How Can Dogs Over-Exert And Feel Sore?

Dogs, just like humans, can experience muscle soreness and fatigue after strenuous physical activity. While they may not be able to communicate their discomfort verbally, their body language and behaviour can be indicative of underlying pain. For instance, a dog with sore muscles may struggle to get up after lying down, refuse to walk up or down stairs, or be reluctant to jump. Additionally, factors such as age, intensity and duration of exercise, hydration levels, and uniqueness of activity can contribute to muscle soreness in dogs. It is important for dog owners to be mindful of their pet's exercise routines and not overexert their furry friends to prevent potential injuries and exhaustion.

Dogs can get sore muscles from exercise

Just like humans, dogs can get sore muscles from exercise. This can occur after high-intensity exercise, such as sprinting and jumping, or even after low-intensity exercise like long walks or hikes if the dog is not used to sustained periods of such activity. Dogs with poor fitness or physical health are more likely to develop muscle soreness than those that are fit, and older dogs are more susceptible to muscle soreness after exercise.

Muscle soreness is caused by tiny rips in the muscle structure, known as microtears, which occur during exercise. These microtears cause the dog's muscles to regenerate, building stronger and thicker muscle mass. While this process is natural and the same as that which occurs in humans, it can cause low levels of pain.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from sore muscles, look out for the following signs:

• Stiffness of movement
• Reluctance to run or play
• Trouble getting up from lying down

If your dog is sore, you should reduce their exercise and activity levels to give them time to recover. Continuing to push your dog when they are sore can lead to injury. Most soreness and minor injuries should resolve in a matter of days with increased rest, but if the soreness doesn't go away within a couple of days, you should take your dog to the veterinarian to check for injuries.

If your dog is injured, you may notice the following signs:

• Yelping or screaming when a specific area is touched
• Unwillingness or inability to get up
• Excessive licking of a specific area

Injuries are typically more painful and longer-lasting than muscle soreness and can hamper your dog's ability to move and function normally.

Signs of muscle soreness in dogs

Dogs can get sore muscles from exercise, although it can be harder to detect than in humans. Muscle soreness can occur after low- or high-intensity exercise, and is more likely to occur in dogs with poor fitness or physical health, and older dogs.

• Stiffness of movement
• Reluctance to run or play
• Struggling to rise after lying down
• Avoiding routine activities such as jumping onto the couch or bed, or getting into the car
• Seeming stiff and sore, favouring one leg or one side of the body, or displaying other changes in gait or posture
• Rigidity of the limbs

If you notice any of these signs, you should reduce your dog's exercise and exertion until they go away. Pushing your dog when they are sore can lead to injury, especially in older dogs and dogs with poor fitness. If your dog shows signs of limping, poor mobility, or pain for more than a couple of days after exercise, you should take them to the vet to check for injuries.

Strains and sprains in dogs

Dogs can get sore muscles from exercise, and they can also suffer from strains and sprains, which are common injuries. Strains and sprains can be acute (sudden) or chronic (ongoing) and can range from mild to severe.

Strains

A strain is an injury to the muscle itself or the tendon, which is the band of connective tissue that connects muscles to bones. Strains can happen if your dog stretches too far, too much, or too often. Athletic dogs can get strains, but they can also occur during normal play when a dog slips, falls, or jumps. Strains are common in the hips and thighs of dogs.

Sprains

Sprains are injuries to the ligaments that connect bones and cause joint damage. Sprains can happen to hunting dogs who jump hurdles, or to the average dog taking a hard landing off the couch or stepping in a hole. The wrist and knee are common joints for dogs to sprain. One of the most serious injuries is a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which connects the bones of the knee.

Signs of Strains or Sprains

The first warning sign of a strain or sprain may be that your dog starts to limp or is suddenly lame, meaning they can't use their leg. If this lasts more than a day or so, or keeps happening, it's time for a visit to the vet.

Other signs that your dog may be suffering from a strain or sprain include:

• Sleeping more
• Limping
• Sitting with their leg extended
• Not excited about going for a walk
• Stiffness
• Not eating

Treatment

Treatment for strains and sprains in dogs depends on the severity of the injury. Your vet will decide how to treat your dog and will likely try to avoid surgery as a first-line treatment unless a tendon or ligament is torn.

