Hip dysplasia in dogs

Is your dog stiff, reluctant to hop up on the sofa, or dragging their back legs? Hip dysplasia might be the culprit. Here’s what you need to know.

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common orthopaedic conditions affecting dogs, especially medium to large breeds. Here’s a look at the signs to watch out for, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and some common questions dog owners have.

What is hip dysplasia in dogs?

Hip dysplasia is when a dog’s hip joint doesn’t form properly or fit together as it should. The joint becomes loose, meaning the ball doesn’t sit properly in the socket. Over time, this can cause abnormal movement, wear and tear, inflammation, and often osteoarthritis of one or both their hips.

What causes hip dysplasia in dogs?

Hip dysplasia is largely a genetic condition, meaning if one or both parents carry certain genes, their puppy has a greater risk of having the condition. But genetics aren’t everything. Environmental factors, such as nutrition, body weight, and exercise, can all influence whether a dog with the genetic predisposition will actually develop signs.

How do I know if my dog has hip dysplasia?

The first signs of hip dysplasia in dogs can be subtle. They may include stiffness, especially after rest (such as first thing in the morning), difficulty getting up or lying down, being less willing to jump or climb stairs, and showing lameness in one or both back legs. You might also notice your dog becoming quieter, less playful, or more reluctant to engage in normal activity, such as go for walks.

Other potential signs include a change in their gait, such as swaying or a doing ‘bunny hop’ type movement with their back legs.

Can hip dysplasia in dogs come on suddenly?

In most cases, hip dysplasia develops gradually. The hip joints usually begin to form abnormally when they’re a puppy, and then instability and cartilage wear accumulates over time. As it can be gradual, you may attribute any stiffness to your dog’s age or tiredness at first. Dogs can also hide their pain making it a potentially difficult condition to spot.

However, sometimes signs may seem to appear suddenly. For example, if your dog overexerts itself or suffers a minor injury then this may aggravate the condition.

What does a dog with hip dysplasia look like?

Here are a few signs that your dog may have hip dysplasia:

A stiff gait, especially when walking after rest.

Bunny-hopping when running, where their back legs move together rather than alternately.

Difficulty getting up from sitting or lying down.

Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or get on the sofa.

Their back end may sway or appear unstable, sometimes a rolling or wiggly motion in the hips/haunches.

Reduced muscle tone in the rear legs and over the hips if the dog is avoiding using them due to discomfort.

Dogs may be quieter, less playful, reluctant to go for walks, or seem generally less mobile.

If you notice any of these signs then you should take your dog to the vet to get checked out for hip dysplasia or other conditions.

Can hip dysplasia in dogs cause incontinence?

Incontinence isn’t usually a direct symptom of hip dysplasia. However, ‘accidents’ are possible if a dog is in pain and has difficulty moving about as they may urinate in unusual places. Severe arthritis may also make it harder for a dog to assume their normal posture for toileting. If your dog’s incontinent, it’s worth getting them checked out by a vet who will look for the cause.

How do vets diagnose hip dysplasia?

Vets tend to look at a dog’s history (when the signs first started etc) as well as conduct a physical examination to diagnose hip dysplasia in dogs. In the physical exam they might do things such as move the dog’s hind legs to test their range of motion. Sometimes imaging like x-rays or other specialist diagnostics, such as MRI scans, may also be needed to assess their hip joints.

Which dogs are prone to hip dysplasia?

While any dog can develop hip dysplasia, certain risk factors and breeds can have a higher chance of developing the condition. For example:

Medium to large and giant breeds are more commonly affected.

Breeds often listed as at risk include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, Bullmastiffs etc.

Dogs that grow rapidly, or have conformation (bone structure) that predisposes them to poor hip geometry.

Dogs that are overweight, or whose pups have been overfed.

Also, dogs with parents screened with poor hip scores are more likely to produce puppies at risk.

How to treat hip dysplasia in dogs?

Treatment typically depends on the severity of the condition and factors like your dog's age, whether arthritis has set in, and your dog’s lifestyle. What treatment is given can also depend on the owner’s finances and their ability to manage post-op or long-term care.

