If you’re a Chihuahua parent, you probably get sick of hearing people say “OMG he’s shaking! Is he scared?” or “Awwww the poor thing is cold! Look at him shake!” To be perfectly honest, it really bothers me. Shaking is a “Chihuahua thing.” They all do it and we need to educate people as to why. In this blog post, we answer the ever burning question – why do Chihuahuas shake?
Why Do Chihuahuas Shake?
Chihuahuas shake for many different reasons, and not all of them are bad.
Excitement: Chihuahuas may shake if they get excited. Maybe the anticipation of something great is just too much to handle! Perhaps you’re doing one of your Chihuahua’s favorite activities like going for a walk or heading out for an errand in the car. I know that if I get super enthusiastic about something that I KNOW Wynston loves, he will start to shake.
Anxiety: When new people approach Wynston and I’m holding him, he’ll start shaking. Wynston isn’t really a “people dog.” When people come up to him and exclaim “Awwww why is he shaking?!” I think well, maybe it’s because he’s nervous and you’re in his face. I always let people know that Wynston needs his space.
Cold: Just like humans and other animals, Chihuahuas will shake if they are cold. A lot of people think putting clothes on a dog is ridiculous, but they don’t understand that the clothes are keeping the dog warm. Chihuahuas get cold easily so I always have lots of blankets around for snuggling. Wynston isn’t a huge fan of clothes (although I do make him wear sweaters in the winter!).
Illness: Wynston has had a few pancreatitis flare-ups. When this happens, he will stand in a corner and shake. I always know when he’s sick because this is the routine. Luckily it doesn’t happen often. If your Chihuahua is not acting normally and they’re shaking, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Energy: Many Chihuahuas are high energy. Wynston is not, so I don’t experience this. If your dog is high energy, they may shake to dissipate some of that energy. The energy shaking can also come along with excitement.
A shaking Chihuahua is a normal Chihuahua. It’s just something that they do! Normally your Chi’s shaking is nothing to be concerned about but keep a watchful eye on them. If Wynston starts shaking at home with his tail between his legs, I know he’s not feeling well. No one knows your Chihuahua as well as you do, so when they are shaking, just be aware of why depending on your current situation.
When people comment on Wynston’s shaking, I either ignore the statement or reply with something along the lines of “Oh, it’s just a Chihuahua thing.” Many people don’t understand this trait about Chihuahuas so it’s up to us Chi parents to educate the public.
Does your Chihuahua shake? Under what circumstances?
*I am not a veterinarian or pet health professional. Please consult your vet with specific questions and concerns about your dog’s health. I am simply writing from experience as a dog mom and seasoned animal rescue worker.*
Very interesting information. I’ve known lots of Chihuahuas and, yes, they all shook. I always just assumed those tiny little bodies with short hair were cold.
I have an apple head, short hair chi/min pin mix. She weighs 1 lb and 12 oz. Belive it or not! Who would give such a prescious thing away? They did and now I have the joy of caring for her. She shakes when I pick her up with cold hands. She shakes when a visitor comes in. I am so blessed she is not the typical Chi. She loves everyone. However, when someone besides me holds her she watches me continually.
Sounds like my Wynston. He’s SO well behaved, which is why he models for PetSmart! I can only imagine how cute your baby is!
Please don’t say “typical chi” I have 8 of them and they love everybody. 2 are not as gushy as the others but they have all be well socialized and friendly.
Great post! All the Chi’s at the shelter I volunteer at shake! They’re indoors and there is air conditioning so in most cases I think it’s just that they’re a bit chilly. I also think it gives them some comfort to be swaddled in a sweater. We’re always looking for tiny sweaters or jackets to put on them, which I love because they look so cute and it seems to make them more appealing to potential adopters. Some of the Chi’s however, just shake all the time regardless. It certainly could be stress, a shelter is a scary place. So many people see them at the shelter & exclaim “Look, he’s shaking, he must be freezing!” No, not really..
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In shelters, I think Chihuahuas shake because of the cold AND stress like you said. Shelters are very terrifying, especially for small dogs!
Aww now that you mention it I do see Chihuahua’s shaking more than other dogs. I guess I always assumed it was from being cold – but now I know there’s a lot more to it than just being cold.
A lot of times it is because they are cold, but there is a lot more to it! When Wynston was really sick this past weekend, he was shaking constantly. It was horrible.
