The joints of dogs bear tremendous pressure when standing upright and going up and down stairs

When standing on the hind legs, the cartilage in the dog’s knee bears an average of 50% to more than 1 times the pressure of the body weight. When going up the stairs, It increases to 2 times, and the joint pressure when going down stairs can increase to 7 times!

Want to understand the concept of such pressure?

Let’s do an experiment. If you usually walk on two legs, you can hop on one leg. If you can walk more than 100 meters, I will convince you!

Soon you can experience how tiring half of your joints are.

Why are stairs so harmful to dogs?

Generally, the depth of stairs is between 25 and 28 cm, and the height is usually more than 20 cm. Such a height and plane The deep design is only barely suitable for human use. For dogs, such depth and height are too difficult!
Because the depth of the stairs is too shallow, it is impossible for the dog’s limbs and feet to land on the same plane. Therefore, when the dog goes up the stairs, it must arch its back and waist to the end at almost every step. The pads of the two hind feet extend forward to the inside and front of where the pads of the two forelimbs fall, but the buttocks are still below the level of the pads of the two hind legs.

Then, the dog will strive to use the pads of its two hind limbs to move its body upward, and then use the pads of its two forelimbs to climb up the stairs above, thus completing the climb of the stairs continuously.

If this happens for a long time, it will put a great burden on the dog's lumbar spine and limb joints.

What kind of stairs can dogs climb?

The plane depth should be 60 centimeters, and the height difference should be within 12 to 15 centimeters. Only such a staircase design is more suitable for dogs to go up and down.

Early symptoms of dogs with tissue damage due to stairs

Dogs who climb stairs every day or for a long time will develop lumbar spine or limb joints as early as four years old Between the ages of six and eight, functional impairment is likely to occur due to injuries.

1. Walking is not smooth and lame.

2. It is difficult to get up after sitting down.

3. Moving is very inconvenient and the frequency of movement will also be reduced.

4. Long-term joint pain, damaged joints will be painful, swollen, stiff, and occasionally make whining sounds.

5. The energy becomes poor and some abnormal postures appear.

Dogs at risk of hereditary joint disease, as well as dogs with short legs and long bodies (short legs are at risk again...), to avoid orthopedic and neurological problems, including:

1. Hip dysplasia (CHD)

2. Intervertebral disc herniation (IVDD)

3. Degenerative spinal neuropathy (DM)

4. The eighth lumbar vertebrae with genetic mutation

5. Cauda Equina Syndrome

When encountering stairs, pick up the dog in the correct posture and walk

The method is as follows:
First hold the dog’s chest with one hand, about 10 cm above the ground, and lift the dog’s chest with the other hand. Support the dog's hind legs with your hands and bring the dog's body close to your chest to maintain balance. This holding method can also reduce the burden on the dog's waist.