Dog Watery Eyes and Shaking: What These Signs May Mean | PawAI Lab

Seeing your dog with watery eyes and a noticeable tremor or shake can be unsettling. While both signs can occur independently and be relatively benign, when they appear together, they may indicate pain, distress, or an underlying medical condition that warrants further investigation.

Quick Answer

Watery eyes and shaking in dogs can be associated with pain, anxiety, fever, neurological conditions, or reactions to toxins. The type and location of the shaking -- whether it affects the whole body, one limb, or just the facial muscles -- along with the characteristics of the eye discharge, can help distinguish between less serious causes and those that require prompt veterinary attention.

SYMPTOM TRIAGE

Trying to assess how serious your dog's symptoms are? Our Symptom Triage Tool can help you evaluate the combination of watery eyes and shaking and guide your next steps.

What These Signs May Look Like

Shaking in dogs can take several forms, and the type of tremor you observe is an important detail. Generalised shaking, where the dog's whole body trembles, is often associated with cold, fear, anxiety, or pain. Localised shaking, such as trembling in one leg or repetitive head shaking, may point to a specific area of discomfort.

Watery eyes may appear as clear, excessive tearing from one or both eyes. In some cases, the dog may also squint, blink excessively, or paw at the affected eye. When these two signs occur together, you may notice your dog appearing restless, unable to settle, or seeking reassurance more than usual.

It is helpful to observe the context in which the signs appear. Does the shaking occur at rest or during movement? Is it constant or intermittent? Does the eye tearing worsen after exercise, exposure to wind, or at particular times of day? These observations can provide valuable clues for your veterinarian.

Possible Causes of Watery Eyes and Shaking Together

Pain or Discomfort

Pain is one of the most common reasons dogs shake, and eye pain specifically can cause both signs simultaneously. Conditions that may produce this combination include:

Eye injury or foreign body: A scratch on the cornea, a grass seed, or another foreign object in the eye can cause intense pain and reflex tearing. The dog may shake their head or tremble from the discomfort.
Glaucoma: This condition, characterised by increased pressure within the eye, is painful and can cause excessive tearing, a red or cloudy eye, and visible distress including trembling. Glaucoma is a veterinary emergency.
Corneal ulcer: An open sore on the surface of the eye can cause significant pain, watery discharge, and generalised shaking or trembling from discomfort.

Dogs with pain elsewhere in the body -- such as orthopaedic pain or abdominal discomfort -- may also shake or tremble, and if they have an unrelated eye issue causing watery eyes, the two signs may coincide.

Fever or Infection

A fever can cause dogs to shake or tremble, much like the chills experienced by humans. If the fever is associated with an infection that also causes eye inflammation -- such as a respiratory infection or a systemic infection -- watery eyes may appear at the same time. Common signs of fever in dogs include warmth of the ears and paws, lethargy, and a reluctance to eat.

Anxiety or Stress

Some dogs shake when they are anxious or stressed, and stress can also cause physiological changes that increase tear production. Situations that may trigger both signs include:

Exposure to loud noises such as fireworks or thunderstorms
A visit to the veterinary clinic or an unfamiliar environment
Separation from an owner or changes in the household routine

If the shaking and watery eyes appear primarily in stressful situations and resolve when the dog is calm, anxiety is a likely contributor. However, it is important to rule out medical causes before attributing the signs solely to stress.

Neurological Conditions

Certain neurological conditions can cause both tremors and eye-related signs:

Distemper: In unvaccinated dogs or puppies, canine distemper virus can cause neurological signs including muscle tremors, as well as eye discharge and other respiratory symptoms. This is a serious condition that requires immediate veterinary care.
Seizure activity: Some types of seizure activity may involve facial twitching, changes in eye appearance, and excessive tearing. Post-seizure tremors (the recovery period after a seizure) can also involve shaking and a wide-eyed or teary appearance.
Tremor syndromes: Some dogs develop benign tremor syndromes, such as generalized tremor syndrome (sometimes called "little white shaker syndrome"), which can cause whole-body shaking. While these conditions are not directly related to eye tearing, a dog with both conditions would show both signs.