I don’t have a Chihuahua but I do have a little old 18-year-old cat who loves her heating pad. She doesn’t generate a lot of her own heat anymore because she’s thin. I keep her heating pad on low and she uses it all the time. I think a heating pad is a perfect idea for cold little animals.
Wynston LOVES his heating pad! He lays on it everyday!
Interesting! Bailey shakes but she has no Chihuahua on her at all. Could be the Springer Spaniel says one of our vet techs. But I have noticed that she shakes when she isn’t feeling well or she’s cold.
I think most dogs probably shake when they are cold, but you should totally DNA test Bailey! We are waiting on McKenzie’s results right now!
Great article! We’ve had our Princess for 3 months now and I thought she was just eternally cold – we live in Michigan – haha! Also, I like how you say that Wynston needs personal space. Princess does NOT like people up in her face either. I have to tell some people that over and over!
Thanks and keep up the awesome postings!
Thanks for reading Michele! At first I was scared to tell people to stay out of his face, but now I feel like I have to in order to protect him. I don’t like people in my face either! Congrats on your new adoption of Princess!
I own 4 Chihuahua mixes. They range from 5 to 15 pounds or so. My smallest one Buddy Bear shakes when he is excited or even cold. And I have also have issues with his weight. They always tell me he is to thin and ask me if i feed him. I’m like yes I feed him. But no one understands he has had weight issues his entire life. My other 3 tend to only shake when they are cold. But Jojo is a little slow when it comes to things mentally. And they say he isn’t proportioned right. As in he is too tall to be a Chihuahua. And his mouth is almost a under bite. But he is healthy and love him for who he is. But people are so quick to judge. My girl dog, Sunshine came from a not too good situation. She would freeze in front of people. And they would say that she was really nervous and scared. And yes she was scared of life. But I didn’t need people to judge her. She has came a far way to the dog she is now. She has improved a lot. The fourth dog is Jr. He is the most normal one in the eye of the people. But he has separation issues. That is my experience with owning 4 Chihuahua mixes. Enjoyed reading the article 🙂
Thanks for reading, Adriana! Isn’t it frustrating when people question it so much? People definitely don’t have the right to judge. I understand if they ask about the shaking because they legitimately don’t know, but it’s just plain rude if people make remarks that may hurt our feelings as dog moms. Enjoy your beautiful pups!
A reputable Chihuahua breeder told me that Chihuahuas have a higher metabolization rate than other dogs and the key is to feed frequently. Not more food … but divided into four portions. Their blood glucose levels are prone to spikes and that causes the shivering. Feeding frequently keeps the blood sugar even. The only time my Chi trembles is when he’s actually cold.
Interesting. I’ve never heard that in all of the years I’ve been working with animals. I guess it’s a good thing I feed my dogs multiple scheduled meals throughout the day. I’ve never noticed Wynston shaking between meals or anything like that. Perhaps because he always has a full tummy.
I have a very small 3lb Chihuahua and yes she shakes from excitement and cold but I was told by my vet that Chihuahuas also have a high metabolism and that can make them shake.
That’s the second time I’ve heard this. I’ll consult my veterinarian and get a second professional opinion. Then I can add it to the post if I feel it’s imperative. Thanks!
Matilda would shake when she wants to go outside, I’m not sure if it’s her tiny body trying to hold in a big poop, or if she’s just excited to go outside. They really are unique little creatures!
LOL! Who knows sometimes! That’s too funny.
My little one shakes a lot. He’s got chi in him along with mini pin…they call them a chipin. He’s so high strung, best of both worlds(doggie genes). He hates people except the ones that he knows and loves. Now he can become your best friend once he gets to know a person, but first he has to bark and act like he’s gonna eat you up. Then he rolls on his back and wanting rubs.
I have a chi/min pin mix who’s 3 years old and 9 lbs. I rescued him when he was two. He really seems to only shake when he’s cold. He loves people, but if my husband or I are not in the room, he’s not happy.
When he meets new people though, he likes to “talk” to them. Which consists of him growling at them, with positive body language. People just assume he’s mean, but he’s actually just saying, “hey, I’m small, please don’t step on me. I like to play though!”
My Ruby shakes whenever she experiences strong emotions, cold, or illness. She gets cold easily, so we keep plenty of her blankies all over the house. (Of course, she thinks ALL blankets belong to her.) She HATES her coat, but it is a must in cold weather. She is a rescue, and we love her dearly. She is the darling of our family.
My Chi “Dia” shivers when she feels rain coming (She’s very afraid of the rain) and when I am having a snack in bed. She’ll sit next to me and shivers. I believe it’s her way to get my attention so I don’t forget to give her a bite.
