Why Hydrotherapy for dogs is good for your dog
Hydrotherapy for dogs is a truly wonderful form of non weight bearing exercise. It uses almost every muscle in the body while placing no undue pressure on the joints. Our large warm pool allows your dog to exercise and move freely in a safe, clean and controlled environment.
Hydrotherapy is great for general health and fitness, as well as rehabilitation following surgery, and to help maintain mobility in aging dogs.
It has proven benefits for the following conditions, which may or may not have had surgical interventions:
- Arthritis
- Hip and Elbow dysplasia
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
- Cruciate ligament rupture
- Patella luxation
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Intervertebral disc rupture
- Spondylosis and Spondylitis
Perhaps your dog falls into one of the following categories, which can also gain significant benefits from hydrotherapy:
- Overweight dogs who need to shed pounds to regain their zest for life;
- Elderly dogs and those beginning to struggle when they first waken up: treatment may help to reduce pain and stiffness, and reduce the need for medication;
- Puppies, particularly a large or giant breed, who can suffer long-term damage to joints if over-exercised on land while they are growing; non-weight bearing exercise tones muscles and helps to stabilise loose joints without pressure;
- Dogs who compete in the show ring, agility or flyball: swimming can keep them in the peak of fitness and help to maintain an ideal weight;
- High energy breeds: a 30 minute session in the pool can burn the same energy as a 10 mile brisk walk;
- Those who would benefit from the improved mental wellbeing which exercise produces: it releases feel-good endorphins just as it does in humans;
- Gundogs who are hesitant about retrieving from water.
Why you should take your dogs swimming
- Dogs need a lot of exercise and you don’t have enough hours in the day.
- You may be injured but your dog needs exercise.
- Your dog need expert help during recovery from surgery or injury
Before your dog comes for its first swim, whether that is for fun & fitness or rehabilitation, we require a completed consent form from your vet. This makes sure we have an up to date history so we can provide the best experience for you and your dog.