TL;DR
A pulled muscle (muscle strain) in a dog usually shows as sudden limping after running, jumping, slipping or rough play, often in a back leg, with pain when the muscle is pressed or the leg is stretched. Most strains heal with rest, controlled exercise and pain relief from your vet: in 22 dogs with back-leg strains followed for an average of 577 days, 8 of the 15 dogs with follow-up recovered completely and most others improved, without surgery. The catch is that a strain is often not the only injury. In 72 agility dogs with a strain of the iliopsoas (a deep hip-flexor muscle), 74% had another injury at the same time, most often a cruciate ligament problem in the knee (28%). So a limp that does not settle within a few days of rest deserves a proper exam. For older dogs, keeping muscle strong is the best protection against the next strain.
Signs of a pulled muscle in dogs
| Sign | What you might notice |
|---|---|
| Sudden limp | After running, jumping, slipping on a floor or a game of chase |
| Toe-touching | Putting only part of the weight on a leg |
| Short stride | A shorter step on one side, or bunny-hopping with the back legs |
| Pain on touch | Flinching, licking or turning when you press the thigh, groin or shoulder |
| Swelling or heat | Sometimes over the muscle |
| Reluctance | Not wanting to jump, climb stairs or sit squarely |
| Stiffness | Worse after rest, easing a little with gentle movement |
The muscles most often strained are in the back legs: the inner thigh (adductors), the hip flexor (iliopsoas), and the hamstrings. In the 22-dog study, the hip adductor muscles were affected in 21 dogs, most dogs were large breeds, and only a few owners knew of a specific injury: 11 dogs simply came in with a sudden limp of unknown cause.
Pulled muscle or something worse?
Strains share signs with injuries that need different treatment:
- Cruciate ligament injury: sudden back-leg limp, often sitting with the leg out to the side. See hip dysplasia in dogs treatment for other hind-limb causes.
- Back pain or a slipped disc: a hunched back, wobbliness, scuffing toes, or weakness in both back legs. Long-backed breeds such as Dachshunds and corgis are at higher risk. See Dachshund lifespan.
- Fracture or dislocation: a dog that will not put the leg down at all.
- Arthritis flare-up in an older dog. See signs of arthritis in dogs.
In the agility study, iliopsoas strains came on their own in only 26% of dogs; 74% had another problem, including knee ligament instability (28%) and lower-back problems (24%). And in the 22-dog study, 11 dogs had previously had orthopedic surgery on the same leg.
See a vet the same day if your dog will not bear weight, cries out, has a leg at an odd angle, is weak or wobbly in both back legs, or cannot control its bladder.
How vets diagnose a strain
- Feeling and stretching each muscle to find the painful one.
- X-rays to rule out bone and joint problems.
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound, which shows the tear and its grade. In the agility study, 54% were grade I (mild), 22% grade II, 5% grade III (severe), and 18% showed chronic changes from older injury.
Treatment for a dog with a pulled muscle
All 22 dogs in the strain study were managed without surgery, using combinations of:
- Rest: leash walks only, no running, jumping, stairs or rough play, usually for several weeks.
- Anti-inflammatory pain relief prescribed by your vet. Never give human painkillers. See is my dog in pain.
- Muscle relaxants in some dogs.
- Physical therapy: gentle stretching, controlled leash walking and later strengthening exercises, ideally guided by a rehabilitation vet.
Then return to activity gradually. Going back to full running too soon is a common reason strains recur.
At home
- Cold pack wrapped in a towel for a few minutes at a time in the first day or two, if your dog accepts it.
- Non-slip rugs on smooth floors.
- Block stairs and furniture.
- Short, slow leash walks, building up week by week.
Older dogs and muscle strains
Older dogs strain muscles in everyday moments: slipping on a kitchen floor, jumping off the bed, or getting up awkwardly. Age-related muscle loss leaves less support around the joints. See muscle atrophy in dogs and older dog losing weight.
Ways to protect them:
- Keep them lean. Extra weight loads every muscle and joint. See obesity in dogs.
- Daily, steady walks rather than weekend bursts.
- Warm up with a few minutes of walking before play.
- Strength work: sit-to-stand repetitions, slow walking over poles, walking uphill.
- Enough protein to maintain muscle. See high-protein senior dog food.
Our Muscle Strength & Recovery Soft Chews provide 150 mg calcium HMB and 160 mg L-leucine per serving, two nutrients studied for maintaining muscle, as a daily add-on to exercise and a good diet. For what the dog studies on HMB show, see HMB for dogs. For joints, see green-lipped mussel for dogs: the evidence.
FAQ
How do I know if my dog pulled a muscle?
Sudden limping after activity, pain when you press the muscle, a shorter stride and reluctance to jump or climb are typical. A vet exam confirms it and checks for other injuries.
How long does a pulled muscle take to heal in a dog?
Mild strains can improve within weeks of strict rest; more severe strains can take months with rehabilitation. In the 22-dog study, most dogs improved or recovered fully with conservative care.
Should I walk my dog with a pulled muscle?
Only short, slow leash walks for toileting at first, building up gradually. No running, jumping or off-leash play until your vet says so.
Can I give my dog anything for a pulled muscle?
Only pain relief prescribed by your vet. Human painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen are dangerous for dogs.
Why does my dog keep straining the same muscle?
Returning to full activity too soon, an untreated injury in the same leg such as a cruciate ligament problem, or weak muscles. A full exam and a rehabilitation plan help.
References
- Nielsen C, Pluhar GE. Diagnosis and treatment of hind limb muscle strain injuries in 22 dogs. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology. 2005. PMID: 16594394
- Sack D, et al. Iliopsoas strain demographics, concurrent injuries, and grade determined by musculoskeletal ultrasound in 72 agility dogs. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research. 2023. PMID: 37397635
- Freeman LM. Cachexia and sarcopenia: emerging syndromes of importance in dogs and cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2012. PMID: 22111652
For individual health questions, your veterinarian remains the best partner.
