What this means
The tail says a lot about how a dog feels. It can hang down because of pain at its base, a strained muscle, a back problem or simply fear. Notice whether the whole tail hangs from the base or only the tip, and whether your dog can lift or wag it.
Some dogs suddenly cannot lift the tail after swimming, a long trip in a crate, a cold or wet day or hard play. Often the base of the tail is sore and the dog guards it. It is worth showing to a vet, as only an examination can tell it from other causes.
Look for other signs too: whether your dog sits down with difficulty, avoids lying down, licks the base of the tail or carries the back differently than before. If the tail is tucked and your dog was also trembling or hiding, the cause may be anxiety rather than pain in the body.
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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A tail that has suddenly gone limp
Sometimes the tail muscles are strained after swimming, cold, a long spell lying down or hard play. The tail hangs from the base and your dog may be sore at the tail's base.
About the condition: Limber tail syndrome -
An injury to the back or the base of the tail
After a fall, a blow or a collision the tail may hang because of pain or damaged nerves. Your dog may also avoid sitting or lifting the back.
About the condition: Back injuries -
Joint or spinal pain
Pain in the lower back or pelvis can make a dog unwilling to lift the tail. Your dog may be stiff, limp or avoid stairs.
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Anxiety or fear
A frightened or anxious dog often clamps the tail against the body. In that case the tail moves normally in other situations.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether the tail hangs from the base or only the tip is drooping
- Whether your dog can lift or wag it
- Whether the base of the tail is sore or warm
- Whether your dog avoids sitting, lying down or passing stools
- Whether swimming, cold, a fall or hard play came just before
- Whether the tail is tucked only in anxious or frightening situations
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if the tail has hung down for more than a day, has stopped moving or your dog is sore at its base. If your dog cannot pass stools, the legs are affected or there was an injury, 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.
- Limber tail syndrome Bones and joints This is a painful condition of the muscles at the base of the tail in which the tail suddenly goes limp and the dog can no longer lift or wag it. It is linked to muscle strain, for example after a long swim, especially in cold water, hard exercise, or a long time spent in a cramped cage or travel crate. A tail injury or other problems can look similar, so a tail that has suddenly gone limp is worth showing to a vet.
- Back injuries Bones and joints A dog's back can be hurt by an accident or by changes in the spine itself, such as damaged intervertebral discs pressing on the spinal cord. This causes pain and sometimes weakness or even paralysis, so it is not something to wait out. Only a vet can judge what is going on and how urgently help is needed.
- 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.
- Anxiety General health Anxiety is a state in which a dog feels tension and fear constantly or far too strongly, even when there is no real danger. It can be set off by being left alone, loud noises, new surroundings or strangers, and long-lasting anxiety wears down both the dog and the whole household. It helps to understand that this behaviour is not stubbornness or disobedience but a sign that the dog is struggling.
Body systems: Bones and joints General health