Preventing hip issues in dogs: essential tips for early joint care

Welcoming a new puppy into your family is an exciting time. But if your new furry friend belongs to a breed that is prone to hip dysplasia it’s important to take steps early on to support their joint health. So, with that in mind, read on for everything you need to know about preventing hip issues in dogs.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition where one or both of a dog’s hip joints develop abnormally and is one of the commonest hip issues in dogs. Essentially, the ‘ball’ part of the hip joint doesn’t fit properly in the socket. Although any dog can be affected, hip dysplasia is more common in large breeds, such as Labradors, Border Collies, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers.

While hip dysplasia is an inherited condition, lifestyle or environmental factors play a significant role in its development and influence whether a puppy with the genetic tendency to hip dysplasia will actually go on to develop the condition. A major factor is weight and overweight puppies are much more likely to be affected.

Did you know? Dogs who are overweight are more than twice as likely to develop joint disease¹

The first signs of hip issues in dogs usually develop between six and 12 months of age. They include:

• Stiffness
• Difficulty getting up
• Reluctance to climb stairs
• Limping
• Lagging behind on walks

If you notice any of these signs, it is best to book a check-up with your vet.

The most effective way to prevent hip dysplasia is to avoid breeding from affected dogs. The BVA/ Kennel Club hip scoring scheme helps breeders make informed decisions by scoring dogs’ hips based on x-rays. Only dogs with a score below the breed average should be used for breeding.

But it’s not just nature that has an impact - nurture does too. If you are already pet parent to a pup, especially if it is a large, active breed, there are still things that you can do to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia. Top of the list is keeping your puppy slim. This isn’t just true for hip dysplasia in dogs, but all joint issues. Extra weight means extra strain on joints.

Exercise is key to maintaining a healthy weight and therefore reducing the risk of hip issues in dogs. It also provides puppies and adult dogs with mental stimulation, helping to prevent boredom and behavioural problems and generally keeping your canine companion out of mischief.

But when it comes puppies, how much is too much? Well, there isn’t really a limit as long as you follow one important rule: take things at your puppy’s pace. That means long countryside walks are in, but lengthy sessions of high speed, high-impact exercise, are out. It’s especially important to take care with ball throwers as the drive to continue ball chasing often means dogs will continue to play even when exhausted, increasing the risk of injury.

Beyond exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, there are other steps you can take to support your dog’s joint health, including:

• Feed a balanced diet containing all the essential nutrients your pup needs
• Provide soft, supportive bedding
• Consider giving your dog joint supplements

You should also ensure that you give your furry friend the best joint supplements for dogs.

You can start giving puppies joint supplements for puppies as soon as they are weaned. Just be sure to pick a product that is suitable for puppies, such as Flexifit® Treats. Flexifit® Treats contain omega 3, glucosamine, vitamin C and calcium and help support joint health in puppies as well as adult dogs, helping to maintain flexible joints and strong bones.

Even if your dog isn’t showing signs of stiffness, starting joint support early can have lifelong benefits. When it comes to reducing the risk of hip issues in dogs, being proactive about joint health is especially important for large breeds, active dogs and those at risk of developmental conditions like hip dysplasia.

By staying informed, you can help your dog live a happy, active life. For more information about the Flexifit® range visit our dedicated Flexifit® page.

^{Anderson K.L., O'Neill, D.G., Brodbelt, D.C., Church, D.B., Meeson, R.L., Sargan, D., et al. (2018) Prevalence, duration and risk factors for appendicular osteoarthritis in a UK dog population under primary veterinary care. Scientific Reports 8(1):5641}

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