Why Is My Dog Having Trouble Standing and Walking?
Here are all the reasons behind your dog's sudden mobility troubles, when to head to the vet, and the #1 way you catch it early.
It’s natural to be concerned if your dog was once a whirlwind of energy – but now struggles with just getting up and getting around. So if you’ve landed here wondering, why is my dog having trouble standing and walking all of a sudden? – start here. We’re going to cover the main causes of your dog’s mobility trouble, when it’s time to head to the vet, and how you can catch on to changes in your dog’s activity that much quicker and earlier.
What causes sudden mobility issues in dogs?
Now all dogs – no matter how active – might experience some wear and tear in their joints over the years. So it’s normal to see them slow down a bit with age. What’s important is how suddenly their activity drops. If your dog is suddenly having trouble doing simple activities like standing or walking, it could be due to:
A condition linked to your dog’s daily activity
You know your dog and their habits best, so keep an eye on them during your daily walks or runs. It could be that they’re overexerting themselves or have gotten injured without you noticing! Because more often than not, a sudden drop in your dog’s activity could be due to:
- Injuries
Sprains, strains, internal injuries, or fractures from activities like jumping or falling. - Arthritis or joint Issues
Degenerative joint diseases, especially in older dogs, can cause sudden pain and movement difficulties. - Hip dysplasia
A genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t fit properly, leading to arthritis and mobility issues. - Knee injuries (e.g., ACL Tears)
Tears in the anterior cruciate ligament may cause instability and hind leg weakness. - Exercise-induced collapse (EIC)
A genetic disorder causing sudden collapse after intense exercise, primarily in sporting breeds. - Muscle weakness
Including conditions like myasthenia gravis or overexertion.
💡An Activity Tracker for dogs can help you figure out what’s a normal amount of exercise for your dog – and how you can catch on to a gradual drop in their activity over time, which could be a potential red flag. We’ll cover it in detail a little further below.
Other causes of mobility issues in dogs
If you and your dog aren’t the sportiest pair, it’s normal to wonder why your dog is having trouble standing and walking seemingly out of nowhere. Sadly, it could also be due to:
- Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE)
A spinal stroke caused by a small piece of cartilage blocking an artery, leading to sudden, painless paralysis, often in larger breeds.1 - Lumbosacral stenosis
A narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back, which can cause pain, hind leg weakness, and difficulty standing or walking. - Neurological conditions
Such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), degenerative myelopathy, or strokes. Senior dogs might face cognitive decline or mobility challenges due to aging. - Toxins
Exposure to certain toxins or poisons may result in tremors, weakness, or paralysis. - Medical emergencies
Issues like cardiac problems or infections can turn up as mobility problems. - Vestibular syndrome
Which can affect your dog’s balance, leading to uncoordinated movements and difficulty standing. - Cushing’s disease
Excessive cortisol production can cause muscle weakness, making it hard for dogs to stand or climb stairs. - Polyneuropathy
A disorder affecting multiple peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy.
Warning signs that mean you should drop by your vet
It’s important to act quickly and head to your vet for a checkup if you notice:
- Sudden paralysis or inability to stand,
- Extreme pain when you try to move your dog,
- Uncoordinated or wobbly walking,
- Any signs of injury (e.g., swelling or bleeding),
- Loss of bladder or bowel control – which might turn up as accidents around the house
- Weakness or lethargy,
- Shaking,
- Excessive panting
Your vet can best help you rule out any life-threatening conditions and help your dog get the care they need.
What to expect at your vet’s
When you arrive, your vet will likely:
- Examine your dog
A physical exam can help check for pain, swelling, or signs of neurological impairment. - Conduct a bunch of diagnostic tests
Including X-rays, blood work, or an MRI to help pinpoint the problem. - Recommend treatment based on what’s causing your dog’s symptoms
Which might include anti-inflammatory medications, rest, physical therapy, or in severe cases, surgery.
Go prepared with a log of your dog’s symptoms, including how long they’ve been going on for. (Even better if you have your dog’s Activity Tracking data at hand to help you figure out exactly when your dog’s activity began dropping.)
Steps you can take to care for your dog at home
While following your vet’s instructions, you can also:
- Provide your dog a comfortable space
Use soft bedding in a quiet, accessible area. Ensure your dog can reach food and water without straining. - Help your dog get around
Support them with a harness or a towel under their belly for short walks to avoid further injury. Ramps can help them get around to elevated spots. - Encourage your dog to rest
Limit the walks and playtime to allow your dog to heal, but keep them engaged with gentle mental stimulation like puzzles or treats. - Monitor your dog’s progress
Keep track of their activity levels and mobility and get in touch with your vet if you don’t see their symptoms improve.
A dog Activity Tracker can help you spot mobility issues early
If you’re wondering why your dog is having trouble getting around all of a sudden – it may not be so sudden after all! Tracking your dog’s daily activity can go a long way. It’s a window into your dog’s overall health and well-being – but also, understandably, difficult to do by yourself.
💡Which is where an Activity Tracker for dogs can step in. Better yet, one that logs in your dog’s daily activity as “active minutes” – and alerts you to a drop much in advance.
So you can spot a change in your dog’s mobility early on, have actionable data to share with your vet – and potentially catch a life-threatening condition before it has a chance to worsen.
Track your dog’s activity & keep them healthy – for good
If you’ve landed here wondering, why is my dog having trouble standing and walking all of a sudden? – we get it. It can be alarming to see your buddy’s energy disappear, seemingly out of nowhere. Here’s a wrap-up of the key takeaways from this post, so you can catch on to it early:
- The main causes of sudden mobility issues can include injuries, arthritis, neurological conditions, toxins, or age-related challenges.
- Warning signs to drop by your vet include if your dog is in severe pain, can’t stand, or shows additional warning signs like lethargy or loss of coordination.
- Home care: A safe, comfortable environment with mobility aids like ramps and comfortable dog beds can help your buddy as they recover. Limit walks and playtime until your dog’s better.
- An Activity Tracker can help you monitor changes in your dog’s activity levels for early warning signs.
With a little vigilance and monitoring, you can spot the signs of a drop in your dog’s energy that much quicker, take action by bringing them to a vet, and help them get the care they need. Your pup will thank you for it!
“Absolutely love this tracker…it gives great insights on (our dogs’) activity and sleep levels.
I’m comforted knowing that if they started acting strangely or the data shifted drastically that we could take them to vet potentially before we would notice something wrong.
Can’t recommend this tracker enough!“
– Eva, US (Source: Trustpilot)
Stay on top of your dog’s wellness
See how they’re doing at a glance with Wellness Score. Set goals. Compare with dogs like yours. Monitor sleep. Detect issues and keep them healthy.
Been keeping an eye on your buddy and noticing them having trouble with their hind legs? Here’s a video covering the main reasons why:
And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.
