Dangerous Risks of Dogs Climbing Stairs: What You Need
Let's delve back into these two myths. The first one has already taken a tragic toll on countless canines, leading to dire consequences. It's a swift method of selfdestruction: the owner simply throws the dog into the water, and the poor pup flails a couple of times before "finishing" the act. The second is an ongoing saga, akin to a slowacting poison, with a long潜伏期 and excruciating pain. Initially, it's almost undetectable, and the owner might even feel a sense of pride, occasionally engaging in a race with their furry friend down the hallway.
However, unlike humans who can walk upright, dogs are bound to their fourlegged existence. Their body structure dictates that they must walk on all fours, which means that when they climb stairs, their four legs are on different levels. To ascend, they must bend and arch their backs, exerting great effort to leap upwards, just to complete the climb.
While climbing stairs does provide a good workout for a dog's legs, shoulders, and waist muscles, especially the noticeable changes in the hind legs, it's not all good news. In fact, for some dogs, particularly senior canines, overweight pets, and those with long backs and short legs, the drawbacks far outweigh the benefits. Take Corgis, for instance; their long backs make them prone to intervertebral disc disease if they frequently climb stairs.
Moreover, many Corgi puppies are quite chubby. When descending stairs, their front legs must bear the entire weight, which is incredibly painful for them. Over time, you might notice your dog struggling with the stairs, frequently stopping to rest. Initially, you might think they're just being lazy, wanting to be carried up like a child. But as time goes on, you'll see them refusing to climb, sitting motionless, watching you with a look of resignation.
At this point, the dog is already suffering from excessive wear on their hip joints and related conditions, such as limping, reduced mobility, or even howling in pain due to the discomfort. Yet, we remain oblivious to the source of this suffering, which is, in fact, our own actions.
Which dogs should never climb stairs?
It's not as simple as saying all dogs should avoid stairs, as each dog is an individual. However, if a dog does need to climb stairs daily, it's crucial to ensure they receive adequate calcium supplementation!
Especially for senior dogs, overweight pets, and shortlegged breeds, they not only need calcium but also chondroitin to prevent hip dysplasia and other joint issues. If you're a welltodo pet owner, consider investing in a dogspecific electric staircase, as recommended by Pet Encyclopedia.
Pet Encyclopedia MiniTip:
Under normal circumstances, allowing dogs to climb stairs can be an effective way to exercise their bodies. However, most apartment staircases have a depth of 2528 centimeters and a height of over 20 centimeters, which is not suitable for dogs. Therefore, it's best to minimize the number of times your dog uses the stairs on their own.
