Dog’s hind legs are trembling – causes & first aid
You look down and see it: your dog’s hind legs are trembling. When standing, after getting up, sometimes even whilst lying down. Your first thought: is something wrong? Your second thought: is it serious?
This trembling may be harmless. However, it can also be an early warning sign of joint problems, osteoarthritis or neurological conditions. In this article, you’ll find out what the underlying causes are – and what you can do about it now.
TL;DR
- There are many causes of trembling hind legs: from muscle fatigue to osteoarthritis
- In older dogs, it’s often a sign of joint wear and tear or nerve weakness
- In young dogs, growth problems or hip dysplasia may be the cause
- Targeted joint protection and muscle building can significantly reduce the trembling
Why are your dog’s hind legs trembling?
You may recognise this from your own experience: after a long walk, your legs tremble with exhaustion. It’s similar with dogs – but it’s not always so harmless.
The hind legs bear the brunt of your dog’s propulsive and jumping power. If something is wrong there, it often first manifests as trembling. Your dog tries to shift its weight, the muscles compensate – and eventually they start to tremble as a result.
An overview of the most common causes
1. Muscle fatigue or overexertion
After a long period of playing, running or an unusually high level of exercise, the muscles may simply be tired. This trembling is harmless and disappears on its own after a rest. Just like it does for us humans after an intense workout.
2. Osteoarthritis and joint wear and tear
This is the most common cause in older dogs. The cartilage in the joints breaks down, causing the bones to rub against each other. The muscles around the joint try to stabilise it – and tremble as they do so. Typically, the trembling is worse in the morning and improves after a few minutes of movement.
3. Hip dysplasia (HD)
Particularly common in large breeds such as German Shepherds, Labradors or Golden Retrievers. The hip joints do not sit properly in the socket. The hind legs have to compensate for this – the result is trembling, particularly when standing up or climbing stairs.
4. Spondylosis and back problems
Bone spurs on the spine can pinch the nerves that control the hind legs. This leads to trembling, weakness and sometimes even coordination problems. Common in older dogs aged 8–10 years and over.
5. Cold and excitement
Yes, sometimes it really is that simple. Small dogs or dogs with little undercoat shiver in the cold – including on their hind legs. And some dogs shiver with excitement when they see their favourite toy or when visitors arrive.
6. Pain
Trembling is a common pain response in dogs. If your dog is also eating less, is calmer than usual or avoids certain movements, pain may be the cause. Dogs instinctively hide their pain – trembling is sometimes the only visible sign.
An older dog is trembling on its hind legs – what’s going on?
In older dogs (from around 7–8 years, depending on the breed), trembling is usually caused by a combination of several factors:
Muscle wasting: Muscle mass decreases with age. The remaining muscles have to work harder – and tremble under the strain.
Joint wear and tear: Years of strain take their toll. The cartilage thins, and the joints become less supple. Every movement requires more effort.
Nerve weakness: Nerve transmission slows down with age. Signals from the brain to the hind legs arrive with a delay – this manifests as trembling or unsteadiness.
The good news: in many cases, there’s something you can do about it. Targeted muscle-building, joint support and appropriate exercise can make a real difference.
A young dog’s hind legs are trembling – here’s what might be causing it
When a young dog’s hind legs tremble, it’s often more worrying – because you don’t expect it. The most common reasons:
Growing pains: Particularly in large breeds, bones sometimes grow faster than the muscles and tendons can keep up with. This leads to instability and trembling.
Developmental joint problems: Hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia can manifest as early as the first year of life. Shaking hind legs after standing up are a typical early sign.
Overuse: Puppies and young dogs are sometimes put under too much strain too early. Long walks, excessive stair-climbing or intense play sessions can put too much strain on their still-developing joints.
For young dogs, the rule is: it’s better to visit the vet once too soon than once too late. Joint problems detected early on are much easier to treat.
What you can do straight away
Immediate relief
- Allow your dog to rest: If the trembling occurs after activity, let your dog settle down first. A soft, warm pad can help.
- Warmth: A hot water bottle (wrapped in a towel) placed on the hind legs can relieve muscle tension. This is particularly helpful in the mornings, when the trembling is at its worst.
