The Top 8 Causes of Limping in Dogs

If your dog is limping, there is a good chance that something is wrong. Dogs don’t limp without a reason, just like people don’t. However, the exact reason can vary widely. Some reasons behind dogs limping are very minor, such as something stuck in their paw. Others are more serious, like a broken bone or joint disease.

We’ll take a look at some of the most common reasons below:

1. Injury

One of the most common causes of limping in dogs is injury. Of course, the exact type of injury can vary. Sometimes, it may be a sprained muscle or torn ligament. Broken bones are rare, but they will also cause limping in dogs.

These injuries can also occur for a range of reasons, like being hit by a car, falling, or even just playing too rough. Often, it can be hard to tell if something is wrong with your dog after an accident. You may only notice something is off after the symptoms develop.

2. Foreign Object

If your dog gets something stuck in their paw, it can hurt and cause limping. Sometimes, this may be something literally in their paw, such as a piece of glass or thorn. Other times, something may get between their toes, which can also cause pain.

Sometimes, this can be very painful. Other times, it may not cause tons of pain, and the dog may only limp occasionally.

You don’t always need to rush to the vet when these injuries occur. In many cases, you can remove it yourself. However, if the injury seems particularly bad or you’re unsure if you successfully removed the object, you should make an appointment with your vet.

3. Infection

Infections on the dog’s paw, legs, or bones can cause extreme limping. In some cases, an obvious injury can cause an infection. Other times, it may result from an infection elsewhere in the body. You may not notice anything beyond limping and pain in some bone infections.

Bacteria, fungi, and viruses can also cause infections that lead to limping.

4. Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition in older dogs. It occurs after a dog’s joints have worn down over their whole lifespan. Larger dogs tend to get arthritis at an earlier age and more often than other dogs. However, smaller dogs can also get arthritis. It depends widely on the dog’s genetics.

There are other symptoms of arthritis, too. For instance, the dog may have difficulty with stairs, sudden personality changes, and licking of the affected joints. Sometimes, the dog may no longer play much.

5. Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a developmental disorder that occurs in many larger dogs. This condition leads to arthritis-like symptoms at a very early age. Often, it leads to pain and lameness very early in the dog’s lifespan.

This condition occurs within the first two years of the dog’s life. Not all dogs show clear symptoms at this age, though. It takes a while in some cases before dogs show symptoms, even if they’ve had arthritis for several years.

Hip dysplasia occurs when your dog’s joints don’t develop properly during puppyhood. This improper development leads to wear and tear, causing pain and limping. Often, hip dysplasia can be diagnosed with imaging as the disproportionate development can be seen.

Elbow dysplasia can cause similar symptoms but in the front legs.

6. Developmental Disorders

Some breeds may be predisposed to certain conditions that cause limping. Patellar luxation is common in smaller breeds, for instance. This condition occurs when the kneecap slips out of place. Over time, this condition can cause wear and tear. It may eventually lead to arthritis-like symptoms.

In some cases, patellar luxation requires surgery.

There are lots of other development conditions, too. Learn about the specific issues that your dog is prone to and keep an eye out for them. Often, early treatment helps with practically any condition.

7. Neurological Issues

Sometimes, your dog may have nerve damage or other neurological problems. If the condition affects your dog’s ability to walk, it may cause limping. Your dog will often have much worse symptoms than just limping. However, the problem may be so minor in some cases that you may only notice the limping.

As you might guess, neurological conditions can be very serious. Therefore, seeking veterinary attention is important if you believe your dog may be experiencing a neurological problem.

8. Autoimmune Disorders

Some autoimmune disorders cause the immune system to attack the joints or tissues in your dog’s legs. These conditions can be very similar to arthritis, causing a lot of limping and pain. However, they can be more serious and require different treatment.

The only way to determine if your dog has an autoimmune disorder is to visit your vet. Tests can be performed to determine if your dog has an autoimmune disorder.