Repeatedly going up and down stairs can gradually injure joints and may lead to hip dysplasia in dogs that are susceptible to the disease. The negative impact of stair climbing is especially pronounced in puppies whose joints are still forming and whose muscles are still weak.
But all exercise is not created equal. Puppies raised on slippery surfaces or with access to stairs when they are less than 3 months old have a higher risk of hip dysplasia,while those who are allowed off-lead exercise on soft, uneven ground (such as in a park) have a lower risk (Krontveit et al 2012).
Yes, stairs are bad for dogs with arthritis. This is because stairs may strain the areas of the body that suffer pain during movement – mainly the joints of the limbs. Stairs are also a potential accident hazard – one that is more real because the motions of the arthritic dog are not adequately controlled.
Dogs with medical conditions such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, or poor eyesight may have trouble climbing stairs and should avoid them. Dogs with mobility issues, such as limited mobility or fear of stairs, should also avoid stairs.
The researchers found that puppies who were allowed to use stairs prior to 3 months old were more at risk of developing hip dysplasia.
The delicate joints and bones of puppies are not fully resilient until they are about 1.5 years old. Until then, you should only let your puppy climb stairs under supervision and very slowly.
It is strongly recommended that you keep your puppy away from stairs and steep drops, as running up and down stairs can damage a puppy's delicate growth plates, causing long-term damage.
Improper weight and nutrition, accelerated growth rate and some types of exercise can all play a role in the development of the condition. Obesity puts abnormal stress on your dog's joint, and may aggravate pre-existing hip dysplasia or even cause the condition.
Dogs that have extra-long backs, such as Dachshunds, Corgis and Bassett Hounds, should also avoid taking the stairs.
We advise puppy owners to carry their puppies up and down stairs for at least the first 6 months, but this depends a lot on the breed and size of a puppy.
It may be cute to see your dog slipping and sliding on the floor, but it can cause some real issues. He could pull a muscle or tear a ligament, and if he's an older dog with joint, spinal, hip problems, or arthritis, it could lead to permanent issues that will plague him for the rest of his life.
Dogs use their back legs to push themselves up the stairs, and as they age, this becomes more difficult. They tire easily and, in some cases, using the stairs may even be painful for them. Whether it's climbing or descending the stairs, many senior dogs experience difficulty.
Running, stair climbing, and impact sports are not recommended for people with hip dysplasia. Moderate exercise and strengthening is preferred to maintain muscle balance long as there isn't too much load put on the hip joint.
Dog Stairs
Climbing stairs is the perfect way to build up your leg muscles. Place your dog on a leash and walk up and down your stairs. Be sure to mix it up and throw in some high steps and side steps to work various muscle groups.
Hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs, like the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Labrador Retriever, and German Shepherd Dog. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, improper weight, and unbalanced nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.
Walking is a low-impact form of exercise that's ideal for dogs with hip dysplasia. It's a great way to get your dog moving without putting too much strain on their hip joints. Just be sure to start slowly and gradually increase the distance as your pup builds up their endurance.
Weakness and pain in the hind legs are the usual clinical signs. The dog appears wobbly and is reluctant to rise from a sitting or lying position. Some dogs will limp or be reluctant to climb stairs. These signs can be seen in puppies as early as a few months old but are most common in dogs one to two years of age.
Exercising too much or too little can increase the chances of your dog developing hip dysplasia. Even obesity can be a contributing factor. Too much weight exerts too much force on the hip joint. It is also important to give your dog adequate nutrition.
The signs may come on suddenly, or you could notice a gradual decline in your pet's usual activity. Pain may be evident when handling the hips.
You can prevent hip dysplasia in dogs by ensuring the skeletal system grows properly, choosing a breeder who caters to good hip health of the dogs they have, giving diet appropriate for the dog, avoiding exercising young and at-risk dogs, providing essential nutrient supplements, avoiding neutering at-risk puppies, and ...
How far can I walk my puppy? The so-called "5-minute rule" says that the puppy should increase with 5 minutes of walking every month. For a six months old puppy, that means about 30 minutes of exercise.
Place deterrents. Place carpet runner, pointy side up, tin foil, or sticky shelf liner, sticky side up, on the first few stairs of your staircase.
“Dogs shouldn't jump on and off couches”
Jumping on and off the couch isn't ideal for dogs because of the combination of different surfaces. Going from hard to soft (and vice versa) increases the likelihood of twists and injuries, as does repeating a 'high load' activity over and over.