It’s a beautiful spring afternoon. You’ve just finished a long walk or a game of fetch at the park, and your dog is happily trotting beside you. Then you notice it—a slight hitch in their step. By the time you get home, they’re clearly favouring one leg.
Sound familiar?
As a holistic vet with over 20 years of experience, I see this scenario play out dozens of times every spring and summer. Warmer weather means more outdoor activity, longer walks, and unfortunately, more soft tissue injuries in our four-legged friends.
The good news? Most exercise-related limps resolve on their own with proper rest and care. But knowing when to wait it out versus when to seek help can save your dog unnecessary pain—and save you unnecessary stress.
Here’s my step-by-step guide to managing a limping dog, drawn from two decades of clinical practice and thousands of cases.
Why Spring Brings More Limping Dogs
Before we dive into treatment, let’s talk about why this happens more in spring.
After a quieter winter, many dogs (and their owners) suddenly ramp up activity levels. Longer daylight hours mean extended walks. Warmer weather invites beach runs, hiking, and backyard play. Your dog’s enthusiasm is infectious—but their muscles, tendons, and ligaments may not be conditioned for the sudden increase.
Think of it like a human going from couch to 10k run without training. Soft tissue strains, muscle pulls, and minor sprains are the natural consequence.
Common spring injury triggers: - Sudden increase in walk duration or intensity - Running on uneven terrain (trails, beaches, rocky paths) - Jumping for balls or frisbees repeatedly - Playing rough with other dogs at the park - Slipping on wet grass or muddy ground
The key is recognising the signs early and responding appropriately.
Step 1: Check Toes and Pads First (The Most Overlooked Culprit)
I’ve lost count of the number of “emergency” limps that turned out to be simple pad injuries. Before you assume it’s a muscle or joint problem, do a thorough paw inspection.
How to check your dog’s paws properly:
1. Find a well-lit area and have treats ready Your dog needs to be calm and cooperative. Sit on the floor with them and reward calm behaviour.
2. Inspect each paw systematically - Look at the pads for cuts, grazes, cracks, or torn skin - Check between the toes for grass seeds, thorns, bindies or small stones - Look for redness, swelling, or discharge - Check the nails—are any cracked, torn, or bleeding? Move the nail around left to right a bit to see if they react at all. Also check the cuticle (where the nail meets the toe), make sure there is no redness or bleeding from this area as well as tis can be very sensitive for them.
3. The “squeeze test” Gently squeeze each toe between your thumb and forefinger, one at a time. If your dog pulls away sharply on one toe but not the others, you’ve likely found the problem.
4. Check the webbing The soft skin between the toes is easily cut or irritated. Look for redness or small wounds.
Common paw injuries and what to do:
Minor cuts or grazes: - Clean with warm water or diluted antiseptic - Apply a small amount of antiseptic cream - Cover with a light bandage if your dog will tolerate it - Rest until healed (usually 3-7 days)
Grass seeds or foreign objects: - Remove carefully with tweezers if visible - If embedded deeply or causing significant pain, see your vet—these can migrate and cause infection
Cracked or dry pads: - Apply a pet-safe paw balm daily. Alternatively, vitamin-E oil or sorbelene cream can be applied quite safely for dogs. Avoid hot pavement and rough surfaces until healed
Torn nail: - If bleeding, apply styptic powder or cornstarch - If the nail is hanging, see your vet—it may need to be trimmed under sedation
Most paw injuries are quick fixes and will resolve with basic first aid and rest.
Step 2: Rest for 48 Hours
If you’ve checked the paws and found nothing obvious, the next step is rest. Here’s what I tell my clients: about 70% of mild strains and sprains will settle within 48 hours with rest alone.
Try not to panic during this window—most minor soft tissue injuries will improve significantly with proper rest.
What “rest” actually means:
Do: - Keep your dog calm and quiet indoors - Allow short, slow toilet breaks only (on-leash) - Use a lead even in the backyard to prevent running or jumping - Encourage lying down on a comfortable, supportive bed - Apply a cool compress (wrapped ice pack) for 10 minutes, 2-3 times in the first 24 hours if there’s visible swelling
Don’t: - Let them run, jump, or play - Allow stairs (carry small dogs, block access for larger dogs) - Permit rough play with other pets - Take them for “just a quick walk”—even 5 minutes of excited sniffing can aggravate a strain
What to watch for during the 48-hour window:
Most mild limps will improve noticeably within the first day or two. You should see: - Gradual weight-bearing on the affected leg - Less obvious favouring of the limb - Normal behaviour—eating, drinking, resting comfortably - No worsening of symptoms
If the limp hasn’t improved after 48 hours—or if it worsens—move to the next step.
Step 3: When to Call Your Vet (Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore)
While many limps resolve on their own, some require professional assessment. Here’s when to pick up the phone:
Immediate vet/ professional canine practitioner visit required:
Non-weight-bearing limp If your dog is holding the leg up completely and won’t put any weight on it, this suggests a more serious injury—possible fracture, ligament tear, or severe sprain.
Marked swelling or heat Significant swelling around a joint or along a limb, especially if it feels hot to touch, may indicate inflammation, infection, or trauma that needs treatment.
Obvious pain on touch If your dog yelps, snaps, or pulls away when you gently touch or manipulate the limb, don’t wait—get them assessed.
Lethargy, or loss of appetite, or if the pain is severe: yelping. These are signs your dog is in significant pain or distress. Pain can suppress appetite and energy levels.
Your gut says “this isn’t right” You know your dog better than anyone. If something feels off, trust your instincts.
