SYMPTOM
Bunny hopping gait
A movement pattern where both hind legs move together in a hopping motion rather than alternating normally.
Hip dysplasia
Bunny hopping is one of the most characteristic gait adaptations associated with hip dysplasia, particularly in young, growing dogs. By moving both hind legs simultaneously, the dog avoids the independent hip extension and flexion that would occur with a normal alternating gait, effectively reducing the range of motion and loading on each hip joint individually. This compensatory strategy allows the dog to move more comfortably despite joint laxity, incongruence, or early inflammatory changes in one or both hips.
Lumbosacral disease
Conditions affecting the lumbosacral junction — the transition between the lumbar spine and sacrum — can produce a bunny hopping gait as the dog avoids the spinal extension and flexion that occurs with normal alternating hindlimb movement. Lumbosacral stenosis, disc protrusion, or instability at this junction can cause pain or neurological compromise that the dog compensates for by synchronising its hindlimb stride. This presentation may be accompanied by a reluctance to wag the tail, difficulty rising, or pain when the lumbosacral region is palpated.
Bilateral hindlimb orthopaedic conditions
Any condition affecting both hind legs simultaneously may lead to a bunny hopping adaptation. Bilateral cruciate ligament disease, bilateral patellar luxation, or symmetrical joint problems can prompt the dog to modify its gait to distribute load more evenly. When both hindlimbs are similarly affected, the compensatory pattern tends to be symmetrical, making it appear as a coordinated hop rather than a unilateral lameness.
Neurological
Some spinal cord conditions, particularly those affecting the thoracolumbar or lumbosacral regions, can produce a bunny hopping gait through disruption of the normal neural coordination of hindlimb movement. Rather than pain-based avoidance, this pattern may reflect an alteration in the proprioceptive or motor pathways that coordinate the alternating stepping pattern. Neurological causes may be accompanied by other signs such as crossing of the hind legs, knuckling, or loss of fine coordination.
Muscular or soft tissue
Bilateral muscle pain, injury, or weakness in the hindquarters can produce a bunny hopping pattern as the dog adapts its movement to accommodate muscular discomfort or limitation. Conditions affecting the iliopsoas muscles, gluteal muscles, or other hindlimb muscle groups bilaterally may prompt this compensatory gait. The hopping pattern reduces the independent range of motion demanded of each limb, allowing the dog to move with less muscular exertion per stride.
Why timing matters
Early observation
When a bunny hopping gait is first observed, it may be subtle — the dog occasionally moves both hind legs together during acceleration, when going upstairs, or during exuberant play. In young dogs, this pattern may initially be dismissed as an immature movement style or playful behaviour. In growing puppies, particularly of larger breeds, early bunny hopping can reflect developing joint laxity or discomfort that the dog instinctively compensates for by synchronising hindlimb movement. The pattern may be more apparent at certain speeds or on certain surfaces before becoming consistent.
Later presentation
A bunny hopping gait that becomes more frequent, more pronounced, or present across a wider range of activities may suggest progression of an underlying orthopaedic or neurological condition. As the dog increasingly relies on this compensatory movement pattern, owners may notice it during routine walks, on flat ground, and at slower speeds where it was not previously apparent. The gait change may be accompanied by other emerging signs such as difficulty rising, reluctance to jump, visible muscle changes in the hindquarters, or stiffness after rest. A well-established bunny hop often indicates that the dog has adopted this pattern as its preferred strategy for managing hindlimb discomfort or instability.
The trajectory of a bunny hopping gait varies with its cause. In young dogs with developmental conditions such as hip dysplasia, the pattern may emerge gradually during the growth phase, stabilise for a period, and then potentially worsen as secondary arthritic changes develop. In dogs with lumbosacral disease or spinal conditions, the pattern may develop more acutely and progress alongside other neurological signs. Some dogs maintain a consistent bunny hop for extended periods without obvious worsening, while others show a more clearly progressive course. The pattern may fluctuate with activity levels, with more pronounced hopping during periods of increased exercise or following rest.
Conditions commonly associated
Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Luxating Patella in Dogs
Dogs with luxating patellas may adopt a bunny hopping gait to minimise weight-bearing on affected limbs and avoid the discomfort of normal rear leg extension.
Cruciate Ligament Disease in Dogs
Cruciate ligament insufficiency can cause dogs to shift their gait pattern, sometimes resulting in bunny hopping to distribute weight away from an unstable stifle.
Patellar Luxation
Dogs with bilateral patellar luxation often move both hind legs together rather than alternating normally.
When to explore further
A bunny hopping gait in a young, growing large-breed dog may be particularly significant, as this is a common early presentation of developmental hip conditions. Early recognition during the growth phase may offer the widest range of options for assessment and management.
When the bunny hop is accompanied by other movement changes — such as difficulty rising, reluctance to jump, visible muscle loss in the hindquarters, or stiffness after rest — the combination suggests that the underlying cause is affecting hindlimb function more broadly.
A bunny hopping pattern that develops acutely, or one that progresses noticeably over a short period, may reflect a different type of process compared to a long-standing, stable gait adaptation and may warrant more prompt evaluation.
If the bunny hop is associated with signs of pain — such as vocalisation during movement, reluctance to exercise, or sensitivity to touch over the hips or lower back — the pain component adds important context to the assessment.
A gait pattern that was previously intermittent (only during acceleration or stairs) but has become the dog's default movement pattern at all speeds suggests a progression that may benefit from closer examination.
Observing when the bunny hopping is most apparent — during acceleration, on stairs, at particular speeds, or consistently across all movement — can help characterise the pattern. Noting whether it has changed over time, whether it is accompanied by other movement changes, and whether the dog shows any signs of discomfort during or after activity may provide useful context for understanding the significance of this gait pattern.
Last reviewed: 24 April 2026 · Dr Alastair Greenway MRCVS