The Science Behind Water Therapy for Dogs

There’s nothing worse than knowing that your animal companion is struggling and in pain. Our dogs are our family, and the love we feel for them means that when they hurt, we hurt. Most dog owners are willing to do just about anything to help their pets achieve the comfort and quality of life they deserve, but limited treatment options for problems like muscular disorders or joint problems make that difficult. Just because it’s difficult, however, doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Hydrotherapy is not just a transformative treatment option for humans– it can make a world of difference for dogs, too.

How Does Hydrotherapy Work for Dogs?

Water therapy, or hydrotherapy, for dogs is a relatively simple process from an outside perspective. Fitting into a treatment plan of medications and other exercises, it’s simply the practice of taking that exercise into the water, either through swimming or through walking on submerged treadmills, which is more common. However, adding water to the equation is what elevates hydrotherapy above traditional exercises and physical therapy.

The first benefit of hydrotherapy is the buoyancy of water. Water reduces the feeling of gravity on the body and encourages flotation, which means that it relieves pressure on the joints, allowing dogs to exercise without as much joint pain and damage. Water also provides resistance, something for a dog to work against as it moves its legs, so it conditions and strengthens muscles without being too strenuous or rough on a dog’s body. Hydrostatic pressure, or the gentle force that water exerts on the body, also makes it helpful for physical therapy applications by reducing pain and swelling, encouraging blood flow, and increasing bodily awareness. All in all, when you see a dog walking on an underwater treadmill, you’re not just seeing a form of exercise, you’re seeing healing in action!

What Can Canine Hydrotherapy Treat in Dogs?

Canine hydrotherapy is an incredibly versatile therapeutic technique, and it can be used to treat a wide variety of different conditions that can affect a dog’s mobility, comfort, and quality of life. Obesity is unfortunately common in pets today, and the buoyant effects of water therapy can make it possible for a dog that can hardly take a full walk to get into a proper exercise and weight loss regimen. Joint problems like arthritis, hip dysplasia, degenerative joint disease, and various orthopedic abnormalities can also be helped by hydrotherapy, as can muscular issues and other related problems like muscle atrophy or tendon or ligament injuries. Water therapy can also help dogs to heal after surgery and increase their mobility after paralysis or the loss of a limb, and can even help to treat walking abnormalities or metabolic problems like Cushing’s disease or diabetes.

What are the Benefits of Hydrotherapy for Dogs?

Putting a dog into water therapy can often be a decision that changes their life for the better. It can help dogs to lose weight, heal injuries, recover from procedures, learn or relearn how to walk properly, build strength, increase their cardiovascular wellness, and more. It’s also a great way to reduce pain without the need for excess medication. Pets who undergo hydrotherapy have increased mobility and strength, allowing them to get around better and rest more comfortably, and hydrotherapy can even provide mental stimulation to engage a dog’s mind and help them to be calmer and more relaxed. All of the benefits that your dog would get from normal exercise can be increased and improved upon with the addition of simple water!

Acute injuries or chronic health conditions don’t need to dictate what a dog’s life is going to be like. With the help of treatments like hydrotherapy, it’s possible for our beloved pets to lead full and healthy lives! Make sure to contact us today for more information about this treatment option.