Why Your Dog Is Limping (And How To Fix It)

If your dog is limping, it can be a worrying time for you as a pet owner. You don't always know what to do, and it's obvious because dogs walk very differently from people.

Usually, it's a sign of pain and discomfort, and dogs are trying to tell you something, but what exactly?

In this post, we take a look at some of the reasons why your dog might be limping and how you can fix it. Here's what you need to know. 

Minor paw-related issues

Sometimes your dog can be limping because of problems with their paws.

For example, they might have stones or thorns stuck in them.

All you need to do here is just look at the paw and see if you can remove the object causing problems.

It might also be because of issues with toenails. They can sometimes become torn, overgrown, or broken. Again, this is usually a quick fix.

If there's an insect bite or sting or swelling because they've been outside, then a blind ointment can help. 

Soft tissue injuries

They can sprain ligaments and joints and tear muscles from playing and jumping just like people can.

If the problem is on the front, it's usually a shoulder and elbow issue. These are the joints that receive the most impact during outdoor play.

If it's the back legs, then this is a more common issue in dogs that move over large distances, like working dogs. Too much use of the back legs or high jumping during training can cause sprains and issues.

The best way to deal with these is to go to the vet and get them to give you a recovery plan. They'll tell you how long it will take for your dog to be back to their usual healthy self. 

Joint and ligament problems

Another issue you might run into with your dog is joint and ligament problems. Unfortunately, these are slightly more difficult to deal with.

A torn cranial cruciate ligament is a very common issue. These require dog ACL surgery to fix sometimes. 

The good news is that there are plenty of specialists out there these days who can help with these types of problems.

You can go to experts in things like a luxating patella, which is a problem with small breeds, or elbow and hip dysplasia, which is a developmental joint problem that some dogs get.

Usually, there's a therapy or technique that you can use to bring your dog back to health. 

Arthritis and chronic joint conditions

Finally, your dog might be experiencing arthritis and chronic joint conditions. These can cause limping in some older animals. 

Usually, you know if you have an arthritis problem if your dog's limping gets worse after they have rested.

Sometimes, when dogs start moving about, the symptoms reduce, and they're able to enjoy their outdoor activities more.

You may also notice more arthritis in cold weather. If the problem is a chronic condition like hip dysplasia, then it only usually affects the back legs.