Why is My Dog Shaking After Eating?
After eating, your dog may seem fine but suddenly start to shake violently as though he has some seizure. Here are the answers if you’ve ever wondered why your dog shakes after eating.
This isn’t as uncommon as you might think; in fact, it’s pretty normal among dogs! If you have noticed that your dog starts to shake after eating and you’re concerned about this, just keep reading to find out more about what could be causing the problem and how you can prevent it from happening again!
Table of Contents
After Eating, My Dog Shakes: Why This May Be Happening
Cold Weather
The dog could be shaking after eating because of her body temperature.
Just like you, your pooch has a normal body temperature of about 98 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). That number can increase or decrease depending on how hot or cold it is outside. In extremely cold weather and during the winter months, your puppy’s body temperature may drop to near-freezing temperatures because she’s losing so much heat from being outside for long periods of time.
To get back up to that normal range, dogs will shiver—and when they do, their muscles contract involuntarily.
If you’re around when your dog starts shivering after eating, it might look as if she’s having a seizure. But don’t worry; she isn’t! It just means that her body needs more calories to stay warm than usual.
Generalized Tremor Syndrome
According to WebMD, a dog can have generalized tremors when his nervous system is thrown off.
Generalized tremors are similar to seizures, and abnormal electrical activity in your dog’s body causes rapid and uncontrollable movements of parts of his body.
The most common causes of generalized tremors include liver disease, thyroid problems, brain tumors, or toxins like lead or insecticides.
Your veterinarian will run tests to determine the cause of your dog’s symptoms.
If your dog has been diagnosed with generalized tremors, he may need medications to control his symptoms. In some cases, surgery may be required if there is an underlying medical condition that needs correction.
However, dogs with generalized tremors often respond well to medication. There are several anti-seizure drugs available for dogs, and you should discuss which one is best for your pet with your veterinarian.
ALSO READ: Why Does My Dog Do Things He Knows Is Wrong?
Sign of Muscle Weakness or Injury
Muscle weakness or damage can cause uncontrolled tremors that resemble seizures. It’s important to take your dog in for a physical examination after you notice these symptoms.
Your vet will be able to run tests and determine what’s causing your dog’s shaking. If it turns out he has suffered some sort of muscular injury or disease, there are treatments available to help him return to normal.
But if it turns out he simply ate too much, don’t worry—you don’t have to wait for any veterinary interventions; just cut back on his portions, so he doesn’t feel compelled to shake his belly fat away.
(There is no such thing as belly fat, by the way.) A simple fix is often all it takes. You may want to consider using measuring cups for food portions from now on, though! That should keep everyone happy.
Toxin Ingestion
Ingestion of toxins and foreign substances (including foods) is a common cause of tremors in dogs.
Common culprits include antifreeze, paint fumes, or similar chemicals that your dog may come into contact with when it chews on furniture or other objects.
The good news is that these tremors will stop as soon as your dog has purged itself of these poisons. Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested a toxin. Note that food allergies can also cause tremors; however, any type of gastrointestinal symptoms would accompany such an allergy.
If your dog experiences nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea along with its shaking episodes, there’s a strong chance he’s suffering from an allergic reaction to something he ate.