If you have noticed your puppy shaking while sleeping, you might be concerned but fortunately, in most cases it is nothing really serious. But there are a few different possibilities for what it could be and in some cases, it may be worth going to the vet.
Read on to learn more about why your puppy twitches while sleeping and when you should be worried about it. But just be confident that it is most likely nothing serious. It’s just good to know what the possibilities are in case you have a rare case that is serious.
There are a few different reasons your puppy is shaking while sleeping. The most common cause is just plain, simple dreaming but there are other, less common causes that might be reasons for concern.
Here are some of the potential reasons your puppy shakes while sleeping:
In most cases, it is one of the first two options. If it is just dreaming, there is nothing you need to do. If it’s likely related to the cold, you just need to make sure he has a warm place to sleep—perhaps snuggled up next to you in bed!
If it is one of the last two options, you will likely know. In a puppy, it is almost certainly not arthritis but it may be injury or illness. If you notice other symptoms of illness (like fever and runny eyes), take them to the vet.
Likewise, if you suspect it might be an injury, examine your puppy for wounds or sore spots by gently coming through their fur with your fingers and pressing on their muscles.
If you do have a case where you need to go to the vet, make sure you are prepared for the process.
You shouldn’t just tell the vet “my puppy is shaking while sleeping” because they will most likely tell you it is just because he is dreaming and your trip will be a waste. Make sure that you start with other symptoms and include that later on the list.
If you suspect injury, tell them if you noticed a wound or if you witnessed the injury take place. If you suspect illness, make sure you mention the other symptoms you have noticed so that they can make a more well-informed diagnosis.
The vet will likely ask you for a list of all the symptoms and ask if your puppy has ever had any other health problems. It is important to tell them about any known food or medicine allergies as well as any other special health information.
If you suspect the trembling might be the result of having eaten something strange, you also want to make sure you let them know this.
In some cases, you may need to spring for an X ray to determine if everything is ok—especially in the case of injury or eating something they shouldn’t eat. This won’t be as expensive for a puppy as it is for a full grown adult but you should be prepared to pay for it if necessary.
If the injuries are severe or it has ingested something toxic, you will probably be looking at an overnight stay to help nurse your puppy back to help. As you probably expect, overnight hospital stays can get pricey.
You may want to call around to different vets in your area to find the one with the most affordable rates just in case you need to get extra special care for your puppy.
Finally, if you aren’t sure what is making your puppy shake while sleeping, you can always just call your vet and ask if it is something you should be concerned about.