What to Do if Your Dog is Limping

dog is limping

When your pet suddenly starts limping for no apparent reason, it may be difficult to determine the cause. Oftentimes, cases of sudden lameness that just involve a limp resolve by themselves, but some can represent major injuries. If your pet won't put any weight on a limb, or it is visibly misshapen or swollen, see your veterinarian immediately. If it's unclear what the cause is, you can start with your own examination. Seeing your dog limp is a heart-wrenching sight, but by examining the lame leg or foot at home, you can provide helpful clues about the cause.

If Your Dog Is Limping

Dogs in pain often move around less. However, depending on what hurts, they may still move around but do so differently. Your pet may favor one leg more than another, limp, rise slowly, or show difficulty on stairs. For dogs that are having trouble with stairs due to leg or paw pain, it's usually the case that those having trouble going up the stairs have pain in their back end (hip, knee, paw), while those having trouble going down usually have a problem with their front end (shoulder, elbow, paw).

Here are many common causes of limping in dogs:

  • Sharp object stuck in the paw
  • A torn or broken nail
  • Lacerations or cuts
  • Bee sting or snake bite
  • Nerve injuries
  • Bone tumors
  • Joint diseases
  • Degenerative conditions
  • Wounds
  • Bone fractures
  • Inflammation of muscles or tendons
  • Muscle sprains

When to Take Your Dog to the Vet

While your dog's limp may be due to a minor injury, it is important to take every abnormal behavior seriously, especially if your dog is limping and in pain. In that case, you should go to your veterinarian for a check-up right away.

Because you can't tell how much pain your dog is in, and your dog by instinct is likely to mask pain, it's recommended that you schedule an appointment as soon as possible. This is especially true if your dog has been limping for an extended period or has developed a sudden lameness. Your pet will likely need tests or x-rays to understand the origin of the injury in order to treat the issue.

Limping That Gradually Worsens

If your dog slowly develops a limp that gradually gets worse, this may be a sign of arthritis, hip dysplasia, or an ACL issue. In these situations, weight control can help, and a joint supplement can also be a helpful part of their routine.

There are supplement products that can help support your dog's joints. FlexPet is an all-natural daily joint supplement made without harsh additives.

How FlexPet May Help If Your Dog Is Limping

  • Supports joint comfort and a healthy inflammatory response
  • Supports an active lifestyle
  • Made with all-natural ingredients
  • Made without harsh additives
  • Recommended by veterinarians

About FlexPet: FlexPet is a joint supplement for dogs built around CM8® (cetyl myristoleate) — made in the USA and trusted since 1999. See what makes CM8® different →