Wellness Wednesday: How Does Jumping Affect Your Dog?

Sponsored by YuMOVE

There is a lot written about how to help keep our dogs feeling healthy and happy. Some of it is based on science, and some is based on hearsay; it can be difficult to tell fact from fiction, making things all a little bit confusing. That’s where we come in! Our technical experts have broken down a guide to joints and jumping to help you make the best choices for your paw-legged pooch.

The basics of dogs and jumping

Historically, dogs and their wild cousins have had to leap and jump to survive. However, with our domesticated dogs, it's a question of surfaces, load, scale, strain, repetition and how these affect the body.

It’s useful to think about the act of jumping from a dog’s perspective – understanding what’s happening physically helps us understand how and why different kinds of jumping affect our dog’s joints.

What happens when a dog jumps up?

When your pooch prepares to take off, they shift their weight back into the large muscles of the back legs and onto the back-leg joints. The activated back end pushes your dog up and forward like a coiled spring that has been released.

This action requires a full range of motion in the back leg joints including the stifle and the hip and tarsal (hock), and of course, activation in all the supporting muscles. When they land, their front legs are mobilized, flexing and extending to brake and steady the dog.

Though these movements are perfectly normal and natural, as you can imagine, it takes more out of your dog’s joints than walking or running around on flat ground. Vets refer to the additional stress on the body as "increased load."

What happens when a dog jumps down?

The act of jumping down involves less muscular work. When getting down off the couch or bed, your dog uses their body weight for downward momentum. Once they land, they’ll then ”brake” through the front section of their body. Their front legs and shoulders abruptly take much more weight and strain than if walking or running on flat ground, especially if your pooch is carrying an extra pound or two. Again, this is "increased load" at work.

How do different surfaces affect your dog?

This is a BIG factor. Jumping from hard to soft – or soft to slippery – adds another layer of complexity. Your dog has to counter slippery surfaces with their own muscles, or may risk toppling over on impact. This can cause what’s called "eccentric contractions," leading to possible twists, strains and sprains.

Just imagine jumping from a high wall onto a soft mattress and trying to stay on your feet when you land. Clutter, slippery floors and rugs can also cause problems. Twisting or straining on landing to avoid hazards will mean more work for the muscles and joints.

Is your dog’s breed and size a factor?

Yes. If your dog is a toy or miniature, they may have to jump twice or three times their height to join you for a snuggle. Some breeds and mixes are more prone to accidents and incidents, and obesity plays a part too. Unfortunately, if your dog is carrying a bit too much weight, their joints take the stress, which can make a risky action even more problematic.

Using this newfound knowledge, you can now more aware of the factors to consider when your dog jumps onto different surfaces and everyday situations.

For more information and advice on joint health visit yumove.com. YuMOVE is the United Kingdom’s #1 Veterinary Joint Supplement* that helps ease aches and discomfort associated with training and competition. It is proven to sooth stiffness, support long-term joint health and help mobility. 

*Kynetec VetTrack January 2020. Sales of YuMOVE branded products through veterinary wholesalers.