Dog Twitching for Last Few Weeks When Kissed on Cheek

This is so weird! My 12-year-old dog has had no major health problems and is behaving normally, except for this strange new reaction. Whenever she’s kissed on the cheek, she gets a full-body muscle spasm—almost like she’s getting the chills or is ticklish. I don’t think it’s from the sensation of the kiss; it seems more like it’s triggered by the sound. This never used to happen before, and it’s really strange. She’s fine afterward, and it doesn’t seem to hurt or agitate her.

It did happen once when she jumped off the couch, but it mostly seems to be from the kissing sound. Could this be neurological?

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Muscle spasms in dogs can have different causes, including problems with their nervous system. Since these spasms occur when they hear a kiss sound, it might be due to a condition called myoclonus. This condition causes sudden muscle contractions that can be triggered by sounds or quick movements.

It could be a neurological response, but it’s best to consult your vet to rule out any health issues or get a precise diagnosis. Documenting the incidents can help with the vet’s assessment.

This is really strange! My 12-year-old dog, who has had no major health issues and is otherwise behaving normally, experiences full-body muscle spasms whenever she’s kissed on the cheek. It’s almost like she’s getting chills or is ticklish. I don’t think it’s the sensation itself but rather the sound. This never happened before, so it’s quite unusual. She seems fine afterward and it doesn’t seem to cause her any pain or agitation. It did occur once when she jumped off the couch, but it mostly seems triggered by the kissy sound. Could this be neurological?