yorkie shaking may be one of the signs your Yorkie is dying.

Let’s take a deep dive…

Some of the causes of your Yorkie shaking or shivering are beyond your control, such as:

1. Sign of cold

Yorkshire Terriers do not have two coats; instead, they have a single coat that does not provide adequate insulation when compared to dogs with two coats.

As a result, some dog breeds are more vulnerable to chilly weather. They will begin to shiver as their core temperature decreases.

Even though a Yorkie’s typical body temperature is 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, if the room or ambient temperature drops too low, your Yorkie will get chilled.

Your Yorkie may begin to tremble if the temperature in the environment drops to a level that your Yorkie cannot handle.

So, if you’re leaving in a chilly climate, keep an eye on your Yorkie’s body temperature.

2. Sign of excitement

Yorkies are prone to trembling when they are excited. As long as the shaking stops shortly, this is okay.

Yorkies dogs are ecstatic when a family member returns home because they have been taught to thrive on human interaction.

If the shaking causes uncontrollable urination or undesired actions, try playing a different soothing game until the shaking stops.

Yorkie owners may tremble, yell, and even urinate violently when they get home late at night; however, this is unrelated to illness.

3. Sign of canine distemper

Distemper is a virus that mostly affects puppies and young dogs that have not received all of their vaccines.

Trembling and shaking are symptoms of distemper in Yorkies. Coughing, fever, and nasal and ocular discharge are some of the other symptoms.

The distemper virus affects the gastrointestinal, neurological, and respiratory systems.

The signs and symptoms of distemper are usually fatal in both large and small dogs, such as Yorkies.

The good news is that because Yorkies are all completely vaccinated, distemper is uncommon among them.

It’s worth noting, though, that shaking is a common sign of canine distemper, so always keep that in mind. 

4. Sign of Hypoglycemia

When your Yorkie’s blood sugar levels drop suddenly, hypoglycemia occurs, causing your Yorkie’s body to tremble.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a recognized propensity in many Yorkies. If your dog does not eat or is overstimulated, this can happen.

This illness is generally characterized by sleepiness followed by a lot of shaking and might be provoked by insulin for diabetes.

If you don’t treat your Yorkie, it might have a seizure or become comatose.

Because their ability to manage blood sugar levels has not fully matured, this problem is particularly frequent in puppy Yorkies (up to 4 months).

If left untreated, hypoglycemia can lead your Yorkie to lose consciousness or, in the worst-case scenario, death.

5. Sign of generalized tremor syndrome

Yorkies, Shih Tzus, tiny pinschers, and Chihuahuas are little breeds that are prone to generalized tremor syndrome.

Full-body tremors, comparable to when a dog feels cold, describe this illness, also known as shaker syndrome.

The symptoms of generalized tremor syndrome vary from dog to dog, however it commonly begins between the ages of 7 months and 2 years in Yorkies.

Although no one knows what causes widespread tremor syndrome, it is generally assumed to be harmless.

Corticosteroids may be prescribed by your veterinarian, however shaking may be an inescapable part of life for certain dogs.

6. Sign of toxic ingestion

Xylitol, a sugar substitute present in many chewing gums, does not contain nicotine, unlike cigarettes.

In dogs like Yorkies, these drugs or toxins can induce a lot of shaking and shivering.

A bee sting, a snake bite, severe food poisoning, or scorpion stings may cause your Yorkie to shiver or tremor.

This is a major concern even if you don’t observe your Yorkie come into touch with something poisonous or hazardous.

7. Sign of seizures

Seizures are a neurological disease in which dogs tremble uncontrollably and pass out if not treated properly.

Dogs of all sizes and kinds, as well as other pets, are susceptible to seizures.

Although seizures are unlikely to cause physical harm to the dog, they can cause injury if the dog falls or knocks objects over and onto itself.

Seizures in Yorkies dogs include jerking, tongue chewing, loss of consciousness, and collapse.

8. Sign of old age

As Yorkies get older, they have health problems as a result of their longer lifespan, causing their legs to weaken and tremble.

Until you see your veterinarian, there’s not much you can do to help an old Yorkie who shakes or shivers.

