Puppy Bones

We've made so much reference in the last few weeks to the development of puppy bones, and the importance of limiting physical activity, especially the climbing of stairs, jumping on/off furniture, and allowing of rigorous play for extended periods.

I'm going to share with you this write-up, as it has been shared on the internet for quite some time now, and does a wonderful job of explaining what I may not be so gracefully.

It's fairly short, so have a quick read. Then go hug all your babies good night for me. It's eerily quiet around here without the background noise of wrestling puppies!

PUPPY BONES by C. Beuchat

The joints still have far to go at the time puppies are sent to new homes and are not ossified until about 5 months.

When you get your 8-10 week-old puppies, please keep these images in mind. Although this photo is a very young puppy, it's to show how much has yet to be formed. Their bones do not even touch yet. They plod around so cutely with big floppy paws and wobbly movement because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons, ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together or has a true socket yet.

When you run them excessively or don't restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it during this period you don't give them a chance to grow properly. Every big jump or excited, bouncing run causes impacts between the bones. In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in.

But when you're letting puppy jump up and down off the lounge or bed, take them for long walks/hikes, you are damaging that forming joint. When you let the puppy scramble on tile with no traction, you are damaging the joint.

You only get the change to grow them once. A well built body is something that comes from excellent breeding and a great upbringing - BOTH, not just one.

Once grown, you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher impact exercise. So keep it calm while they're still little baby puppies, and give the gift that can only be given once.

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A bit of back-story: This is a baby puppy who had a knock to his elbow and wasn't using it properly, so he was taken to the vet. There is nothing wrong in these x-rays, thankfully it is a soft tissue injury and he is expected to be fine.

(Carol Lees)