What is dog hydrotherapy?

February 9, 2025

Dog hydrotherapy can help your dog heal after surgery or an injury, heal wounds or provide conditioning with minimal stress to the joints.

 

In the most basic of terms, dog  hydrotherapy consists of using water (hydro) for the treatment of a  problem (therapy).  As it applies to your dog, hydrotherapy can be a great way to help them heal from  many skin or joint issues and strengthen muscles. 

While there are lots  of variations, it’s basically one of three things; 

Whirlpool – 

Like  humans, dogs can benefit from the warm water and the soothing jets of a  whirlpool used for dog hydrotherapy. When the warm water covers the problem  area, it helps soothe achy joints and muscles.  A whirlpool can also help with skin or wound  healing by cleaning the area.

Underwater treadmill –

Many  facilities have a specialized treadmill for dog hydrotherapy. When your  dog gets in the water, filled to a level above the legs, it decreases  the weight that the joints have to carry. At the same time, it provides  resistance to strengthen muscles. The water can be warm for those with  sore muscles and joints or cooler for dogs strenuously working out to  stay fit.

If you have a older dog with joint issues, a canine athlete, or a dog that is recovering from an injury or surgery, canine hydrotherapy can make a big difference.

 

Swimming pools (lakes, etc.) – 

Since  access to a specialized treadmill can be limited due to the facilities  available or the cost of getting one for your own use (several thousand  dollars), you can go the simple route of having your dog swim in a pool.  You can guide your dog through different exercises, depending on your  goals. They’ll still benefit from the buoyancy and resistance provided  by the water. If you use an outdoor pool, weather can play a big part in  whether your dog gets therapy or not.  However, this can be a much less  expensive option.

How does your dog benefit from hydrotherapy?

Water  is thicker than air, so it provides more resistance to working muscles  than traditional exercising. Even better, since dogs become buoyant in  water, it supports them so that problematic joints and legs don’t have  to bear much if any weight while working. This makes hydrotherapy ideal  for

– young dogs so they can strengthen muscles without overworking growing bones and joints.
– dogs who are recovering from injuries or surgery to strengthen muscles without stressing the problem areas as much.
– arthritic dogs, allowing them to loosen up stiff joints and maintain muscle mass without causing more pain.

Where can you find dog hydrotherapy treatment?

Swimming  pools and lakes can be the easiest to find, especially in warmer  weather.  You’ll want to be sure the site is safe for your dog, free of  harmful organisms and other potential hazards.  You can even buy an  above-ground pool that’s big enough for most dogs to exercise in for $30  or so on Amazon.

Many  areas have dog swimming pools. Dog rehabilitation centers also  sometimes have dog pools. Some even have underwater treadmills.  If you  search online, you can usually find an accessible one. We are in a  remote area of Wyoming and can find pools or treadmills about 2 hours  from home.  Treatments start around $50 per session, depending on  specifics.

Canine hydrotherapy can happen at a specialized facility, at the local lake or even in your own backyard. And the benefits are numerous!

 

The bottom line

If  you have a dog with health or pain issues, a competitive athlete, or  just an active dog that needs to burn off some steam, hydrotherapy is  something to think about.  It’s beneficial for a lot of issues, fairly  affordable, and often very accessible. Have you tried it with your dog?  Let me know in the comments below.

For more about helping your dog, read Massage for dogs, or Can Reiki help my pet?