Noticing your dog trembling in his sleep is normal, as long as your dog isn't showing any different symptoms than usual. Most of the time, a sleeping, trembling dog is just dreaming - or having a nightmare - and doesn't require any intervention. However, to make sure it's just that, it's important to watch for any changes in your dog's behavior.

Below, Paws of the House gathers some reasons that can make a dog shake while sleeping. Read on to understand better!

Dog shaking in his sleep may be dreaming

Just like humans, dogs dream when they reach deeper stages of sleep, so it's common to catch a dog shaking in their sleep. Some of the behaviors are characteristic of these moments, such as when the dog appears to be running, biting, or licking something.

It may also whine or growl, which is usually an indication that the pet is having a nightmare. In this case, the best thing to do is to call the dog's name from a safe distance. This way, you can wake the shivering sleeping dog without exposing yourself to possible scares and accidental bites.

Dog shivering when sleeping may also be cold

Another reason for a dog to shiver while sleeping is the cold. In these cases, in addition to shivering, the dog tends to sleep curled up in some corner of the house. To solve the problem, give the pet a comfortable dog bed, a warm blanket or even a sweater. This is usually enough to scare away the cold and the tremors.

Dog shaking in his sleep: when to worry?

Catching your dog shaking in his sleep is normal most of the time. However, the behavior can also indicate health problems. Seizures and epileptic seizures are among the main causes of shaking in dogs and can occur when the dog is awake or asleep. Usually, in these circumstances, the animal shakes more intensely than when he is just dreaming and stillhas other symptoms such as body stiffness, excessive salivation, urinary and fecal incontinence.

Dogs shaking in their sleep can also be a sign of poisoning (especially when accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea), hypoglycemia, pain (more common in elderly dogs) and other health conditions such as Idiopathic Tremor Syndrome.

Also known as White Dog Tremor Syndrome, the neurological disease was initially described in white dogs - such as the Poodle, Maltese and West Highland White - but it affects dogs of any breed, age and sex.

If you suspect something is wrong with your dog shaking in his sleep, seek a veterinarian's evaluation immediately.