Dogs and Trampolines

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

I have a question that I saw answered here once to some degree, but I was wondering if there was any evidence or just opinions?

Are trampolines bad for dog hips/joints?  Ludo was begging to get on my sister's backyard trampoline yesterday, so I let him on and he LOVED it.  He was on the trampoline alone and just walked around and played on it (trying to catch little pieces of leaves and things that had blown on).  I had to bribe him to get him off!  I lifted him on and off so there was no jumping on his part and there is also a net around it, but when I posted a photo on Instagram, someone said it was bad for his hips. 

I Googled it and it seems like dogs with hip dysplasia are encouraged to stand and walk on small trampolines. I couldn't find anywhere that suggested that it could be bad for their joints.  

Does anyone have any knowledge in this area?

[Amy and Annabelle]

Awww Ludo is so cute. No knowledge of it, but I had a Golden Retriever who used jump on my kids trampoline and jump over the fence to the neighbors yard. He knew after the first time there was no way back on his own, but it was too tempting. As funny as it was, we had to move it away from the fence. He did have hip dysplasia. He was a big 85lb dog, so a small trampoline might not have worked.

[Wendy and Myla]

I don't have any knowledge either, but I would think that there wouldn't be a problem if Ludo was on by himself as he wouldn't be able to really get himself bouncing enough, but I don't think I would let him on with any kids - I think the bouncing would be hard on his hips or joints and of course, I'd be terrified of him pulling his ACL while trying to land. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would think if Ludo was on by himself, it would be fine as long as he likes it. I would not let anyone jump on it while he uses it.

[Barbie]

When Zeus was a puppy, my vet told me not to let Zeus climb the stairs at my home until he was fully developed (at 2 years of age). He said it is because too much stress on the legs could cause hip and joint problems later on in life. So, I kept a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs until Zeus was allowed to use them by himself.

I see that your adorable Ludo is still young, so I recommend asking your vet whether the trampoline is okay. Since you're lifting him on and off the trampoline, he's not jumping while on it, and he only has access to it while at your sister's house, I wouldn't think it'd put any unnecessary stress on his hips and joints. It would just be an occasional thing, right - while visiting your sister? I have read that physical therapists sometimes use trampolines for dogs with arthritis but, of course, all activity is strictly supervised by the PT. So, the trampoline might actually be beneficial in helping Ludo build strength while walking around on the flexible surface.

Something else to think about is that pretty soon, Ludo is probably going to be too heavy for you to lift him. And, since he's still growing, he might be able to figure out a way to jump onto the trampoline by himself. So, I would definitely supervise him while he's in your sister's backyard.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Thanks for all the input!  I definitely would NOT allow him to be on with jumpers and with the net around it, he can't get on or off without help.  He's only 38 pounds so I can lift him easily.  I am going to go with my line of thinking that it's fine for him as long as he likes it and as long as it stays jumping-free!  Thanks again :)

[Barbie]

Will you please try to video Ludo playing on the trampoline and share it with us? He's so precious, and I'll bet he's very entertaining in action. :O)

[Wendy and Myla]

I totally agree - I would let Myla on the trampoline by herself anytime - but I would never let her on with the grandkids - even when I'm on with them, they "double-bounce" me and my stomach is in knots :)

[Diane and Alma]

Our dog, Alma, loved our trampoline.  It was her habit to come home from a walk, jump in the pool, and then immediately run onto the trampoline.  She would roll around and bounce somewhat.  She would lay all splayed out on it.  I think she liked the cool air circulating around her since the material is mesh-like.  It didn't occur to me that being on it would cause her any harm.  It was so funny to watch her rolling around having a grand time. 

We got rid of it because our kids no longer were playing on it and we wanted to landscape that part of the yard.  Alma was so confused when she went to jump on it and it was gone.