Why Is My Pomeranian Shaking? 6 Causes Explained

The first time Tofu shook like a little leaf, I panicked. He'd been fine all morning, then suddenly — full-body trembles while sitting on the couch. I immediately started spiraling through every worst-case scenario.

Turns out he was just cold. He'd been napping on the tile floor, and his fluffy coat is deceiving — Poms get chilly fast.

If you've ever watched your Pomeranian shake and thought what is happening, you're not alone. It's one of the most common things new Pom owners Google at 11pm. The good news: the majority of reasons Poms shake are completely harmless. But a small number do warrant a call to your vet — and knowing the difference is what we're here for.

Let's break it down.

1. They're Cold (The Most Common Reason)

Pomeranians look like tiny fluffy bears, so it's easy to assume they're warm all the time. But that thick double coat doesn't make them immune to cold — it just helps. When the air conditioning is cranked, the floor is tile or hardwood, or you live somewhere with genuinely cold winters, your Pom can get chilly enough to shiver.

What to look for: Shaking that starts in cooler environments and stops once they're warm. They may also seek out blankets, your lap, or sunny spots.

What to do: Keep a soft blanket or dog sweater on hand for cold days. If you notice your Pom shaking in your own home, check the temperature — anything below 65°F is on the cold side for a small dog. A quick warm-up usually stops the shaking within minutes.

2. Excitement or Overstimulation

Pomeranians are enthusiastic little dogs. When something exciting is happening — you come home, a walk is about to start, a toy comes out — some Poms vibrate with sheer excitement. It looks alarming if you're not expecting it, but it's actually one of the most adorable reasons on this list.

What to look for: Shaking paired with a wagging tail, bright eyes, zoomies, and overall "I cannot contain myself" energy. It usually starts and stops quickly.

What to do: Nothing — enjoy it. If your Pom gets overstimulated easily, you can practice calm greetings (no high-pitched excited voices when you walk in) to reduce the intensity over time.

3. Anxiety or Fear

Poms are sensitive dogs. Loud noises, strangers, new environments, car rides, thunderstorms, and vet visits are all common triggers. Shaking from anxiety is very real in this breed and shouldn't be dismissed as "just being dramatic."

What to look for: Shaking paired with tucked tail, wide eyes, lip licking, yawning (a stress signal), hiding, or clinginess. It often comes on suddenly when something stressful is happening.

What to do: Remove your Pom from the stressor if possible, and offer calm reassurance. Don't overdo it — excessive coddling can actually reinforce anxious behavior. For ongoing anxiety (like noise phobia or separation anxiety), talk to your vet about management strategies. A consistent routine and early socialization go a long way.

4. Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

This one matters more for puppies than adult Poms, but it can affect small adult dogs too — especially if they've skipped a meal or been particularly active. Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar, and it can cause trembling, weakness, disorientation, and in serious cases, seizures.

What to look for: Shaking that's accompanied by weakness, lethargy, glassy eyes, stumbling, or lack of interest in food. The dog may seem confused or unresponsive. This is different from the alert, bright-eyed shaking of excitement.

What to do: If you suspect hypoglycemia, rub a small amount of corn syrup or honey on your dog's gums and contact your vet immediately. For Pom puppies especially, regular small meals throughout the day (3–4 times) are important to prevent blood sugar crashes.

5. Pain or Illness

Unfortunately, shaking can also be a sign that something hurts or that your dog is fighting off an illness. Dogs can't tell us where it hurts — trembling is sometimes how they communicate discomfort.

What to look for: Shaking that doesn't have an obvious cause (not cold, not excited), paired with other symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, limping, hunching over, or changes in behavior. If your Pom seems "off" in addition to shaking, take it seriously.

What to do: When in doubt, call your vet. Pain from dental disease, ear infections, muscle injuries, pancreatitis, or other conditions can all cause trembling. This isn't something to wait out.

6. Old Age

Senior Pomeranians (generally 8+ years) sometimes develop a mild tremor — particularly in the back legs. This can be related to muscle weakness, arthritis, or neurological changes that come with aging. It doesn't always mean something is wrong, but it's worth discussing with your vet.

What to look for: Subtle, persistent trembling that gets slightly worse over time, especially in the hindquarters. Your senior Pom may also be slower to get up, reluctant to jump, or seem stiff after resting.

What to do: Have your vet assess it. Senior wellness exams (twice a year is ideal for older dogs) are great for catching and managing age-related changes early. Joint supplements and adjusted exercise can make a big difference in comfort.

When to Call the Vet

Most shaking resolves on its own once the trigger is removed — your Pom warms up, calms down, or gets excited about something else. But here's when you should call your vet rather than wait:

• The shaking is severe, sudden, or continuous
• Your Pom seems confused, disoriented, or unresponsive
• There are other symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, not eating, weakness
• You suspect low blood sugar (especially in puppies)
• The shaking is new and you can't identify a cause
• You just have a gut feeling something is wrong

You know your dog. Trust that instinct.

The Bottom Line

Most of the time, a shaking Pomeranian is just cold, excited, or a little anxious — and a warm blanket or a calm moment fixes it. But as a Pom parent, it's worth knowing the full picture so you can tell the difference between "aww, he's chilly" and "we need the vet."

When Tofu shakes now, I run through a quick mental checklist: Is he cold? Did something startle him? Is he about to explode with excitement because the leash just appeared? Nine times out of ten, that's all it is. But I also know what to watch for when it's not.

If you want to be prepared for vet visits and health situations before they happen, the Vet Visit Prep Kit is a great resource — it walks you through exactly what to track, what to bring, and how to communicate with your vet so nothing gets missed.