Have you ever seen a video of a dog falling down stairs on social media? Pet parents often post these clips to get a laugh. While a harmless slip-and-fall may look cute or funny, in more serious instances dogs can suffer injuries like sprains, fractures, and even dental trauma.
A 2012 report from Veterinary Pet Insurance rated soft tissue trauma — which can result from incidents like falls — as the most common condition resulting in an accident-related insurance claim (1). The report states, “Causes of soft tissue trauma included injuries resulting from falling, running and jumping and are more commonly seen in large breeds or overweight pets.”
More recent industry data from Global Market Insights illustrates the growth of pet insurance coverage for accidents and injuries (2). In 2022, the accident-only policy coverage segment of the pet insurance industry was valued at over $200 million. This policy type insures pets in events such as bone fractures and other injuries that could result from a dog falling down stairs.
Dangers of Falling Down Stairs for Dogs
A senior dog falling down stairs, or even a puppy falling down stairs, can be subject to serious injury. While the most common might be a strain or a sprain, things could be much worse, depending on the severity of the fall.
“In mild cases, a tumble down the stairs can cause some bruising,” says Dr. Valerie Savino, an ER veterinarian at VEG ER for Pets in San Ramon, CA. “In more severe cases, pets can tear a ligament, break a bone, or sustain a spinal injury that could cause paralysis.” In rare cases, she says, a tumble down the stairs can cause brain injury, which can be fatal.
Falling on the stairs can result in:
- Bruising
- Sprains
- Broken bones
- Fractured bones
- Torn ligaments
- Spinal injuries
- Paralysis
- Neck injuries
- Head trauma
With that in mind, let’s examine some of the reasons a dog may be slipping on the stairs or sustaining a fall.
Why Dogs Fall Down the Stairs: 5 Common Reasons
Dogs can experience slips or falls on stairs for a variety of reasons, including health issues, environmental conditions, and age-related changes, says Dr. Athena Gaffud, a board-certified veterinarian based in the Cagayan Valley of the northern Philippines.
Health Issues
“Health problems such as vestibular disease, which disrupts balance, and arthritis, which causes joint pain and stiffness, can significantly affect a dog’s ability to traverse stairs safely,” she says.
The Environment
Environmental factors also play a role, according to Dr. Gaffud. For instance: slippery surfaces, poor lighting, cluttered stairways, or overgrown toenails that get in the way of proper traction.
Sedation
Recently sedated or post-surgery animals may have reduced caution and reduced ability to steady themselves on stairs, adds Dr. Savino.
Physicality
Every dog has a unique anatomy to take into account. “Dogs with elongated backs can have difficulty positioning themselves comfortably to walk up and down stairs and are at risk for spinal issues like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) that walking on stairs can aggravate,” she says. “Any animal missing a limb is less able to stabilize themselves and is at increased risk of injury on stairs.”
Play
Finally, playing on the stairs can be a problem. This includes roughhousing or even just playing fetch on stairs. This can be dog-dependent, points out Dr. Savino, as more excitable animals are prone to losing their inhibition when distracted by play.
What to Do If Your Dog Falls Down the Stairs
If your dog fell down stairs, don’t panic. “Remain calm and give your dog some space,” says Dr. Elizabeth McCalley, owner and founder of ZumiVet, a mobile veterinary practice in San Diego. Allow your dog the chance to try to get up on their own. This gives you a moment to observe them, and see if any serious injuries were sustained.
According to Dr. Savino, a dog is in pain if they are:
- Crying out
- Guarding themselves from being touched
- Limping
- Shaking
- Reluctant to move
In any of these cases, see a veterinarian for a full exam, control of pain, and emergency stabilization if needed.
You need to see an emergency veterinarian immediately if your pet is:
- Acting confused
- Dull
- Not moving at all
“Remember that in any scary event like falling down stairs, animals release large amounts of adrenaline that can numb the pain and ultimately cause the animal to seem less injured than they are,” adds Dr. Savino. This makes a full exam by a veterinary professional especially important.
Put yourself in your dog’s shoes. If they are in pain, there may be a risk of aggression. On the other hand, your dog could be in shock, which is a sign to get them to their veterinarian right away, says Dr. Gaffud.
Indicators of shock include:
- Rapid pulse
- Pale gums
- Notable weakness
“If there is external bleeding, gently applying pressure with a clean cloth can help control it,” says Dr. Gaffud. “During transport, keeping the dog warm and as still as possible can help prevent further injury.”
Unfortunately, there aren’t specific parameters to know how severe a pet’s fall is and tell 100% if they’re okay, says Dr. Savino. Her rule of thumb for pet parents: If you ever question whether to call a vet, call one.
This is especially important if your dog fell down several steps, is very old, or has a chronic illness such as a bleeding disorder (called thrombocytopenia), adds Dr. McCalley.
Stair Safety Tips for Dogs
There are two major factors to consider when dog-proofing your stairs, your environment, and your dog. Let’s begin with the stairs themselves.
Here is a quick checklist to ensure your staircase is as safe as possible. Make sure it is:
- Well lit
- Has non-slip stair treads or carpet runners and
- Is free from clutter or other obstacles.
“Ramps or lifts can serve as safer alternatives to traditional stairs for dogs with mobility issues or senior pets, promoting easier access,” says Dr. Gaffud.
When it comes to your dog you can consider applying ToeGrips to your dog’s nails, says Dr. Savino. “Some dogs even tolerate booties with grips on the bottom, but these should not be worn constantly as they can increase the risk of paw infections.”
If your dog is developing signs of arthritis, see your family veterinarian. These signs include:
- Being slow to get up,
- Showing stiffness or lameness, especially after resting,
- Having behavior changes like increased irritability,
- Limping
- Displaying a wobbly, unbalanced, or shaky gait
“Your pet may be developing a disease that can be treated or managed, which could improve or maintain their ability to navigate stairs,” says Savino.
If your dog keeps falling down the stairs, consider blocking off the stairs entirely with a baby gate. It’s a small inconvenience for a big boost in safety and peace of mind. “Furthermore, training dogs to use stairs properly can be beneficial,” says Dr. Gaffud. “Start with one step at a time and employ positive reinforcement to help build their confidence and encourage safe stair usage.”
References:
