What this means
A stiff gait can look quite different. One dog takes short, rigid steps with legs that barely bend, another splays and places its feet awkwardly, and another can hardly move after rest or a walk and only loosens up after a while. Sometimes a dog looks stiff and does not want to move at all.
The reasons vary widely. Stiffness can come from painful joints, a muscle disease, a nerve problem or a fever. Some of these are inherited and show at a young age, others appear later. If the stiffness comes on suddenly, arrives in episodes or goes with weakening legs, show it to your vet.
Note when your dog stiffens: only on getting up, after a walk, during play, in the cold or for no reason, and how long it lasts. Notice whether the stiffness stays or eases with movement, and whether the legs are only rigid or also sore. Film your dog walking and getting up, since a vet can judge a video more easily than a description.
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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Joint or bone problems
Sore joints or bone changes cause stiffness, especially after rest or a walk. A dog may be reluctant to climb or jump.
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A muscle disease
Some muscle diseases cause a rigid, awkward gait. They may be inherited and show at a young age.
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Inherited muscle cramping problems
In some dogs the legs stiffen and will not bend during play or excitement. After rest the dog moves normally again.
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A nervous system problem
Some nerve damage causes short, rigid steps and weakness. It usually progresses gradually.
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Fever and inflammation
Some breeds have periodic fevers with joint pain. The dog is stiff, reluctant to move and seems dull.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- When your dog stiffens: on getting up, after a walk, during play or in the cold
- How long the stiffness lasts and whether it eases with movement
- Whether the legs are only rigid or also sore
- Whether it also has a fever, seems dull or is not eating
- Whether the stiffness began suddenly or developed gradually
- Whether littermates or parents had similar problems
When to book a routine visit
If your dog walks stiffly, stiffens after a walk or does not want to move, book an examination and show a video of the gait.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (Spike's disease) Nerves and muscles This is a condition in which a dog has episodes of muscle cramping: the muscles tighten involuntarily and walking becomes uncoordinated. Unlike in an epileptic seizure, the dog stays conscious throughout the episode. Because other illnesses can look similar, a vet decides whether this is the cause.
- Centronuclear myopathy Nerves and muscles Centronuclear myopathy is an inherited muscle disease in which the muscle fibres do not develop properly, leaving the puppy short of strength and stamina. It becomes apparent in the first months of life and affects muscles throughout the body. A genetic test exists, so breeders can check whether their breeding dogs carry it.
- Degenerative myopathy Nerves and muscles Degenerative myopathy is an inherited muscle disease in which muscle fibres gradually waste away and weaken. Because it affects more than one group of muscles, a dog may in time find it harder to walk, keep up with exercise and sometimes even to swallow. It progresses slowly, and whether weakness comes from it is for a vet to determine.
- Orthopaedic (bone and joint) problems Bones and joints This is an umbrella term for a range of disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments and tendons, from joints that form badly during growth to torn ligaments, dislocations or arthritis that comes with age. Some are inherited, while others follow injuries, excess weight or the wrong kind of exercise. Such problems cause pain and limit how freely a dog moves, and what lies behind a particular limp is for a vet to work out.
- Scottie cramp Nerves and muscles This is an inherited disorder of the nervous system in which excitement or physical exertion brings on episodes of muscle stiffness and cramping. The dog stays aware throughout the episode and moves normally again after a short rest. Other disorders can look similar, so a vet decides what is really going on.
- Familial Shar-Pei fever (recurrent fever) Blood and immunity This is an inherited inflammatory disorder in which a dog has repeated bouts of fever for no obvious reason, sometimes together with swollen joints. The bouts pass on their own, but the repeated inflammation can, over time, be linked to protein deposits building up in organs, the kidneys in particular. Any fever can also have other causes, so a dog with a fever needs to see a vet.
- Leptospirosis Infections Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that a dog catches from water, damp ground or objects contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rodents. The bacteria damage the kidneys and liver, and the illness can quickly become life-threatening, so the dog needs a vet immediately. Leptospirosis also passes to people.
Body systems: Nerves and muscles Bones and joints Blood and immunity Infections