Is it natural?
Let’s start with a nice and non-threatening reason: your dog running or walking sideways could be their natural gait. You might have noticed how humans walk and run differently from one another; well, the same can be said for dogs!
Like we have friends who walk very lightly and seem to appear from nowhere, and those whose footsteps can be heard a mile away, it’s the same with dogs! Some dogs will have small and rapid steps, especially little dogs, while others will have long and heavy strides.
You will even see some who walk in circles when they get excited! If your dog has been walking or running sideways for as long as you remember, it could just be their natural gait. If this is the case, then it is probably nothing to worry about!
If you need further peace of mind, it’s always worth speaking to your vet for more information and guidance.
Don’t Panic
First things first, when finding out that your dog’s nails are cut too short, you should not panic. Panicking will not solve anything and will only stress you and your dog out. Even if it is bleeding, it will stop on its own and heal quickly.
There are a number of reasons a dog might move at an angle, and more often than not, they’re just interesting quirks. Below is a breakdown of some common reasons a dog might “crab.”
What’s the deal? Do they have a structural problem? Is their coordination off? Fortunately, in most cases, that sideways shift isn’t actually as odd as it seems.
In other words, crabbing is when a dog is moving forward but their body is turned at a slight angle. It’s also sometimes called “sidestepping.”
The list could go on because, at the end of the day, dogs show off funky behavior all the time. When they can’t tell you what’s wrong, their bodies naturally try to compensate or find relief — sometimes in funny-looking ways. It’s hard to tell what the root of the problem might be without a professional opinion.
Have you ever watched someone walk with a dominance on their toes or with a foot turned slightly outward? Maybe they have a heavy arm swing or no arm swing at all. Some dogs have unique characteristics in their walk, just like you do. In most cases, there’s no reason to worry — it’s just who they are. Worried about your dog’s gait? Take it up with your vet to ensure it’s not a serious problem. By:
Circling in pet dog, reasons, treatment options/ vestibular syndrome /old dog disease/imbalance dog
What do you do when, all of a sudden, your dog starts walking around like he has had a few too many martinis? The term for this uncoordinated gait is “ataxia,” and the type of ataxia that causes dogs to walk like they are drunk is called a “vestibular ataxia.” The vestibular system, or balance system, in dogs is composed of two parts: the peripheral portion, or the inner and middle ear, and the central portion, or the parts of the brain that control the balance system.
Other signs that can be seen in a dog with vestibular dysfunction include abnormal, rapid eye movements (called nystagmus), the head tilting to the side, walking in circles, falling or rolling toward one side, or nausea and vomiting.