What this means
Dogs rarely complain loudly about pain, and reluctance on stairs is one of the earliest changes owners notice. It helps to remember when it began and whether anything else changed: whether your dog fell, played rougher than usual, or you noticed some limping.
Watch how your dog goes about it. If climbing up is hard, it can point to a hind-leg or back problem, while going down is sometimes tied to the front legs or to pain when weight shifts forward. Some dogs climb sideways, others bunny-hop with both back legs together, and others stop at every step.
A leg problem is not always the cause. A dog can be afraid of slippery steps or become unsure after an unpleasant experience, but a vet should first rule out pain, since it is the cause most easily overlooked. Write down what you see, so that you can describe it exactly at the visit.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Painful, stiff joints
Worn joints hurt most when climbing or bearing weight. Your dog may pause at the first step or climb more slowly than before.
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A hip joint that formed poorly
A weak or painful hip makes pushing off with the back legs uncomfortable, so climbing becomes awkward. Your dog may hop with both hind legs together.
About the condition: Hip dysplasia -
A problem in the elbow joint
A painful front leg makes going down harder, because more weight lands on it. Your dog may limp on a front leg or hold it out to the side.
About the condition: Elbow dysplasia -
Changes in the discs of the spine
Back pain makes every step or jump unpleasant. Your dog may arch the back, be sensitive to touch or avoid bending down to the bowl.
About the condition: Intervertebral disc disease -
Fear or lack of confidence on steps
Sometimes the cause is not pain but a slippery surface, a bad experience or a change in the surroundings. Even so, it is worth ruling out pain first.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether going up is hard, going down is hard, or both
- Whether your dog bunny-hops with both back legs together or climbs sideways
- Whether your dog also avoids jumping on the sofa or into the car
- Whether there is limping, or slower getting up than before
- Whether the back is sensitive to touch or arched
- Whether behaviour has changed: less play, more sleeping
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if your dog has avoided stairs for more than a couple of days, or if you also notice limping, difficulty getting up or a sensitive back. If your dog refuses to move after a fall or injury, or control of the legs has changed, go straight away.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Arthritis Bones and joints Arthritis is inflammation of the joints in which the cartilage gradually wears down, leaving the joint stiff and painful. It can develop with age, after an injury or because of joints that did not form properly. Ongoing pain limits how freely and comfortably a dog moves, so changes are worth showing to a vet.
- Hip dysplasia Bones and joints Hip dysplasia is a developmental problem of the hip joint in which the head of the thigh bone does not sit snugly in the hip socket, so the loose joint wears unevenly over time. This can lead to pain and arthritis that limit how freely and comfortably a dog moves. Genetics play a part, but growth, body weight and exercise during puppyhood also have an influence.
- Intervertebral disc disease Bones and joints Intervertebral disc disease is a condition in which the discs that cushion the spine between the vertebrae degenerate, bulge or rupture and start pressing on the spinal cord or nerves. This causes pain and, in more serious cases, weakness or even paralysis of the legs. The damage can happen suddenly, even after a perfectly ordinary jump, or build up gradually, so it is not something to wait out.
- Elbow dysplasia Bones and joints Elbow dysplasia is an umbrella term for several developmental problems of the elbow, in which the growing bones do not fit together properly and the joint surfaces wear unevenly. The joint wears out before its time, becoming painful and arthritic. The condition is inherited and develops during growth, so signs can appear while the dog is still young.
Body systems: Bones and joints