Can cold weather make dogs limp? A Complete Guide

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Dog Limping on a Front Leg or Paw

Problems that affect only the front legs include:

  • Shoulder instability
  • Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the shoulder joint (joint disease where cartilage does not develop into bone)
  • Biceps tenosynovitis (inflammation or injury in the biceps)
  • Supraspinatus tendinopathy (shoulder injury)
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Brachial plexus tumor (shoulder area)

    • Injured or Torn Muscles, Tendons, and Ligaments

    Walking on a slippery surface and punching through ice or snow often results in injured or torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Some injuries are minor and self-limiting, but others, including tearing, are considered severe and require veterinary attention.

    Simple walking on a slippery surface is enough to cause severe muscle strain. Slipping usually results in moderate strains of the hamstring muscles, quads, biceps, and triceps. Older dogs are at higher risk of sustaining muscle strains after slipping simply because their sudden balance-loss reflexes are weakened and decreased.

    The sudden twisting and shearing caused by ice slips and falls can easily result in ligament and tendon injuries. Even without slipping, walking on uneven snowy surfaces with different densities triggers repetitive stress, which results in injuries.

    The tendons and ligaments supporting the digits are most frequently damaged. Punching through crusty snow usually ends up with a dogs Achilles tendon injury. Once again, older dogs with pre-existing spinal and joint issues are at higher risk of sustaining tendon and ligament injuries.

    If your dog starts limping after walking on snow or ice, consider one of the diagnoses mentioned above as the potential culprit. Assessing the situation on your own can be challenging. Therefore, instead of waiting to see how the situation develops, be proactive: schedule a visit to the vet’s office and have your dog’s limping cause adequately diagnosed and managed.

    Although frequently overlooked and underestimated, foot injuries are quite common and, unless timely treated – quite severe. No matter how small and seemingly insignificant, all foot injuries in dogs are troubling and uncomfortable and eventually manifest with lameness.

    A particularly frequent foot injury in dogs is caused by snow build-up between the toes. The snow catches on the hairs between the toes and keeps accumulating.

    This problem can be avoided by maintaining the hairs well-trimmed and applying protective creams (cooking oil, calendula cream, musher’s wax, Vaseline) over the feet before leaving the house, or more simply, spoiling your dog with a nice pair of doggy booties.

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    Irritating de-icing chemicals (rock salt and calcium salts) can also cause foot injuries in the form of blisters and burns. Once again, a pair of booties prevents the problem.

    Alternatively, you can wash your dog’s paws upon returning home to rinse off the harmful chemicals. When washing the feet, it is advisable to use lukewarm water and antibacterial soap.

    Finally, stepping on cold surfaces can cause painful pad cracks and stepping on ice fragments may lead to cuts. If left untreated, cracks and cuts can infect and cause additional complications. Booties and protective moisturizing creams and ointments minimize the risk of these foot injuries.

    Treat or Prevent Your Dog’s Dry Skin With Moisturizer

  • Moisturize his pads. They can dry and crack just like your own heels, especially if they’re tough. Massaging a thin layer of balm into them just before you take him outside can help protect them against snow and ice, and will soothe cuts, scratches, and minor irritations—left untreated these can develop into more serious problems. Some products are specially formulated for dogs, but Bag Balm® and Vaseline® work, too. Use caution on smooth surfaces to avoid slipping, and protect your furniture from grease stains if your dog is allowed up.
  • Moisturize his skin. Add a skin and coat supplement to his food, like coconut or fish oil. And if you observe dry or cracked spots on his ears, nose, or paw pads, apply coconut oil directly to them.
  • Keep him hydrated. Dogs need it as badly in winter as they do in summer; give him access to fresh, clean water, always. Your dog may eat snow if he’s thirsty, or because it’s a fascinating thing to nibble—but the snow is not a source of hydration and can harbor dangerous bacteria or chemicals.
  • Run a humidifier in your home: it will help your dog’s chapped pads, and itchy, flaky winter skin.

    • Why Is Your Dog Limping? (Natural Remedies to Help!)

    At some point, you’re likely to see your dog limping. It can be scary and concerning because it’s not easy to figure out what caused the limping in the first place.

    Limping in dogs is never normal, but some of its associated health problems are more serious than others. This guide will break down everything you need to know about dog limping and what you can do to help your dog recover their mobility.

    If you notice your dog limping, there are three questions you should ask yourself to determine whether it’s a potential emergency.