Typical treatments for strains and sprains include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to ease inflammation
• Apply an ice pack or heating pad
• Rest: no jumping or running, and your dog may need to be crated
• Walk your dog on a leash, taking it slowly at first
• Use a brace or support to hold your dog's muscle or joint in place
• Physical therapy, such as walking on an underwater or land treadmill, or balancing on a ball or board
• Surgery for torn tendons or ligaments

Signs a dog is in pain

Dogs can get sore muscles from exercise, and it can be more difficult to detect than in humans. Muscle soreness can occur after various types of exercise, including low-intensity exercise such as long walks or hikes. If a dog is not used to getting long periods of low-intensity exercise, it can cause muscle soreness.

• Stiffness of movement
• Reluctance to run or play
• Trouble getting up from lying down
• Yelping or screaming when a specific area is touched
• Unwillingness or inability to get up
• Excessive licking of a specific area
• Whining, whimpering, or groaning
• Panting or rapid breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Trembling or shaking
• Changes in posture or difficulty moving
• Loss of appetite
• Changes in grooming behaviour, such as excessive licking or chewing of an area
• Changes in sleeping habits and restlessness
• Heavy breathing or shallow panting
• Increased heart rate and bloodshot eyes
• Swelling of their paws, legs, and face
• Decreased social interaction or seeking attention
• Behavioural changes, such as increased aggression or becoming overly friendly
• Changes in their tail carriage, especially when they have chronic back or hip issues
• Restlessness
• Clinginess or following you around
• Appearing depressed or anxious
• Crying out in pain

If your dog is showing any of these signs, it is important to seek veterinary advice and treatment as soon as possible. Human pain relief medication can be dangerous to dogs, so it is important to consult a veterinarian before giving your dog any medication.

How to help a dog in pain

Dogs can get sore muscles from exercise, and it can be more difficult to detect than in humans. Muscle soreness can occur after various types of exercise, including low-intensity exercise such as long walks or hikes. If a dog is not used to getting long periods of low-intensity exercise, it can cause muscle soreness. Muscle soreness can be impacted by a dog's fitness level, age, and physical health. Older dogs are more likely to get sore after exercise, and low-intensity exercise can affect them more than younger dogs.

• Stiffness of movement
• Reluctance to run, jump, play, or walk
• Trouble getting up from lying down
• Whimpering or vocalizing
• Becoming quiet, withdrawn, and antisocial
• Showing uncharacteristic aggressiveness when approached or touched
• Holding the ears flat against the head
• Increased licking of a painful/sensitive area
• Lagging behind on walks or stopping altogether while on walks
• Changes in personality
• Increased panting and/or restlessness
• Tight or twitching muscles
• Shaking or trembling
• Holding their head below their shoulders
• Not wanting to be touched
• Changes in sleeping habits

If you notice any of these signs, there are several things you can do to help your dog:

Make a Vet Appointment

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to figure out what the problem is. If your dog is in severe pain or has other symptoms, get them to a veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian will need to perform a physical exam and run some diagnostic tests, which may include X-rays, blood tests, or an ultrasound.

Stop or Modify Physical Activities

If your dog is only showing signs of pain during certain activities, avoid those activities until you can talk to your veterinarian. Your vet will help you figure out how to best help your dog, whether it's stopping that activity altogether or establishing modifications that will minimize pain. For example, you can try taking shorter walks, using a ramp or steps to get into cars or onto furniture, raising food/water dishes to a more comfortable height, or encouraging your dog to rest.

Record What You're Seeing

Take pictures or videos of your dog when they are showing signs of pain or discomfort, and write down when they occur and what your dog was doing at the time. This will help your vet understand the scenarios in which your dog is experiencing pain, as well as the types of symptoms and signs of pain they are displaying.

Explore All Treatment Options

There are many veterinary treatments that can help eliminate or reduce both acute and chronic pain. Common treatments include medications (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), physical rehabilitation, chiropractic treatment, regenerative medicine (such as stem cell therapy), supplements, and herbal therapies. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any medications.

Provide Comfort

Keep your dog as comfortable as possible by providing a soft bed or couch with blankets for them to lie on. Give your dog a massage, their favourite toys, and their favourite food, but also remember to provide them with a balanced diet to keep them as healthy as possible. The comforting presence of their owner can soothe a dog, so a reassuring belly rub, a pat, a kind word, or just your company may be the key to a better mood.

Frequently asked questions