It is understandable if you are concerned that your dog keeps shaking or trembling. The good part is that the shaking may not always result from a cause as severe as you may initially think. There are various reasons why dogs such as Maltipoo puppies may shiver or tremble, which we are going to cover in this comprehensive article. You will get the answer to the question: “Why does my Maltipoo shake so much?”
We are also going to talk about tremors and their various symptoms. In addition, we will also mention their causes and possible treatments and products that you should know about. But first, let us talk about shaking, shivering, and trembling in dogs.
Dog Shaking
A dog owner may think that their dogs tremble and shiver due to pain but there are several reasons why you may see your dogs shivering. There is a massive chance that your dog may only shake because of less serious reasons than you may imagine.
It is essential to understand these reasons to ensure better health for your Maltipoo pets. Therefore, we are going to mention why your dog may experience shaking during different situations as well as various medical complications. But first, have a look at some interesting facts about the Maltipoo breed.
Interesting Facts about Maltipoo Breed
- The Maltipoo is a crossbreed between a toy poodle and a Maltese dog.
- It has an energetic lifestyle and resembles Maltese dogs in most cases.
- They are a gentle and playful breed.
- They exhibit high intelligence levels as compared to other dog breeds.
- The breed shows patience and becomes an ideal companion for dog enthusiasts.
Common Reasons for a Maltipoo to Shake, Shiver, or Tremble
Understanding the things that may cause your Maltipoo to shake, shiver, or tremble can help you resolve them. We are going to discuss common and dangerous symptoms, so have a look. Following are some normal and less dangerous reasons why your Maltipoo may shiver.
Excitement
Your Maltipoo may not always shiver due to negative reasons. Dogs like Maltipoos may shake and tremble when they are excited. For example, if you have a treat for them or if you have just gotten home from work, Maltipoos simply try to let off extra energy to calm themselves down by shaking and trembling. Similarly, your K-9 may also shake and shiver if they spot something interesting, or something they want to chase.
Anxiety
Know that Maltipoos are a sensitive breed and can get scared quite easily. They may experience extreme anxiety for various reasons including loud voices, sudden movements, threats, etc.
Separation Anxiety
In severe cases, you Maltipoo may also suffer because of separation anxiety. Fireworks, thunder, or any other loud noises will most likely make your pet feel anxious. It is quite common for small dogs to have this behavior, especially when they experience a sudden change in their space.
While senior dogs may manage separation anxiety well on their own, younger dogs tend to have more trouble. You should take them to a vet if the issues seem too severe. The vet can suggest anti-anxiety medication, or other treatments to help your Maltipoo manage stressful situations.
Cold
It is also possible that your pet may shiver without any stressful factors around them. The trembling may occur because your pet is simply cold and you need to cover them if that is the case. This applies especially to a situation if you own a Maltipoo in a cold region. You can invest in a coat for your Maltipoo or simply buy a pair of booties for your dog's paws to stay warm during the cold season.
Your pet could experience hypothermia if it stays in cold conditions for far too long. So, it would be best to prevent such situations by keeping them in warm areas. However, making a comfortable sleeping place for your dog is important. We also suggest you add a comfortable bed for your furry friend. This way, you will both have a good night's sleep.
Reasons Your Maltipoo May Shake
Now that we have talked about the less severe reasons why your dog may shake and shiver, it is important to take a look at the serious causes for an adult dog's shivering and trembling. Understanding these potential causes can make it easier for dog owners to deal with these issues properly. Have a look.
Potential Causes of Shaking
Distemper
Canine distemper is a leading reason for most dogs to feel disconnected. All types of dogs, from a poodle to a small dog, may experience it. In most cases, your dog's body usually shows signs of distemper other than shaking. You should look for other signs such as coughing, nose discharge, vomiting, etc. Paying attention to these little details will allow you to get your Maltipoo the prompt care it needs.
Nausea
Nausea is another red flag that will make your dog experience body tremors or pain in certain cases. Most dog breeds experience this state when a pet owner does not take care of their pet properly. Most Maltipoo owners overlook these small details, which can land their pets in trouble later on. Issues like these could result in kidney failure or other severe health complications. In other cases, your dog may also experience this issue because of eating something outside.