When to call within 48-72 hours:
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Limp hasn’t improved after 48 hours of rest
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Limp is intermittent but recurring over several days
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Your dog is older or has a history of joint issues
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The limb looks slightly swollen but your dog is otherwise normal
Natural Support for Recovery: What Actually Works
Once you’ve ruled out serious injury and your vet has given the all-clear, natural support can help speed recovery and ease discomfort.
As a holistic practitioner, I’ve seen countless dogs benefit from targeted nutritional and herbal support alongside rest and rehabilitation.
Evidence-based natural ingredients for soft tissue recovery:
Rosehip Rich in natural anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants. Research shows rosehip can support the body’s natural inflammatory response and ease discomfort in dogs with joint and soft tissue issues.
Devil’s Claw Traditionally used for centuries, Devil’s Claw contains harpagosides—compounds studied for their ability to support comfort and mobility during recovery.
Gotu Kola Known for supporting connective tissue repair and circulation. Particularly useful for ligament and tendon strains.
Horsetail Stem (Silica) A natural source of silica, essential for collagen production and connective tissue strength. Supports the repair of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
Glycine - An amino acid building block of collagen. Supports tissue repair and recovery from strain injuries.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) A natural sulfur compound that supports joint comfort and reduces exercise-related inflammation.
Why I formulated Injury Support
After years of recommending individual supplements to clients, I created a comprehensive formula that combines all these ingredients in therapeutic doses. Injury Support is specifically designed for dogs recovering from strains, sprains, and soft tissue injuries including cruciate ligament tears.
It’s the same formula I use in my own practice and recommend to clients whose dogs are recovering from exercise-related injuries.
Practical Recovery Tips: Beyond Rest and Supplements
Supporting your dog’s recovery isn’t just about what you give them—it’s also about how you manage their environment and activity.
1. Modify exercise during recovery
Week 1-2: Strict rest
- Toilet breaks only, on-leash
- No stairs, jumping, or running
- Carry small dogs when needed
Week 2-4: Gradual return to activity
- Short, slow walks (5 minutes, twice daily)
- Flat, even surfaces only
- Gradually increase by 2-3 minutes every few days
- Watch for any return of limping—if it reappears, scale back
- Slowly reintroduce play and off-leash time - Build up to pre-injury activity levels over 2-3 weeks
2. Create a recovery-friendly home environment
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Non-slip floor runners: Place these on tiles or wooden floors to prevent slipping
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Block stairs: Use baby gates or barriers
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Supportive bedding: Orthopaedic or memory foam beds reduce pressure on joints
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Raised food bowls: Easier for dogs with front leg injuries
3. Gentle massage and passive range of motion
Once the acute pain has settled (usually after 48-72 hours), gentle massage can support recovery:
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Use slow, gentle circular motions around (not directly on) the sore area
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5-10 minutes once or twice daily
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If your dog shows discomfort, stop immediately
4. Monitor for compensation injuries
When a dog favours one leg, they often overload the opposite leg or other limbs. Watch for signs of soreness developing elsewhere as they recover.
When to Consider Professional Assessment: Video Gait Analysis
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if a limp is improving or if you’re just getting used to seeing it. That’s where video gait analysis can help.
If you’re unsure what you’re seeing, I offer a free preliminary gait assessment. Simply record:
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15-30 seconds of your dog walking/trotting on a flat surface
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One video from the front
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One video from the side
Send it through, and I’ll take a quick look to help you determine if professional assessment is needed or if rest and support are likely sufficient.
Send the video to support@caninevital.com.au
Prevention: Keeping Your Dog Injury-Free This Spring
The best treatment is prevention. Here’s how to reduce the risk of exercise-related injuries:
1. Warm up before intense activity
Just like human athletes, dogs benefit from a 5-10 minute gentle walk before running or playing hard.
2. Build fitness gradually
If your dog has been less active over winter, don’t suddenly jump to hour-long hikes. Increase duration and intensity slowly over several weeks.
3. Avoid repetitive high-impact activities
Endless ball throwing or frisbee catching puts enormous strain on joints and soft tissues. Mix up activities and limit repetitive jumping. If your pup is ball obsessed, consider ball throwing into water so they can swim instead, which has less chance of injuries occurring.
4. Maintain a healthy weight
Excess weight puts additional stress on joints, tendons, and ligaments. Keep your dog lean and fit.
5. Strengthen and condition
Regular, varied exercise builds muscle strength and joint stability, reducing injury risk.
6. Consider proactive joint support
For active dogs, breeds prone to joint issues, or dogs over 7 years old, daily joint support can help maintain resilience.
Final Thoughts: Trust Your Instincts, But Don’t Panic
Seeing your dog in pain or discomfort is distressing. But remember: most exercise-related limps are minor and resolve with rest and appropriate care.
Check those paws first, follow the 48-hour rest rule, watch for red flags, and support recovery with gentle rehabilitation and evidence-based natural support.
And if you’re ever unsure, reach out. Whether it’s your local vet or a quick video assessment with me, professional guidance can give you peace of mind and ensure your dog gets back to doing what they love—running, playing, and enjoying life by your side.
About Dr. Neil Barnsley
Neil Barnsley is a Holistic canine injury specialist with over 20 years of experience in integrative animal health. As a third-generation holistic practitioner, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the founder of Canine Vital, he combines evidence-based natural therapies to help dogs live healthier, more comfortable lives.
Need help assessing your dog’s limp? Send a short video to support@caninevital.com.au for a free preliminary gait analysis.
Want to support your dog’s recovery naturally? Learn more about Injury Support and how it can help your dog heal faster and more comfortably.