Toxin Exposure

Exposure to certain toxins can cause neurological signs including tremors, as well as eye-related symptoms. Common culprits include:

Certain plants, such as those containing atropine or other alkaloids
Some medications intended for humans, when accidentally ingested
Certain household chemicals or pest control products
Some foods that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate in sufficient quantities or mouldy food containing tremorgenic mycotoxins

If you suspect your dog may have been exposed to a toxin, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

Cold

In cold weather, dogs may shiver or shake to maintain body temperature, particularly if they are small breeds, short-coated breeds, or have been wet. Cold wind can also irritate the eyes, causing excess tearing. While this is a benign explanation, it is important to ensure the signs resolve when the dog is warmed up and sheltered.

What to Monitor at Home

Observing the following details can help your veterinarian determine the most likely cause:

Type of shaking: Note whether it is a fine tremor, a more vigorous shake, head bobbing, or limb-specific tremors. Is the shaking continuous or does it come and go?
Timing: Does the shaking occur at specific times, after exercise, during rest, or in response to particular triggers?
Eye discharge: Describe the colour, consistency, and amount of the discharge. Is it from one eye or both?
Context: What was happening when the signs first appeared? Had your dog been outdoors, in a new environment, or near any potential hazards?
Additional signs: Watch for changes in appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty walking, confusion, disorientation, or changes in pupil size.
Duration: How long have the signs been present? Are they getting better, staying the same, or worsening?

What You Can Do

While awaiting veterinary assessment, there are several steps you can take to keep your dog safe and comfortable:

Keep your dog calm and in a quiet, comfortable space. Minimise loud noises and sudden movements that could increase anxiety.
If the weather is cold, bring your dog indoors and provide a warm blanket.
Gently wipe away eye discharge with a clean, damp cloth. Do not apply any creams or drops unless directed by your veterinarian.
Do not attempt to restrain your dog's shaking, as this may increase their distress.
Check your home and garden for any potential toxins your dog may have accessed, and keep any suspicious items to show your veterinarian.
Note the time and circumstances of any episodes of shaking to share with your vet.

When to Contact a Veterinarian

Seek veterinary attention promptly in any of the following situations:

The shaking is severe, continuous, or involves collapse or loss of consciousness
One or both eyes appear red, swollen, cloudy, or visibly painful
Your dog shows signs of a seizure, including stiffness, paddling movements, or loss of awareness
You suspect your dog has been exposed to a toxin or poison
The shaking and watery eyes are accompanied by vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, or significant lethargy
Your dog is a puppy or an unvaccinated dog showing these signs
The signs appeared suddenly and are not resolving

If your dog is shaking and has a hard, swollen, or red eye, this may indicate glaucoma, which is an emergency requiring immediate treatment. Similarly, any combination of tremors and eye signs in an unvaccinated puppy should be treated as urgent due to the risk of distemper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anxiety cause my dog to have watery eyes and shake?

Yes. Anxiety and stress can cause both trembling and increased tear production in dogs. If the signs occur primarily during stressful situations such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or car rides and resolve when your dog is calm, anxiety is a likely factor. However, it is always worth having a veterinarian rule out medical causes first.

Why is my dog shaking and has one watery eye?

Shaking alongside discharge from only one eye may suggest a localised issue such as a foreign body, corneal ulcer, or injury to that eye. The pain from the eye condition can cause generalised trembling. A unilateral (one-sided) presentation makes eye-specific conditions more likely than systemic ones, and a veterinary eye examination is recommended.

Should I be concerned if my puppy is shaking and has watery eyes?

Yes. Puppies that are shaking and have watery eyes should be seen by a veterinarian promptly, particularly if they have not been fully vaccinated. Canine distemper and other serious infections can cause this combination of signs in young dogs, and early treatment can significantly improve outcomes.

Can ear infections cause watery eyes and shaking?

Ear infections typically cause head shaking rather than generalised trembling. However, severe ear infections that extend to involve the surrounding facial structures can cause secondary eye irritation and increased tearing, as well as pain-related shaking. If your dog is also scratching at their ears or has an odour from the ear canal, an ear infection may be contributing.

SYMPTOM TRIAGE

Record your dog's symptoms in our Symptom Triage Tool to get a clearer understanding of how urgently veterinary attention may be needed.

Sources

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) -- avma.org
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) -- rcvs.org.uk
American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) -- acvo.org
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center -- aspca.org
Veterinary Information Network (VIN) -- vin.com

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. The content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. If your dog is unwell, contact a licensed veterinarian for a professional evaluation and treatment plan.