Our pets are the highlights of our day and we certainly cherish every minute spent with our four-legged friends. Ensure their well-being throughout their life is the goal of every pet owner. But sometimes it can be difficult to find the right answers. This is especially true for mobility issues. As dogs age, they face their own stresses on their joints and muscles.
Hydrotherapy is a solution for a puppy recovering from an injury or even managing chronic issues. But what is it and can you do it from home? Let’s find out.
What is hydrotherapy for dogs?
Hydrotherapy for dogs is the process of using water-based exercises along with physical rehabilitation treatments. It’s also a fantastic way to reduce any pain caused by an injury and improve overall mobility. Just like in humans, aquatic movement and exercise allows for a controlled environment and resistance.
Usually, this practice is done with a certified canine hydrotherapist. There are also many different forms of hydrotherapy offered for dogs— for example, underwater treadmills, swimming pools and underwater massages.
Benefits of Water-Based Exercise
1. Accelerated healing and injury recovery
When working in a controlled environment, hydrotherapy can speed up the long process for dogs suffering from injuries. This is because water therapy reduces the weight load and pressure placed on the injury. This allows for a much gentler and less aggressive movement, thus limiting the risk of re-injury. It allows blood circulation, which promotes healing. This means having a better chance of reducing downtime.
2. Increased traffic
The ability to heal faster comes from increased blood flow or circulation. When the supply of oxygen and nutrients is enhanced and delivered to our tissues, healing is promoted. This allows and facilitates the process while strengthening the dog’s immune system.
3. Pain reduction and management
Hydrotherapy involves using warm water to relax muscles. During this time, gentle exercises are performed to help trigger endorphins. This provides natural painkillers for our puppy. This is amazing for dogs with chronic pain because water therapy is a pain management solution. This is especially helpful for dogs with hip problems like dysplasia or degenerative joint diseases. This can help improve their quality of life by keeping them active.
4. Improved posture and balance
Good balance and posture are just as important for dogs as they are for humans. When dogs don’t engage their core muscles, they begin to lose their ability to stay balanced and can end up injuring themselves. Hydrotherapy can be a fantastic solution for dogs who suffer from spinal problems or neurological problems. This provides a safe environment to move in and increases stability.
Where do we find these facilities?
Ask your veterinarian
Veterinarians are your best resource. They will have networks and can recommend a reputable hydrotherapy center in your area that meets your dog’s specific needs.
Search online
It’s never a bad idea to use search engines and social media platforms to look for hydrotherapy facilities. This can give you a peek inside and see all the reviews other people leave about that place. Many centers have websites where they share information about their services, including the types of hydrotherapy offered and contact details.
Join local pet-related online forums, social media groups, or communities. Other pet owners may have recommendations based on their personal experiences, which is invaluable.
Try it at home
For dogs suffering from serious illnesses, it is best to always seek help from a licensed professional. But that doesn’t mean you can’t recreate safe environments for some of your dog’s needs. If you have space, consider installing a small, shallow pool in your backyard. Engaging in gentle water exercise in this way is fantastic for our pups. This also eliminates rough waves from the beach that could end up causing additional damage or injury.
Start exploring the options
Hydrotherapy has many benefits for a dog and few or no disadvantages, except perhaps cost. Hydrotherapy and water activities for dogs are a solution to many problems, big and small. Indeed, the ease and less pressure that dogs have to feel when exercising in water are the same benefits we have as humans.
This may take some trial and error, because knowing what works for your pup is unique. It’s like understanding pacing a dog against them who trot. Identification may require some additional research. But once we know what works for hydrotherapy, it can be a game changer for them.
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