Generalized Tremor Syndrome (GTS)
GTS or steroid-responsive tremors cause consistent, rhythmic, and involuntary seizures in older dogs. Pet owners and experts still do not know the actual cause of this disease. However, most theories suggest that it is an autoimmune disease. The disease is not as common in Maltipoo puppies as it is in adults, but it is still something to watch for.
Seizure Disorders
Seizure disorders are another possible explanation for your Maltipoo's shaking. This issue itself does not cause pain or panting. However, it can inflict damage if a dog or puppy falls suddenly and may cause issues in their hind legs.
Poisoning
Your pet can experience poisoning for a wide range of reasons but the wrong kind of food is still one of the leading causes of poisoning. Some foods aren't dangerous to human health but can take a toll on your Maltipoo's health to a great extent.
For instance, eating chocolate and unsuitable foods can cause poisoning in maltipoos in the long run. Moreover, inhaling cigarette smoke can also damage your dog’s health. Therefore, it is best to keep your pet away from these substances if you want to avoid serious health complications.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia, or low sugar levels, isa common issue that causes pain and weakness in the body and the hind legs. Maltipoo owners must pay attention to this issue by monitoring their pet’s blood sugar level. Your pet could go through serious health conditions or even go into a coma if the problem goes overboard.
The easiest way to identify if your pet is going through this issue is to keep an eye on its energy levels. Most Maltipoos suffering from this problem experience low energy levels and act lethargic. Similarly, weight loss and frequent urination along with digestive issues are other indicators of hypoglycemia.
Maltipoo Severe Health Problems
You may think of small issues like an ear infection in small dogs when we talk about Maltipoo health problems. However, your furry friend could experience incredibly dangerous complications like a heatstroke.
There are also a few common health problems in Maltipoos that almost all dogs experience at some point in their lives. Following are some of the most severe shaking-related health problems that your Maltipoo may experience.White Shaker Syndrome
White shaker syndrome can cause trembling and shaking throughout the body. It is a sort of seizure disorder that can affect small dogs and large ones alike.
This causes issues with the Maltipoo's coordination between the ages of six months and three years. You will see extreme tremors in your dog's body during this disease. Experts also connect the condition with cognitive dysfunction.
Maltese dogs and Maltipoos both experience it but you can save your dog from bumping and falling into things when it experiences seizures in a condition like this. It would be best to keep your pet away from harmful objects, ensuring it does not bump into them, when facing this issue.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy causes seizures in a dog's body much like it does in humans, but you can manage it well with the right medicines. The disease is not common in most dog breeds but every pet owner should know about it if they wish to avoid going to the veterinarian later on. Paying attention to these little details and signs of neurological dysfunction is just as important as taking your pet to the groomer.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation is another health condition that Maltipoo owners can come across. It is often caused by misalignment of the patella and femur.
This alignment issue between the dog's bones can cause shivering. It is because the bones do not settle well in the skeletal system and have trouble bearing the dog’s weight. This causes the dogs to tremble and have mobility issues.
You may also see this disease in older dogs because they have weaker bones as compared to young ones. Some studies suggest that a dog parent with this issue has a higher chance of transferring it to the offspring. However, research is still ongoing and the results are not definitive.
Tiny Mouth Syndrome
Tiny mouth syndrome, also called Microstomia, is a health complication in dogs that can alter their growth and formation of teeth later. Small dogs can experience this issue, which can last throughout their life span.
The tiny mouth syndrome can impact their diet and overall health. Smaller dog breeds with tiny mouth syndrome are also at a higher probability of developing shaking issues because of a weak metabolism and poor health. This also makes them subjected to other issues like weakness, malnutrition, weight loss etc.
One of the easiest ways to deal with tiny mouth syndrome is to use a dog mouthwash. Doing so will help treat the condition and keep the inflammation to a minimum. In addition to this, regular dental cleaning for your Maltipoo can help you to manage tiny mouth syndrome effectively.
Portosystemic Shunt (PSS)
PSS is another common health complication that dogs may experience and comes from abnormal blood flow between the liver and the pet's body.
The disease can cause growth issues, urinary problems, and other complications in the hind legs. Some people also believe that the condition can lead to Addison's disease in dogs, which causes adrenal insufficiency. It is because of a low level of cortisol that dogs may experience this medical condition. PSS can contribute to dog shaking extensively. The condition is more common with older dogs, causing your Maltipoo to shake uncontrollably.
