Want to keep your dog living a longer, healthier life?
Here's a number that might surprise you… According to recent data, over half of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese.
This isn't just an aesthetic issue. Carrying too many pounds takes a toll on a dog's joints and mobility. Not to mention lifespan. Dogs that are obese have more health problems, experience more pain, and live with conditions like arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Here's the good news… There's a scientifically proven solution to help your dog recover from injury, lose weight, and live a higher quality of life without putting stress on their joints.
Meet hydrotherapy for dogs.
What you'll discover:
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Canine Hydrotherapy Benefits
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Reasons Why Water Therapy Works For Dogs
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Different Types Of Hydrotherapy For Dogs
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How To Know When Your Dog Needs Hydrotherapy
What Is Canine Hydrotherapy?
In the simplest terms, canine hydrotherapy involves using water to help a dog exercise and rehabilitate without putting pressure on their joints.
On dry land, every step your dog takes has weight pressing down on their joints. The water, however, lifts and holds them up, relieving them of that pressure.
Canine hydrotherapy takes advantage of the natural properties of water to create a low-stress environment where your dog can move as freely as possible. The buoyancy of water gives your dog relief from the impact of their weight as they swim in a pool or walk on an underwater treadmill. There's natural resistance in the water which helps build strength and stamina without pain.
Perfect for helping dogs recover from surgery, regain strength after an injury, or build muscle while dealing with weight problems. The water helps your dog get stronger without experiencing pain in the process.
Why Your Dog Needs Hydrotherapy
The numbers are staggering. Shocking, even. According to the latest figures, 54% of dogs in the United States are overweight.
What's even more shocking is that dogs who are just 10% overweight have a 33% shorter lifespan than dogs that are not overweight.
And those are just the dogs that you can easily spot are overweight. By the time most dogs visibly show signs of being overweight, they're already at high risk of developing serious health problems.
Dog obesity comes with an endless list of health problems. Dogs that are overweight have a higher risk of:
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Arthritis
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Diabetes
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Heart disease
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Cancer
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Liver and kidney problems
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Osteoarthritis
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Severe joint and bone problems
Extra weight means extra pressure on a dog's joints. Dogs who are overweight struggle with chronic pain, reduced mobility, and an inability to exercise like they need to.
Arthritis, joint disease, and bone issues create the opposite problem. Dogs who are in pain from these conditions can't exercise normally because they experience too much stress on damaged joints.
But hydrotherapy is the solution to all these problems. Water therapy helps dogs:
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Build muscle mass without stressing their joints
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Improve cardiovascular health
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Burn more calories
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Increase range of motion
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Reduce pain and inflammation
How Water Therapy Actually Works
Water therapy works for dogs because water has three key properties:
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Buoyancy
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Resistance
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Hydrostatic pressure
Buoyancy is the property of water that lifts your dog's body upwards and reduces the effect of gravity on their joints. When your dog is submerged in water, they feel lighter. Buoyancy can decrease the weight a dog feels by as much as 60%!
Resistance means that your dog has to work against the friction of the water when they move. Every step taken in the water is more difficult than on land. The resistance helps build muscle tone and endurance.
Hydrostatic Pressure is the water pressure on your dog's body. It can help improve blood circulation and decrease swelling.
Hydrotherapy uses all three properties to give your dog the benefits of exercise and rehabilitation without the negative impacts on their joints.
Different Types Of Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy for dogs usually takes one of two forms.
Underwater Treadmills
The most common type of hydrotherapy used for dogs is an underwater treadmill. A dog will stand on a treadmill that is partially or fully submerged in water and walk/ or jog at a controlled pace.
A therapist can adjust the water level, treadmill speed, and resistance to customize the workout. The deeper the water, the more buoyancy a dog has which is great for dogs with severe arthritis. Shallow water means more resistance, which is perfect for dogs that need to build muscle.
Swimming Pools
Swimming is a great full-body workout for your dog that improves cardiovascular health and overall conditioning.
Whirlpool Therapy
Warm jets of water massage injured or sore muscles while your dog is safely harnessed in the pool. This can be a good option for dogs that are recovering from surgery or who are dealing with chronic muscle pain.
When To Consider Hydrotherapy For Your Pet
Dog owners typically seek out canine hydrotherapy for these reasons:
Post-Surgery Recovery: Dogs that have just had orthopedic surgery like a hip replacement or ACL repair can rebuild strength with hydrotherapy.
Arthritis Management: Older dogs who have arthritis often benefit from pain relief and improved mobility from regular hydrotherapy sessions.
Weight Loss: Dogs that are overweight can burn calories and build muscle without further damaging their joints through hydrotherapy.
Neurological Conditions: Dogs who have had spinal injuries or suffer from paralysis get great support from water during rehabilitation.
Athletic Conditioning: Working dogs or other canine athletes use hydrotherapy to avoid injury and stay in top condition.
Certain conditions can make hydrotherapy more challenging or even dangerous. Dogs with open wounds, certain heart conditions, or extreme fear of water are often not good candidates for canine hydrotherapy. You should always check with your veterinarian before starting water therapy for your dog. Your vet can also refer you to a certified canine rehabilitation therapist for guidance.
What Results Can You Expect?
Dogs that get regular hydrotherapy sessions will show measurable improvements. Muscle mass increases, mobility increases, and pain decreases.
One study showed dogs with osteoarthritis had reduced lameness after just a 6% reduction in body weight, which was achieved through a combination of water therapy and diet modification.
You can expect most dogs to show improvement in as little as 2-4 weeks for post-surgery rehabilitation. 4-6 weeks for weight loss goals and 6-8 weeks for dogs with more chronic conditions. Consistency is key with hydrotherapy.
Making Hydrotherapy Work For Your Dog
If you and your veterinarian decide hydrotherapy could be right for your dog, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Make sure you find a quality facility that has certified canine rehabilitation specialists. You want a facility with the right equipment like adjustable underwater treadmills, large pools, and temperature-controlled water. Ask your vet for recommendations if you don't know any good places in your area.
Sessions are usually around 15-30 minutes, depending on your dog's condition and goals. Most dogs will start with just 2-3 sessions per week.
Many pet insurance plans now cover the cost of rehabilitation services. Some facilities also offer package deals to make regular sessions more affordable.
Key Takeaways
Hydrotherapy for dogs is one of the most effective ways to help your dog recover from injury, live with a chronic condition, and maintain a healthy weight.
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Over 50% of dogs are overweight or obese, leading to severe health problems.
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Water therapy helps dogs build muscle without joint stress.
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The underwater treadmill offers the most control for rehabilitation.
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Most dogs show results within weeks, not months.
Hydrotherapy for dogs used to be something only injured dogs did. But more and more, it's becoming a mainstream way for healthy dogs to stay healthy. After all, your dog deserves to move without pain. They deserve to live their best life. Water therapy could be the key for your dog.