Dachshund Shaking When Sleeping: What Could It Mean? (Should I be Worried?)

Do you own a dachshund? If so, have you ever noticed that they sometimes shake when sleeping? Of course, it’s not just dachshunds that do this – many dogs of all breeds occasionally shake when they’re catching some z’s.

But what does it mean when your dog starts shaking while snoozing? Are they dreaming? Having a seizure? There are several possibilities, and we’ll explore them in this blog post.

So if you’ve been wondering why your dachshund shakes when they sleep and whether this is cause for concern, here’s a quick breakdown.

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    Is it Normal That My Dachshund is Shaking When Sleeping?

    Yes, it’s perfectly normal for dachshunds to shake while sleeping. In fact, it’s a common trait in dogs of all shapes and sizes. When your dog shakes while asleep, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong.

    However, if other symptoms accompany the shaking, it could be a sign of a medical condition. We’ll discuss some potential causes of shaking in dachshunds below.

    A Unique Daschund Condition

    Dachshunds are prone to a condition called idiopathic head tremors, which, simply put, is when they involuntarily shake their heads. It often comes across as a vigorous ‘yes’ nod or ‘no’ shake.

    This can be caused by anxiety, excitement, or even something as simple as a change in temperature.

    Now, this is not necessarily something to be alarmed about unless the tremors are severe or your dachshund is showing other signs of distress.

    For example, if your dachshund is also lethargic, has a loss of appetite, or is having trouble walking, this could be a sign of a more severe condition. You should take them to the vet right away.

    Dreams

    Dogs can dream just like humans do! When they’re dreaming, their muscles may twitch or spasm as they act out what’s happening in their dream.

    If your dachshund is shaking while he’s asleep, likely, he’s just dreaming. What do dogs dream about, you might wonder? Well, they often dream about activities they do when they’re awake, like playing fetch or going for a walk.

    Anxiety

    Anxiety can also cause shaking in dachshunds (and other dogs). If your dachshund is anxious or stressed, it may shake uncontrollably.

    This is especially common if the dog is shaking in response to a particular trigger, like thunderstorms or fireworks.

    If you think your dachshund’s shaking is due to anxiety, there are a few things you can do to help them feel more relaxed:

    1. Give them a calming supplement

    Several supplements on the market are designed to help dogs with anxiety. These can help reduce your dachshund’s shaking, but it’s important to talk to your vet before giving your dog any supplements.

    2. Create a safe space

    If your dachshund has a place where they feel safe and secure, they may be less likely to shake. This could be a crate or a small room where they can go to relax.

    3. Desensitize the dog to the trigger

    Suppose your dachshund is shaking in response to a particular trigger, like thunderstorms, fireworks, or the sound of a passing train. In that case, you may be able to desensitize them to the noise.

    This involves slowly exposing the dog to the sound at a level that doesn’t bother it and gradually increasing the volume over time. Doing this slowly and carefully is crucial so you don’t overwhelm your dog.

    Old Age

    Shaking is also typical in senior dogs, as it can be a symptom amongst many other age-related conditions. So if your dachshund is rather old, it’s a great idea to take them for a check-up every now and then.

    For example, they may have arthritis, which can be treated with medication. Additionally, older dogs are more susceptible to conditions like epilepsy and cancer, which can cause shaking.

    A Personality Quirk

    Sometimes, dachshunds will shake simply because it’s their personality. If your dog is otherwise healthy and happy, there’s no need to worry if it shakes when it sleeps.

    This is a quirk of their personality and doesn’t indicate any underlying health problems. Just enjoy those cute little tremors and know that your pup is happy and content.

    Pain

    In some cases, dachshunds may shake when they’re in pain. This could be due to an injury, arthritis, or another health condition.

    If your dachshund is shaking and seems to be in pain, it’s essential to take it to the vet immediately. That way, you can get to the bottom of what’s causing the pain and get your dog the treatment it needs.

    Low blood sugar

    If your dachshund’s blood sugar levels are low, it may shake or tremble. This is more common in diabetic dogs but can happen in any dog if its blood sugar gets too low.

    If you think this might be the case, check your dog’s blood sugar levels at home with a glucometer. If they’re low, give them some sugar and then take them to the vet to be sure everything is okay.

    Cold

    Another possibility is that your dog is cold. This is especially likely if the dog shakes all over the body, not just in one spot. Another way to tell if he’s cold is if his/her ears and nose feel cold to the touch.

    Dogs don’t have the same ability to regulate their body temperature as humans, so they’re more prone to feeling cold – especially when wet from rain or snow.

    If you think this might be the case, try putting a blanket on your dog’s bed or crate to see if it helps.

    If you’re wondering whether your dachshund can or should sleep outside, check out this post on whether a dachshund can sleep outside.

    Muscle Spasms

    Another possibility is that your dachshund is experiencing muscle spasms. Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of the muscles.

    They can happen for various reasons – dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, low blood sugar, and certain medical conditions. For example, if your dog only shakes when he’s sleeping, muscle spasms likely are to blame.

    Bottomline: Should I be Worried if my Dachshund is Shaking When Sleeping?

    In most cases, a dachshund shaking while sleeping is nothing to worry about. However, if your dachshund is shaking and you’re not sure why it’s always best to err on the side of caution and talk to your vet.

    They can perform a physical examination and run some tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

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