Physical Benefits
Canine hydrotherapy offers a range of physical and mental benefits for dogs, especially those recovering from injury, surgery, or managing chronic conditions.
Low-Impact Exercise
- Water reduces stress on joints, making it ideal for dogs with arthritis or joint issues.
- Ideal for post-surgical or elderly dogs who can't tolerate weight-bearing exercise.
Improved Muscle Strength
Water resistance helps build and maintain muscle without overloading the joints.
Enhanced Range of Motion
Warm water and buoyancy allow safer stretching and movement of stiff or injured limbs.
Pain Relief
Warm water improves blood flow and reduces muscle stiffness, helping to alleviate pain.
Faster Recovery and Strains
Promotes healing after surgeries (like cruciate ligament repair or hip dysplasia surgery).
Weight Management
Provides cardiovascular exercise for overweight dogs with minimal risk of injury.
Treatable conditions
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Post-operative orthopaedic conditions
Degenerative joint diseases including arthritis
Ligament and cartilage damage
Sprains and strains
Spinal injuries
Obesity management programs
Cardiovascular fitness
Hip
Dysplasia
Hydrotherapy offers a wide range of benefits for dogs suffering from hip dysplasia, a common orthopaedic condition that causes hip joint instability, pain, and mobility issues.
Reduced Joint Stress
- Water buoyancy supports the dog's weight, significantly reducing pressure on the hips and joints.
- Allows pain-free movement, even in dogs that struggle with regular exercise on land.
Improved Muscle Strength
- Helps maintain or rebuild muscle mass, especially in the hind limbs, which is crucial to supporting weak or malformed hip joints.
- Muscle strengthening also contributes to joint stability, improving the dog's overall mobility.
Pain Relief
- Warm water increases blood circulation and promotes the release of endorphins, which help reduce pain and discomfort.
- Gentle resistance from water provides low-impact exercise, helping manage pain without overexertion.
Increased Range of Motion
- Encourages greater flexibility in stiff joints.
- Promotes joint lubrication, which can improve mobility and delay the progression of arthritis that often accompanies hip dysplasia.
Weight Management
- Overweight dogs with hip dysplasia suffer more due to excess joint stress. Hydrotherapy burns calories and helps with safe weight loss or maintenance without stressing the joints.
Faster Post-Surgery Recovery (if applicable)
- If the dog has had surgery like femoral head ostectomy (FHO) or total hip replacement (THR), hydrotherapy speeds up rehabilitation by restoring mobility in a controlled environment.
Cruciate
Ligament
Injuries
Benefits of hydrotherapy for cruciate ligament injuries in dogs.
Low-Impact Exercise
- Buoyancy of water supports the dog's weight, reducing stress on injured joints and allowing movement with minimal pain.
- This helps preserve muscle mass during recovery, especially in the affected leg.
Pain Relief
- Warm water used in hydrotherapy promotes circulation, which can help reduce inflammation and stiffness, providing natural pain relief.
Improved Range of Motion (ROM)
- Water resistance encourages gentle stretching of muscles and tendons, helping restore flexibility in the stifle (knee) joint post-injury or surgery.
Muscle Strengthening
- Even though it’s low-impact, water provides natural resistance, helping rebuild atrophied muscles, especially the quadriceps and hamstrings.
Faster Post-Surgical Recovery
- Dogs recovering from cruciate ligament surgery can regain mobility more quickly when hydrotherapy is introduced under professional guidance.
- Can reduce overall rehabilitation time and improve functional outcomes.
Arthritis
Canine hydrotherapy is a low-impact, water-based therapy that’s especially helpful for dogs with arthritis. Here are the main benefits.
Pain Relief
- Warm water helps to relax stiff joints and muscles.
- The buoyancy reduces stress on painful joints, making movement easier.
Improved Mobility & Flexibility
- Water supports the dog’s body weight, allowing them to move without the full impact of gravity.
- This encourages a wider range of motion in stiff or arthritic joints.
Muscle Strengthening
- Swimming or walking against gentle water resistance helps maintain or build muscle.
- Stronger muscles provide better joint support, reducing strain on arthritic areas.
Better Circulation & Healing
- Warm water increases blood flow, which can reduce inflammation and promote healing.
- Improved circulation also helps deliver nutrients to joint tissues.
Weight Management
- Hydrotherapy burns calories without putting pressure on painful joints.
- Keeping weight under control is crucial, since excess weight worsens arthritis symptoms.
Stress & Anxiety Reduction
- Many dogs find the water soothing, which reduces stress and improves overall well-being.
- A calm mental state can also reduce pain perception.
Gentle, Controlled Exercise
- For arthritic dogs that can’t tolerate long walks or rough play, hydrotherapy offers a safe way to stay active.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Canine hydrotherapy can be very beneficial for dogs with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), both during recovery from an acute episode and in long-term management. Here are the main benefits.
Low-impact Exercise
- Water supports the dog’s body weight, reducing stress on the spine and joints.
- Allows movement without the risk of overloading weak or healing structures.
Muscle Strengthening
- Helps rebuild and maintain muscle tone that may be lost due to rest or nerve-related weakness.
- Strengthening surrounding muscles supports the spine and improves stability.
Pain Relief & Reduced Inflammation
- Warm water can improve circulation and help relax tight muscles.
- Hydrostatic pressure can reduce swelling and discomfort around injured areas.
Improved Range of Motion
- Buoyancy allows safe, assisted stretching of limbs.
- Promotes flexibility in joints and spinal structures without forcing movement.
Enhanced Mobility & Coordination
- Water resistance helps retrain motor skills, encouraging dogs to use affected limbs more evenly.
- Improves proprioception (awareness of limb placement), which is often compromised in IVDD.
Cardiovascular Fitness
- Provides gentle aerobic exercise, which can help with overall health, stamina, and weight management (important since excess weight worsens IVDD).
Faster, Safer Recovery Post-surgery
- After appropriate rest and vet clearance, hydrotherapy can help dogs regain function more quickly following spinal surgery.
Mental and Behavioural Benefits
Canine hydrotherapy offers a range of physical and mental benefits for dogs, especially those recovering from injury, surgery, or managing chronic conditions.
Stress Relief
Mental Stimulation
Improved Confidence
Book an appointment
Vet consent is required for all dogs who swim here for rehabilitation, fitness and fun. Your dogs first visit must be an assisted swim to assess their ability in the pool.
