Swimming

Has your veterinarian recommended swimming your dog? Swimming is a wonderful form of exercise for increasing cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, and strength all while your pet enjoys a fun, low impact workout. Hydrotherapy services at New England Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness Center include two swimming pools, one large circular pool, where dogs can swim laps or retrieve toys; and a swim tank where dogs can swim in place. The swim tank allows dogs to gain fitness and strength by swimming against an adjustable current. This technology is similar to the endless or never ending lap pool theory used in human therapeutic pools. Also available is an underwater treadmill, allowing dogs to walk or run in the water, an excellent way to improve gait, weight bearing, and reduce lameness. The underwater treadmill has hydrotherapy jets, which provide stimulating massage as well as resistance of up to seven times that of walking on land, and has an adjustable incline, to deliver a more challenging workout. After this cross training conditioning program, your dog can enjoy a relaxing dip in our whirlpool/Jacuzzi, where they can be stretched and massaged, to relieve muscle tension, and increase range of motion.

Swimming allows dogs to build physical strength and stamina at a muscular and cardiovascular level without putting stress on injured joints or tendons. Weightless exercise performed in the buoyancy of water strengthens and tone muscles without impact, allowing limbs to move freely with full ROM, eliminating stress to overworked joints. Swimming prevents muscle disuse and atrophy and deterioration of joint mobility.

Dogs should be introduced to water gradually. A harness and leash is used, so that the dog is supported in the chest area, and there is no pulling on the neck, which can cause further problems. It is usually helpful and reassuring for the dog if its owner is present. If the dog has never swum before, a therapist may get in the water to assist it. Life jackets are provided if the dog has difficulty swimming.

Although swimming is low impact, it is very strenuous exercise because water provides up to seven times the resistance of land exercise. Dogs should begin hydrotherapy with a short introduction to the pool, as the introduction of the pool and new surroundings will be stressful and as tiring as the initial swimming period. The dog should swim 1 to 3 laps around the pool, then be rested, and swim 1 to 2 more sets. Swimming can be increased a couple of minutes per session depending on the fitness level and health of the dog. Less healthy dogs, or dogs recovering from surgery, may swim for very short sessions, until cardiovascular fitness is increased, and post surgery pain is decreased. A veterinarian should examine all dogs before beginning a hydrotherapy exercise program.