Also known as the "lazy sit," dogs falling into a sloppy posture can point to spinal problems, arthritis, or hip dysplasia, with vets recommending owners keep an eye out for any changes.
There are a lot of possible health-related reasons for your dog's improper sitting form. Past injuries, possible weaknesses, chronic problems in joints or soft tissues of the hind limbs can result in compensatory changes and losing the ability to sit properly.
While it is more common for dogs to sit on their owners as a sign of affection or dominance, it is possible that excessive or persistent sitting could be a sign of anxiety or insecurity. If you are concerned about your dog's behavior, it is best to consult with a veterinarian or professional behaviorist.
In addition to unusual stance and gait, hip dysplasia can be detected by an abnormal sitting posture. Dogs with hip dysplasia will often be seen shifting their weight away from their hips when they are laying or sitting down.
Dogs that sploot love to be lazy and comfortable — and we can't blame them. Most likely a sploot is a sign of relaxation, as it seems to be a very comfortable position for dogs. Going off the “it's a dog's way of stretching” theory, they're using sploot to stretch their back legs.
Splooting is a great stretch for the animals' hips. Splooting also allows the animal to cool themselves by pressing their belly into the ground or against tile floors. Owners may notice that their pets sploot more often when they are younger.
Normal sitting vs puppy sitting
Dogs after the first two years should sit up straight with their body directly over their hips. This is considered normal sitting. If a dog is sitting with their hind legs sideways, rather than under the hips, it is considered puppy sitting or sloppy sitting.
It is often confused with osteoarthritis of the hips in older dogs which is incorrect; hip dysplasia is a developmental disease that can start within the first few weeks of life, whereas osteoarthritis is the consequence.
It has taken the internet by storm, and for good reason! Splooting is the term used to describe when a dog stretches out their hind legs behind them while laying down, resulting in a pose that looks both adorable and hilarious.
By putting his paw on you whilst you are petting him, he is expanding contact and reciprocating affection back to you. While this act can be interpreted as an expression of love, your dog pawing at you can also be credited to numerous other feelings. He wants to play, he wants food, he's anxious, or may be in pain.
These types of issues usually resolve on their own and aren't too serious. However, if your adult dog is sitting like this all the time, you should have him checked out by a vet. The lazy sit isn't a natural dog sitting position for canines over the age of two and is generally caused by an underlying health problem.
Dogs who have hip dysplasia may sway back and forth when they walk. They may also have a bunny-hopping gait or may stand flat on their back feet. All of these potential gait issues are related to the pain they feel when they suffer from hip dysplasia.
Unusual Laying Position: Legs are straight out and off to the side when the dog is laying on its stomach or legs are straight out behind the dog. (All dogs lay with their legs behind them on occasion, many dogs with hip dysplasia lay like this all the time.)
In some cases, lameness and gait abnormalities begin as early as 3 months of age, while other dogs may not exhibit signs for years. Some experts divide hip dysplasia into two forms based on the age of onset of clinical signs: juvenile and mature.
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. Dogs with mild hip dysplasia on X-rays may develop minimal arthritis without clinical signs until they are older.
Hip dysplasia can occur in any breed, although it is more common in larger dogs. Dog breeds prone to hip dysplasia include bulldogs, golden retrievers, Great Danes, Labradors, mastiffs, pugs, rottweilers, and St. Bernards. Because canine hip dysplasia is hereditary, there is no cure.
Typically, splooting is neither harmful nor a cause for major concern. In fact, the position may actually help dogs relax their legs and hips while stretching other muscles throughout their body. It can also be a beneficial way to cool down, especially during warmer months.
If your dog has trouble standing up or sitting down, you might suspect natural, age-related changes such as osteoarthritis. However, for many dogs, the actual problem lies with an inherited condition known as hip dysplasia. Canine hip dysplasia can cause pain and stiffness in the hip joints at any stage of life.
Known as froglegs, frog doggin', or in the corgi world, the sploot, this belly-down, legs akimbo position says relaxation. Corgi people love it so much, they've been known to put it on their t-shirts, and we can't really blame them.
While there is no cure for hip dysplasia in dogs, many treatments are available to help manage symptoms. Early detection and treatment can help prevent the development of arthritis later in life. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition.
Many other disorders of hip joint can superficially mimic impingement and dysplasia but they do not depend on articular deformity. Among these, we can list rheumatological diseases, osteonecrosis of femoral head, transient hip osteoporosis, stress fractures, infiltrative bone disease, articular hyperlaxity.
Averaged out, pet owners should expect expenses at a bare minimum of $1,700, this number can rabidly climb to well over $4,500 depending on the severity of the hip dysplasia. Your vet will help you find the right option for you, your dog, and your budget should your canine companion require hip dysplasia surgery.