When dogs have a cramp in their front or hind leg, overexertion or dehydration are usually responsible. Under certain circumstances, such leg cramps can also indicate a mineral deficiency, poisoning or illness.
In all of these cases, the cramps are caused by overactivity of the nerves. This leads to an unwanted and painful contraction of the muscles.
Such cramps are usually only one-sided, last for a few seconds and disappear on their own. Other typical signs include:
- Sudden limp
- Problems getting up
- Dog falls over
- Stiff gait
- Sudden scream
- Aversion to movements
- Problems lying down [1]
In addition, statistics have shown that some breeds are affected significantly more often. These include the Doberman, the Scottish Terrier and all spaniel breeds.
If the cramp in the leg only occurs once, then there is usually no reason to worry. However, if it happens constantly, then you should consult the vet as a precaution.
Below you will learn about the 9 most common causes of these cramps. In some cases, a combination of these triggers can also be behind it.
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#1 Overexertion
When dogs are active for a certain period of time and the intensity is above their physical performance level, it leads to fatigue and overexertion.
The same is the case if it is not the intensity but rather the endurance capacity that is overused. In both cases, the leg muscles begin to cramp to protect themselves.
Here the cramp is a protective mechanism to prevent injuries to the muscles and ligaments. Typical causes of this are:
- Excessive swimming training
- Severe obesity
- Bike rides where the dog runs alongside
- Multi-day hiking tours
- Wearing a cast for several weeks
- Very long play dates with other dogs
In the case of one-off such cramps, it is enough to wait and calm the confused dog. In severe cases, massages and painkillers may also be necessary. [2]
To prevent this, it is usually sufficient to increase the activity level gradually rather than abruptly. Alternating showers for the legs after training sessions can also help.
Leg cramps can be caused by exercising too intensely or for too long. In many cases, excursions or one-off activities are responsible for this. Massages, contrast showers and medication help in prevention and treatment.
#2 Water or electrolyte deficiency
Just like humans, dogs are made up of around 80% water. This in turn explains why they can only survive without water for a maximum of 3 days.
Symptoms become apparent from a dehydration level of just 1.5%. Typical examples are here:
- Dry nose
- Lack of motivation
- Dark yellow urine color
- Cramps in the hind legs
- Heavy panting
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Loss of appetite
- Thick saliva [3]
To check skin elasticity, all you need to do is gently pinch and release a piece of skin on your back. Normally it should close straight away.
On the other hand, if the skin only slowly returns to its original position, this can indicate dehydration. But a lack of electrolytes can also trigger cramps.
This refers to ions that are responsible for the distribution of fluid in the dog's body. Sodium and potassium are the most important of these.
For this reason, cyclists do not drink pure water, but mostly isotonic drinks or even juices. A drinking bottle like this is ideal for dogs when they are out and about.
A lack of water or electrolytes can cause dogs to suddenly experience cramps in their hind legs during physical activity. Here it usually helps to provide the dog with both water and minerals through treats.
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#3 Monotonous movements
Dogs have a total of around 700 different muscles in their bodies. So around 100 more than us humans. Almost all of them are used in everyday life and when racing.
However, monotonous movement sequences can lead to a few muscles being put under significantly greater strain than all the remaining muscles.
If you like, monotonous movements lead to a kind of “pointwise overload” of the affected muscles and can therefore cause cramps. [4]
Typical examples are here:
- Parkour training
- Race in circles
- One-sided digging
The following question helps here: Does your dog often make specific movements that use one side or just a few muscles?
If so, then you need to consider different methods of how you can prevent or change these routine movement patterns in the future.
Monotonous activities can lead to overloading of individual muscles and, among other things, trigger cramps. Here it is important to identify the corresponding movement patterns and then modify them or even avoid them completely.
#4 Mineral deficiency
After potassium, magnesium is the mineral found most in muscles. Magnesium is also needed for numerous metabolic processes in the body.
