Many factors play a role in developing a puppy’s joints, as they’re young and grow so quickly. These can be genetic (or hereditary), or environmental.
While a puppy’s genetic factors can’t be changed after birth, environmental factors can.
This article covers what you need to know about growth plates, what may impact them, and what to pay attention to in your puppy’s environment, so that you can ensure the strong growth of your gorgeous puppy, and give them the best chance of success as an adult dog.
What Are Puppy Growth Plates?
When puppies are young, the long bones of their limbs have growth plates.
Growth plates, also known as epiphyseal plates, are areas of developing cartilage tissue near the ends of long bones in puppies and young animals. These plates are where new bone is produced as a puppy grows, enabling their bones to lengthen and their bodies to mature.
At What Age Do Puppy Growth Plates Close?
The time that growth plates are active varies from breed to breed.
A toy or miniature breed’s growth plates can close (or become ‘inactive’) at around 6-8 months of age, while the growth plates of large or giant breeds can remain open until 24 months.
Risks with Growth Plate Injuries
Damage to growth plates can cause or contribute to joint conditions as your pup gets older. Therefore, while these growth plates are open and active, it is important that we keep them protected.
Common Causes of Injury
- Jumping from heights – e.g. off beds, sofas, stairs, or out of cars
- Climbing uneven terrain – e.g. hiking, steep inclines, rocky surfaces
- High-impact play – e.g. roughhousing, sudden stops, sharp turns, fast ball chasing
- Over-exercising – e.g. long runs, cycling, agility before maturity
- Slippery surfaces – e.g. tiles, hardwood floors, wet decking
- Inappropriate exercise for breed/age – especially in large/giant breeds
Tip: Stick to low-impact, controlled activities until growth plates close (usually 12–18 months).
Long-term Effects of Injuries
One of the most common outcomes is limb deformity, where bones grow unevenly, causing bowing, twisting, or one limb to be noticeably longer or shorter than the other. This often results in joint misalignment, particularly in high-load areas like the knees, elbows, or wrists, which can compromise the dog’s gait and overall stability.
Misaligned or abnormally shaped joints also increase the risk of early-onset arthritis. The uneven pressure and wear on joint surfaces can accelerate cartilage breakdown, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
In some cases, dogs may experience persistent lameness or pain that limits their willingness to move, run, or play. This discomfort can also lead to muscle loss or strain on other parts of the body as they compensate for the injured limb.
For active or working breeds, the long-term impacts can significantly reduce physical capability and quality of life.
Recommendations for Care
To keep growth plates safe while your puppy is growing, they’ll need to maintain a healthy weight.
Excessive body weight places more pressure and inflammation on the joints.
And exercise your pup appropriately.
Exercise Guidelines
We recommend limiting running on harder surfaces for extended periods (such as running on pavements) or repetitive sharp turning exercises (such as fetch on repeat). Due to the jarring impact, puppies should also not be allowed to jump up or down from heights.
While puppies are young, we want to focus our time and energy on socialisation and exposure for their enrichment.
Activity should be slowly increased as your puppy develops and their growth plates close.
Monitoring Growth Plate Health
One of the most important steps is to schedule regular veterinary check-ups throughout the first 12–18 months. These visits allow the vet to assess weight, limb alignment, and joint health, and to detect any early signs of developmental issues.
Tracking your puppy’s weight at home using breed-specific growth charts or veterinary guidance can help ensure they are growing at a healthy and consistent rate.
Proper nutrition plays a critical role.
Observe your puppy’s movement and behaviour during daily activity. Watch how they walk, run, and play. Any signs of limping, stiffness, or favouring one leg may indicate discomfort or abnormal growth.
Inspect their limbs for swelling near joints, bowed legs, or uneven development between sides. Puppies may not always show obvious signs of pain, so look out for even subtle behavioural changes like reduced playfulness or sensitivity to touch.
When to Contact a Veterinarian
We want your pup to grow into a happy and healthy adult pooch, as much as you do. If you have any questions around puppy growth plates, we recommend you book an appointment or give us a call.
