Updated April 2026
Chihuahuas are known for many things… their sass, their loyalty—and yes, their constant shaking.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why does my Chihuahua shiver so much?”, you’re definitely not alone.
The good news? In most cases, it’s completely normal.
But sometimes, it can be a sign that something isn’t quite right.
Chihuahuas shiver for several common reasons including being cold, excited, anxious, or due to their fast metabolism. While shaking is often normal for this small breed, frequent or unusual trembling can sometimes signal health issues like low blood sugar, pain, or illness.
Common (Normal) Reasons Chihuahuas Shiver
1. They Get Cold Easily
Chihuahuas are tiny and don’t have much body fat to keep them warm.
Even if you feel comfortable, your Chihuahua might be freezing.
What helps:
- Dog sweaters
- Cozy blankets
- Heated dog beds
👉 This is one of the most common reasons for shaking.
2. Fast Metabolism
Chihuahuas burn energy quickly, which can make their little bodies tremble.
It’s kind of like their engine is always running a little faster than other dogs.
3. Excitement (Super Common!)
Does your Chihuahua shake when you grab the leash or come home?
That’s pure excitement.
You might notice shaking when:
- You walk in the door
- It’s time to eat
- They’re about to go for a walk
👉 Totally normal and nothing to worry about.
4. Anxiety or Fear
Chihuahuas can be sensitive little dogs.
Things that may trigger shaking:
- Loud noises (thunder, fireworks)
- New people
- Vet visits
If this sounds familiar, check out my post on anxiety in Chihuahuas for ways to help them feel more secure.
5. Attention-Seeking Behavior
This one surprises a lot of owners.
Some Chihuahuas learn:
👉 “When I shake, I get attention.”
If you always pick them up or comfort them when they tremble, they may start doing it more often.
⚠️ When Shivering Is NOT Normal
Sometimes shaking is your Chihuahua’s way of telling you something is wrong.
🚨 Watch for these warning signs:
- Shaking that comes on suddenly
- Lethargy or weakness
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Acting “off” or not like their normal self
1. Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
This is especially common in small dogs like Chihuahuas.
Signs include:
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Trembling
- Even a collapse in severe cases
👉 This can become serious quickly, so don’t ignore it.
2. Pain or Illness
Dogs often shake when they’re uncomfortable.
This could be due to:
- Injury
- Internal pain
- Digestive upset
3. Poisoning or Toxins
If your dog suddenly starts shaking and acting strange, it could be something they ate.
👉 This is an emergency—call your vet right away.
4. Neurological Issues (Shaker Syndrome)
Some small dogs develop a condition that causes full-body tremors.
It’s treatable—but requires a vet diagnosis.
5. Seizures
Seizures are different from normal shaking and may include:
- Stiff body
- Drooling
- Loss of awareness
👉 Immediate vet care is needed.
✅ Quick Checklist: Why Is My Chihuahua Shaking?
Use this quick guide:
- ❄️ Cold? → Add warmth
- 🎉 Excited? → Totally normal
- 😟 Nervous? → Remove stress trigger
- 🍽 Hungry? → Offer a small meal
- 🚨 Acting sick? → Call your vet
🐕 Do Chihuahuas Shake More Than Other Dogs?
Yes—they really do.
Here’s why:
- Smaller bodies lose heat faster
- Faster metabolism
- Naturally, more sensitive personalities
That combination makes shaking much more noticeable in this breed.
💡 How to Help Your Chihuahua Stop Shivering
- Keep them warm (sweaters + blankets)
- Feed small, regular meals
- Create a calm, predictable environment
- Avoid reinforcing nervous behavior
- Schedule regular vet checkups
🔗 Helpful Reads
If you want to dive deeper, check out these posts:
- Anxiety in Chihuahuas
- Common Chihuahua Health Problems
- How to Keep Your Chihuahua Warm in Winter (great future post idea!)
❓ FAQ
Do all Chihuahuas shiver?
Many do, but not all. It’s very common due to their size and temperament.
Why does my Chihuahua shake when happy?
Excitement can trigger shaking—it’s a normal emotional response.
Should I worry if my Chihuahua shakes a lot?
Only if it’s new, constant, or comes with other symptoms like lethargy or vomiting.
How can I stop my Chihuahua from shivering?
Keep them warm, reduce stress, and maintain a regular feeding schedule.
🐾 Final Thoughts
Most of the time, your Chihuahua’s shaking is just part of what makes them… well, them.
But as an owner, it’s important to know the difference between:
✔ Normal behavior
⚠ And something that needs attention
When in doubt, trust your instincts—if something feels off, it’s always worth checking with your vet.
Read more about other Chihuahua health problems.
