Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog is walking with his head down. Is he in pain or injured?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog walking with his head down?

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Ross Massimiano, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 26th, 2015

It's very likely that this is a [painful condition](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-most-painful-conditions-in-dogs), as evidenced by the fact that he doesn't want to hold his head up. It could be due to a sprained muscle, a pinched nerve, or something more serious involving the vertebrae in the neck. Most of the time these situations do not resolve on their own, and I find that my patients need pain medications and potentially muscle relaxers, as well as strict cage rest for at least 2 weeks. In addition, you'll want your vet to do a thorough exam to rule out [Intervertebral Disc Disease](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/intervertebral-disc-disease/) (IVDD) that can occur if there is pressure being put on the spinal cord by a disk. Until you can get an appointment with your vet today or tomorrow, I would get [a harness](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-collars-leashes-and-harnesses/dog-harnesses) instead of a collar so as not to put any additional pressure on the area.

Vote icon

128Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Davis

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 16th, 2017

    This neck pain can be from a bulging intervertebral disc in his neck. It is important that you let him rest, use a harness not a collar when walking him and I recommend seeing your veterinarian for muscle relaxers and pain medication. These episodes can last a few days or months. If the disc ruptures he could get worse pain and even paralysis. Generally with rest and medication he will fully recover in a few weeks. This often doesn't show on X-rays. To see where the problem is he would need an MRI which is not indicated unless he is paralyzed and needs surgery. Using a hot compress or heating pad to warm the muscles and doing gentle massage will reduce the muscle spasms. Also I treat this condition with laser and acupuncture with excellent results. Please have them recheck him if he is worse and get pain medication so he can be comfortable. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Rocky.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
hi my dog went for a walk today and when he came back home he started to cry when he moved his neck to the left he walks normally so his legs are fine but he walks with his with head down what can i do to help him? thanks
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly neck or back pain. It could still be pain associated with a leg even if nothing seems wrong with them. I recommend that you have Chico evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics include radiographs. Treatment would be based on findings. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications to make Chico feel better. In the meantime, reduce his activity as much as possible as that in itself can make a big difference. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog walks with his head down and he won’t jump up on my leg like he usually does. When I lift him up and try to tilt his head back he lets out a loud yelp. He’s a very active dog for 9yrs old so I’m very concerned.
It sounds like a neck pain, which could be a sign of muscle sprain, intervertebral disc disease or even meningitis (probably less likely in Rocko's case). Please, take your dog to your local vet to get him fully examined. Your vet may recommend neck x-ray to look for changes in his spine and a blood test to look for signs of inflammation.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 5 year old beagle is holding his tail down. He normally walks with his tail slightly in the air, but has had it down all day. He doesn't seem to be sore around the base of the tail as he allows me to hold it up and doesn't whimper. He seems conten
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Dan. He could be holding his tail down because he has pain in his lower back or hips. Holding his head down slightly can also be a sign of spinal pain. I recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a leash, and bring him right back in when he's done. If he still appears painful after this time, then I would take him into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. He may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is walking with her head down and tries to escape when I try to lift it. She doesn’t pay attention and doesn’t want to walk. She’s laying down. A dog attached her 3 days ago so could this be from stress? Is it a pinched nerve? There weren’t an
Yes, severe neck pain probably due to pinched nerve is the most likely explanation for this posture and behaviour. An immediate check up is required to confirm this clinical suspicion and treat appropriately.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Mu dog suddenly qont lift his head and is whining. He was fine earlier. He was home alone. Hes a basset hound 5.yeara old and in healthy wieght.
It sounds like Chuck potentially has some neck pain. This could be due to many different issues, but most common would be a slipped disc. I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. If he is really painful then he should be treated by and emergency clinic veterinarian tonight. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog seems to have stiff neck. He cannot turn his head to the left side and is walking sideways. Doesn’t seem to be in pain bc he isn’t trembling or whining/yelping. But tried to turn his head to left side and he didn’t like that. Tried to feel for
This can be the result of a bulging intervertebral disc in his neck, which is a neurological problem. This can be serious problem as dogs can become very painful and sometimes paralyzed if the disc ruptures. I recommend a veterinary exam and medication to reduce the neck inflammation and they will also probably give muscle relaxers to improve the head and neck movement. They may also recommend X-rays. In the meantime you should not use a collar as pulling on the neck may make this worse. I recommend using a harness for walks. Placing a hot compress on the neck and giving Plato a gentle neck and shoulder massage may reduce the muscle spasms and improve the head and neck movement. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Plato.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a nine year old Doberman he keeps is head down and can't lift it he is in pain
If your dog is unable to lift his head there is something seriously wrong. At best he must be in a lot of discomfort from a soft tissue injury, and it could be something more sinister than that. I would take him to your vet asap.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My Maltese dog (11 years old) came in from dinner (his second meal today in which he finished completely) and was looking at the floor, my sister held him and after 2 mins or so he yelped. He wouldn't look up (although upon further gentle inspection
Yes, it does sound like he hurt his neck. It would be best to get him to your vet for confirmation. It could be just a sprain/strain but it could also be more serious like an inflamed disk or herniation. Diagnostics (like xrays) may be needed. Based on the exam and any diagnostics the vet will be able to give you anti-inflammatory, pain medications and muscle relaxers that will help him. In the meantime, just try to keep him calm and quiet so he doesn't move his neck too much. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello. I went for a walk with my Italian Greyhound and when I got back home, he was making weird noises and crying. I thought that maybe he just got cold but now it has past over 10 hours. He just lays on the bed and can’t move his head, he won’t eat
Hello. Thank you for using Boop by Petco. I'm sorry that Cheti is not feeling well. I suggest you take him to your vet for an examination. It sounds like he may have hurt his neck and/or back. Even if nothing seemed to have happened while outside he may have just turned his head wrong and pinched a nerve. The other thing that happens sometimes is that dogs start to get arthritis in their spine as they age and that may be acting up. Here is a link to an article about neck/back pain in dogs that may help you: https://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/pet-health/neck-and-back-pain-in-dogs/ There is really no way for me to diagnose him over the internet, however. That is why a vet exam is important. He is obviously in pain and at the very least your vet can prescribe some pain medications for him. Hope this helps. Best wishes and I hope Cheti will be back to his normal self soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Trick is nodding his head when walking he doesn't like me flexing his front leg he has hip displeysia so am wondering if he is getting arthritis in his front leg as he uses it more when walking could he get elbow displeysia if he already has bad hips
If he is bobbing his head up and down while walking this is most likely a sign of pain in the neck or a front limb. Typically we say the head bob goes down on the good leg (down on sound) so if his head is up when he places his right front leg this could be the culprit. Pain could be coming from bone, joint, or the soft tissues. It is possible for elbow dysplasia to be present but there are also other conditions that can cause pain as well. Elbow dysplasia is typically a developmental problem such that most dogs are diagnosed very young. The best way to know for sure what is happening would be for your vet to do a thorough orthopedic and neurologic evaluation. Xrays can then be directed at the area of concern. In the meantime it might be best to rest Trick, although i am sure being a Border Collie he likely has a very important job. I hope this helps and thank you for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored