Is a Dog Hydrotherapy Pool Worth the Investment?

Using water to treat dogs with various injuries, illnesses, and conditions is becoming increasingly popular and often highly recommended by veterinarians and animal experts, trainers, and experienced owners who have seen the benefits it can have.

Dog Hydrotherapy Pool

What conditions can hydrotherapy help?

Canine hydrotherapy can be an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions or health concerns such as:

Hip or elbow dysplasia
Arthritis
Obesity / weight problems
Neurological conditions
Spinal Injuries
Mobility issues
Postoperative recovery
ACL injuries
Metabolic conditions

Types of canine hydrotherapy

There are 3 main types of hydrotherapy for dogs that serve different purposes and can be used to help improve various health conditions. If you are unsure then speak to your dog’s vet who will be able to advise which type of hydrotherapy would be best suited and most effective.

Underwater treadmill

Underwater treadmills are usually small water tanks with see-through walls that allow the hydro-therapist to observe the dogs’ movements from different angles. They provide targeted control over the dogs’ movements and the amount of support, treadmill speed, and water levels can all be adjusted depending on the dogs’ condition and progress.

Pool

A dog hydrotherapy pool is less controlled than an underwater treadmill but has the added benefit of being much larger, which allows the dog to swim and play in a safe, fun environment. They can be accompanied in the pool by yourself or a hydro-therapist, which helps develop trust and provide close-up support.

Whirlpool

The jets on a whirlpool are used to massage dogs’ joints or muscles to help alleviate pain from injuries, surgery, or medical conditions. Where the other types of hydrotherapy are utilized for helping to build up strength and muscles, whirlpools are used more as a type of pain management.

Types of canine hydrotherapy

If you have a dog that could benefit from regular hydrotherapy, then your options are to see if there is a local facility nearby that can accommodate your pet, or you could buy your dog hydrotherapy pool to have and use at home.

There are several great benefits that could make having your pool an extremely worthwhile investment such as;

You have convenient use of the pool whenever and as often as you wish, without needing to make an appointment and try to fit it around your schedule.
There is no time spent traveling to and from hydrotherapy facilities with your dog.
It helps to maintain your dogs’ health and fitness which could lead to fewer illnesses and fewer vets’ visits.
Swimming requires more energy than walking so this can be an effective replacement for some of the walks you would usually take them out for.
Helps dogs suffering from, or recovering from several issues such as muscle or ligament damage, obesity, arthritis, neurological conditions, and following surgery.
Having control over your pool at home means that you are not sharing facilities with other dogs or leaving the safety of the water hygiene up to other people.
Can help to extend the life of your beloved pet and keep them active even in their later years’ thanks to regular, low-impact exercise.
The pools are easy to maintain with minimal running costs.
Most dogs love to be in the water so the pool can be a fun and sociable place for them to play and socialize.

There are several benefits to using water to treat dogs with various injuries, illnesses, and conditions, and as such it is becoming an increasingly popular and highly recommended treatment option by veterinarians as well as animal experts, trainers, and experienced owners. There are three main types of hydrotherapy for dogs that serve different purposes – underwater treadmill, pool, and whirlpool – and your vet will be able to advise which would be best suited for your pet. whichever type of pool you choose, make sure that it is spacious enough for the dog to swim around in and has a non-slip surface. There are many benefits of owning your own pool, such as convenience, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to provide tailored, targeted treatment for your dog. Hydrotherapy can help dogs of all ages and abilities to improve their mobility, strength, and general well-being.