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Dog Sprains and Strains: Signs, Treatment and Recovery

By the Dog Health Handbook team · Updated · Fact-checked against current veterinary references (see sources)

Key takeaways

  • A sprain is a ligament injury; a strain (pulled muscle) is a muscle or tendon injury.
  • You can't reliably tell a sprain from a break at home; X-rays rule out fractures.
  • Mild sprains usually need 2 to 4 weeks of strict rest.
  • A "sprained knee" that doesn't improve is often a torn cruciate ligament.
  • See a vet if your dog isn't back to normal in 10 to 14 days.

Table of Contents

Research Signs Common sprains Sprain or break? Home care Vet treatment Recovery FAQ Sources

Canine Bone Joint and Muscle QuickLinks

Hip Surgery Knee Problems Torn ACL Luxating Patella Sprain Paw Sprain Limp Reader/Vet Q&A

A sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament, the tough band that holds bones together at a joint. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, often called a pulled muscle.1 Both usually happen when a dog twists a joint, steps in a hole, or jumps off furniture or stairs awkwardly, and both cause limping, stiffness and swelling.1 Mild sprains and strains often heal with a few weeks of strict rest, but a sprain can look a lot like a fracture or a torn knee ligament, so a limp that doesn't improve needs a vet.1,2,3 This guide covers the signs, how to tell a sprain from a break, home care, vet treatment and recovery.

See a vet right away if your dog:

  • Won't put any weight on the leg, or the leg looks deformed or is very swollen4,2
  • Was hurt in a fall, a fight or a car accident, or can't stand or walk4
  • Is in severe pain, or the limp is getting worse rather than better5

Don't give human pain relievers; they can be dangerous for dogs.6

What the Research Shows

  • Rest takes weeks, not days. Many soft-tissue injuries need 2 to 4 weeks of strict rest.1
  • Healed ligaments are weaker. A healed ligament is estimated to be only about 75% as strong as the original, which is why re-injury is common.7
  • Active dogs get hurt often. In surveys of agility dogs, roughly 28% to 42% had been injured.8,9 In the larger survey, the shoulder and iliopsoas (groin) were the most common sites.9
  • Groin strains often recur. 7.8% of 4,197 agility dogs had an iliopsoas injury; about a third of dogs with strains reported more than one, and 80% were back in sport within 6 months.10
  • Groin strains rarely come alone. In one study, 73.6% of dogs with an iliopsoas strain also had another orthopedic disease.11

Signs of a Sprain or Strain

  • Limping, or not putting full weight on a leg1
  • Swelling or warmth around a joint1
  • Stiffness, or trouble getting up or sitting down1
  • Reluctance to jump, climb stairs or play1
  • Crying out or flinching when the area is touched1

Groin (iliopsoas) strains in active dogs can show as a skipping or hopping gait, a "lazy" sit, a tucked tail or pelvis, and resistance to having the hip stretched back.12

Diagram of the ligaments of a dog's stifle (knee) joint
The dog's stifle (knee). Ligaments like these hold the joint together and can be stretched or torn.

Common Sprains and Strains in Dogs

  • Knee (stifle): what looks like a knee sprain is often a cruciate ligament tear. Most CCL tears come from gradual wear, not a single injury, and partial tears almost always progress.3 See torn ACL in dogs.
  • Wrist (carpus): a fall or jump onto the front legs can injure the wrist ligaments, sometimes causing the wrist to sink flat to the ground (carpal hyperextension).13,14
  • Groin (iliopsoas): a common strain in active and agility dogs.11,10
  • Shoulder: the most common injury site in agility dogs; biceps tenosynovitis mostly affects mature, large dogs.9,11
  • Toes and paw: see dog paw injuries.

Is My Dog's Leg Sprained or Broken?

You can't reliably tell at home. Fractures and sprains both cause limping, pain and swelling.2,1 A leg that is bent at an odd angle, won't bear any weight, or is extremely painful is more likely to be broken or dislocated, and needs a vet right away.4,2 Otherwise, X-rays are the only way to rule out a fracture.2

How to Care for a Sprained Leg at Home

For a mild limp where your dog is still using the leg, and after checking with your vet:

  • Strict rest. Leash walks only for the bathroom, with no running, jumping, stairs, furniture or play. A crate or small room helps.1,12
  • Cold packs in the first few days: a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin towel, for about 10 minutes, a few times a day.1,15
  • No home splints or tight wraps. A badly applied splint can do more harm than good.16
  • Only vet-prescribed pain relief. No over-the-counter NSAIDs are approved for pets, and human ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin and acetaminophen can cause stomach, kidney or liver damage.6

See a vet if your dog isn't improving a little each day, or isn't back to normal within 10 to 14 days.1

Vet Treatment

Your vet will examine the leg and may take X-rays to rule out a fracture or joint damage.2,1 Treatment for a sprain or strain usually means strict rest, prescribed anti-inflammatory pain relief, and sometimes a brace or physical therapy.1,7 Severe ligament tears, such as a complete cruciate rupture or a collapsed wrist, often need surgery.3,13 If your dog is on an NSAID, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, black stools, eating less or behavior changes, and call your vet if you see them.17

How Long Does a Sprain Take to Heal?