Among other things, it is also responsible for the formation of ATP – the main energy store of all cells. A magnesium deficiency (“hypomagnesemia”) therefore has numerous visible consequences:
- Muscle tremors
- Coordination problems
- Muscle weakness
- Depressive behavior
- Muscle cramps
- Cardiac arrhythmias [5]
In most cases the cause is an unbalanced diet, diabetes or certain medications. But a calcium deficiency can also cause cramps. [6]
Because calcium helps with blood clotting, muscle contractions and the metabolism of hormones. Typical symptoms of “hypocalcemia” are:
- Constant panting
- Hand over
- Cramps in the legs
- Muscle twitches
- Sudden swaying
- Feeling of weakness
- Loss of appetite [7]
If you suspect this, you should visit the vet here. A blood sample is usually taken for diagnosis. Supplements and a change in diet help with treatment.
A lack of magnesium and calcium is said to be one of the most common causes of cramps in dogs. In most cases, the dog's largest muscles, which are located on the hind leg, are affected. This can be solved relatively easily with supplements.
#5 Poisoning
If you've ever looked at the statistics from animal practices, you'll see that poisoning is one of the most common reasons why people go to the doctor.
Among other things, poisoning can also affect the nerves and lead to cramps. In most cases, it's because your dog has swallowed:
- Insecticides
- Medication
- Rat poison
- Snail killer
- Toxic plants [8]
But common foods can also be the cause. Why dogs react so strongly to this has not yet been fully researched:
- Chocolate and cocoa
- Grapes and raisins
- Onions and garlic
- avocado
- Pomegranates and lemons
- Cabbage and rhubarb
Even the smallest traces on the floor can be enough to cause visible physical symptoms. Typical examples are here:
- Sudden drooling
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Sudden cramps
- Lack of energy
- Constant beeping
- Breathing problems
- Sudden swaying
- restlessness [9]
Depending on the severity, poisoning can either go away on its own or even be fatal. If you suspect this, you should consult the vet immediately.
Poisoning can also lead to muscle cramps in the legs, among other things. There are usually other unusual symptoms that appear here. A veterinarian should be consulted immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
#6 Viral diseases
Viral diseases are one of the most common causes of death in dogs after cancer and injuries. According to statistics, the following diseases are the most common here:
- distemper
- Influenza virus
- Hepatitis Contagiosa Canis
- Parvovirus
- rabies [10]
In Germany, compulsory vaccinations include distemper, hepatitis contagiosa canis, parvovirus and rabies. These viral diseases therefore usually only occur in puppies.
Street dogs from abroad are also more likely to be infected. In addition to cramps, these viral diseases usually lead to other symptoms:
- Lack of motivation
- Constant coughing
- Discharge from the nose
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent sneezing
- Breathing problems [11]
Some of these viruses can also be fatal if left untreated. If you suspect this, you should visit the vet and vaccinate your dog regularly to prevent it.
Various viruses can affect the dog's nervous system, causing cramps in the hind legs. Vaccines already exist against many of these viral diseases and dog owners should take advantage of them. Alternatively, the vet can help here.
#7 Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a chronic disease that occurs increasingly in large breeds of dogs. It causes the nerve pathways in the spinal cord to die.
Siberian huskies, long-haired collies, Bernese mountain dogs, Weimaraners and German shepherds are particularly often affected. [12]
Typical symptoms of this are:
- Clumsy running style
- Paralysis and cramps
- Sudden stagger
- Incontinence
- Coordination problems [13]
The more advanced the disease is, the stronger its symptoms are. There is currently no cure for this.
However, the symptoms can be partially alleviated with medication. After 2-3 years at the latest, affected dogs usually have to be put down.
Large dogs in particular are more often affected by degenerative myelopathy, which causes the dog's nervous system to increasingly fail. In the initial phase, there may also be frequent cramps in the legs. Unfortunately there is no cure.
#8 Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disease of the nerves that causes uncontrollable and severe convulsions. Epileptic dogs therefore have seizures more often.
Not only the legs are affected, but usually the entire body. Other typical signs include:
- Profuse drooling
- Dog falls over
- Foam in the mouth
- Dog stretches all legs out
- Strong tremors [14]
According to studies, an average of one in 120 dogs suffer from it. It is most common in males and very young dogs. [15] Possible causes here are:
- Anemia
- Strokes
- Liver and kidney disease
- Head injuries
- Tumor diseases [16]
Here you should visit the vet for diagnosis and treatment….