If you have an active dog, it can be alarming to see your dog start limping after a period of exercise. Don't panic, because this is a common issue and it can reflect a variety of issues.
A mild limp after exercise could simply mean that your dog is tired or experienced a small muscular issue on your walk. It could also reflect deeper issues, so it's important to monitor.
Let's take a look at what it means if your dog limps after exercise, and what you can do to support them moving forward.
5 Reasons Dogs Limp After Exercise & What to Do
Note that a little limping isn't uncommon after periods of heavy exercise, especially for senior dogs. Your dog could have stepped on rock in the on the path or even have a minor thorn in their paw.
It's important to take care of the issue no matter the cause, but limping isn't always the sign of a serious issue. Also, keep in mind that there are options for support that can be very effective, even if your dog is showing hip & joint issues or injury.
5. Growing Pains in Young Dogs
It's always startling to see a young dog limp, but keep in mind that adolescent and young dogs are growing at an extremely rapid rate. They're also fueled with so much energy that they can't control themselves at times.
As a result, growing dogs might limp from time to time, especially after periods of exercise. These are growing pains in many cases, especially for large dogs who undergo a lot of growth in their first year or two.
These growing pains almost always go away with age, but significant or prolonged limping should be monitored with the help of your veterinarian.
4. Muscular Strain & Overexertion
Your dog's muscles aren't much different from your own. That means they're vulnerable to overexertion and strains.
If your dog suddenly starts limping with one leg, there's a good chance that they've strained a muscle. These issues are very treatable, but it's absolutely essential that you bring your dog to a veterinarian to treat these injuries.
If muscular strains go untreated in dogs, there's a very good chance that they will resurface and fail to heal properly. So, while strains aren't the end of the world, they can open the door for lasting issues if they go untreated.
3. Hip & Joint Pain (Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia)
If your dog is getting into their senior years, limping is often a sign that hip & joint issues are starting to arise. It's not uncommon for these otherwise invisible symptoms to become more pronounced after periods of extended exercise.
Hip & joint conditions are often manageable, sometimes to the point where they minimally influence your dog's quality of life. If your dog starts to show signs of arthritis or hip dysplasia, work with your veterinarian to find options that can support joint health and reduce discomfort.
You can also improve your dog's joint health and quality of life by implementing some simple solutions in your home. Things like paw booties to improve grip and stairs or ramps to get up to commonly-used areas can be a huge advantage.
2. Tendon & Ligament Injuries
Limping after walks can sometimes point to soft tissue injuries, like a strained tendon or a torn ligament. One of the most common examples is a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury in the knee, which is similar to an ACL tear in humans. These injuries can happen suddenly during play or exercise, or they may develop gradually over time.
Unlike arthritis, tendon and ligament injuries often cause more sudden or uneven limping, and in some cases your dog may refuse to put weight on the leg altogether.
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Some dogs recover with strict rest, physical therapy, and supportive care, while more serious tears may require surgery. Either way, early veterinary evaluation is important to prevent the injury from worsening.
At home, you can support recovery by limiting high-impact activity, using non-slip rugs or paw grips to prevent slipping, and working with your vet on a safe rehab plan.
1. Paw or Pad Problems (Injuries, Thorns, Rocks)
Fortunately, the most common cause of post-walk limping is foreign objects like rocks, thorns, burrs, and more.
It makes sense, too. Dogs are essentially barefoot, and their paws have plenty of hair, crevices, and slots for small objects to get stuck or wedged into. Even a small little pebble can cause pain.
If your dog is limping after a walk, the first thing to do is check their paw pads and the spaces between. Spread their toes, feel through them for foreign objects or any areas that your dog is a little extra tender.
Tender areas may also be cuts caused by items on your walking path. If you find a foreign object, remove it with a tweezers and rinse the area clean with water. Once removed, it's best to clean the area with a pet-safe antiseptic and wrap a bandage around it if necessary.
For small cuts, you should follow the same processes, cleaning and bandaging the wound so that it can heal without your dog licking or pawing at it. For larger cuts, you should seek veterinary care to ensure that they heal properly.
Conclusion
Post exercise limping can indicate a variety of issues in dogs, but the most common is a foreign object embedded on the course of a walk. The first thing you should do is inspect your dog's paws for cuts or objects before investigating deeper issues.
If your dog is regularly sore after walks, incorporating a joint supplement into their daily routine could be a great way to maintain their mobility and wellbeing.
