Is it normal for dogs to shiver when excited?

Yes, plenty of dogs shiver briefly when excited — before a walk, at the sound of a lead, or when a visitor arrives. It is usually short-lived and settles once the exciting moment has passed, and on its own it is not a cause for concern.

Why does my senior dog shiver more than they used to?

Older dogs feel the cold more than younger ones and are also more likely to have joint pain or another condition that can cause shivering. If the shivering is new or has become more frequent, it is worth mentioning to your vet at their next check-up rather than assuming it is just age.

My dog shivers during thunderstorms — is that a problem?

It is a common sign of noise-related fear or anxiety rather than an illness, and many dogs react this way. A calm, quiet space during storms helps, and if it is severe or worsening, your vet can advise on ways to help your dog cope.

Should I be worried if my dog shivers for no obvious reason?

It is worth keeping an eye on rather than ignoring, particularly if it continues or happens repeatedly without cold, excitement or a startling noise to explain it. If it persists, gets worse, or comes with any other change in your dog such as reduced appetite or reluctance to move, book them in with your vet rather than waiting to see.

Why is my dog shivering?

Shivering in a dog is often nothing more than being cold or excited, and most dogs shiver at some point without anything being wrong. It is worth paying closer attention when the shivering is new, constant, or appears alongside other changes such as reduced appetite, hiding away or general lethargy, because those can point to pain or illness rather than temperature or emotion.

Usually not urgent

This is common and often manageable at home — but see a vet if it persists, gets worse, or comes with other changes.

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The everyday causes

Cold is the most obvious one, and small, short-coated and older dogs feel it faster than a larger or thicker-coated breed. A dog shivering after a walk in wet or cold weather usually stops fairly quickly once dry and warm again.

Excitement and anticipation cause a similar shiver in plenty of dogs — the trembling that shows up at the sound of a lead, a car journey, or a visitor at the door. This kind of shivering is usually brief and settles as soon as the moment passes.

Anxiety and fear produce the same physical response as excitement but for the opposite reason — fireworks, thunder, vet visits and unfamiliar places are common triggers, and the shivering often comes with pacing, panting or trying to hide.

When shivering can mean pain or illness

Dogs sometimes shiver in response to pain, and this shivering tends to be more persistent than a cold- or excitement-related bout, and often comes with reluctance to move, a change in posture, or sensitivity when a particular area is touched.

Certain illnesses can cause shivering too, including infections, an upset digestive system, and conditions affecting the nervous system. Older dogs and those with an existing health condition are worth watching more closely if shivering appears without an obvious trigger like cold or a loud noise.

When to see a vet

Get your dog seen if the shivering is constant rather than occasional, if it happens without any obvious cause like cold or a startling noise, or if it comes with other signs such as being off their food, unusually quiet, reluctant to move, or generally not themselves.

Shivering combined with weakness, collapse, vomiting or diarrhoea is worth treating as more urgent — ring your vet the same day rather than waiting to see if it passes, since several of the underlying causes are more straightforward to treat when caught early.

Making a cold or anxious dog more comfortable

For a dog who genuinely feels the cold, a properly fitted coat on winter walks and a warm, draught-free spot to rest afterwards makes a real difference, particularly for small breeds, senior dogs and anything with a very short coat.

For a dog whose shivering is anxiety rather than temperature, a calm, quiet space to retreat to and a predictable routine both help, and some owners find a calming aid useful alongside those changes — though it is worth discussing persistent or severe anxiety with your vet rather than managing it alone.

What a vet will want to know

If you do book a vet visit for shivering that has not resolved on its own, it helps to have a few details ready: when it started, whether it is constant or comes and goes, whether it seems linked to cold, noise or a particular situation, and whether your dog is otherwise eating, drinking and behaving normally.

Mention anything else you have noticed even if it seems unrelated — a change in appetite, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or a new sensitivity when touched in a particular spot. Details like these help a vet narrow down whether the shivering is likely to be behavioural, related to temperature, or a sign of something that needs treating directly, and they often make the difference between one visit and several. A short video of an episode, taken safely on a phone, is also genuinely useful if the shivering tends to stop before you reach the practice, since a vet examining a dog who currently looks fine has far less to go on than one who can see what actually happened.

What can help

Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.

Dog Calming Ear Muffs For Fireworks & Thunder

A soft stretchy snood that wraps snugly over your dog's head and ears to muffle fireworks, thunder and loud noises. Helps nervous dogs feel calmer during storms, travel and grooming.

£11.99

Hooded Dinosaur Dog Raincoat

A waterproof hooded dog raincoat with a fun dinosaur spine and yellow fins. It features full-coverage legs, a reflective strip and a built-in D-ring for a lead, keeping smaller dogs dry and visible on wet walks.

From£29.99

Dog Sports Jacket For Medium & Large Breeds

A sleek zip-up sports jacket with full leg sleeves and reflective trim, designed to keep medium and large dogs warm and dry on cold-weather walks. Easy-fit and snug at the cuffs.

From£24.99

Hooded Fleece Bear Cloak for Dogs

A hooded fleece bear cloak that wraps your dog in soft warmth, with sweet little ears on top.

From£16.99

Common questions

Is it normal for dogs to shiver when excited?: Yes, plenty of dogs shiver briefly when excited — before a walk, at the sound of a lead, or when a visitor arrives. It is usually short-lived and settles once the exciting moment has passed, and on its own it is not a cause for concern.
Why does my senior dog shiver more than they used to?: Older dogs feel the cold more than younger ones and are also more likely to have joint pain or another condition that can cause shivering. If the shivering is new or has become more frequent, it is worth mentioning to your vet at their next check-up rather than assuming it is just age.
My dog shivers during thunderstorms — is that a problem?: It is a common sign of noise-related fear or anxiety rather than an illness, and many dogs react this way. A calm, quiet space during storms helps, and if it is severe or worsening, your vet can advise on ways to help your dog cope.
Should I be worried if my dog shivers for no obvious reason?: It is worth keeping an eye on rather than ignoring, particularly if it continues or happens repeatedly without cold, excitement or a startling noise to explain it. If it persists, gets worse, or comes with any other change in your dog such as reduced appetite or reluctance to move, book them in with your vet rather than waiting to see.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.