My Dog Is Twitching While Lying Down

Before we look at some of the pathological reasons a dog is shaking when lying down, we need to remember the importance of context. The medical word for an involuntary arrhythmic twitching of a muscle or joint is myoclonus. Myoclonus jerks or twitches will happen to all dogs at some point, but if they occur regularly or acutely, it can be a sign of a disorder^[1].

Some dogs are more prone to myoclonus twitches than others. A common example is the Greyhound. They are known for their more regular displays of myoclonus, something which is believed to be due to their high density of muscle fibers^[2].

Exercise is also an important factor. When a dog has been exercising vigorously, their muscles have been given a workout. Since a dog may want to rest due to tiredness, they may twitch when lying down due to the effect of physical strain. This is normal and won't be a sign of a problem unless it is prolonged and is accompanied by other symptoms.

Another common type of myoclonus is when the dog is asleep. They may not twitch during the action of lying down, but REM sleep can provoke twitches which are completely normal. Learn more with our article on why my dog is shaking when sleeping.

When the myoclonus is not a natural response in the body, we need to look for some underlying causes. When a dog ingests or is exposed to certain toxic substances, tremors and twitching can be a symptom. Since their organism is affected, the dog may try to lie down because of the toxic shock response. Other associated symptoms include pupillary dilation, vestibular signs, seizures, increased body temperature, tachycardia and gastrointestinal signs.

Various substances can cause poisoning in dogs. These can be illegal drugs such as cocaine, LSD or amphetamine, but it can also be a reaction to medications. Some animals may have a sensitivity or allergy to a drug, causing the dog to go into anaphylactic shock. Others may experience an overdose or have a reaction with another medication causing symptoms such as tremors.

In most cases these substances have very specific antidotes that are widely known by veterinarians. In addition, the treatment can be complemented with dexmedetomidine to reduce tremors or anticonvulsants such as diazepam for dogs, as well as other drugs.

Dogs can suffer from behavioral disorders that manifest themselves through tremors when at rest. In the case of phobias or radical fears, dogs usually show twitching along with excessive howling, seeking shelter, spontaneous urination or dilated pupils. This problem usually manifests itself in situations in which the dog has an exaggerated reaction to a specific stimulus or to a circumstance that has been related to something negative.

For example, dogs afraid of fireworks usually exhibit this behavior in response to their fear of the noise produced by explosions and loud bangs. Any situation in which the pet feels afraid can cause a similar reaction.

Fear in dogs is mitigated by education and training, with the socialization period being particularly important for engendering an even temperament. Puppies that have been removed from their mother and siblings prematurely often show signs of excessive fear when they are older. This is because they do not learn certain coping mechanisms which provide security as they develop.

The most important socialization period for puppies is between the ages of 3 to 12 weeks. During this time, the young dog should be exposed to various stimuli. Such exposure allows them to know what to fear and what not to fear. Even after this time, we should maintain regular socialization with other animals, people and environments. We learn more with our article on how to socialize an adult dog.

Although considered to be psychological disorders, separation anxiety and stress deserve special mention due to their prevalence in dogs. Separation anxiety in particular can cause the dog to twitch when lying down, especially if they observe their guardian leaving them alone.

Dogs establish relationships with their owners which are based on lived experiences. They internalize this experience in a different way to humans. This means that situations which present a possible or even perceived threat can lead to behavioral disorders in dogs that are difficult to correct.

This is why we often see trembling in dogs that have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. Many dogs waiting in animal shelters to be adopted have experienced these issues and have a difficult time relating to people. They may also elicit a fear response that manifests in twitching when they are exposed to specific stimuli.

Neglect doesn't always mean a guardian is actively abusive. Many dog owners think they are providing all the love their dog needs, but may neglect practical care necessities such as education and training. Doing so can lead to a quicker stress response and behavioral problems later in life.

Separation anxiety in dogs often occurs when we provide the wrong kind of care. While we may think we are being loving, not allowing a dog to have certain levels of independence can be detrimental. When they become overly dependent on us, they will experience acute anxiety when we leave them alone. This can be problematic for neighbors and very harmful for the dog's health.

Learn about the breeds which are more prone to separation anxiety than others with our related guide.

Another very common cause of resting tremors in dogs is cold. The body begins to generate spontaneous contractions to increase body temperature. This situation usually occurs first during exposure to extremely cold temperatures, so if you notice that the dog begins to shake and other symptoms such as paleness appear, the dog must be taken to a warmer animal.

The dog often twitches when lying down because they are trying to curl up somewhere warm. If the dog continues to twitch due to cold, we will need to provide them with a more comfortable space. This could involve central heating to raise the ambient temperature, but a good option is to use an electric heating blanket to warm the dog.

When a dog is experiencing pain, a common response is for them to shake and tremble. They will often twitch when they lie down because laying down can help ease the pain. Pain can be the result of a traumatic experience such as a traffic collision or a fight with another dog.

Various diseases can also cause pain in the dog which results in myoclonus. These can be cardiovascular, metabolic or infectious, among many others. In order to determine why your dog is twitching when lying down, it is vital you take your dog to a veterinarian. As this article shows, there are various possible reasons for this symptom. Only a veterinarian can provide a differential diagnosis and provide the most appropriate course of treatment.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to My Dog Is Twitching While Lying Down, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.