What should you do if your dog is limping?

Limping can be a sign of several health issues that you might want to look into. The most common ones include arthritis, joint problems, insect bites, and elbow dysplasia. Your dog may also be limping because their nails are too long, or they may be doing out of empathy.

3 Reasons why dogs start limping

Limping can look very concerning, especially for dog owners with senior pets. 

After all, our furry friends cannot communicate to use what they’re feeling and only show pain and other health issues, mostly through their movements.

“Yes, and I recently started to notice my dog doing this - should I worry?”

There are many reasons why your pup would start limping, and we’ll discuss some of the most common ones here.

They’re experiencing pain and health-related problems

As you may have guessed, almost all the time, limping in dogs is a result of health problems, mainly joint and paw issues.

This can vary and is likely caused by either:

• Arthritis.
• Bone fractures.
• Elbow dysplasia.
• Degenerative disc disease.

“How can my dog avoid these?”

First, you need to be mindful of the activities you give your dog. Make sure that they’re appropriate for their breed and age.

Next, you can give your pups dog food and supplements that help build their bones and joints. 

There are also instances where your pup is experiencing discomfort because they got bit by an insect, such as:

• Ants.
• Bees.
• Wasps.

Their nails are too long

If your pup’s nails are too long, their walking can be difficult and uncomfortable. Their nails can push back on their paws, which is why frequent nail clipping is beneficial for them.

Their ancestors used to have their nails clipped naturally because they lived in the wild, and contact with rocks, roots, and other hard materials helped shave their nails down.

However, since your pup mostly lives indoors, their nails don’t get naturally shaved as often as their ancestors’ did.

Once you notice your furry friend’s gait starting to change a little bit, or they’re sitting in a somewhat weird position, try to check if their nails need clipping.

They’re empathizing with an injured owner

Dogs are smarter and more emotionally in tune than some think.

Some canines empathize with their owners who have undergone surgery or injury that causes them to walk with a limp. Aside from frequently being beside the injured owner, canines also have the tendency to walk with a limp.

Here’s a newsreel about a dog whose owner even went to the vet only to find out that there was nothing wrong with it. It’s just a case of their pup being compassionate. How cute!