Some dog parents confuse arthritis with hip dysplasia but, unlike arthritis, hip dysplasia in dogs develops when a dog is young. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this condition.

What Is Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?

Canine hip dysplasia arises during a dog's juvenile growth phase and results from a malformed hip joint. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, hip dysplasia is the most common orthopedic condition in medium and large breed dogs, with an incidence rate of more than 70 percent in some pure breeds.

In dogs with canine hip dysplasia, parts of the hip joint grow at different rates, leading to instability and looseness. This instability allows excess movement and abnormal bony rubbing, which causes pain and even small fractures.

Signs of Canine Hip Dysplasia

One of the first clues your dog may be suffering from hip dysplasia is if they're reluctant to rise from a sitting or lying position. This behavior can be seen in puppies as young as a few months old but is most common in dogs less than 2 years old.

Lameness resulting from hip dysplasia in dogs is usually chronic and progresses slowly. Thus, lameness isn't always a primary sign of the condition. Instead, dogs may show signs of exercise intolerance or weakness. When your veterinarian examines your dog's hips, they'll watch for indicators of pain or resistance to pressure.

Your dog likely doesn't have hip dysplasia if their lameness begins suddenly or progresses rapidly, the lameness is severe, they can't move well on their rear legs or if they have an uncoordinated gait.

What Causes It?

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons explains that there are two primary causes of hip dysplasia in dogs: genetics and nutrition. While genetics determine whether a dog develops hip dysplasia, nutritional research shows that consuming food that's too high in calcium or calories also plays a role in the condition's development.

Although any dog can be affected, hip dysplasia is typically seen in larger dogs, such as German shepherds, Saint Bernards, mastiffs, rottweilers, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Old English sheepdogs and bulldogs . Mixed-breed dogs are also at risk.

If you have a medium, large or giant breed puppy, you can reduce their risk of developing the condition by feeding them a balanced puppy food designed for large breeds. Also, help them to avoid rapid weight gain during their first year of life. Make sure to talk to your veterinarian about your dog's food, and have them recommend one that would be best for your dog's growth and development.