Hydrotherapy for dogs simply put, is the usage of water for the treatment of injury or illness to dogs. Water makes the body float, so when submerged, the weight of a dog’s body is fully supported. This means the dog is not fighting any gravity. The buoyancy of water also reduces the stress on joints, which creates a much safer environment for recovery and regeneration versus on land. Controlled and assisted swimming allows a dog’s muscles to be exercised and stimulated without the stress that comes with land-based exercising. This is why we use & believe in the method of natural swimming versus an underwater treadmill. Hydrotherapy offers a dog a relaxed, enjoyable and therapeutic workout.
What Types of Dogs need Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is beneficial for any dog needing to achieve an overall state of well-being. Assisted swimming can create improved circulation, flexibility, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and agility. Dogs who are recovering from an injury, suffer degenerative joint disease and who have been paralyzed are also great candidates for the water. Aqua therapy (which is the same as Hydrotherapy or Water Therapy) assists dogs suffering from fractures, hip dysplasia, the amputation of a limb, neurological disorders and SO much more. The water is especially beneficial for dogs who suffer from arthritis due to the natural aging process, especially older dogs with previous injuries. The warmth of the water reduces the inflammation that causes pain & lubricates the joints/ligaments.
Benefits from Hydrotherapy for Dogs
Concurrently, hydrotherapy stimulates, strengthens and relaxes the body. It improves balance, coordination, and ups overall energy levels, all while reducing pain and calming stress.
Other benefits of hydrotherapy include:
Increased circulation
Retrain muscles; obtain lost muscle mass
Increased tissue healing
Gait modification
Calms muscle spasms
Relieves swelling & stiffness
Decreases pain
Ideal for skin and coat
Increase lymph drainage, rid the body of toxins and improve the immune system
Supports mental health
Encourages better digestion and better sleep
Supports weight loss
Improves overall fitness
Canine conditions that can benefit from Hydrotherapy:
"I highly recommend Dip’n Dogs Canine Hydrotherapy! Rachel does a phenomenal job with the dogs and it’s clear she loves what she does. She makes sure the dogs are comfortable and confident in the water."
July 6, 2022
"From the instant that I met Rachel, I felt comfortable with her and would have trusted her with any of my dogs. Rachel made sure to go over Millie’s health history with me and was very aware of how Millie was doing the whole time she worked with her!"
July 6, 2022
"We are absolutely thrilled and happy to have Rachel swim with our dog Griffin. The exercise really has helped calm Griffin and his weight is right where it should be. Griffin really loves his time with Rachel, she is a true dog lover!"
July 6, 2022
"Rachel has been awesome and I would most definitely recommend her! After our first session my beagle started walking better and showing improvement in his healing process. Since we have started, his mobility has improved after each session and he gets around better than ever."
July 6, 2022
"So incredibly glad we found Dip’n Dogs at the perfect time! Our girl has only been to two sessions so far, but already on the second one, she was showing way more confidence, swimming laps across the pool on her own, and showing more interest in the water overall."