Dog limping and stiffness – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. The most common causes are minor injuries and arthritis.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Severe pain
Unable to put a leg down
A serious wound

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.
Keep fresh water available.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

Limping or stiffness usually indicates that something is wrong with your dog’s legs or back.^[1] It can be caused by several different conditions, including minor injuries, arthritis, wounds, claw injuries, broken bones, dislocated joints, muscle injuries and spinal problems.

Other signs that can come with it

Holding a leg up
Reluctance to jump or use stairs
Stiffness after resting
Swollen legs or joints
Slow walking
Overgrooming an area
An unusual gait
Low energy

Possible causes

Minor injuries
Arthritis
Sprain or strain
Wounds
Claw injury
Something stuck in the foot or leg
Broken bones
Dislocated joints
Muscle injury
Spinal problems

What the experts say

“Overview. Limping or stiffness usually indicates that something is wrong with your dog’s legs or back. Limping and stiffness can be caused by several different conditions, the most common being minor injuries and arthritis.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What can limping or stiffness mean in a dog?

It usually indicates that something is wrong with a dog’s legs or back. Common causes include minor injuries and arthritis.^[1]

What other signs can come with limping or stiffness?

A dog may hold a leg up, be reluctant to jump or use stairs, seem stiff after resting, have swollen legs or joints, walk slowly, overgroom an area, have an unusual gait or have low energy.^[1]

When should I contact a vet immediately?

Contact your vet immediately if your dog is in severe pain, is unable to put a leg down or has a serious wound.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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