Why Does My Dogs Leg Shake?

A dog will generally shake their leg when you stroke or tickle them on the back or flank. This region is known as the 'saddle region' and can be an extremely sensitive part of your dog, although the exact area will vary from dog to dog. The shaking of the leg is an involuntary reaction, like when the doctor tests your instinctive reactions by hitting your knee with a neurological reflex hammer, and your leg jolts out of its own volition.

As this shaking of the leg by your dog is a mere spasm that they are powerless to control, there is no way to stop your dog from doing it, other than by not touching their saddle region in the first place. If the dog is shaking their leg to an extreme degree or without you having touched them at all then it would be advisable to take them to a vet to be looked at, as it is possible they may be suffering from muscle atrophy (wasting of the muscles) which could in turn be a symptom of something else such as diabetes or kidney failure.

It could be a result of Arthritis or Hip Dysplasia, a common genetic disease occurring in mainly larger dogs, usually from birth, which causes hip joints to grow abnormally and can be very painful for your dog. It will be highly likely that it won't be anything to worry about but it is always best to be sure when it comes to your dog's health.

I have recently had this same problem and my vet has suggested that it may be Degenerative Myelinopathy. I will say that the shaking, from what I have read is not an actual symptom of the disease but he has other symptoms that would suggest it is that. I would suggest taking him to the vet and see what he offers.

What is age of your dog? What is breed of your dog? Does legs shake all the time? Does legs shake after exercise? These information are needed to answer your question properly. Anyhow, if your dog is young and legs are shaking off and on or during excitement or nervous conditions and is not showing any other sign of illness then no need to worry. In old dogs, this problem can be due to aging because Aging can cause muscle weakness, joints become less flexible, and neurological control of limbs is also reduced. Arthritis in old dogs is another factor which can cause weak legs.

If your dog legs started to shake suddenly and also showing some other signs of illness then vet visit is necessary.  

I have an older labrador and she has kidney failure and arthritis. When she lays still for a long time the leg she has arthritis in begins to tremble.

I don't know which dog you have but you should consult the vet as soon as you can. Some dogs have problems with their hips which can cause nerve damage. Some dogs shake their legs and the vet tell that its just the nerve. They can get out of it. So it can be any one of the above. In both the above cases you have to take your dog to the vet.

My KC is almost 13, she is on 3 lots of medication for heart murmur, her back leg shake when she stands