Does Your Dog Have a Knee Injury? What to Watch For...
- Cristina Macke
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 4
Is your dog limping, struggling to jump, or sitting unevenly? These signs may point to a knee injury. Learn what to watch for and when to seek care.
If something looks off with how your dog is moving, you're probably right to pay attention. Dogs are remarkably good at hiding discomfort, often continuing to play and move through pain long after an injury has occurred. By the time a limp becomes obvious, the injury may have been building for a while.
Knee injuries are one of the most common orthopedic issues we see at the Macke Institute of Canine Therapy. The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), the canine equivalent of the human ACL, is a commonly injured structure in a dog's knee, and the signs can range from subtle to hard to miss.
Here are four things to watch for.
1. An Abnormal Gait or Limp
The most noticeable sign of a knee injury is a change in how your dog walks. This might look like a full limp, a slight hop when trotting, favoring one side, or a subtle unevenness you can't quite put your finger on, but you know something is different.
Limping is your dog's way of reducing pain and instability in the joint. It can appear suddenly after a specific movement or build gradually over days and weeks. Either way, a persistent gait change warrants a veterinary evaluation sooner rather than later.
2. Difficulty Jumping
One of the earlier signs dog owners might notice is a change in their dog's willingness, or ability, to jump. Getting onto the bed, into the car, or up onto the couch suddenly looks different. Your dog may hesitate, approach the jump differently, push off unevenly, or simply stop trying.
This happens because the knee becomes unstable with the injured ligament, and jumping and landing place significant force on the joint. If your dog is struggling with jumps they used to manage easily, it's worth having their knee checked - and in the meantime, helping them in and out of the car and off furniture to reduce strain on the joint.
3. An Audible Click When Walking
If you hear a clicking or popping sound coming from your dog's knee, especially if it's new, pay attention. Clicking can indicate ligament movement within the joint or, in more advanced cases, bone-on-bone contact as the joint loses its normal stability.
This is one sign that warrants prompt veterinary attention, as it can indicate the injury is progressing or that the joint is experiencing abnormal wear.
4. Asymmetric Sitting or Resting Position
Healthy dogs typically sit squarely, with both hind legs tucked evenly beneath them. A dog with a knee injury often sits with one leg kicked out to the side - a position that reduces the bend in the injured knee and takes pressure off the joint. You might also notice your dog lying in positions that consistently favor one side, or standing with their weight shifted away from one leg.
This is easy to overlook as a quirk or habit, but if it appears alongside any of the other signs above, it's worth mentioning to your vet.
What to Do If You Notice These Signs
If your dog is showing one or more of these signs, the first step is to see your veterinarian so they can assess your dog's knee to determine the cause of the impairments. Based on their evaluation, they will recommend treatment to address your dog's mobility issues.
Depending on the severity of the injury and your dog's individual situation, your veterinary team may recommend surgical repair, conservative management, or a combination of both. In canine physical therapy, we work alongside your veterinary team to support recovery, helping your dog rebuild strength, restore range of motion, and return to moving confidently.
If you're in Omaha or Lincoln, Nebraska and your dog has been diagnosed with a knee injury or CCL/ACL tear, we're happy to talk through how canine rehabilitation might fit into their care plan.
Macke Institute of Canine Therapy - canine physical therapy and rehabilitation in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska.
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