Growing pains in dogs

Just like humans, dogs can also experience growing pains. Growing pains in dogs are also known as enostosis and are mainly seen in fast-growing medium and large dog breeds up to around 18 months of age. Fortunately, this unpleasant condition eventually goes away on its own once the dog has finished growing, but that does not mean your four-legged friend cannot suffer greatly from it during puppyhood. In this blog, we explain how growing pains develop in dogs, how to recognize them, how they are treated, and how you can try to prevent them.

How do growing pains develop?

As much as we would like them to, our beloved four-legged friends unfortunately do not stay small forever (depending on the breed, of course, although smaller dog breeds grow into adults too 😉) and will eventually grow into beautiful adult dogs. As dogs grow, their bones grow too: they become longer and thicker, which also increases the bones’ nutritional needs. Bones are supplied with blood, which is carried to and from them through arteries and veins via nutrient canals running through the bone. Fast-growing dogs of medium to large breeds are more likely to experience growth spurts. During these growth spurts, the nutrient canal in the bone may not be able to keep up with the growth, meaning too many blood vessels pass through a canal that is too small. This compresses the veins, making it much more difficult for the blood to drain away. The blood will therefore seek another way out, causing fluid to accumulate between the bone and the periosteum. This makes the periosteum extremely sensitive and it may even partially detach from the bone. The pressure that develops on the periosteum is extremely painful for the dog. This is what we call growing pains.

What symptoms are associated with growing pains?

You can recognize growing pains in a young dog by lameness. The dog may be lame in one leg, but several legs may also be affected. It may even be that the dog is lame in one leg one day and another leg the next. Growing pains can appear suddenly and often vary in intensity. In addition to lameness, dogs may also become less energetic and lethargic. If the dog is in severe pain, they may express it by whimpering, crying, or suddenly biting. Fever and a reduced appetite can also be symptoms of growing pains.

How do you know if your dog has growing pains?

If you suspect that your dog has growing pains, it is advisable to visit the vet. Because lameness in (young) dogs can have several causes, the vet will perform a physical examination. During this examination, the vet will apply direct pressure to the periosteum. An X-ray is also often taken to confirm the diagnosis. An X-ray clearly shows the fluid accumulation between the bone and the periosteum. This allows the vet to determine whether the dog has growing pains.

How are growing pains treated?

Although growing pains eventually go away as the dog gets older, they can be extremely unpleasant for the dog. Growing pains can be treated in several ways. Painkillers and an adjusted exercise schedule are examples of short-term solutions. Keep in mind that painkillers do not address the cause of the growing pains, but they do help the dog live more comfortably.

Another solution is to change the dog’s food. Switching to food specially formulated for young, fast-growing dog breeds helps slow down the bones’ growth spurt somewhat. The right calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and added glucosamine and chondroitin are very important here. The latter helps support the joints.

How can you prevent growing pains?

Growing pains in young dogs can be prevented by giving your puppy the right food from the very beginning, suited to their age and size. Every puppy is fed puppy food up to the age of 3 months. Do you have a dog from a breed with an adult weight of more than 25 kilos? Then, from 3 months of age, your puppy can switch to junior large breed food. Riverwood Junior Large Breed food is a balanced food specially formulated for young, fast-growing dog breeds. This variety contains the right calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and is also enriched with extra glucosamine and chondroitin.

In addition to having the right calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and containing added glucosamine and chondroitin, Junior Large Breed also differs from ‘regular’ puppy food in its fat content and kibble size. Are you curious about the exact differences between puppy food and junior large breed food? We wrote a blog about it earlier, which you can read here.

What is the prognosis for growing pains?

Fortunately, the prognosis for growing pains in young dogs is good, because the pain disappears once the dog has finished growing (around 1.5 years of age). Until then, it is important to give your puppy the right food. In cases of extreme pain, painkillers may also be given temporarily.

Many dogs already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you like your dog to enjoy our delicious foods too, and are you curious which variety would suit your dog best? Answer a few questions here and order an affordable trial pack right away.