As a result of several health difficulties associated with age, their joints are weak and ancient, and they can no longer effectively support their bodies’ weight.

Tremors in the back and front legs of senior Yorkies are more common, making it difficult for them to move properly and producing trembling or shivering.

9. Sign of canine arthritis

If your older Yorkie shakes or chills, especially in his hindquarters, he might be suffering from canine arthritis.

Shivering or uncontrollable shaking of the hind legs can be caused by a variety of ailments, so keep a watch on your Yorkie if you see uncontrollable shaking of the hind legs.

10. Sign of nausea

When Yorkies are constipated or have chronic nausea and diarrhea, they tremble a lot, which is easily obvious.

After long vehicle journeys or eating unpalatable foods, chronic nausea can induce trembling.

Vomiting, drooling, lack of coordination, shivering, and yawning are all symptoms of chronic nausea.

Consider your Yorkie’s daily schedule, what they eat, and how he is affected if he shakes a lot.

That amazing car drive you take every day, for example, might be causing the tremors in your Yorkie.

11. Signs of high fever

One of the most common reasons of shaking in Yorkies is a high fever, which can be caused by a variety of conditions.

The typical body temperature of a Yorkie is 35 to 38 degrees Celsius, but if it exceeds that, it might indicate a fever.

In Yorkies, tremors have been linked to high temperatures.

Heatstroke, poisoning, infections, higher respiratory rate, and other reasons can all contribute to this condition.

12. Sign of fear

Fear is one of the most prevalent reasons of trembling in Yorkies. It’s vital to remember that each dog is unique, and what frightens one dog might not frighten another.

Yorkie owners, for example, frequently lift and carry their dogs. The greatest fear of your Yorkie is height, which you may not realize.

It’s critical to pay attention to your Yorkie’s environmental signals and look for anxiety signs.

Gunshots, pyrotechnics, thunder, and other loud noises can frighten Yorkies, so keep them away from them.

Yorkie shaking meanings

Let’s get more specific with some common reasons for a certain type of Yorkie shaking:

Yorkie shaking and panting

Excessive panting and shivering in Yorkies can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, increased pain, discomfort, poisoning, renal illness, injury, allergic responses, toxins, bites, and stings.

Never ignore your Yorkie’s trembling, especially if it isn’t related to excitement; make an appointment with your veterinarian regardless of the cause.

Yorkie leg shaking

Leg shaking in Yorkies might be caused by patellar luxation, canine arthritis, or generalized tremor syndrome, which is common in small breeds including Yorkies, Boston terriers, miniature pinschers, and Chihuahuas.

Remember that shaking doesn’t always mean your dog has a neck or spinal injury or a neurological problem; nevertheless, if you’re still concerned, get medical attention.

Patellar luxation, often known as sliding or floating kneecaps, is a common ailment that affects the hind legs of many dogs, especially small breeds like Yorkies.

Yorkie throwing up and shaking

A hazardous chemical, a harmful plant, an onion or garlic ball, or a poisonous chemical can all upset a Yorkie’s stomach, resulting in vomiting and trembling.

A bloated stomach, consumption of poisons, worms, pancreatitis, or renal failure can all induce a Yorkie throwing up and shaking.

Trembling and vomiting in your Yorkie are symptoms that something is amiss, and you should take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Keep track of how frequently they vomit, how much they vomit, and what color it is, and contact your veterinarian if it doesn’t cease after a few hours.

14 year old Yorkie shaking

If not treated by a veterinarian, a 14-year-old Yorkie’s shaking can progress to a catastrophic condition. It might be caused by old age, canine arthritis, Patellar luxation, generalized tremor syndrome, or a cold.

Yorkies, miniature pinschers, and Chihuahuas are all susceptible to generalized tremor syndrome. This ailment normally begins during adolescence, although it can get worse as you get older.

Yorkie shaking its head

Ear infections, flea bites on the head skin, allergies, and head tremors as a result of a head injury can cause Yorkies to shake their heads.

As your Yorkie gets older, shaking of the head might indicate an ear infection, shedding, ear mites, parasites, allergies, hematoma, toxins, or even balance concerns.

Examine their ears to see whether there’s an issue, but the condition persists. Schedule a consultation with your veterinarian.