If you notice your dog’s joints cracking or making a popping sound, it’s natural to be concerned. You might be asking what could possibly be the cause. The thing to remember is our joints as humans do experience noises as well. Occasional cracking is not a cause for concern considering it’s not a serious issue, but anything beyond occasional might be.
We’ll answer the question of why do dogs’ joints crack and go over the potential causes. We’ll also provide you with tips on how you can provide your dog with the best approach to their joint health. This way, they’ll feel even more mobile even into their older years. Let’s begin with what you need to know.
What Could Cause Joint Cracking in Dogs?
Ask yourself “why do dogs’ joints crack” and it may be one of these many specific reasons. We’ll explain what they are and how they could trigger cracking on a regular or even frequent basis. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the following list:
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Gas Buildup in the Joints
Did you know that gas can build up in a dog’s joints? The cause of this might just astound you. That’s because the Synovial fluid in a dog's joints can contain dissolved gasses - specifically oxygen and nitrogen. While your dog moves, the joint pressure will change and cause the gasses to form bubbles and eventually pop (causing a cracking sound).
Do you know how we crack our knuckles? Yep, this is the exact thing happening. Or perhaps a similar sound that’s being created. While this is normal, it’s important to make sure that you place your dog’s joint health as a priority.
Here at Under The Weather, we have all kinds of supplements that you can choose from to help preserve your dog’s joint health. Choose from our Hemp Hip & Joint Soft Chews for Dogs or even our Collagen Soft Chews for dogs, both of which have the ability to promote health joints. For the collagen chews, your dog will also experience excellent digestion and immunity support.
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Age-Related Changes
Of course, we cannot go without mentioning age-related joint changes. This is normally due to natural wear and tear. When this happens, the cartilage inside of the joints may begin to degrade resulting in less smooth movement. That means there will be more audible joint cracking noises than normal.
Senior dogs will be prone to these noises considering that they may be dealing with degenerative joint conditions like arthritis. That’s why it is important to monitor your dog’s movements as they reach senior age (7+ for medium or large breeds, but around 9+ for smaller breeds).
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Rapid Growth in Large Breed Puppies
It’s no secret that puppies of a large breed will grow rapidly before they even reach a year of age. As such, this can lead to potential joint instability (albeit temporary) or alignment issues. As these occur, there may be cracking or popping sounds that can be heard coming from the joints. While such noises may be a cause for concern, sometimes this may not be the case.
The cracking and popping sounds can be signs that the joints are stabilizing as the puppy grows into an adult. Nevertheless, it’s never too early to get them on a plan where you can provide them with excellent joint health support that will last a long time with consistent use of supplements, a healthy diet, and regular exercise.
It’s always a good idea to consult with your puppy’s veterinarian if you wish to plan a regular routine that starts from their early life onward. During the puppy’s regular checkups, ask them questions on what kind of diet they should be on along with a regular activity plan. Large breeds may also experience joint issues as they get older, making it ideal to provide a healthy lifestyle for them as early as possible.
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Injury or Trauma
An injury can cause joints to make noises. Specifically, this may include sprains, misalignments caused by trauma, or even tears in ligaments. The important thing to keep an eye on is making sure the noises are not accompanied by any limping, swelling, or discomfort. If such signs are present with these joint noises, please consult your veterinarian immediately.
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Ligament and Tendon Movement
If the ligaments or tendons move over bony structures, odds are there will be cracking sounds that accompany it. The good news is that this will be normal in dogs who are typically active. Yet, the important thing to remember is that the repetitive and loud popping noises may be a cause for concern and should be addressed sooner rather than later.
The reason being is that it may be signs of an underlying issue. The sooner you are able to get your dog to the vet to address this issue, the better. That could potentially mean catching an issue so early that it may not affect their quality of life later on down the road.
When Should You Be Concerned About a Dog’s Joints Cracking?
As mentioned, the occasional joint cracking will be harmless. However, there may be other signs to look out for that may indicate a more serious problem. Why do dogs’ joints crack could be one of these reasons down below:
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Pain or discomfort: If you notice your dog yelping, wincing, or showing signs of discomfort there’s a good chance that it can be a sign of an underlying issue.
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Limping or lameness: If you notice any limping occurring on a persistent basis, this could be a sign of inflammation or either joint damage.
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Swelling: Any swelling around the joints could be signs of arthritis or injury.
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Stiffness: If there is difficulty moving after rest, there’s a good chance that joint problems may be the issue here.
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Frequent or loud cracking: These may require an evaluation from a vet to determine any potential conditions that might arise.
How to Support Your Dog’s Joint Health
The sooner you get started with getting your dog’s joint health on track, the better. That’s why it is important to ensure that you have a plan in place. Here are some strategies to implement moving forward:
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Provide a Balanced Diet
A balanced diet will be key in making sure your dog’s joint health is a priority. Make sure that the diet includes a rich blend of omega-3 fatty acids, essential nutrients, and antioxidants. All of these will work together to reduce inflammation and support cartilage health. Ask your dog’s veterinarian about what foods out there will include this blend in particular so they get the nutrients they need and more.
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Make Sure They Maintain a Healthy Weight
A healthy weight can be great for the joints. Excess weight, on the other hand, can be detrimental to them. In addition, it will also increase the risk of cracking sounds and discomfort. This is where portion control and regular exercise will come into play.
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Use Joint-Support Supplements
Supplements like MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin will be excellent for your dog. Don’t forget that Under the Weather has joint supplements that will be excellent for your dog including our Soft Chews. They are high in quality and made from natural ingredients that will all be supportive of your dog’s joints now and in the years to come.
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Make Regular Exercise a Priority
Low-impact activities like swimming or walking will be great for maintaining strong muscles and mobile joints. Keep the exercises to a moderate level to ensure that overexertion is avoided. Especially if your dog has reached senior age.
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Schedule Regular Veterinarian Appointments
It’s clear that regular veterinarian appointments should be scheduled. During every checkup, your dog’s joints will also be checked for health and mobility. You can also put yourself in the position to make sure any joint issues affecting your dog will be caught early. Conditions like hip dysplasia and arthritis can both be detected early, allowing your vet to recommend a management plan that will slow down the onset of the disorders.
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Provide Comfortable Bedding
Your dog’s current bed might not be ideal for their joints. That’s why it may be a good idea to consider orthopedic beds that are designed to relieve any pressure off of their joints. If your dog is older in age, find one that will be fitting for their size. These beds contain memory foam or similar materials that will not only reduce comfort but also stiffness as well.
Final Thoughts
Your dogs’ joints can crack for numerous reasons. Now that you have the information provided in this guide, you’ll be able to pinpoint what might be causing it in particular. Granted, it is important to take the necessary steps as soon as possible if your dog is of senior age. It starts with a visit to the vet to make sure that they are on a healthy diet and live a good lifestyle while treating potential conditions like arthritis and the like.
Under The Weather will also have you covered in making your dogs’ joint health a priority. Be sure to stop by our website today to see what’s available for their health needs and more.
