How Water Treadmills Help Pets: Pet Rehab at DoveLewis
Pets recovering from surgery, injury, or illness often benefit from rehabilitation to regain strength, mobility, and confidence. A highly effective tool in veterinary rehab is the water treadmill, a form of pet hydrotherapy that provides low-impact exercise to support healing while reducing stress on joints and muscles.
Benefits of Water Treadmill Therapy for Pets
- Low-Impact Exercise: The buoyancy of water reduces pressure on joints, making it ideal for pets with arthritis, orthopedic surgery recovery, or mobility issues.
- Build Strength and Endurance: Walking against water resistance strengthens muscles without overexertion.
- Improves Balance and Coordination: Water supports pets as they regain confidence in movement after injury or surgery.
- Pain Management: Gentle, controlled movement in water can help reduce discomfort associated with arthritis, post-surgical recovery, or neurological conditions.
- Supports Weight Management: Pets can burn calories and maintain fitness while minimizing joint strain.
Who Can Benefit
Water treadmill therapy can help a wide range of pets. It’s especially useful for those recovering from orthopedic surgery or neurosurgery. Pets with arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia, or other chronic joint conditions often experience less pain and better mobility with water-supported exercise. It’s also beneficial for senior pets, who may struggle with stiffness or weakness. Even pets regaining strength after injury or illness can improve their endurance and confidence through water treadmill sessions.
DoveLewis Rehabilitation Services
Our rehabilitation team includes water treadmill therapy as part of individualized care plans tailored to each pet. We work closely with families and collaborate with our other specialists—such as surgery, neurology, and oncology—to ensure every aspect of a pet’s recovery is supported.
By combining water treadmill therapy with other proven rehab techniques, we help pets recover safely, build strength, and improve mobility. This gentle, low-impact approach not only aids healing but also enhances comfort and confidence, allowing pets to return to the daily activities they love.
