Why Is My Dog Limping? Common Causes and When to Worry

Limping is one of the most common things dog owners notice, and one of the hardest to read. Some dogs limp for an afternoon after a hard run and are fine the next day. Others develop a small change in how they move that slowly gets worse. Dogs also hide pain well, so many keep eating, playing and wagging even when a leg hurts.

This guide covers the common causes, what you can check at home, and when a limp needs a vet.

Sudden limp or gradual stiffness?

How the limp started tells your vet a lot. A sudden limp after running, jumping or a slip points towards an injury. Stiffness that builds over weeks, is worse after rest and eases as your dog warms up is more typical of joint disease such as arthritis.

Common causes of limping in dogs

Paw and nail problems

Cut pads, torn or broken nails, burrs, bindi and splinters are behind a lot of sudden limps. Grass seeds are a common problem in Australia. They work their way between the toes and under the skin, and the paw may be swollen, red or constantly licked.

Sprains and strains

Soft tissue injuries from rough play or an awkward landing often cause a limp that improves within a few days of strict rest.

Cruciate ligament injury

The cranial cruciate ligament stabilises the knee, and disease of this ligament is the leading cause of back-leg lameness in dogs, according to the MSD Veterinary Manual. It often starts with a mild limp that comes and goes, then gets much worse when the weakened ligament tears. Dogs may sit with the affected leg stuck out to the side.

Kneecaps that slip out

Patellar luxation, where the kneecap pops out of its groove, is common in small breeds, including Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and their crosses such as Cavoodles. It typically causes a "skipping" gait where the dog holds a back leg up for a few steps and then carries on normally.

Arthritis

Most older dogs develop some osteoarthritis. Signs include stiffness getting up, slowing on walks, reluctance to jump into the car or onto the couch, and hesitating on stairs. It is very manageable with the right plan (see our arthritis management service).

Growing pains and joint development problems

Young large-breed dogs can develop elbow or hip problems as they grow, which show as on-and-off limping or an odd gait.

Less common but important causes

Fractures, infections and, in older large-breed dogs, bone tumours can all cause limping. A limp that keeps getting worse, especially with swelling near a joint, needs to be checked.

What you can check at home

• Which leg? With a front leg, the head usually bobs up when the sore leg lands. With a back leg, the hip on the sore side may rise.
• Look at the paw: between the toes, the pads and each nail.
• Gently feel for swelling, heat or a spot your dog pulls away from.
• Notice whether it is worse after rest, after exercise, or both.
• Film your dog walking. Limps often disappear in front of the vet.

Our guide to signs a dog is in pain covers the quieter clues.

Rest and watch, or call the vet?

Usually fine to rest and watch for a day or two if:

• The limp is mild and your dog still puts weight on the leg
• Your dog is otherwise eating and behaving normally
• It is clearly improving with rest

Call a vet the same day if:

• Your dog will not put any weight on the leg
• The leg looks swollen, misshapen or is held at an odd angle
• The limp followed a fall, a car accident or a fight
• Your dog is crying, panting or restless with pain
• The limp has not improved after two or three days, or keeps coming back

If your dog has been hit by a car or might have a broken bone, see what to do when your dog needs an emergency vet.

Please do not give human pain relief

It is tempting to reach for the medicine cabinet, but human pain relief can be harmful to dogs and can also mask signs your vet needs to see. Read can I give my dog Panadol for why. If your dog needs pain relief, your vet can prescribe a dog-safe option such as meloxicam at the right dose.

How a vet works out the cause

A vet will watch your dog move, then examine each leg and joint, testing range of movement and stability. Seeing your dog walk on their own floor can make this easier, especially for anxious dogs. X-rays need a clinic, so if your dog needs imaging your vet will arrange a referral.

For older dogs with ongoing stiffness, read in-home care for ageing pets. Pawssum vets can see your dog at home seven days a week. Book a home visit.

Related Pawssum services

• Sick pet consults at home
• Pet health checks at home

Keep reading

• Gabapentin for Dogs: Uses, Side Effects and Safety
• Senior Dog Functional Wellness
• Complete Guide to Pet Weight Management in Australia

Sources

• MSD Veterinary Manual: Joint trauma in dogs and cats (cranial cruciate ligament disease)
• Di Dona et al. (2018), Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports: Patellar luxation in dogs
• AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (2023)