  • Mild sprains and strains: often 2 to 4 weeks of strict rest.1
  • Groin (iliopsoas) strains: at least 4 weeks of rest; in one small study the limp resolved after a median of 18 days with physiotherapy, and about half of agility dogs were back competing within 3 months and 80% within 6 months.11,18,10
  • Shoulder tendon injuries: at least 6 weeks of restricted activity, then a gradual return over another 4 to 6 weeks.11
  • After surgery such as a cruciate repair: about 8 to 12 weeks.1

Bring activity back gradually. Healed ligaments and muscles are weaker than before, and rushing back to full activity is a common cause of re-injury.7,12

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a dog's sprained leg heal on its own?

Mild sprains often heal with 2 to 4 weeks of strict rest. If your dog isn't improving within a few days, see your vet.

How can I tell if my dog's leg is sprained or broken?

You often can't. A leg that won't bear weight, looks deformed or is very painful needs an X-ray.

How long will a dog limp with a sprained leg?

Mild limps often improve within days, but full healing usually takes a few weeks. See a vet if it isn't back to normal in 10 to 14 days.

Can a dog walk on a sprained leg?

Many dogs can, with a limp, but walking should be limited to short leash walks while it heals.

What will a vet do for a sprained leg?

Examine it, possibly take X-rays, and prescribe rest and dog-safe pain relief. Severe tears may need surgery.

Can I put ice on my dog's sprained leg?

Yes. Use a cold pack wrapped in a thin towel for about 10 minutes, a few times a day, in the first few days.

What is a pulled muscle in a dog?

A strain: a stretch or tear in a muscle or tendon, often the groin (iliopsoas) muscle in active dogs.

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Sources and further reading

This article was rewritten and fact-checked on October 16, 2026 against current veterinary references and specialist guidelines:

  1. Boldan M. Sprains and strains in dogs. PetMD, 2023 (veterinarian-written).
  2. Chou P-Y. Bone fractures in dogs and cats. MSD Veterinary Manual, November 2025.
  3. American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Cranial cruciate ligament disease. ACVS, 2026.
  4. VCA Urgent Care. Pain or limping. VCA Animal Hospitals.
  5. Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. Recognizing a pet emergency. Pet Talk, 2019.
  6. US Food and Drug Administration. Get the facts about pain relievers for pets. FDA, 2022.
  7. Hamilton M. Ligament and musculotendinous injuries in dogs. Veterinary Practice.
  8. Evanow JA, VanDeventer GM, Dinallo GK, et al. Internet survey of participant demographics and risk factors for injury in competitive agility dogs. VCOT Open, 2021.
  9. Pechette Markley A, Shoben A, Kieves NR. Frequency and types of injuries experienced by dogs competing in agility competitions (abstract). American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
  10. Fry LM, Kieves NR, Shoben AB, et al. Internet survey evaluation of iliopsoas injury in dogs participating in agility competitions. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2022.
  11. Barnes K. Muscular trauma in dogs and cats. Merck Veterinary Manual, May 2026.
  12. Ethos Veterinary Health. Iliopsoas muscle strains in dogs. 2019 (specialty hospital).
  13. Barnes C, Barnette C. Carpal hyperextension in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals.
  14. Lafuente P. Joint trauma in dogs and cats. Merck Veterinary Manual, December 2025.
  15. Saunders DG. Rehab Rx: early rehabilitation modalities and exercises. Today's Veterinary Practice, 2012.
  16. American Veterinary Medical Association. Pet first aid (client brochure). AVMA, 2025.
  17. US Food and Drug Administration. Controlling pain and inflammation in your dog: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. FDA, 2025.
  18. Spinella G, Davoli B, Musella V, Dragone L. Observational study on lameness recovery in 10 dogs affected by iliopsoas injury and submitted to a physiotherapeutic approach. Animals, 2021.

About this article

Last updated : fully rewritten using Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA, ACVS and peer-reviewed research on sprains, strains and recovery in dogs; added a research summary and FAQ.

This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam by your veterinarian.