Bunny Hopping Gait in Dogs

A bunny hopping gait is a movement pattern where your dog pushes off with both back legs at the same time, rather than alternating them normally. Some dogs only do this when running fast, while others show it when climbing stairs, jumping into the car, or getting up from rest. It is not a diagnosis by itself. Instead, it is a clue that the hips, knees, lower back, or surrounding muscles may not be moving comfortably or normally.

Hip dysplasia is one of the classic causes of bunny hopping in dogs. Merck and Cornell both describe bunny hopping as a common sign in dogs with canine hip dysplasia, along with stiffness, trouble rising, reduced activity, and hind-end lameness. Still, hip dysplasia is not the only possibility. Dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease, patellar luxation, iliopsoas injury, osteoarthritis, or lumbosacral disease can also change how they use their back legs.

Some dogs show this gait only occasionally, especially after hard play or long walks. Others develop it gradually over months as arthritis or joint instability progresses. Young large-breed dogs may show it early if they have developmental hip disease, while middle-aged or senior dogs may develop it later from arthritis or spinal problems. A pet parent may also notice swaying hips, shortened stride length, or reluctance to jump.

Because the causes range from manageable orthopedic soreness to more serious joint or neurologic disease, it is worth having your vet assess the pattern rather than watching it for too long at home. Early evaluation can help identify whether your dog needs conservative monitoring, standard medical treatment, or advanced imaging and surgery planning.

The most common cause many vets think about first is hip dysplasia. In this condition, the hip joint develops abnormally and becomes loose, which can lead to pain, inflammation, and later osteoarthritis. Merck notes that affected dogs may have pain, reduced range of motion, and a bunny-hopping gait. Cornell also lists bunny hopping when running as a common sign. Large-breed dogs are affected most often, but any dog can develop it.

Other orthopedic causes matter too. Cranial cruciate ligament disease is the leading cause of hindlimb lameness in dogs and can make a dog shift weight abnormally through the back end. Patellar luxation more often causes a skipping gait, but some dogs with chronic knee instability or multiple hind-end issues can look stiff, hop, or move both rear legs together during bursts of activity. Osteoarthritis from aging, prior injury, or joint disease can also change stride length and make a dog avoid full hip or knee extension.

Soft tissue and spinal problems are also on the list. Iliopsoas injury can cause soreness in the groin and altered hindlimb use, especially in athletic dogs. Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis can cause pain, pelvic limb weakness, lameness, tail weakness, and difficulty using the hind legs. In some dogs, what looks like bunny hopping is really compensation for lower back pain or nerve compression rather than a primary hip problem.

Less common causes include hip luxation after trauma, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in small breeds, developmental orthopedic disease in puppies, and neurologic disorders that affect coordination. That is why your vet will look at the whole dog, not only the hips. The same gait pattern can come from very different underlying problems.

See your vet immediately if your dog cannot bear weight on a back leg, cries out in pain, suddenly becomes weak, drags the toes, seems wobbly, or has trouble urinating or defecating. Those signs can point to a serious orthopedic injury, spinal disease, or nerve compression. Emergency care is also important after a fall, car injury, or other trauma.

Schedule a prompt visit within a few days if the bunny hopping is new, happens often, is getting worse, or is paired with stiffness after rest, trouble rising, reluctance to jump, reduced exercise tolerance, or visible muscle loss in the hind legs. Even if your dog still seems happy, chronic compensation can allow pain and arthritis to progress.

Young dogs should also be checked sooner rather than later, especially large-breed puppies and adolescents. Developmental conditions such as hip dysplasia may first show up as awkward running, swaying hips, or bunny hopping. Early diagnosis can open more treatment options and help your vet guide exercise, body condition, and long-term joint care.

If the gait change is mild and only happens once, you can limit activity and monitor closely for 24 hours. But if it returns, persists, or your dog seems uncomfortable, book an exam. A movement change is often one of the earliest signs that something in the hips, knees, or spine is not right.

Your vet will start with a full history and physical exam. Expect questions about when the gait started, whether it is worse after exercise or rest, whether your dog has trouble with stairs or jumping, and whether there has been any injury. During the exam, your vet will watch your dog walk and trot, feel the hips and knees, check range of motion, and look for pain, muscle loss, joint instability, or neurologic deficits.

Radiographs are often the next step, especially if hip dysplasia, arthritis, hip luxation, or other bony disease is suspected. Cornell notes that hip dysplasia is diagnosed with X-rays plus physical examination and palpation, and that sedation or anesthesia is commonly needed for proper positioning. VCA also states that hip radiographs under anesthesia are the preferred method for diagnosing hip dysplasia. If the problem seems to involve the stifle, your vet may check for cranial cruciate instability or patellar luxation during the exam.

Some dogs need more than standard X-rays. PennHIP or OFA-style hip imaging may be discussed in younger dogs or breeding dogs. If lower back disease is suspected, plain radiographs may be used first, but Merck notes that definitive diagnosis of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis may require MRI, CT, or other advanced imaging. Athletic dogs with suspected muscle injury may need ultrasound or referral for sports medicine evaluation.

Diagnosis is about finding the cause, not only naming the gait. Once your vet knows whether the issue is hip, knee, muscle, arthritis, or spine related, they can outline conservative, standard, and advanced treatment options that fit your dog’s needs and your family’s goals.

Until your dog is seen, keep activity controlled. Use leash walks for bathroom breaks, avoid rough play, and limit jumping on and off furniture or into vehicles. Slippery floors can make hind-end problems look worse, so rugs or traction runners can help. If stairs are unavoidable, use slow, supported movement. Do not start human pain medicines, because many are dangerous for dogs.

Watch for patterns. Note whether the bunny hopping happens only when running, after exercise, first thing in the morning, or all the time. Also track any limping, toe dragging, swaying hips, trouble rising, or reluctance to climb stairs. Short videos taken from the side and from behind can be very helpful for your vet, especially if the gait change comes and goes.

Body condition matters more than many pet parents realize. Merck and Cornell both emphasize weight control and physical therapy as important parts of managing joint disease and osteoarthritis. Even modest excess weight increases stress on painful hips and knees. Ask your vet for a realistic target weight and an exercise plan that protects muscle without overloading sore joints.

After diagnosis, home care often becomes a long-term routine rather than a one-time fix. That may include medication given exactly as prescribed, rehab exercises, controlled walks, ramps, supportive bedding, and regular rechecks. Contact your vet sooner if your dog becomes less active, stops using a leg, seems painful, or develops weakness or bathroom accidents.