What to do if your dog is walking sideways

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

A dog may be walking sideways for a variety of reasons, ranging from harmless to severe. Knowing how to identify an abnormal gait and observe for signs of injury or illness can help an owner to know when to seek prompt veterinary care. If you’re a dog owner, read on to learn:

• Causes of a sideways gait in dogs
• How the cause of walking sideways is diagnosed and treated
• What to do if your dog is walking abnormally

Walking sideways is not necessarily an emergency, but it may occur during one, especially if it happens along with other symptoms, like the inability to walk normally, collapse, severe vomiting, or labored breathing. It’s always best to seek veterinary care when a dog’s gait appears abnormal, just in case something is seriously wrong. Common causes of walking sideways in dogs include toxin ingestion, vestibular disease, ear infection, head trauma, and various other health issues. These conditions may also cause loss of balance, head tilt, uncoordinated movements, and other signs of illness.

A dog’s ability to walk normally is regulated primarily by the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Any abnormality to either of these systems has the potential to cause a dog to walk sideways.

A sideways gait in dogs can have multiple appearances, depending on the underlying cause. It can look like:

• Uncoordinated, seemingly “drunk” movements
• Frequently falling over
• Difficulty or inability to stand
• Walking in circles
• Signs of excitement while walking sideways

Some dogs may walk or run sideways when they’re excited or playing, as dogs often rely on movement and body language to communicate. Each dog is a unique individual and has their own personality. Dogs can engage in different behaviors, including voluntarily walking sideways from time to time, for any number of reasons. Most commonly, they simply think it’s fun, or they receive a desired reaction from their owners, such as attention, praise, or laughter.

“If your dog is walking sideways, observe them closely for clues as to why,” states Dr. Jo Myers. “They may be simply excited, or they may have an underlying condition.” If they appear to do it voluntarily and only do it from time to time, it’s unlikely to be a sign of illness.

In cases where a sideways gait is caused by a health issue, it’s likely to be consistent and leave the dog unable to walk normally.  Other signs of illness may be present, and the dog may not appear to be playing. There are a variety of medical issues that can cause balance issues or changes in gait that vary widely in severity from harmless to potentially life-threatening.

Vestibular disease

Vestibular disease describes a group of conditions that occur when the vestibular apparatus in the neurological system is malfunctioning. The vestibular apparatus helps maintain balance, coordination, and a dog’s sense of where they are relative to gravity. As a result, dogs with vestibular disease often walk sideways or in circles, fall over, and have abnormal, rapid eye movements (nystagmus).

Vestibular syndrome is common in dogs and can be caused by:

• Middle or inner ear infections or inflammation
• Nasal or ear canal tumors, growths, or polyps
• Hypothyroidism
• Head trauma
• Cancer
• Stroke

In younger dogs, up to 50 percent of cases are due to an inner or middle ear infection. Many cases of vestibular disease in senior dogs are idiopathic, meaning there’s no identifiable cause. Vestibular disease in dogs is not usually an emergency, but it can present with sudden, alarming symptoms. Prompt veterinary attention is recommended any time a dog suddenly has trouble walking.

Paw or joint pain

Some dogs may walk abnormally due to pain in their limbs, joints, or paws. When a dog avoids putting weight on a painful limb, they may walk sideways or at a diagonal as a result. This can be due to:

• Paw pad burns, abrasions, or foreign body
• Elbow or hip dysplasia
• Osteoarthritis
• Broken, strained, or sprained limbs

Exposure to toxins

Exposure to various human foods, plants, medications, and household products can lead to neurological symptoms such as incoordination and difficulty walking (ataxia), which may give the appearance of walking sideways. Common toxins include:

• Chocolate
• Xylitol
• Human medications such as antidepressants and NSAIDs
• Alcohol
• Antifreeze
• Pesticides
• Cannabis

It’s important to seek veterinary care if you think your dog has been exposed to a toxin, even if no other clinical signs are present.

Infectious disease

Infectious diseases can lead to neurological symptoms and difficulty walking in dogs. These can include:

• Canine distemper
• Toxoplasmosis
• Tick-borne diseases
• Rabies

Infectious diseases that cause neurological issues in dogs often have additional clinical signs, such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite.

Other medical conditions

Other medical issues can lead to difficulty walking and a sideways gait. Some of these might include:

• Spinal developmental disorders or injury
• Spinal or brain tumor
• Dementia (cognitive dysfunction)
• Liver disease
• Stroke

These conditions range in severity and typically have additional symptoms.

Depending on the underlying cause, a dog may have other clinical signs in addition to a sideways gait, such as:

• Rapid, involuntary eye movement (nystagmus)
• Head tilt
• Uncoordinated movements
• Head pressing
• Muscle tremors or seizures
• Dragging paws or “knuckling” when walking
• Signs of pain
• Other signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy
• Other behavioral changes, such as aggression or anxiety

It’s important to seek veterinary care if a dog’s gait changes, even if no other symptoms are present.

When a dog presents walking sideways, a veterinarian may recommend an approach that includes:

• Thorough physical exam and patient history
• Neurological examination
• Blood tests
• Urinalysis
• Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans
• Spinal tap

Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause. Not all causes of a sideways gait require medical treatment. When treatment is indicated, it may include symptomatic care as well as something to target the underlying problem, including:

• Oral or topical ear antibiotics, antifungals, or anti-inflammatories
• Supportive care
• Treatment of any injuries or toxicosis
• Surgery
• Treatment of other underlying health conditions and infectious disease
• Palliative care

Prognoses vary between underlying causes.

Is a dog walking sideways an emergency?

Walking sideways may not itself indicate an emergency, but it may occur along with other symptoms that do, such as:

• Muscle tremors or seizures
• Signs of severe injury
• Paralysis of limbs
• Labored breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea

If your dog is displaying any of these symptoms, seek emergency care.

It’s always best to get prompt veterinary care when a dog is walking abnormally, even if there are no other obvious symptoms. An online vet can help triage, observe symptoms, and give advice on whether the symptoms may indicate a potential emergency.

If your dog is walking sideways, in circles, or in another abnormal way, note if the gait change:

• Occurred suddenly or developed over time
• Is constant or intermittent
• Is accompanied by additional symptoms
• Appears to be involuntary, or seems to be behavioral (just part of play)

It’s also important to note if your dog could have been injured or exposed to a toxin. These considerations can help a veterinarian with the diagnostic process and determine what’s causing symptoms. A video of the symptoms may also be helpful, as a dog may hide them when at a vet’s office. Seek emergency care right away if:

• The change in gait is accompanied by emergency symptoms or signs of illness
• The dog may have been severely injured
• The dog may have been exposed to a poison or toxin
• The dog has another underlying health condition

Why is my dog walking sideways all of a sudden?

A dog may walk sideways for many reasons, such as playful behavior, vestibular disease, an injury to the leg or paw, exposure to a toxin, or another underlying health condition. Observe for additional symptoms, signs of injury, or possible access to toxins. It’s best to seek veterinary attention any time your dog has a sudden change in gait.

What does it mean when a dog walks sideways?

A dog may choose to walk sideways from time to time due to excitement or playful behavior. However, dogs may also be unable to walk normally due to injury, neurological issues, infectious diseases, and other health issues. If your dog is suddenly walking sideways, it’s best to get veterinary attention.

Why is my dog walking sideways and falling over?

A sudden sideways gait accompanied by a lack of coordination or balance can indicate a health issue such as vestibular syndrome, infectious disease, or toxin exposure. Causes range in severity, so it’s best to seek prompt veterinary care in case there’s a serious underlying condition causing the symptoms.