My Bella has so many different shakes. Her cold shakes, her excited shakes, her nervous shakes, and her intermittent shake mean mommy I’ve reall gotta go. Took a while too decipher between them all, but she has me trained now. Lol!
Ha! That sounds familiar! I definitely know all of Wynston’s shakes, also! But he mostly has excited or cold shakes 🙂
My Chihuahua sulks/pouts if she wants something & can’t have it. Or if I can’t figure out what she wants. She will tuck her tail between her legs & walk into another room. Shortly after, she’ll either poke her head out of the room she went to pout in…..to see if I’ve noticed her sadness in an attempt to keep trying to get me to give her what she wants
I’ve often wandered if this is typical behaviour for Chihuahuas.
This is very helpful info. My Chihuahua Sophie shakes when she is excited.
Lea shakes when she wants something. She shakes to tell me “but mom, i REALLY need that treat!” Or “I’m shaking because i need you to love me up.” As soon as she gets what she wants the shaking stops.
My sweet baby Jazmine Belle crossed the rainbow bridge last night. She turned 14 last month and was so full of life. She had to be put to sleep after an accident left her too injured to recover. Jazzy was my first rescue nearly 10 years ago. It was love at first sight for both of us. She was special needs, born with a severe deformity of her hind quarters that caused some minor mobility problems (she couldn’t jump like normal dogs) and she had a heart murmur. The shelter was going to put her to sleep because no one wanted a disabled dog so I adopted her and gave her my home. I was told she wouldn’t live beyond 7 years, 8 if I was really lucky. She was 4 when I got her so I was determined to make her final years the best ever. Little did I know she would make the last 10 years the best ever for me with her unconditional love. She was always a people dog and loved being held by everyone. She shook constantly and when people asked why, I always said it was just too hard to contain all that awesomeness in such a tiny package or that she had so much love to give she couldn’t contain it. Jazzy was such a sweet and loving dog that even my home health physical therapist who is terrified of dogs fell in love with her and would play with her every time she came over. Because of her deformity, she bounced like a bird when she ran. My youngest called her a “popping quail” because of her bouncing run. My husband said she looked like a little fruit bat and even bought her a set of bat wings that flapped when she ran. When she wanted attention, she would squeal at us until we picked her up. She never gave kisses when I first got her, but within 2 years she began giving a few tentative kisses. In the last 3 years, she gave us lots and lots of them, like she had been saving them up for us. I will so miss my baby.
Hi Christina. I am so, so sorry to hear of your loss. I can only imagine how you’re feeling right now. Thank you for sharing a little bit about her with us <3 It sounds like Jazmine Belle was an incredibly special baby.
My spoiled Chihuahua shakes because she wants treats!
Christina, saying goodbye to a chihuahua is the hardest thing. I know because i had to do it with my tiny-bear a some years ago.
I have a story to share with you, though. Almost a week after i had to put Tiny-Bear to sleep, I felt terrible like i killed him. I kept telling my friend Marty that it was OK because Tiny was in heaven with my father.
About this time, i met a man who was psychic. He didn’t know me at all but just blurted out almost all of Tiny’s name, but most amazingly, he told me that I felt terrible putting him to sleep but that Tiny thanks me for putting him out of his misery, and that my father said it’s OK-he has Tiny with him.
I don’t know how I found this site, but somehow I did. I have Mia. I adopted her from a rancher in Texas. He had found her and nobody came to claim her and so he put her in with all the other dogs. They were all ranch dogs and worked on the ranch. She didn’t work but she ran with them. She ate birdseed because the big dogs ate all the food up before she could get to any. She had been there several years when I got there. I never had a chihuahua before but I have always had dogs. Anyway, we bonded almost instantly. I asked if I could take her home and they were glad to let her go. That was 4 years ago and I love her to death. She and I are attached at the hip (my daughter says). Since I never had one before, I didn’t know that they attached themselves to one person mostly. That is what has happened here. After my other dog, that I had before I adopted her) passed a year after Mia came to live with us. Sure glad I had her, she saved me. She is a long hair, red and white. Beautiful little thing. I never knew there were long haired ones. Anyway, in reading all the posts, I am shaking my head, yes, and yes, and yes. These things just let me know that she is what I have found her to be. I have had dogs all my life of all kinds, but each one is different in their own way. Love this little baby, I am blessed to have her I hope for a long time to come.