Dog Falling Over And Losing Balance: My Dog Is Acting Drunk And Wobbly, Unsteady, And Stumbling

This content was reviewed by veterinarian Dr. JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM.

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Black and white dog laying on side on the ground.

It can be very scary if your dog loses balance, seems unsteady, or cannot walk straight. A dog falling over is a cause for concern, and it helps to be prepared and aware of any issues. Here, I explore several reasons why this happens and the top concerns about dogs falling over and losing balance.

Note: if your dog can’t get up, that’s an entirely separate issue that we’ve written about to help you understand what may be going on with your dog.

Table of Contents

8 Reasons Dogs Become Wobbly And Lose Balance

When your dog is having trouble keeping balance, walking sideways, falling over, being wobbly, or acting drunk, it is all concerning for us dog parents. A few different things can cause a dog to have trouble walking and become disoriented.

Below, I detail some of the most common issues and when you need to talk to the vet. Your dog suddenly having trouble walking, falling over, or seeming wobbly and off balance is always something you must investigate further.