What's the deal with a dog walking sideways?

There are many reasons why a dog might walk sideways. If the dog has been walking sideways since birth, it's more likely due to congenital cerebellar dysplasia, which causes poor balance and coordination in the four limbs. As long as it doesn't affect the dog's daily life, there's no need to worry too much. However, if the phenomenon suddenly appears recently, it could be caused by leg injuries, vision problems in one eye, spinal injuries, or brain diseases, etc. In this case, it's necessary to take the dog to the pet hospital promptly to check and treat accordingly.

1. Congenital cerebellar dysplasia

If the puppy has been walking sideways since birth, it may be due to congenital cerebellar dysplasia, which causes poor balance and coordination. As long as it doesn't affect the dog's normal life, there's no need for excessive intervention.

1. Leg injury

If the dog suddenly starts walking sideways after returning from a walk, it's possible that the dog's leg on the other side is injured, such as being scratched by a foreign object, having wounds or thorns on the paw, etc. This would cause the dog to lean towards one side, resulting in sideways walking. It is recommended to carefully check the dog's legs and paws for injuries and if confirmed, promptly clean and disinfect the wounds.

1. Vision problem in one eye

If the dog tends to bump into obstacles other than walking sideways, it could be due to a vision problem in one of its eyes. This causes the dog to be unable to see properly while walking normally, hence the sideways walking. It's advised to take the dog to the pet hospital to check if there's a possibility for treatment. If the prognosis is good, treatment should be undergone. If there's no chance of recovery, extra care should be taken to look after the dog.

1. Spinal injury

If the dog resisted being touched and showed signs of pain when the owner touched its spine, along with weakness in its limbs, it's possible that the dog has a spinal injury, which affects its motor function. In this case, it's necessary to take the dog to the pet hospital for examination and treatment as soon as possible, or the condition could worsen, leading to paralysis or even death.

1. Brain disease

If a dog has a brain disease, it may also walk sideways, such as brain tumors or brain hernias, which compress brain nerves, causing nerves to inability to normally control muscle movement, resulting in abnormal walking. Additionally, it could also cause symptoms like seizures, delayed response, muscle weakness, etc. It's recommended to seek medical attention promptly.