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Why Is My Dog Shaking In His Sleep?
Written By Alex Olsson
Published: 01/19/2016Updated: 01/28/2025
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
Help! My dog is shaking and twitching in his sleep – but why?
Picture this: it’s the middle of the night, and you suddenly notice your dog twitching, shaking, or even kicking in his sleep. Is this normal, or is something seriously wrong?
Many pet parents worry when they see their pup trembling during rest, but in most cases, it’s actually nothing to be alarmed about. Though, some types of shaking could indicate an underlying medical issue.
Let’s dive into why your dog may be shaking in his sleep, and when you should be concerned.
My dog’s twitching in his sleep — should I be worried?
Involuntary muscle trembling (also known as myoclonus) is any repetitive muscle movement that’s impossible for your pup to control. It can affect a single, isolated limb, or it can be a generalized movement that includes the entire body. These shakes and twitches can happen when your dog is resting or moving.
Dogs, just like us humans, go through different sleep cycles, including REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. During this stage, dogs dream, and their bodies may respond with small twitches, tail flicks, or even soft barks. These movements are typically harmless and a sign that your pup is deep in dreamland.
However, excessive shaking, prolonged stiffness, or repetitive myoclonus could indicate an underlying medical condition.
Differentiating between normal twitching and more serious signs of distress is key to understanding whether your dog needs to take a trip to the vet.
Symptoms to look out for
Key symptoms of more serious underlying issues may include:
- Repetitive or rhythmic twitching
- Uncontrolled muscle movements while awake
- Loss of coordination or difficulty walking
- Signs of pain or discomfort accompanying the tremors
- Behavioral changes, especially increased anxiety related to movement
- Inability or difficulty completing normal tasks, such as jumping onto the couch or climbing stairs
- The appearance of seizures
- Prolonged rigidity or full-body stiffness
- Foaming at the mouth or excessive drooling
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty waking up after an episode
- Unusual vocalizations of distress
If you start noticing symptoms like these in your furry friend, giving your vet a call might be a good idea to get to the bottom of what’s going on.
What’s causing your dog to twitch in his sleep?
Like we mentioned earlier, during REM sleep, your dog’s brain activity increases, sometimes causing muscle twitches, tail wags, or paw movements. This is completely normal and indicates a healthy sleep cycle.
But there are other reasons this might be occurring, too.
But there are other reasons this might be occurring, too.
Hypnic jerks — a common sleep phenomenon
A hypnic jerk is a sudden, involuntary muscle spasm that happens as a dog transitions into sleep. Similar to what humans experience, this can cause your dog to shake momentarily — but luckily, these aren’t a cause for concern.
Neurological conditions and underlying disorders
Sometimes, shaking during sleep can indicate a deeper issue, such as:- Canine epilepsy — Seizures during sleep can resemble excessive twitching or full-body convulsions.
- Degenerative myelopathy — A progressive spinal condition that may cause nighttime trembling.
- Distemper or neurological infections — Viral infections affecting nerve control and muscle coordination.
Other causes to watch out for
- Cold temperatures — Shivering may be your dog’s way of keeping warm
- Pain or discomfort — Arthritis or joint pain can cause tremors
- Metabolic disorders — Issues like hypoglycemia can affect nerve function and lead to shaking
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Diagnosing your dog’s shaking
If your dog’s shaking seems excessive, sudden, or is accompanied by other symptoms (like loss of coordination or distress), it’s best to get a vet’s opinion.
Vet tests for muscle trembling and twitching
To diagnose the issue, a vet may perform the following tests:- Neurological exams — Checking for nervous system abnormalities
- Blood tests — Ruling out metabolic disorders
- Video recordings — Capturing sleep episodes to analyze movement patterns
Treating your dog’s shaking
Depending on what’s causing your dog’s shaking, your treatment options will look slightly different:
Managing normal sleep twitching in dogs
If your dog’s shaking is due to normal REM sleep movements or hypnic jerks, no treatment is needed — good news! But, in these cases, you can create a comfortable sleep environment by:
- Providing a warm, soft bed
- Reducing household noise and stress
- Ensuring your pup gets adequate exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day
Treatment for underlying conditions
For dogs with medical causes of shaking, treatment may include:
- Medication — Anti-seizure drugs for epilepsy or neurological disorders
- Dietary adjustments — Ensuring proper nutrition to avoid deficiencies
- Pain management — Joint supplements or anti-inflammatory medication for arthritis
A healthy diet goes a long way. But how do you choose the best dog food for your pup? Read our guide to find out how to pick the right food for your furry friend.
Home remedies to reduce sleep trembling
- Gentle massage to ease muscle tension
- Adding omega-3 fatty acids to support neurological health
- Providing a heated dog bed for warmth
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
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Can my dog recover from shaking and trembling?
Depending on the cause, treatment can significantly reduce or eliminate excessive shaking. Dogs with conditions like epilepsy may require ongoing medication, while environmental adjustments can help those with pain-related twitching.
Preventing future sleep-related shaking in your dog
Be sure to schedule regular vet check-ups to make sure that your dog isn’t suffering from any underlying diseases or conditions.You can also help prevent these tremors by maintaining a healthy sleep routine for your dog, and further monitoring them for recurring symptoms. And remember — don’t hesitate to call your vet if you have any questions.
Why Is My Dog Shaking In His Sleep? Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Chiuhuahua
Two Years
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking And Can'T Walk
She Has Been Shaking And Can't Walk For 1 Day Already What Are Some Medications And What Caused It??
Feb. 11, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
12 Recommendations
I'm so sorry to hear she cannot walk.
This is a true emergency and she needs to see a vet urgently.
There are several potential causes including a slipped disc, muscle strain, fractured bone, dislocated bone, neurological disorder.
We need to run some tests such as a neurological exam and xrays to know what is going on and start the most appropriate treatment.
Feb. 11, 2021
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Australian Shepherd
One Year
41 found this helpful
41 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking
Hi- my one year old Australian Shepard mix sometimes has leg tremors. It’s only one leg at a time but has been all four legs never just the front of back. The tremors happen when his legs are fully extended only, so either standing and one limb will start to shake and be done with in a matter of seconds. Or it has been when he is asleep legs fully extended in the bed and one will involuntary twitch and stop. Just wondering if this is something to be concerned about, he never whines or cries with the tremors.
Dec. 6, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
41 Recommendations
Some dogs legs will tremor and are just fine. If he is not painful and otherwise acting normal I wouldn’t worry.
Dec. 6, 2020
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