- Gentle massage: Lightly stroking and kneading the thigh muscles can improve blood circulation and relax the muscles.
- Non-slip surfaces: If your dog shivers on a slippery floor, non-slip mats or studded socks can help. Feeling unsteady on slippery surfaces often makes the shivering worse.
Long-term joint protection
Trembling in the hind legs is often a sign that the joints need support. Nutrients play an important role here:
Green-lipped mussel provides natural glycosaminoglycans and omega-3 fatty acids, which support the cartilage from within. Glucosamine and chondroitin are the building blocks your dog needs for cartilage formation. MSM (organic sulphur) can reduce inflammatory processes in the joints. And hyaluronic acid ensures that the synovial fluid remains supple.
You’ll find this combination in high-quality joint tablets for dogs – ideally made from natural ingredients and free from artificial additives. Veddelholzer Joint Tablets combine all these active ingredients in a single tablet that most dogs happily eat like a treat.
Important: Dietary supplements take time to work. Allow 4–6 weeks before you notice any change. The active ingredients first need to build up in the body.
Building muscle through tailored exercise
Strong muscles take the strain off the joints. But be careful – it’s not about more exercise, but about the right kind:
- Swimming: The absolute top tip. Gentle on the joints, builds muscle and is fun for most dogs.
- Controlled walks: Better to go for 3 x 15 minutes than 1 x 45 minutes. Keep a steady pace, with no sudden stops or jumps.
- Cavaletti training: Low poles that your dog steps over slowly. This specifically trains the hindquarters and improves coordination.
- Walking uphill: Gentle inclines on soft ground (grass, woodland) gently strengthen the hindquarters.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for older dogs to have tremors in their hind legs?
It’s quite common, yes. But ‘common’ doesn’t mean ‘ignore it’. Age-related muscle weakness and joint wear and tear are the most common causes. With targeted support – joint supplements, gentle exercise, warmth – you can often significantly reduce the trembling.
My dog only trembles when standing, not when walking – why is that?
When standing, the muscles have to work statically – this is more strenuous than the dynamic movement involved in walking. Weak or tired muscles therefore show signs of trembling first when standing. It is a typical sign of incipient muscle weakness or joint problems.
Can trembling in the hind legs indicate a slipped disc?
Yes, that’s possible. Especially if the trembling occurs suddenly and is accompanied by coordination problems, signs of pain or a change in posture. Breeds such as dachshunds, beagles and French bulldogs are particularly prone to this. In this case, you should see a vet as soon as possible.
Do joint tablets help with the tremors?
They can reduce the tremors if the cause is joint wear and tear. Ingredients such as green-lipped mussel, glucosamine and MSM support cartilage regeneration and can help reduce inflammation. The result: less pain, more stable joints and less compensatory muscle strain. You should expect to see an improvement after 4–6 weeks of regular use.
My young dog (under 2 years old) is trembling in his hind legs – is this serious?
In young dogs, trembling can indicate growth problems, hip dysplasia (HD) or overuse. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything serious – but you should have it checked out. The earlier a joint problem is detected, the better you can take action to address it. An X-ray at the vet’s will provide clarity.
When should I take my dog to the vet?
Not all trembling is an emergency. But in these cases, you should make an appointment as soon as possible:
- The trembling starts suddenly and has never been there before
- Your dog is showing additional symptoms: limping, loss of appetite, whimpering, or a change in posture
- The trembling gets worse over several days rather than improving
- Your dog can no longer stand up properly or its hind legs give way
- Coordination problems: your dog walks unsteadily, stumbles or crosses its hind legs
- Your dog is incontinent – this may indicate nerve problems
See a vet immediately if: sudden paralysis of the hind legs, severe pain, or your dog can no longer stand or walk. This could be a slipped disc or another acute condition.
In the case of an older dog with slight tremors that are worse in the morning and improve with movement: this sounds like typical joint wear and tear. Nevertheless, it’s worth having this checked by a vet to establish the exact cause. This will enable you to provide targeted support – with the right exercise, warmth and joint supplements.
Veddelholzer Dog Joint Tablets
With green-lipped mussel, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM – 100% natural, made in Germany.