Puppies, older dogs, and breeds with long spines (like Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and Corgis) tend to have trouble around stairs, Arnoldy says.
So are stairs bad for dogs at all times? No. There are instances when stair use is not recommended, but in most cases, there should be no issues. Make sure your pet is the right age when teaching them how to use stairs, and watch for any signs of pain or reluctance in your pets.
When your dog is going up and down stairs, it does require a greater range of motion in the front and back joints, compared to when they're strolling along on flat ground. And if your dog is getting older and showing signs of stiffness, going up and down stairs can put extra pressure on their joints.
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. At some stage, puppies do need to learn how to negotiate stairs, but in a safe and controlled way.
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.
Using the stairs is a great way to tire out your dog. The steps add challenge to a dog's workout, as they engage different muscles than those used on a regular walk or run and add an extra level of difficulty with the elevation change.
Install a ramp
A pet ramp is a perfect solution to getting your dog safely up and down your stairs. While pet ramps may be designed to help dogs get in and out cars, they work exceptionally well as a stair-aid.
Alongside the risk of Hip Dysplasia, young puppies who regularly climb the stairs unsupervised are naturally at a greater risk of injury. Therefore, you should make sure to keep a close eye on your pup when they are attempting to navigate stairs, even if they have successfully done so before.
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.
A ramp is a better choice than stairs for senior dogs and dogs with joint ailments who often face increasing difficulty tackling stairs of any kind.
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.
Slow walking on lead should be fine - but free running up and down stairs is not a good idea and should be avoided at any age, but especially when under a year old. It's the repeated impact at speed that's the issue, and the risk of falling.
Dogs that fall from heights can suffer sprains, broken bones, head trauma, and chest or abdominal injuries. Small dogs can incur the same degree of injury falling from much smaller distances.
Wooden Surfaces Are Not Designed for Dogs' Paws
As dogs age, they become more prone to conditions like arthritis or hip dysplasia which can significantly alter a dog's ability to use stairs and will require more traction when walking.
Get a ramp or ramps to assist with movement to elevated levels. A gentle incline is easier for elderly dogs to move on than a staircase. Ramps can be handy for getting in and out of a vehicle, moving up steps, or even getting onto a bed or couch. Anti-slip ramps are ideal.
Considering the ease of movement for a dog with arthritis is very important. Stairs are not recommended for a dog with that condition. They may worsen the situation by causing increased pressure, inflammation, and pain.
According to vets, there is a clear answer to this particular question. They advise that you should wait at least two hours after your dog has eaten a meal before walking them. That's because walking your dog straight after a meal can cause your dog to bloat, or even lead to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).
We recommend that you walk your pooch, on average, 3 to 4 times a day for about 15 minutes. However, frequency also depends on the particular dog's: Breed. Eating habits.
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.
Many dysplastic dogs will show these signs early in life (6-12 months of age), but some dogs do not show signs of pain until they are older. Radiographs (X-rays) of a normal dog's pelvis and hips.
Most dogs need at least 1-2 walks per day (unless otherwise specified by your vet). A brisk walk is a great opportunity for your dog to burn off extra energy, and a slow, meandering walk – where you let your dog sniff and explore for as long as they want – is great for their mental health.
Generally speaking, however, a healthy, adult Labrador needs an hour of exercise every day. If your dog is the relaxed kind, 45 minutes will do, while a really energetic dog could work out up to 1.5 hours without tiring. Labradors, like all dogs, love to explore.