My dog limping after snow, no visible injury. What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Border Collie | Male | neutered | 6 years old | 40 lbs
My dog was running outside in the snow and he suddenly stopped and lifted his front paw and has been limping since. There’s no visible injury but he does not want to put pressure on it. I’m thinking he may have sprained it or stepped on a hard piece of ice. What should I do?
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 22nd, 2020
Poor Timo. 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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Took my dog for a walk and all of a sudden he stopped to lick his paws. I looked to see if he stepped on something but couldn’t see or feel anything. He started to limp off and on so I decided to take him back home. I took a flashlight to look at all
Washing his paws off was a good idea. I recommend resting Sam for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a lead only, 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. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My large breed dog played hard with 2 other dogs last night. Later in the evening, after he napped i noticed a slight limp in his back left leg. It seemed like he didn't want to bend it, but after I called him over and rubbed it and looked for sores
It could be that your dog strained a muscle, and that's why he has a limp. I would recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a lead only, 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. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I noticed leo was limping after returning from his daily night walk and when I examined his paw, I observed this (pics attached) on his left front paw. He seemed fine before tonight. What could this be? Should I be concerned?
Poor Leo! He could have injured his paw on the walk causing the limping. I recommend resting Leo 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
Health & Wellbeing
My great dane has started limping all of a sudden. I've looked him over and theres no visible injuries and there are no broken bones. He cant stand on it though and I'm a little worried. Was wondering if I should take him to a vet now or wait to see
Poor Zeus! 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. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was playing with one of his friends and hurt something on his front right leg, he keeps holding his paw up. He still jumps, and doesn't cry in pain no matter how hard I squeeze from paw to shoulder. Should I still be concerned? He is limping a
Poor Sam! I would be concerned in that he is clearly showing you he is in pain if he's limping and doesn't like his paw touching the ground. I recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a lead only, 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. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Emory has hurt her leg / paw and has been limping, but I don't know how she's did it. I've checked her leg and paw and see no scratches etc and she is playing eating as normal. Is there anything I can do? What could it be?
Emory could have strained or torn a ligament causing the limping. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, and bring her right back in when she's done. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her 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
Health & Wellbeing
Hi My dog (standard/big poodle) has pain in his left forepaw. We didn't see exactly, but this morning he was running out in the garden... He fell and was clearly suffering and crying. He limps now since morning. What can we do to help him? Thanks!
Poor Max! He could have injured himself playing in the garden. I recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a lead only, and bring him right back in when he's done. If he still appears painful after this time, then I would take Max 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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog started limping/favoring her right front leg/paw, no known injury. What can we do to help her out?
Poor Penny! I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, and bring her right back in when she's done. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her 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
Training & Behavior
My 9 month old puppy hit her leg on our bedframe jumping off of it. She is now limping slightly, but she is still running around and has great lateral movement. She did not yip or bark. She is having trouble when (as much to us telling her no) jumpin
Poor Luna! I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, and bring her right back in when she's done. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her 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
Health & Wellbeing
I’ve recently notice my dog has had a limp and has been babying his right front paw. I have checked his paws for anything that might be sticking him and found nothing. I’ve given his paw and leg a squeeze all the way up to the shoulder and moved his
Limping is a sign of pain so Taz is in pain if he's limping. He may have injured his paw. 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
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