Short answer: most pulled (strained) muscles in dogs heal with rest and time. Keep your dog quiet and leash-only for 7–14 days, apply a wrapped cold pack to the sore area for 10–15 minutes during the first 48 hours, and call your vet before giving any medication. If your dog is still limping after 24–48 hours, is in obvious pain, or can't bear weight, see a veterinarian.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. Between our own dogs and thousands of customers, a sudden limp after a hard play session is one of the most common worries we hear about. Here's the plain-English version of what to do.
How do I know if my dog pulled a muscle?
A muscle strain usually shows up right after activity — jumping off the couch, sprinting, or an awkward landing. Watch for a limp or favoring one leg, stiffness when getting up, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, swelling or warmth over a muscle, and flinching or whimpering when you touch the area. A mild strain often improves within a day or two. Anything that lasts longer, or a leg your dog won't put weight on at all, needs a vet — it could be something more serious than a strain.
How to treat a pulled muscle on a dog at home
For a mild strain, supportive care is the whole game:
- Rest first. Limit movement for 7–14 days — leash walks only for bathroom breaks, no running, jumping, or stairs. A crate or small gated room helps enforce it. Don't immobilize the leg completely, though; gentle, controlled movement actually helps healing, while total inactivity can cause the muscle to tighten.
- Cold pack for the first 48 hours. Wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen veggies in a thin towel and hold it on the sore area for 10–15 minutes, a few times a day. Never put ice directly on skin.
- Call your vet before any medication. Human pain relievers like ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are toxic to dogs and can be deadly. Only give a dog-safe anti-inflammatory that your veterinarian has prescribed, at the dose they specify.
- Keep them comfortable and occupied. The hardest part of crate rest is a bored, restless dog. A long-lasting, safe chew keeps them settled without adding activity.
- Reintroduce activity slowly. After about 1–2 weeks of improvement, add short, controlled leash walks before returning to full play. If the limp comes back, dial it down and check with your vet.
When should I take my dog to the vet?
Don't wait it out if your dog is limping for more than 24–48 hours, is in obvious pain, can't put any weight on the leg, or has visible swelling that's getting worse. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, partial muscle tears are treated with rest, a vet-prescribed anti-inflammatory, and cold compresses, while more severe tears may need additional care. A mild strain typically heals in about 7–10 days; a more serious one can take up to six weeks. Your vet can also rule out sprains, ligament injuries, or fractures that look similar from the outside.
Keeping a resting dog calm and happy
The best thing you can do during recovery — after rest and vet guidance — is give your dog a low-effort outlet for chewing. We're big believers in single-ingredient chews: no fillers, no mystery ingredients, just one thing. Our bully sticks are 100% natural, single-ingredient, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and contain no rawhide — ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms and 100% high-quality guaranteed. They give a recovering dog something to focus on while staying still. If you want an even gentler option, our beef trachea chews are soft and easy on the jaw.
The bottom line
Most pulled muscles in dogs get better with rest, a little ice, patience, and a vet's input on any medication. Give it a week or two of quiet recovery, resist the urge to medicate on your own, and call your vet if things aren't improving. Your dog will be back to full speed before you know it.
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your vet.
This post was last updated at July 17, 2026 14:59
