If your home has a dog and a staircase, chances are you've witnessed your furry friend charging up and down the steps, often for reasons only they understand. Whether it's chasing after their favourite person, responding to the sound of the fridge door, or heading to claim their favourite spot on the bed, stairs are often a regular part of your dog's daily adventures. While some see this as harmless or even beneficial exercise, others raise concerns about the strain it may place on a dog's joints, bones, and long-term mobility.

Veterinary professionals from Vetnique, a company backed by veterinarians, which sells pet health and wellness products, advise that dogs should not have unrestricted access to stairs, even if at times it can be heard to avoid. They recommend that stair use be carefully considered based on a dog's age, breed, and physical condition.

According to the experts, puppies under 12 weeks old should avoid stairs entirely. At this early stage, their bones and joints are not fully developed yet, and stairs can pose a risk of injury.

Some larger breeds, such as Labradors and Retrievers, benefit from an even longer delay before tackling stairs, due to the strain placed on growing joints.

Dogs with long legs and athletic builds, such as Collies or Spaniels, typically manage stairs well. Breeds with long backs and short legs, such as Dachshunds, Corgis, and Basset Hounds, on the other hand, are more susceptible to spinal and joint issues from repeated stair use.

Navigating steep stairs can also be particularly challenging and potentially hazardous for these breeds. Dachshunds, for instance, are notably prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a spinal condition that can be aggravated by activities like climbing stairs.

The type of flooring on stairs also plays a key role in pet safety. Carpeted stairs provide better traction, which reduces the chance of slipping while bare wooden stairs, on the other hand, can be more dangerous and slippery for dogs, especially for dogs that have longer nails or joint stiffness.

The experts from Vetnique wrote: "If you have bare wooden stairs, you could make life easier for your dog by carpeting your stairs.

"You can even get pet-friendly non-slip stair treads which stick onto wooden stairs and give your dog extra traction as they go up and down, helping to prevent them from slipping."

Older dogs and those with mobility issues often find stairs challenging and it can aggravate conditions such as arthritis. To prevent strain, many owners choose to install stair gates, provide ramps, or assist their pets manually.

Dogs should always be supervised when first introduced to stairs, the experts said, and owners are advised to trim their pets' nails regularly and monitor for signs of stiffness or hesitation. For smaller dogs or those recovering from injury, carrying them up or down is most likely the best and safest option.