Canine hydrotherapy is a type of physical therapy for dogs that involves the use of water to help in the treatment and rehabilitation of various conditions. The buoyancy, resistance, and temperature of water make it an ideal environment for therapeutic exercises.

• Pain Relief - The buoyancy of water reduces the weight-bearing load on joints, alleviating pain and allowing for more comfortable movement.
• Increased Mobility -Water resistance provides a gentle workout that can help improve the range of motion in joints.
• Muscle Strengthening - Exercising in water can help build and maintain muscle strength, especially after surgery or injury.
• Cardiovascular Fitness -Swimming can improve cardiovascular health without putting undue stress on the body.
• Weight Management - Hydrotherapy can be an effective part of a weight loss program, especially for those that have difficulty exercising on land.
• Removes pressure from the joints and improves range of motion in the joints. 
• Reduces inflammation. 
• Helps to increase blood circulation. 
• Improves stamina and strength in a controlled environment. 
• Provides mental stimulation. 

Hydrotherapy provides numerous benefits for all dogs, not just those recovering from surgery, injuries, or managing chronic health conditions. It is a highly effective, low-impact form of exercise that can support dogs in various stages of life and activity levels. 

For example hydrotherapy is great for sports dogs that participate in high-impact activities such as agility, flyball, or canicross. General day to day land based activities place significant stress on joints, muscles and ligaments, increasing the risk of overuse injuries. Hydrotherapy allows dogs to build and maintain strength, improve cardiovascular fitness and enhance their range of movement without the added strain of weight-bearing excercises on land. 

The buoyancy of water reduces pressure on the joints, making it a safer alternative for dogs with existing joint issues or for those needing to improve and maintain their physical condition. It also provides resistance, encouraging controlled movement that helps to strengthen muscles evenly and improve cardiovascular health. 

Whether as part of a fitness routine, rehabilitation program or a preventative measure, hydrotherapy offers a safe and effective form of exercise for all dogs.

There are 4 main parts to a typical hydrotherapy session which consist of the following;
1. Assessment - A hydrotherapist will assess your dog’s physical condition and design a tailored hydrotherapy programme to meet their individual needs.

2. Introduction to Water - Your dog will be gradually introduced to the water to ensure they are comfortable and safe.

3. Exercise Routine - Your dog will then commence their swimming regime lead by a trained hydrotherapist.

4. Monitoring - A hydrotherapist will monitor your dog’s response to exercise, adjusting the program as needed to ensure optimal benefits.

5. Shower - We provide showering facilities so that we can rinse your dog off after each session and then towel dry them so they are ready to enjoy the rest of their day. 

The sessions are booked in 45 minute slots, however the amount of time swimming depends on each individual dog, their condition, age and reasons for attending hydrotherapy. This will be tailored to every individual dogs needs. The 45 minutes includes the time for showering and drying at the end of each session. 

Yes, we accept all types of payment. However, cash is our preferred method of payment.

Booking a session at Panda Paws Hydrotherapy is nice and simple! Just get in touch with us via email, phone, or social media to express your interest. We’ll then send you two quick forms:

• An electronic Client Information Form to fill in
• A Vet Referral Form, which you’ll need to forward to your vet for completion

Once we’ve received both forms back, we’ll be in touch to book your dog’s first session. If you have any questions at all during the process, we’re always happy to help!

Click below to start your pups hydrotherapy journey today.