18 Reasons On Why Is My Dog Limping

Fracture is one of the most common reasons for this issue. It makes it harder for your furry friend to put weight on their affected leg.

These fractures happen when the puppies are dropped or fall from furniture from a certain height. Proper conditioning can help reduce the risk of these injuries.

It is one of the generic conditions that affect big-breed dogs, and it is characterized by the lameness of hind legs. This is caused when the ball and socket of the hip don't fit together.

Dogs suffering from it can have pain and lead to limping. They may even struggle with stairs or inclined ways.

Weight control and avoiding tough activity can minimize this issue.

Thorns, small sharp stones, and even biting insects can lodge themselves in between the pads of a dog's foot. It can cause cuts or pressure and can be painful.

Most of the cuts are superficial and are easily treated at home. However, the swelling signs mean you should take your pup to your vet for recovery. 

Insect bites and stings on the paws can also cause limping in dogs. It can lead to redness, swelling, and discomfort in the dogs.

Poor nutrition and improper care can lead to weak nails in dogs which can result in limping. The weakened ones are easily destroyed by varying degrees of activity and might need surgery to get fixed.

Some common nail problems include broken or loose nails, nail bed infections, ingrown nails, and auto-immune nail diseases. Make sure to trim the dog's nails to avoid this problem.

One of the common causes of limping in dogs is strains or sprains. Strain is often caused by excess jumping, playing too rough, or when the dog slips.

Sprains in dogs can also cause joint injury and cause your dog to limp. When your dog puts too much pressure on a sprained leg, it also puts pressure on the injured ligament.

This can trigger their pain and cause difficulty in walking.

The most common signs of this problem include limping, stiffness, and standing up. The limping may appear mild and then disappear, only to come back worse later.

It is important to consult your vet and take further action if your dog suffers from this.

It is a condition where the ends of the dog's bones move out of their usual position and separate. This can occur with any joint following some trauma.

It must be treated as soon as possible to prevent further worsening and severe damage. If you see any signs of dislocation you must consult your vet and take further action.

Skin problems might not be directly related to limping, but they can be a hidden cause in dogs that negatively affect their walks. Severe itchiness, irritation, or pain from skin conditions can cause your dog to avoid putting weight on the affected area. 

Licking can further increase the discomfort and make them limp.

Dogs are capable of stepping on foreign objects while walking or running. These objects can enter between their toes which can cause pain and limping.

This can also irritate their tissue and cause swelling in their legs. They may even lick or chew in an attempt to remove the object, which can worsen the injury and cause limping.

Obesity in dogs can cause limping due to extreme strain on their joints as it increases the pressure on their legs. The joints of an overweight dog need to handle more weight than their capacity. This can cause pain and inflexibility leading to limping.

An older dog's body goes through various changes such as stiff joints that can lead to limping. This makes it hard for them to walk around.

They are also likely to have muscle weakness that provides less support to their joints. It can ultimately lead to instability and limping.

Infection can also cause limping when it affects their joints or muscles. It can lead to swelling and form an abscess which creates a painful walking session for dogs.

One of the noticeable signs of tick disease is limping, which can cause swelling and pain in the joints. This can make it difficult for the dog to walk.

Dogs may also limp to avoid putting weight on the affected legs and reduce discomfort when moving around.

Knee problems can cause pain and instability and lead to dogs limping. A tear in their ligament can cause instability in the knee and affect their walking. 

Any injury that affects the knee can cause sensitivity and exhibit limping as they try to reduce discomfort. The dog may also show signs of pain when they are touched or moved.

Joint disease in dogs can cause their joints to degrade over time and lead to pain. It can lead to inflammation and cause swelling which causes the dogs to limp to release discomfort. 

It can also manifest as stiffness which becomes more noticeable after periods of inactivity. Dogs may try to adjust to minimize the discomfort which may lead to limping.

This is another main cause of limping in dogs due to issues in the nerves that control movement. The damaged nerve in the spine can affect the dog’s ability to move its legs properly.

Injuries that affect the spinal cord and brain can mess up the signals in the brain. This causes weakness and pain in the legs and leads to limping.

Cold weather can intensify joint inflexibility in dogs that are older or have existing health conditions. It can cause the muscles to tighten and lead to joint inflexibility.

The inflexibility in the joint limits the dog’s movement and forces them to limp. Dogs may also become less active during the colder climates which can tighten their muscles and lead to limping. 

They are also more likely to slip and injure themselves due to the ice in colder months. This trauma can cause discomfort and pain to the dogs and make them limp.

Muscle injuries can affect the muscles needed for movement. Muscle weakness can make it difficult for dogs to bear their weight and move their legs which leads to limping.

1. Chronic Dog Limping

It is a type of limping that has been present for two weeks or more. It can range from mild to severe and does not usually improve with rest.

2. Acute Dog Limping

Acute limping in dogs happens suddenly without any signs of discomfort. It may be caused due to an injury that requires quick attention.

3. Mild Dog Lumping

It refers to a slight change in their walk as they favor one leg. This type of limping is not very noticeable and might come and go.

Minor injuries and paw problems can cause this type of limping in dogs.

4. Severe Dog Limping

Severe limping is a noticeable and significant change in their walking that requires immediate attention. The dog may lift its affected leg and not place any weight on it at all.

It is important to seek veterinary care if you spot signs of this type of limping in your dog.

If your pup is showing the following symptoms, you should take them to your vet quickly:

• Vocalization (yelping or whining)

• Trembling

• Behavior changes (like hiding, unwillingness to move, fear, or reactivity)

• Bleeding

• Disorientation

• An obvious fracture or dislocation

• Swelling of the limb

• Lethargy

• Limb dragging

It is important to provide immediate care at home while monitoring the condition of your dog closely. Here are some of the steps you should follow to treat your limping dog at home:

• Identify the affected leg and check for injuries.

• Remove foreign objects and clean the area.

• Limit your dog's activity and ensure rest.

• Apply ice wrapped in a towel if there is swelling

• Monitor their movement and minimize their playtime

• Look for any signs of cuts or foreign objects in their paws

• Avoid letting them go up and down the stairs for some time

• Consider losing the dog's weight to reduce stress on their joints