Pomeranians shake for a wide range of reasons, from something as simple as feeling cold or excited to something as serious as low blood sugar or poisoning. The most common causes in this breed are cold exposure, anxiety, hypoglycemia (especially in puppies), and pain. Because Pomeranians are so small, even minor triggers can produce visible whole-body tremors that look alarming.
Low Blood Sugar Is a Top Concern
Hypoglycemia is one of the most important causes of shaking in Pomeranians, particularly in puppies and very small adults. Toy breeds have limited fat and muscle mass, along with immature livers that can’t store enough energy reserves. That means a Pomeranian can burn through its available blood sugar between meals, especially after exercise, during cold weather, or when stressed.
Symptoms usually appear when blood sugar drops below about 40 to 50 mg/dL. At that level, you’ll see trembling, weakness, wobbliness, and sometimes a glazed or “out of it” look. If blood sugar keeps falling, it can lead to collapse or seizures. This is a genuine emergency in a small dog.
If your Pomeranian is shaking and seems lethargic or uncoordinated, rub a small amount of honey or corn syrup on their gums to get sugar into their bloodstream quickly. Then get them to a vet. To prevent episodes, feed toy breed puppies three to four small meals a day rather than two larger ones, and avoid long gaps without food.
Cold Temperatures
Despite their fluffy double coat, Pomeranians are tiny dogs with a high surface-area-to-body-mass ratio, which means they lose heat fast. Many Pomeranian owners find their dogs need to come inside when temperatures drop below about 20°F, and some dogs start shivering well above that, particularly if they have a thinner coat from grooming or are very young or old. If the shaking stops once your dog warms up, cold is almost certainly the cause.
Anxiety, Fear, and Excitement
Pomeranians are an expressive breed, and emotional states often show up as visible trembling. Fear-based shaking typically comes with other body language: ears pinned flat against the head, tail tucked, lowered posture, lip licking, yawning, or trying to hide or retreat from whatever is bothering them. Common triggers include thunderstorms, fireworks, unfamiliar people, car rides, and vet visits.
Excitement shaking looks different. Your dog’s body will be loose, their tail will be up and wagging, and they’ll likely be making eye contact and moving toward whatever has their attention. This type of trembling is harmless and passes on its own once they settle down. If your Pomeranian only shakes when you come home or when it’s time for a walk, excitement is the most likely explanation.
Pain From Joint Problems
Pomeranians are prone to a condition called luxating patella, where the kneecap slips out of its normal groove. The most obvious sign is an intermittent “skipping” lameness, where one hind leg suddenly lifts for a few strides before the dog kicks or shakes the limb and walks normally again. In more advanced cases, the discomfort can cause generalized shaking or trembling, especially after activity.
Vets grade patellar luxation from 1 to 4 based on severity. Lower grades may only need weight management and joint supplements, while higher grades often require surgery. If your Pomeranian shakes more after walks or seems reluctant to jump, pain is worth investigating.
Toxin Exposure
Sudden, unexplained shaking in a previously healthy Pomeranian should raise suspicion of poisoning, especially if it came on within minutes to hours. Because of their small body weight, even tiny amounts of a toxic substance can cause serious symptoms.
Common household items that cause tremors in dogs include:
- Chocolate and caffeine, which are more dangerous the darker the chocolate
- Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum, candy, and some peanut butters
- Macadamia nuts
- Rodent and snail baits containing metaldehyde or other pesticides
- Permethrin-based flea products designed for cats, which are toxic to dogs in concentrated form
- Human medications like ibuprofen, sleep aids, allergy pills, and antidepressants
- Cannabis products, including edibles
If you suspect your Pomeranian got into something toxic, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Contact your vet or an animal poison control hotline immediately.
Generalized Tremor Syndrome
Some small white-coated dogs develop a condition originally called “white shaker syndrome,” now known as generalized tremor syndrome. It can actually affect dogs of any coat color. The hallmark is a fine, whole-body tremor that gets worse with anxiety or excitement. Some dogs also develop an unsteady, wide-based stance, a head tilt, or jerky eye movements.
Most affected dogs are younger than five years old. The condition is thought to involve the immune system attacking part of the brain, and it typically responds well to treatment with immune-suppressing medications. Many dogs see significant improvement within the first week or two and can eventually be weaned to a low maintenance dose or taken off medication altogether.
Seizures vs. Tremors
It’s worth knowing the difference between shaking and a seizure, because they require very different responses. During a tremor, your Pomeranian is conscious and aware of you. You can get their attention, and they can walk (even if unsteadily). During a seizure, the limbs tend to be rigid and stiff with more violent, rhythmic jerking. A seizing dog cannot be woken or redirected, and they may drool excessively, lose bladder or bowel control, or seem completely disoriented afterward.
If the shaking episode lasts less than 30 seconds and your dog snaps out of it easily, it’s likely a tremor or even just twitching during sleep. If the episode involves stiffness, unresponsiveness, and confusion afterward, that points toward a seizure, which warrants a vet visit to identify the underlying cause.
How to Narrow Down the Cause
Pay attention to patterns. Note when the shaking happens, how long it lasts, and what your dog was doing right before. A Pomeranian that shakes only on cold mornings has a different problem than one that trembles after missing a meal or one that suddenly starts shaking for no clear reason. Keep a simple log of episodes with timestamps, duration, and any possible triggers.
Shaking that comes and goes with obvious triggers (cold, excitement, loud noises) and resolves quickly is usually nothing to worry about. Shaking paired with lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, stumbling, or any sudden behavior change points to something medical. And any episode where your Pomeranian seems unresponsive, goes stiff, or loses bladder control needs prompt veterinary attention.