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?
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!
