We’ve had Boston Terriers in our family for years, and they’re the best thing in the world. It can be concerning whenever something happens that you can’t explain or aren’t expecting, like shaking. This behavior leads to the question, why does my Boston Terrier shake?
Boston Terriers shake for many reasons, including excitement, pent-up energy, anxiety, stress, nervousness, cold weather, and medical conditions. While shaking can be normal behavior, anything you believe to be associated with a medical problem must be assessed quickly.
You should keep reading if you’d like to know more about why your Boston Terrier is shaking. I will also discuss the solutions to the most common shaking causes and when it’s time to go to the veterinarian.
Excitement or Pent-Up Energy Is Overwhelming Your Boston Terrier
The primary reason most Boston Terriers shake is excitement. Most dogs will wag their tails to show their happiness, but a Boston Terrier is much different. He will wiggle his entire body to express how thrilled he is to see you. Similarly, if he is not getting enough exercise to release his pent-up energy, your Boston Terrier may shake as it bubbles over.
If you’re concerned about this type of behavior, you can do a couple of things. First, keep your greetings short to reduce the amount of excitement that builds between you and your Boston Terrier. If you stay calm, it will help him to keep calm and shake less.
Second, ensuring he’s got enough playtime to burn off his energy will help reduce shaking. You should be designating specific times for him to take walks or play each day, which will help with the pent-up energy. If you still notice he has a lot of energy after playtime, you may need to increase the amount of active time you spend together.
Your Boston Terrier Has Stress, Nervousness, or Anxiety
It’s pretty standard for Boston Terriers to suffer from separation anxiety. If you notice your dog shaking when you get ready to leave, he may dread the time you will be away. While you are not there to see it, your dog may continue this shaking while you are gone.
Nervousness is another common cause of shaking. Your Boston Terrier is a small dog; he may see other dogs as a threat, causing him to shake. Additionally, several things make dogs, in general, scared. These include loud noises, such as thunder and fireworks. You may find that your dog has his ears flattened and his tail between his legs.
If your dog is stressed, he may also shake. Additional signs that accompany the shaking may include drooling, chewing, and hiding.
You will need to eliminate the cause of your dog’s stress, nervousness, or anxiety to prevent this type of shaking. For instance, when you leave the house, make things as comfortable as possible for him. Consider leaving a TV on for him, so he has comforting noises in the background.
While you can’t do anything about a thunderstorm or fireworks, you can comfort your Boston Terrier. Your presence may be enough to soothe him into not shaking. For stress situations, you will have to observe your Boston Terrier to identify exactly what the stressor is so that you can remove it from his immediate surroundings.
The Cold Is Too Much for Your Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers have very thin coats, making it harder for them in colder climates. If it’s cold outside and your pup is shaking, chances are he’s cold. Dogs are not immune to the cold and will shiver just like humans in response to temperatures too low for them to tolerate.
The solution to this type of shaking is straightforward – limit your Boston Terrier’s exposure to the cold weather. You will have to find another way to get his exercise if he is not responding well to the temperature. Another way to help him is to dress him up in cold-weather clothing, such as a jacket or sweater that’s perfect for his size.
Your Boston Terrier Has a Medical Issue
If none of these seem to be the problem, then your Boston Terrier may have an underlying medical situation. You will need to be on the lookout for several severe issues.
A Seizure Is Causing the Shaking
Your Boston Terrier may be having a seizure. If he is unresponsive during the shaking, then this is very likely. This is one of those situations where you do not wait around to see what happens – you need to get him to a veterinarian.
Your Boston Terrier Ate Something Toxic
So many things we ingest are toxic to Boston Terriers, including sugar-free gum. If you mistakenly left your medication laying around, that’s another poisonous substance. The result can be severe shaking, among other symptoms.
An Ear Infection Is the Culprit
If your Boston Terrier mainly shakes his head and nothing else, he may have an ear infection. Excessive head shaking is often the first sign of something wrong with the ear, and an examination is the only way to rule this out.
Your Boston Terrier May Have Distemper
Unvaccinated dogs are susceptible to contracting distemper. It can cause tremors, and you may also see runny eyes and nose, fever, and coughing. The best way to prevent this is to ensure your dog is up-to-date on his vaccines.
Your Boston Terrier Has an Upset Tummy
Nausea can also cause generalized shaking. If you notice your dog is drooling while shaking, he likely has an upset stomach. This could be caused by not eating enough, overeating, or eating something that was not good for him.
Aging Joints Are Hurting
If your Boston Terrier is older, he may also suffer from age pains. Sometimes when dogs get older, their joints hurt, resulting in shaking. If your dog is shaking because of pain, you will want to take him to the vet to reduce discomfort.
How To Know When It’s Time To See a Vet
If you cannot identify the cause of your Boston Terrier’s shaking, it’s best to take him in to be seen by the vet. Additionally, if you think he’s eaten something toxic or has another medical concern, don’t wait for an appointment.
Final Thoughts
Boston Terriers are known for shaking, but the reason behind this behavior can sometimes be mysterious. Knowing the cause of the shaking can help you curb the behavior.
Boston Terriers will shake in response to specific situations, such as having too much energy, being nervous, having anxiety, being stressed, being excited, being too cold, or having a medical problem. Knowing the cause of the shaking will help you determine how to stop it.
When you cannot determine the cause of your Boston Terrier’s shaking or believe it’s a medical problem, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. This will prevent any severe issues from developing.