Cathy Bendzunas
Pet Blogger
Dr. Sara Ochoa
DVM
This article has been fact-checked and approved by Dr. Sara Ochoa DVM. You can read more about her on our About page.
I have a 5 yr. old teacup chihuawaha, had her since she was 3 mos. old. She has never got bonded to me, I can,t even get her to let me hold her, she lays under a blanket by me,. She never greets me when I go and come home,she will stay under the blanket, she sleeps with me , but I can get up and she will stay in bed sometimes 3 hr. Before she gets up. It so heartbreaking cause she just never has bonded with me. I feel she is unhappy. Ant thing u could tell me to help get hr out of this timid scary state and bond to me. I,ve had dogs all my life and never had one that won,t let me love on her or hold her
That’s so unusual for a Chi. They tend to have a need to bond to a person. Do you want me to ask on the facebook page to see if anyone has any ideas for you?
Many years ago we adopted a sweet little girl Chihuahua named, Sidney. She was very skittish and bonded mostly with my wife but that was pretty much in name only. With me, she would run from me and, early on, I decided to stop trying to pick her up and I began slowly to bond with her. That began when I came to bed late at night and I would scoop her up and hold open the entrance of her snuggle sanck. It took a couple of years for her to begin expecting for me to do this. It took her 6-years to allow me to pick her up but only in certain situations. But I allowed her to adjust and bond at her own pace. At eight and nine years she slowly began to widen the situations where she would allow me to pick her up … and at the beginning of this year she began allowing me to pick her up off the floor and even to reach down to pet her ! She now enters into activities with all five of us … my wife, me, and two other Chihuahuas on the bed. One of the strange things is her acceptance of a new Chihuahua puppy who tries to bully her and another larger Chihuahua. I felt as though I had to watch and listen for her distress sounds when the puppy was bullying her … now that is more like the puppy is trying to induce Sidney into rough play … but … NOW … Sidney stands her ground and backs down the puppy (already larger than Sidney). Now if the play becomes too rough, Sidney comes to me on the bed and I block the over-active puppy from pouncing when she doesn’t feel like playing. Another thing I recently noticed is little elderly Sidney has begun “pouncing” on her own ! In the morning when Sidney wakes up she comes to me and assumes that “down-on-her-front-feet pose that dogs do when they want to play ! And now that it has taken many years for the now elderly girl-dog initiates play and seems to want me physical contact with me ! I wish I knew horror stories she endured before she came here to live ? I am home-bound so I pretty much go between my bed and my recliner in the living room … and I and many times up all night. The big difference now is when Sidney wakes up during the night and I am not next to her on the bed … she will walk out here and into the living room to check on me. She looks in on me and studies me for a while then I will acknowledge her presence … then she will return to the bedroom and climb one of the two soft doggie stairs to get to her “Spot”. So, it CAN take many years to allow a Chihuahua to adjust to you if they are, at first, skittish of you.
I’m so glad you were patient with her Eugene. It’s so worth it to earn their love and trust.
Our little chihuahua bonded to my husband right away! When we first had her at only eight weeks old she would snuggle on my chest every night when we were watching T.V. She loves us both but she still favors my husband! Sometimes if I try to pick her up she might growl or even snap at me! Lately I have been using treats to call her to me and take her out more to walk a little! The more time I spend with her the closer she becomes to me! I am also the one who feeds her! I draw her to food with treats too!
LOL. The way to a chi’s heart is through their stomach.
@Bonnie, she may be deaf or blind
Pick her up often and love on her. When she’s near you in bed pull her up close to you and hold her til she falls asleep or you do. Do this often she will get the message that that’s what you want and it may take her awhile to learn that it’s what you want, just don’t give up. Chris are natural love bugs so she should figure it out. But somewhere down the line something has happened to make her think different. I hope you the best of luck, for her too.
Good advice Liz.
Keep loving her….chis need someone or something to love….don’t give up on her….just change your thinking of her….hold her close….as much as possible….speak to her softly….give her treats when she does something good….I adopted a puppy mill dog….now beans was scared and anxious about everything….so to get him to bond with me….I took him to work, grocery store, bank, we did everything together…. it took awhile….but beans and I are best buddies now….and I love him as much as he loves me….
My chihuahua is very sensitive to adverse weather conditions, including wind, rain, and obviously thunderstorms. In the winter, we have snow and ice that accumulates on the roof and when it starts to melt, it crashes down and scares her. She shakes, pants, and hides under the furniture. Even after the storm has passed, it takes her awhile to calm down. I have seen various products that are supposed to help but have never tried them.
Are you talking about supplements Christie? I’m curious about them too. I know the thunder shirt works well for some dogs but not all of them.