How to Prevent Shaking in Dogs
As you can see, there are several health issues that your Maltipoo may experience during its life that require veterinary attention. But there are non-medical solutions you can take as well for some of these conditions. Owners can also avoid the vet when it comes to some non-medical issues such as anxiety and plain old cold weather. By following these steps, you can minimize your Maltipoo's symptoms and the need for treatments.
Anxiety
We already mentioned how the Maltipoo breed can experience extensive issues due to separation anxiety and other forms of situational complications. This condition can cause a pet parent or small dog to feel worried. The best way to avoid this is to keep your dog with you as much as possible.
Another pro tip is not highlighting yourself leaving the house, or avoiding waving goodbye to your pet. This makes your absence less obvious to the dog and helps them stay calm. In addition to this, you should also try a high-quality calming spray on your Maltipoo to assist it with anxiety.
Cold
You most likely care about your pet like your family, but there is a chance that you may overlook things. You wouldn't want your pet to feel cold through the night or during the day. Senior dogs have a higher chance of feeling cold at night. So, ensure that you have a blanket and a properly set up sleeping place for your pet. We also suggest you add a comfortable bed for your furry friend. This way, you will both have a good night's sleep.
Excitement
Managing excitement in Maltipoo dogs can be a little tough considering how attached these pets are to their owners. However, you can train them to control their urge to spring onto you and shake uncontrollably.
We know that your Maltipoo will not listen to you in every case. Therefore, you can always add a few Zen Chews to its diet and it will calm down before you know it. As a bonus, you will not need to worry about your pet's low blood sugar once they start consuming these tablets.
Hypoglycemia
Speaking of low blood sugar, dogs experience sugar level issues much like humans, but it is not very difficult to manage these problems in your Maltipoo if you know the right things to do. Know that the condition comes from low blood sugar levels in the dog's body.
Consider adding a few sugary treats to your pet's diet so that they can regulate blood sugar more effectively. It will take some time to come up with the optimal diet for your pet, but know that you need to balance the diet. It is worth keeping in mind that providing your dog with excessive sugars can cause vomiting and sabotage its overall health.
Epilepsy
When it comes to managing epilepsy, the most important thing dog owners can do is detect the condition as soon as possible. Maltipoos experience the onset of epilepsy from 6 months to 3 years of age in most cases. It is important to detect this issue in the early years because it can have an impact on the dog’s well being in the long term. Epilepsy can make dogs fall down and bump into objects.
Aside from seeking veterinary care, there are several non-medicinal processes that Maltipoo owners can try. Acupuncture, for example, shows great results when dealing with problems like epilepsy and seizures. We understand that it doesn't sound like the primary mode of treatment, but it is still worth trying. People also use CBD oil to treat epilepsy in dogs but the full applications of the oil are still being researched.
Patellar Luxation
It is important to understand that shaking in dogs due to this condition has different severities. The treatment and management depend on the severity of the condition. However, weight management and regular exercise are great ways to address the issue and degree of pain for your pet.
Simple steps like these help reduce the average pressure on your dog's hind legs and the rest of the body, making your pooch active and healthier. Most Maltipoo owners who experiment with these steps with senior dogs see that the dog's panting also subsides. Plus, the dogs have a better chance of dealing with kidney disease due to better health conditions.
You can provide quality dog food to your pet during this time and accelerate the weight loss process, helping fight against patellar luxation.
Portosystemic Shunt (PSS)
Unfortunately, there is no good non-medical way to deal with PSS. Abdominal surgery is the most popular solution for dealing with PSS issues in dogs. It is the most efficient method to deal with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts as the experts aim to place an ameroid constrictor around the blood vessel. The ameroid constrictor is a metal stainless steel ring with a casein center. This allows gradual occulation, reducing issues with the dog’s blood flow.
Conclusion
As you see, managing your Maltipoo's shaking is not as difficult as you may think. We hope you got the answer to your question: “Why does your Maltipoo shake so much” and understand how you can keep it to a minimum. It will help a great deal if you make some lifestyle changes for your dog, which includes plenty of exercise. You should also look for credible, high-quality products that can help you manage these complications.