Being a dog owner means encountering all sorts of weird acts almost every day. It’s not easy having a dog as a pet, surely it has its good moments, but at the same time, you may find yourself asking questions you don’t have the answer to.
For example, if you’ve had a dog for a while now, you may have seen your little buddy arching its back for no apparent reason, and wondered to yourself, why do dogs arch their backs?
Several reasons explain this condition, but at the same time, it’s important to remember along the way that none of the following reasons is an accurate explanation to your dog arching back.
If you suddenly see your dog curved back, make sure to take that little soul to the vet as soon as possible, to make sure that it’s okay. And if it’s not okay, at least try and make it as easy as you can for that little innocent soul, and make them feel as safe as possible.
Table of Contents
Dog Spine Curved Up: Main Reasons
As it’s been already mentioned above, several reasons explain a dog hunched back, a few of which are mentioned and elaborated below to help you get the idea.
Stretching for Fun
Just like humans, dogs like to stretch their muscles too. They mostly do it when they wake up, or when they’re tired and need to relax.
You may also see your pet dog sometimes stretching their back legs as well, or sometimes even a cute bow-stance while stretching their front legs.
If you see your dog arching back and they seem alright afterward, you don’t have to worry, your little friend may just be stretching and relaxing. But if you see them doing this more often, then maybe it’s time to worry a little bit.
Spinal Conditions
If you encounter a dog’s spine curved up, it may be a sign that they are suffering through a spinal condition called kyphosis.
What is kyphosis? You may ask. Kyphosis is a spinal deformity that is found in both dogs and humans. So a dog arching back may also mean that your little fella feels a little less pain in this position, and it will stay in that position as long as that poor soul is in pain.
Kyphosis is common in puppies, mostly because it’s inherited. But if an older dog is diagnosed with this condition, it may be a result of trauma or simply old age.
There are several other spinal conditions you need to look out for as well, symptoms may include, hesitating to jump, unaligned walking, crying out because of pain, loss of movement in logs, etc.
Keep in mind that it can be extremely painful and if your pet dog is suffering through any spinal conditions, it needs to be treated ASAP before anything gets worse. Plus, don’t give any medications to your pet without medical consultation.
Also read:
Spondylosis Deformans
The next time you find yourself asking, why do dogs arch their backs? You may want to check in with the vet for any signs of Spondylosis Deformans, otherwise known as arthritis of the spine.
Commonly, Spondylosis Deformans may appear in areas like the lower back, upper back, or the beginning of your dog’s tail part. Arthritis of the spine is mostly a concern in old-age dogs.
If your dog is suffering from this condition, you may also notice that it may face difficulty in climbing the stairs, as well as signs of discomfort while walking or jumping. This is because your little best friend is in pain and needs to be treated.
Abdominal Issues
Several abdominal issues can also be a reason for a dog arching back. A dog’s curved back gives it relief from any kind of pain or discomfort it is experiencing in its abdominal area.
Abdominal discomfort can be caused due to several factors like diarrhea, farting, internal bleeding, any kind of viral infection, or in some cases, enlarged organs.
It’s no secret that dogs love to eat almost everything, whether it’s edible or not, eating unknown foreign objects can cause diarrhea or even internal bleeding in some cases. Vomiting on the other hand may be the indication of any viral infections.
Unidentified Pain
A dog’s spine curved up is also considered as a sign that your pet dog is in pain. Just like humans arch their backs and hug their bellies when they are in pain, dogs do the same, and apparently, it slightly reduces the pain.
Aside from a dog arching back, other signs that indicate your little buddy is in pain may include, stiff walking, head hanging low, or in some cases, tucked abdomen.
A dog hunched back doesn’t specifically indicate that they are feeling pain in just their abdomen, the pain could also come from other body parts like legs, spine, or neck. If you have an old dog, make sure you’re not confusing its limping with an arched back.
What To Do When You See A Dog Arching Back?
It is well-known that adopting a pet dog is a huge responsibility. You need to stay observant all the time and make sure there aren’t any unusual movements to make sure that they are healthy.
Another thing that’ll help you a lot is puppy-proofing your house. Just like you baby-proof a house. This will prevent your cute little pet dog from hurting itself, and make sure that it does not swallow anything that can damage it internally.
Another helpful tip that can come in handy is to avoid giving that little cutie huge meals. They’ll face difficulty in digesting huge portions of food and that can result in bloating.
Ending Note
A dog arching back can’t be taken for granted. If you ever notice any unusual activity or any of the above-mentioned symptoms, make sure that the first thing you do is consult a veterinarian.
Get medical supervision as soon you can, to simply make sure that your dog is happy and healthy. And if he is diagnosed with something, don’t take it for granted and start its treatment ASAP. Not all spinal conditions in dogs can be cured, but the treatment will surely reduce the pain and suffering of your little canine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How Do I Know If My Pet Dog is Hurt in The Back?
A: There are many signs or body language that will indicate that your pet dog is indeed hurt. You can find these body language signs online. Or you can simply ask your vet to educate you a little about the body language of dogs.
Q: Why Does My Dog Keep Arching Its Back?
A: There are many reasons as to why your dog is arching its back. It may be just stretching, or it can be a sign of some kind of major issue. One thing that can help is to observe your dog’s behavior and look for any continuous signs of discomfort.
Q: Can Arthritis of The Spine Be Cured?
A: No, it cannot be cured. Just like Spondylosis Deformans in human beings can’t be cured. Whereas some treatments can reduce the pain, joint supplements are also proved to be very helpful in Spondylosis Deformans in dogs.