Swim for
health

At Doggie Paddles, we provide your dogs with a natural, holistic approach to recovery and well-being.

 

For many years research has proven that hydrotherapy is a wonderful and natural way of helping dogs recover from injury or ill health.

Swimming is especially beneficial for dogs for:

 

• Keeping fit

• Safe exercise for dogs that are, disabled, injured or recovering from injury
• Weight control for overweight dogs
• Mobility for older dogs
• Best of all; Swimming is FUN!

 

Hydrotherapy treatment can help with:

 

• Pre and post-operative care
• Orthopaedic operations: fracture repair, any joint and back surgery
• CCL, OCD, ligament/cartilage damage
• Sprains and strains
• Muscle and spinal injuries
• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Degenerative joint diseases, such as arthritis
• Congenital and inherited conditions
• Dogs who are convalescing after spaying or caesarean section
• Disabilities in dogs

 

Injured, disabled or recovering dogs

Dogs that may have experienced a trauma through injury, surgery or accident may have become depressed as a result of their exercising being stopped, causing them to become bored and frustrated. This can have a knock-on effect on the dog’s behaviour and your own feelings of frustration.

When a dog walks on hard surfaces, shock waves travel up the bones, causing pain to joints that could already be sore or swollen.

Water has natural buoyancy and with the weightless exercise you’re giving a non-weight bearing activity, thus preventing painful stress on your dog’s aching muscles and joints.

Dogs with poor mobility are able to exercise their functioning limbs, using a buoyancy jacket and the assistance of the hydro therapist.

 

Overweight dogs

 

A healthy weight is very important for your dog to enjoy a long, healthy and pain-free life. Overweight causes many health issues later in life, including lung- and heart disease, arthritis and other joint issues.

 

The problem owners struggle with is that the more overweight the dog becomes, the harder and more uncomfortable it is for the dog to exercise. Hence they become less active, and gain even more weight.

 

Swimming for ten minutes is equivalent to a five mile walk. When your dog is in warm water they work harder, as the density of water is greater than air. It is safe on their joints as the natural buoyancy of the water takes the weight off their legs.

 

We also have the benefits of swim jets that create a flexible current to swim against, depending on your dog’s level of stamina and ability. Helping maintain heart and lung functions in overweight dogs helps them to lose weight.

 

 

Senior dogs

When your beloved pooch gets older, it's almost unavoidable that they get aches and pains. Their joints might be stiff in the morning, their hips may be achy when getting up and they have less energy. All of this makes it harder to exercise your dog and keep them fit and healthy.

In the warm water, senior dogs can comfortably exercise arthritic joints and maintain a healthy body weight. It is an effective media for conditioning and toning seniors and getting them the exercise and mental stimulation they need whilst not causing them any discomfort.

Click here to contact us to make an appointment or for more information.