When does a dead dog go stiff?

Answer by  mb (5482)

You are refering to the stiffing of a corpse in the first stage of putrification, the medical term is rigor mortis. This happens 6 - 12 hours after death. For the first 6 or so the body is loose, then goes stiff for about 24 hours, then loosens up again. Its a muscular response to the breakdown of various polypeptides.

Answer by  bubbyboy (9929)

It depends on the size of the dog. The rule is usually the smaller the animal, the quicker it stiffens after death. It will take a few hours to totally set in. The muscles stiffen because after death the calcium ions are gone and they are what helps keep muscles moving.

Answer by  SashaDarkCloud (5764)

Within an hour or so. They are limp in the first few moments, but it doesn't take long for the body to go stiff. Especially if it has been left in the same spot.

Answer by  PaintedRoadkill (504)

Within the first twenty four hours. It is something every living creature goes through called Rigor Mortis. Eventually it will go limp again.

Answer by  champaign9497 (11977)

Usually within about four hours after passing than if you want to move it you will not be able to bend it at all or the bones will break and that would be horrible to have happen to your pet.

Answer by  tamkees (3203)

Rigor mortis begins to set in 2-4 hours after death. Full rigor (complete stiffness) occurs in 24-48 hours, depending on factors such as outdoor temperature and the dog's weight.

Answer by  siji (62)

The dog will not be stiff completely once it dead. But its hamster will be stiff and cold. In few minutes the whole body become stiff.One way we can identify whether the dog is dead is by checking the hamster stiff or not and also is still breathing or not.