The benefits of an underwater treadmill for dogs
When it comes to improving the life of man’s best friend, there are all sorts of tools and equipment available these days. Among them is the underwater treadmill for dogs.
There are many reasons why pet owners consider aquatic therapy; whether it’s to keep their pet in shape, boost endurance, or speed up the recovery process after surgery. No wonder hydrotherapy has become increasingly popular with veterinary clinics and pet rehabilitation centres across the UK.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the following:
- What is canine hydrotherapy
- Conditions hydrotherapy treats
- The benefits of an underwater treadmill for dogs
What is canine hydrotherapy?
Exercising your dog is an important part of their health and well-being and is necessary to maintain muscle strength, as well as allow them to lose weight, especially if they suffer from obesity. That’s where canine hydrotherapy comes in.
It combines the natural buoyancy and resistance of water to simulate walking on land, without putting any strain on your dog’s joints. As a result, the warm water possesses a soothing quality, helping to ease pain by releasing endorphins and encouraging movement through a series of controlled exercises on the treadmill.
What conditions does hydrotherapy treat?
If you have a dog who suffers from orthopedic conditions such as arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament ruptures and fractures, canine hydrotherapy is an excellent option.
The weightless environment alleviates the pressure against the body to enable their limbs to move more freely, and increase range of motion. It even helps patients with neurological conditions like wobbler syndrome” and Canine Degenerative Myelopathy by increasing sensory input to restore the loss of mobility and balance.
We’ve seen multiple old-age dogs and even athletic canines reap the rewards of walking in water and enjoying some much needed relief on our underwater treadmill.
The benefits of an underwater treadmill for dogs
There are loads of other benefits of an underwater treadmill for dogs, not just the obvious ones of being easier on their joints.
- Ideal for winter.
Dogs have thick coats which mean they may struggle to regulate their body temperature when exercising if the weather is cold. If your dog has had difficulty getting up due to sore joints, using an underwater treadmill will make it much easier.
Studies have shown that canine hydrotherapy can be more effective at building muscle strength than traditional exercises, making it perfect for younger or older dogs who need to maintain their level of physical fitness, no matter the season.
- Calms nervous dogs
Another benefit of canine hydrotherapy is that it encourages dogs to be more interactive and confident, especially when it comes to swimming. This can be particularly beneficial for dogs who are more reserved or nervous as the calming effects of water and slow speed of the underwater treadmill help to make your pooch feel more relaxed and enjoy the experience.
Here at Physio-Vet, we will gradually introduce your dog to the treadmill, ensuring they are completely comfortable before moving on to physical exercises. Throw in a few treats and toys for positive reinforcement and they’ll be wagging their tail in no time!
- Weight management
Just like people, animals are capable of obesity and hydrotherapy is a great method of losing excess weight in a low impact way. It can burn far more calories in a shorter amount of time than a walk in the park thanks to the resistance of water. This challenges and builds muscles, subsequently increasing cardiovascular fitness and ultimately aiding in your dog’s weight loss journey.
Take a walk in water at Physio-Vet
If you are looking for a low impact form of exercise that will give your dog all of these benefits, call us now on 01270 586008 for more information about our canine hydrotherapy services, where our caring and highly trained team will tailor treatment to meet their specific needs.
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