Puppy shaking after eating?

[MissCommando]

I've noticed a few times that my puppy can become quite shaky after eating a few mouthfuls of food. What could be the cause of this? Eating too fast? Is it anything to worry about? Thanks

[boxtops]

I'd ask your vet, give them a ring.

[Mosaic]

He might just be quivering with pleasure. It's a boy thing.

[Traci66]

What type of dog is it? We have a bulldog and he gets head tremors on a regular basis.

[lankeela]

Check the calcium intake, as low calcium can cause muscle tremors. If it is a toy breed (Chihuahua, Yorkie type) it could be hypogycemia and you would need to feed several small meals a day. I would get the vet to check (and ask the breeder for advice).

[MissCommando]

Right, thanks for your replies. I've not noticed it everytime after eating but I am going to keep an eye on him now. He has 2 meals per day as he is a toy dog (chiweenie) which is a Chihuahua crossed with a Daschund. I will phone the vet for advice on Monday if he's like it over the weekend, he's 16 weeks now.

[lankeela]

Two meals a day are not enough for any puppy of that age let alone a tiny one. Please give at least four, I would put money on it that it is low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia) and it can be fatal if not sorted. If the blood sugar level drops too much he will collapse and I think what is happening is he is getting towards the next meal and he is only just about making it to the next one. Hope he is ok.

[jules77]

I agree with Lankeela about the amount of food. I have a puppy that is just a few weeks older and she is still having four meals a day. Did the breeder give you a diet sheet to follow?

[MissCommando]

Thanks for answers. The breeder has Chihuahuas, a sausage dog and one of the pup's herself. She only feeds the pup twice a day.

The thing is with my pup, he's not a big eater. It's rare for him to clear a meal, he's not that fussed about food. I leave it out for him for hours so he can pick at it when he likes and I've come home from work, and he's not eaten much tea at all. I can't force him to eat and there is no way he would eat 3 meals a day, let alone 4. He is so tiny, I don't think his stomach could cope with that much food even if he did want it.

I'll ring the vet next week for advice anyway. There is lots of conflicting feeding advice online. Thanks for answers.

[MissCommando]

Oh and I've also tried taking the food away after an hour to see if he was more hungry at the next meal, but he wasn't.

I've only ever had 2 labs and a staffie in the past and they loved their food!!

[tamborine]

Are there other pets threatening his food; or if there was in his previous home that would make him nervous when eating.

Feed from hand till it gains confidence.

[nungate]

Feed him little and often, we used to have a Yorkie who ate only little portions.

[jules77]

You dont need to give him four times as much food, you divide the daily quota into four meals.

[lankeela]

If he is at the stage where he is actually shaking then it seems to me that he is only just making it to the next meal, please try finding something such as chicken that he will willingly eat, and hand feed if necessary several times a day even if its only a tiny portion, google hypoglycemia and see the symptoms. If you don't take our word for it speak to your vet, but I would be very worried if he were mine.

[ladybirder]

And can I just add, stop leaving it lying around for hours. Halve the amount and give it twice as often. Do not let this situation continue any longer as this situation is urgent.

[lankeela]

http://www.petplace.c...breed-dogs/page1.aspx

[ladybirder]

MissCommando can you tell us how your puppy is now? What did the vet say and have you changed the frequency of his meals? I hope he has stopped the shaking now and is flourishing.

[JonnyBoy12]

Have you been feeding him jelly? Most dogs shake after they have eaten jelly!

[lankeela]

Hope you have been to the vet and that your puppy is ok

[MissCommando]

He's good now thanks. I did ring the vet for advice and he did say that Chihuahuas can shake for no reason but if he does shake after/during eating again then to take him in to be checked. He asked if he was acting normally or if he was lethargic - he was acting normally! He didn't sound too concerned to be honest.

He's not shaken since. The vet said that if he's really not eating to give him a bit of ham or chicken. My husband has bought him some different food (which he seems to love) and some new biscuits which he really likes too.

Thanks for all the advice! He's fast asleep on the sofa now, he's just finished a dried chicken strip.