Chow Chow Dog Health Problems | What Owners Should Know

Bringing home a Chow Chow means signing up for a loyal, aloof companion with a lion-like mane and a stubborn streak. It also means understanding the health conditions this ancient breed carries in its genes. Most of these problems won’t appear in every dog, but knowing what to watch for can mean the difference between catching a problem early and facing an emergency. Here’s what veterinary sources consistently flag for this breed.

Orthopedic Problems: Joints and Ligaments

The most frequently cited health issues in Chow Chows are orthopedic. Hip dysplasia — abnormal development of the hip joint — can cause pain, lameness, and eventually arthritis. Elbow dysplasia, a similar developmental fault in the front legs, leads to the same outcome. Both conditions are partly hereditary, which is why the BVA/Kennel Club Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Schemes use x-rays to screen breeding dogs before they produce puppies.

Cruciate ligament disease is another common knee problem in the breed. It causes sudden limping and instability, and often requires surgery to repair. Panosteitis, a temporary bone inflammation that affects young dogs, also appears in breed-specific veterinary references.

Eye Conditions: More Than Just Tear Stains

The Chow Chow’s deep-set eyes and heavy facial folds create a perfect environment for eye irritation. Entropion — where the eyelid rolls inward and lashes rub against the eyeball — is the breed’s most well-known eye problem. It’s painful and can threaten vision if untreated.

Beyond entropion, breed resources list glaucoma, cataracts, persistent pupillary membranes, and distichiasis (extra eyelashes growing inward) as conditions to watch. Redness, squinting, or discharge should never be dismissed as a minor issue; these are the classic early signs of conditions that can permanently damage eyesight.

Skin, Coat, and Hormone Issues

A Chow Chow’s thick double coat hides a range of dermatologic problems. Sebaceous adenitis, an inflammatory skin disease, and pemphigus foliaceus, an autoimmune blistering condition, both appear in breed-health references. Uveodermatologic syndrome — which affects both skin pigment and eyes — is also listed.

Hypothyroidism is repeatedly flagged as a common Chow Chow condition, causing weight gain, lethargy, and coat problems. Alopecia X, sometimes called color-related alopecia, causes patchy hair loss that owners often mistake for heavy shedding. Diabetes mellitus also shows an above-average incidence in this breed, and the Chow’s famously laid-back lifestyle makes obesity a real risk factor for both diabetes and worsening arthritis.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat): Know the Emergency Signs

GDV, commonly called bloat, is the most time-sensitive health threat for a Chow Chow. The stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood supply. It’s fatal without rapid veterinary intervention.

Signs include a visibly distended abdomen, retching without producing anything, restlessness, drooling, and signs of pain. Every minute counts. PetMD’s breed profile and the PDSA’s breed guide both stress that bloat demands immediate emergency care — this is not a “wait and see” situation. Feeding smaller meals and avoiding vigorous exercise right after eating may reduce risk, though the condition can still occur.

What a Responsible Owner Can Do

No test can guarantee a healthy Chow Chow, but good screening and good habits tilt the odds in your favor. For breeding dogs, the BVA/Kennel Club hip and elbow dysplasia schemes are the standard screening tools. For pet owners, the priorities are routine veterinary exams, watching eye health closely, and keeping your dog at a healthy weight.

Diet plays a larger role in this breed’s health than many owners realize. Excess weight compounds joint stress, worsens arthritis, and feeds the obesity-linked conditions this breed already faces. Choosing a food formulated for large breeds with joint and weight considerations is a practical first step, and our roundup of recommended dog foods for Chow Chows covers options that match these needs.

Regular grooming also matters beyond looks — it’s your earliest alert system for skin problems. If you notice patchy hair loss, redness, or crusty skin that doesn’t fit normal shedding patterns, a veterinary dermatology consult beats a guessing game at home.

Chow Chows are not the highest-maintenance breed on health grounds, but they’re far from the lowest. The conditions listed here are the ones reputable breed-health sources consistently name, and most are manageable when caught early. Keep your Chow at a healthy weight, get those eyes checked at every vet visit, and learn the bloat emergency signs by heart. That combination covers most of what this breed will ever throw at you.