This Is Why Dogs Shake Themselves Even When They Are Not Wet

Probably every owner is familiar with the scene when, after bathing, the dog switches into centrifuge mode and thoroughly shakes themselves off. But the question has surely arisen in you as to why they shake themselves even when there is not a single drop of water on their coat.

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Shaking is a very interesting movement on the part of dogs, as it may represent not only physical but also a kind of mental cleansing: they often shake their coat after a more intense, stressful situation as well.

During shaking, dogs can get rid of up to 70% of the moisture in their coat

A complex, oscillating movement: this is how dogs shake themselves off

Before we go through why a completely dry dog shakes themselves, it is worth dwelling a little on the movement itself: shaking off the coat is an especially effective technique, during which dogs can rid themselves of up to 70% of the moisture in their fur. If we watch it in slow motion, we can see that their front and rear halves rotate in opposite directions, and thanks to their loose skin and the rapid, oscillating movement, they can get rid of the excess mass of water within seconds. They are very happy about this, we are less so if our pet decides to dry themselves dynamically in the middle of the bathroom right after bathing. But let us see for what other reasons a dog may shake themselves.

They shake off stress

Dogs’ body language is extremely nuanced, so shaking often signals the closing of a situation. This behaviour can be particularly well observed in situations where the dog experiences mild stress. It is not necessarily about fear, much more about a kind of overstimulation: too many stimuli, too many emotions may have reached them at once. Shaking at such times helps to release this tension. Owners often do not even notice it, even though it is one of the subtlest signals that the dog is trying to restore their internal balance. This is why you may see this movement after two dogs meet, even if it seems that nothing remarkable has happened.

After a longer veterinary examination, coat-shaking is understandable

Shaking After Waking Up

There are dogs who, as soon as they stand on all fours after waking, immediately shake their coat. The explanation for this lies in genetic imprints: their ancestors also tried to shake off insects, plant fragments, and dirt that had got into their coat. Morning or post-waking coat-shaking is therefore a grooming ritual for dogs, which also has a refreshing effect, as the quick, active movement stimulates blood circulation.

Take it as a sign if your dog shakes themselves after a hug

Not every dog tolerates hugging, and perhaps even fewer like it when someone wraps their arms around them.

If your pet often shakes themselves after you have hugged them, it is worth considering that this form of showing affection may not feel as pleasant for them.

This is a relatively restrained signal, and it does not necessarily serve as direct communication; rather, the dog is trying to calm themselves, reducing stress. For this reason, it is worth knowing this meaning as well, so that we know when we are causing discomfort to our pet.

In the case of strong, frequent coat-shaking, it is worth being alert

Shaking is one of the most natural behaviours of dogs, serving both the balance of their body and nervous system, but there are cases when it is worth being a little more suspicious. If the dog shakes themselves almost constantly, or the movement is particularly forceful, possibly accompanied by other symptoms, then it may not just be an innocent release of stress. Ear problems, skin irritation, or parasites may also be in the background, especially if scratching, head shaking, or an unpleasant smell also appears.

Dogs may therefore shake their coat for numerous reasons. A new environment, loud noises, or intense smells can easily mean too many stimuli for them. At such times, shaking can help them process this mass of information and symbolically get rid of excess tension as well.

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