05/07/2026
One of the most common questions I get when adjusting dogs is, āDoes their spine make noise or pop like ours does?ā
Great question⦠and the answer is: sometimes, but not always. A canine spine is built very differently than the human spine. Since dogs move on four legs, their weight is distributed through the joints differently than ours standing upright on two legs. Their spinal joints also angle differently, especially through the facet joints, which changes the way movement and restriction occur.
Thatās why proper training matters so much in animal chiropractic. A dogās spine is not the same as a humanās⦠and a horse, livestock animal, or other species as each have their own unique biomechanics.
Understanding how these joints are designed to move is what allows us to help animals move better, perform better, and feel better.