Treatment usually falls into non-surgical and surgical options. Non-surgical options can include:

Weight control / losing excess weight.

Pain relief medications and other anti-inflammatories.

Controlled, moderate exercise and avoiding high-impact activity - possibly hydrotherapy to reduce impact while building muscle.

Physiotherapy, massage, maintaining muscle tone, and good supportive bedding.

Surgical options could include anything from cutting and repositioning parts of the pelvis (known as a pelvic osteotomy and usually carried out in younger dogs), to a total hip replacement.

How to prevent hip dysplasia in dogs?

Because genetics play a large part in the condition, you can’t entirely prevent hip dysplasia. But owners can do a lot to reduce the risk and severity of the condition, including:

Choose a reputable breeder who screens parents for hip scores and uses Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs predict how likely it is that dogs have, and could pass on, genes related to various health conditions).

Ensure your dog’s diet is appropriate for their breed and growth stage.

Keep puppies at a lean, healthy weight and avoid rapid weight gain.

Ensure appropriate exercise, including plenty of low-impact activity, avoiding over-jumping or repetitive high-impact activities while bones are developing.

Creating a supportive environment, such as good bedding to cushion joints, non-slippery floors to avoid slips etc.

If you suspect your dog might have hip dysplasia, or you’re getting a puppy, talk to your vet about screening, what to look out for, and treatment options. The sooner you act, the better the outcome is likely to be.

Can hip dysplasia be cured in dogs?

No, sadly there’s no cure for hip dysplasia in dogs. Once the joint is malformed, that structural issue remains. But what can be done are things such as managing the pain, slowing the progression of damage, improving a dog’s comfort, and preserving their mobility. All this will ensure their quality of life is as good as possible.

Can a dog live a normal life with hip dysplasia?

Yes, many dogs live a good, happy life with hip dysplasia. ‘Normal’ may simply mean making some adjustments. For example, their activity might be different, they may need medication or physical therapy, and some days will be better than others.

Dogs with mild to moderate dysplasia that are managed well (weight control, appropriate exercise, pain relief etc) often maintain good mobility and comfort. Even dogs with more severe forms can benefit greatly from surgery, where feasible.

Does swimming help dogs with hip dysplasia?

Yes, swimming (hydrotherapy) is often recommended for dog’s with hip dysplasia. It’s a low impact exercise that allows movement and muscle building without putting too much stress on the joints. It can help strengthen supporting muscles, improve their range of motion, and reduce pain by keeping the dog active without jarring or over-loading the hip joint.

Can puppies get hip dysplasia?

Yes. Puppies can have hip dysplasia as the genetic risk is present from birth. However, clinical signs often don’t appear until they’re a bit older, say 6-12 months, when the stress on the joint increases, and bones, cartilage and ligaments are under more load.

Can a dog get hip dysplasia from an injury?

No, hip dysplasia is a genetic condition. But an injury to the hip joint or surrounding structures can worsen or speed up the degenerative changes in a dog that already has or is predisposed to the condition. For example, trauma could damage cartilage or ligaments, which increases instability or pain, triggering earlier or more severe arthritis.

Does hip dysplasia get worse over time?

Yes. Without management, hip dysplasia tends to get worse - joint wear, cartilage loss, inflammation and arthritis can all increase. And pain and mobility may gradually decline. However, with good care, the rate of progression can be slowed. Treatments aim to delay progression and maintain comfort.

Will pet insurance cover hip dysplasia?

It depends. Hereditary conditions, such as hip dysplasia, are typically treated as pre-existing conditions by insurers if your pet has shown signs of the condition or been diagnosed before you take out cover. Before taking out pet insurance, always read the terms carefully, ask specifically about hip dysplasia if it’s a concern, and get confirmation of what is and what’s not covered by the policy.

FAQs about hip dysplasia in dogs

Written by: Adam Jolley
Last reviewed on: 1 October 2025

About the Author

Adam Jolley is a writer specialising in insurance, personal finance, and pets. He’s worked for Confused.com and Admiral Insurance, and currently writes and edits for an online magazine. His strangest pet was a hissing cockroach. Now, he’s a proud cat dad to Penelope, affectionately known as Nelly.