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Why Do Old Dogs Shake? Simple Explanations for Owners!

Why Do Old Dogs Shake? Simple Explanations for Owners!

Why Do Old Dogs Shake? Simple Explanations for Owners!

Okay, so the other day, I was chilling with my old boy, Buster. He's a 13-year-old Lab mix, and I noticed he was shaking more than usual. It got me thinking, "Why do old dogs shake, anyway?" I mean, I know it's probably not because they're suddenly afraid of the vacuum cleaner again, right?

Why Do Old Dogs Shake? Simple Explanations for Owners!

Digging into the Shakes

So, I started my little investigation. First, I observed Buster closely. Was he shaking all the time? Only after walks? When he was excited? Turns out, it was mostly after he'd been lying down for a while, or sometimes after a bit of exercise.

Next, I hit the internet (of course). I quickly learned that there are a bunch of reasons why old dogs might shake. Some are pretty harmless, like:

  • Just plain old age: Like us humans, dogs get weaker muscles and achy joints as they get older. This can cause some tremors.
  • Being cold: Older dogs have a harder time regulating their body temperature.
  • Excitement or anxiety: Even old pups get the zoomies (or at least, the shaky version of them) sometimes.

But, I also found some more concerning possibilities, like:

  • Pain: Arthritis is super common in older dogs.
  • Kidney disease: This can cause muscle weakness and tremors.
  • Neurological issues: Things like seizures or other nerve problems.
  • Low blood sugar: Buster is not taking insulin.

I considered all information and some of them made me concerned.

What I Did About It

After my online research, I figured a vet visit was in order. I mean, better safe than sorry, right? So I booked an appointment for Buster.

At the vet, I explained everything I'd observed and what I'd read online. The vet did a thorough checkup, including some blood work. Luckily, Buster's blood work came back pretty normal. The vet concluded that his shaking was most likely due to a combination of age-related muscle weakness and some mild arthritis.

She recommended some joint supplements and suggested we keep his walks shorter and more frequent. She also showed me some gentle exercises I could do with him to help strengthen his muscles.

My Takeaway

Basically, the shaking can be a sign of lots of different things, some minor, some serious. It's better looking into the reasons than be sorry. I'm glad I took Buster to the vet, even if it turned out to be nothing major. Now I know what to look out for, and I feel much better knowing I'm doing what I can to keep my old boy comfortable and happy!

Why Do Old Dogs Shake? Simple Explanations for Owners!