{"id":22623,"date":"2022-11-14T06:37:32","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T13:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=22623"},"modified":"2022-11-14T06:37:39","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T13:37:39","slug":"hydrotherapy-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/health-wellness\/hydrotherapy-for-dogs","title":{"rendered":"The Benefits of Hydrotherapy for Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is a growing trend in physical therapy for dogs that you might have heard about. It\u2019s called hydrotherapy, and it\u2019s increasingly being used for canine rehabilitation for a number of different health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what type of therapy are we talking about, and how can it help your best friend? Let\u2019s take a look at exactly what are some of the benefits of hydrotherapy and why it might be just what the doctor ordered for Fido.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Canine Hydrotherapy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"hydrotherapy<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hydrotherapy just means water therapy, and it\u2019s something we\u2019ve seen used in human physical therapy for a long time. You often see people engaging in water aerobics and swimming as a low-impact form of exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve probably also used saunas, whirlpool baths, or mineral baths yourself. There are many benefits to this kind of water therapy too. We\u2019ve known it in humans for a long time, and we\u2019re discovering that it\u2019s also good for animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrotherapy for dogs came about<\/a> much more recently after it was first used in the horse-racing industry. Horse owners discovered that there were many benefits to having racehorses walk in water, and that same practice was also used for greyhounds in the racing industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the benefits became more obvious, underwater treadmills for dogs were developed, and canine hydrotherapy as a form of physical therapy became more common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For our canine friends, hydrotherapy usually means swimming or walking in water. That might mean on an underwater treadmill, or it can just be done in shallow water at the beach<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be done for purposes of canine rehabilitation in a swimming pool, or it can just be for fun. Either way, it\u2019s good for your pooch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the Benefits of Hydrotherapy for Dogs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There are several benefits of hydrotherapy for humans, horses, and dogs too! For one, hydrostatic pressure, which is the pressure exerted on your dog\u2019s body when he\u2019s submerged in water, helps reduce inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water also provides both buoyancy and resistance, which helps improve muscle strength. It also helps build endurance without placing extra stress on joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, bathing in hot or warm water eases aches and pains, dilates blood vessels, and relaxes joints, all of which help heal injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of those benefits of hydrotherapy can also help your pooch walk better, feel better, and be healthier overall. It\u2019s also great for keeping athletic dogs in peak condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can Hydrotherapy Treat Canine Health Conditions and Injuries?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"hydrotherapy<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hydrotherapy is increasingly used as part of a comprehensive canine rehabilitation treatment plan. It can help treat a wide range of health conditions and injuries, and it can be used in patients of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s great about hydrotherapy is that it provides low-impact exercise for senior dogs and dogs with injuries or painful health conditions like arthritis and hip dysplasia.<\/a> It also helps with post-operative recovery to help dogs regain a full range of motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensuring that dogs with those kinds of problems can get non-weight-bearing exercise can prevent muscle wasting without risking more damage to an injured area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aquatic therapy can actually treat or help numerous health problems, including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n