Hip dysplasia in dogs: early signs, weight management and treatment options

Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition where the hip joint forms loosely, leading to instability, abnormal wear and eventually osteoarthritis. It is most common in larger breeds — Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers — but I see it across the size spectrum, including in cats.

Signs usually appear in one of two windows. Young dogs (5–12 months) may show a 'bunny-hopping' run, stiffness after rest, reluctance to climb stairs or jump, and difficulty rising. Older dogs more often present with the arthritis the dysplasia has caused: slowing on walks, muscle loss over the hindquarters, and grumpiness when hips are touched.

Diagnosis is by examination and radiographs. In young dogs, X-rays also screen for surgical options that only exist while the skeleton is immature — so if your puppy of an at-risk breed is moving oddly, don't wait for them to 'grow out of it'.

The single most powerful management tool costs nothing: keep the dog lean. Excess weight multiplies the load on an already abnormal joint, and studies consistently show lean dysplastic dogs have less pain and later onset of arthritis. Combine with regular low-impact exercise — swimming and controlled lead walks rather than weekend-warrior sprints and ball launching.

Medical management includes joint supplements, appropriate pain relief when needed, and physiotherapy — structured rehab genuinely maintains muscle and function. Surgical options range from juvenile procedures to total hip replacement for severe cases, and are worth discussing early rather than as a last resort.

If you are choosing a puppy of a predisposed breed, ask the breeder for the parents' hip scores. Responsible breeding has reduced this disease substantially in well-managed populations.