“My dog yelps when I pick him up, what do I do?” The second you hear that sound from your beloved four-legged friend the worries start. Are they in pain? Ill? What’s going on when your dog yelps when you pick them up? And more importantly, what should you be doing about it?

Well, in this article we’re going to give you all the answers you need to this very troublesome question. More importantly, we’ll give you a quick rundown of exactly how you should handle things if your dog yelps when you pick her up (or him). So without further ado, let’s get started!

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Yelping When I Pick Him Up?

Your dog suddenly yelping when you pick him up could be a sign that he (or she) is in pain. If they’ve just started yelping, then it’s possible that you just picked them up in an unusual way that they didn’t like, but you should not rule out the possibility that they are hurting and the pain has only just now escalated to the point that it makes them yelp.

Some of the most likely reasons your dog yelps when you pick him up are problems with their joints or back. If your dog is yelping when you pick them up, or showing other signs of pain such as whining, limping, or a reluctance to move, take them to the vet right away to be examined.

My Dog Yelps When I Pick Her Up

If your dog yelps when you pick her up, then you should look for other clues from the dog’s behavior to explain what’s happening with them. It’s possible that your dog just doesn’t like being picked up. Is she generally an anxious dog, or one that’s hesitant to be touched? This can be normal with rescues and will just take some time.

Are they exhibiting other signs that they’re in pain? Common explanations for why dogs yelp when you pick them up include joint and spinal problems. Look for other signs your dog is in pain, such as a loss of energy, limping, crying, and whining. If you notice any of these, or just have bad feeling, stay on the safe side and have your dog examined at the veterinarian.

What Would Cause My Dog to Yelp in Pain?

These would cause your dog to yelp in pain:

• Joint Problems: Dogs can start experiencing pain in their joints as they get older. If your dog is starting to yelp when you pick them up, it might be worth taking them to the vet for pain medication or other treatments that can help alleviate their symptoms.
• Back Problems: Dogs are not built like humans and they experience a lot of stress on their backs as they move around throughout the day. If your dog is jumping, running, or moving in any way that seems unusual to you then you should take them to the vet.
• Hip Dysplasia: Your dog’s hips are very important for their mobility and if they start experiencing pain there it can cause serious problems down the line — if it’s not already. If your dog isn’t walking properly or has difficulty getting up, take them to the vet for a check-up.

As you can see, there can be a number of reasons your dog yelps in pain when you pick them up. If they’re exhibiting any other signs of pain like not wanting to move around, whining, or crying, it’s always best to be safe and take them to the vet for a check-up. That way you can be sure that they’re healthy and happy!

What Should I Do If My Dog Yelps When I Pick Him Up?

If your dog yelps when you pick him or her up, then they are likely in pain and could be experiencing anything from joint or back problems to hip dysplasia and much more. All of these are things that need to be examined immediately by a veterinarian. Even if you’re unsure, be on the cautious side as your dog depends on you for their health.

It’s true that just an examination alone can be very costly, with routine check-ups generally running $200 or even more according to the National Canine Cancer Foundation. Surgical bills can also be tremendously expensive, with $10,000+ not being unusual. And that’s before we even talk about medications which can be hundreds and will be needed monthly for indefinite lengths of time.

Clearly, these costs all add up quickly. That’s why it’s best to get out ahead of things and to be preventive, rather than reactive, when it comes to your dog’s health. Seek out a veterinarian at the first sign of any health issues with your dog. While it still may not be cheap, you could save yourself thousands.

And most importantly: it could save your dog’s life or preserve their ability to live happily without restrictions.

Hopefully, this has given you all the information you’ll need to assess what should you be doing about your dog yelping in pain when you pick him up. Best of luck with everything, and thanks for reading.