I have used an old shirt of one of my kids to wrap around my chi when he is scared. It works well. Just something to make them feel secure. If the dog is a larger breed, use a larger shirt.
Good idea Peggy!
We adopted our approximately 7 year old female chi a year ago. We also have an 11year old larger chi female. Jancy follows me every where. She sleeps with me but she won’t cuddle. She comes over for 15 second and leaves. I massage her very lightly and she scrambles away. We have not bonded at all…either have the girls with each other..help!
It sounds like you are doing the right things Vera. She may eventually come around. Some dogs are more aloof like cats.
If she follows you around, she is already seeing you as a pack leader.
I have a 7 year old chi. Lately he began suffering from arthritis. He is on medication. He is in pain, sometimes but only when I try to hold him, he bites me. My husband can touch him everywhere, he let him do everything but he doesn’t like me. He seems that he is thinking that its ny fault that he is having pain. We have him since he was a puppy.
He very well may think that Roberta. 7 is pretty young for a chi to be dealing with arthritis, poor baby. Is he on any supplements for it?
Try glucosamine supplement. Worked wonders for my dog. Cbd drops too.
Good suggestions Claudia, thanks!
I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD MIXED WITH CHIHUAHUA, PUG AND SHITZU, SHE KEEPS DOING HER BUSINESS ON MY FLOOR, ALSO IN HER CRATE, HOW CAN I STOP HER FROM DOING THIS?I DONT WANT TO GIVE HER UP
THANK YOU
JUDITH WHITE
It’s hard to break them from this once they start. And usually they won’t mess in their crate.
You have to be consistent with her with whatever training method you use. We have a few articles that may help:
https://ilovemychi.com/housetraining-your-chihuahua/
https://ilovemychi.com/how-i-potty-trained-my-impossible-chihuahua/
My Chi very seldom will put her bead up in the air and sniff the air and a!omg with that she will pace. A k and forth. She sometimes will do this also when she gets ready to go into heat. What could be the cause of this?
Sounds like the typical little quirks some dogs have.Although the pacing before going into heat could be because she’s uncomfortable.
i enjoyed this about chis. Mine is 4 years old and part terrier, We rescued each other and i do love him so and i will make him my service dog and he is my true furbaby and forever companion for life. Alot of spunk and adorableness all balled up in his tiny frame.
She could be deaf or blind. Alit of times that is how they behave with a disability
That is possible Brenda.
My chi, Luna, will not walk on smooth floors, rugs, carpets, even cement but not kitchen or bathroom or wood floors. When she wants a drink- (she’s usually in bed with me because I’m disabled)- she assumes the pointer position & looks straight at the water dish on the bed size table. She will sit on my chest & look at me with her head & ears turning slightly until she gets her treat…she knows 10 tricks/behaviors & when someone we know comes over, she barks SO loud that they have to say hi to her 1st. Sometimes in the morning, when she’s cuddly, I’ll be petting her head & chest & she’ll keep butting my hand until I use my thumb to massage between her eyes. She won’t stop for like 10mins or until my hand gets tired.
She also does a really weird thing if someone is trying to pick her up… she will spin & doesn’t seem to be able to stop & then keeps backing away. Like she can’t control her body. We have to give the command Luna, to “come here” & point where we want her to sit. Then as she’s moving towards that spot we say “good girl, you can do it.”
I have spent 10 years figuring out how to get her to do things without scaring her.
She is the love of my life!
Luna sounds adorably quirky!
Sence I was 8 now 60 only bread of dog I ever had was Chihuahua I now have 5n every time I take them.out foraealktney this.k therelagrdphs ausdthry slwaysgo after large dogs
Yes, they have no idea how small they are.
I have a dear head .Padro.has been in our family for 10 yrs.We got him at 3 months old
He really helped my youngest daughter with asthma for we where spending 2 wks out of a month each.month until he came .She started getting better after a couple of months & her dr
& I believe Padro was the answer.Love our special Padro & yes he’s very spoiled.
I’m glad Padro has been such a great asset for your family. Dogs are such a gift to us.
Kallie is the most “perfect” chi I’ve ever seen. What a beauty !
I know she will be loved and bring her family much joy for many years to come. Wow.
I have a 5 week old chi She was taken from her mom just under 4 weeks Too young She is very sweet I never liked chi’s but have fallen in love with her Her name is Rosie
I also have a very gentle 9 year old Rottweiler who loves all dogs but not in her house So I must always keep her safe I think as she matures she will stop being so aggressive with my beautiful rotee
This tiny little pup is very aggressive I have a soft kennel with toys but she cries but settles down and plays and naps
Is this the right thing to do I am stressed for her and my sweet rottie
How exactly is she aggressive with the rottie?