Hydrotherapy for Dogs: Benefits and Uses
Hydrotherapy for dogs may sound like a day at the spa, but for many pups it’s a vital part of staying healthy and mobile. If you’ve seen your dog hesitate at the stairs, limp after a walk, or slow down with age, you know how heartbreaking it can be. Water therapy offers a gentle, low-impact way to help. By letting dogs glide through warm water or walk on a treadmill inside a glass tank, hydrotherapy takes the weight off sore joints while building strength, easing pain, and restoring confidence. Just like people use aquatic therapy to recover from injuries, more veterinarians are now recommending hydrotherapy for dogs to improve comfort and quality of life.
What Is Hydrotherapy for Dogs?
Hydrotherapy is a form of physical therapy that uses water to support and guide movement. Because water provides buoyancy, dogs can exercise without placing as much pressure on their joints. The resistance of water also helps build strength, while warm water may improve circulation and comfort.
Hydrotherapy has deep roots in human medicine, dating all the way back to the hot baths and therapeutic pools of ancient Greece and Rome. In modern times, aquatic therapy is a mainstay in physical therapy programs for people recovering from joint replacements, sports injuries, and chronic pain. Horses were actually the first veterinary patients to benefit from hydrotherapy, with racehorses and performance horses using swimming pools and water treadmills to build fitness and heal from injuries. Inspired by these successes, veterinarians began offering hydrotherapy for dogs as the specialty of canine rehabilitation developed in the 1990s and 2000s. Today, it’s a well-established and growing part of many canine rehabilitation programs.
There are two main types of hydrotherapy for dogs:
- Swimming pools (dog hydrotherapy pool): Dogs swim laps under supervision, often wearing a flotation vest and guided by a therapist.
- Underwater treadmills (canine hydrotherapy treadmill): A dog walks on a treadmill inside a tank filled with water, allowing therapists to adjust water depth, incline, and speed to target specific goals.
Sessions are usually offered at veterinary rehabilitation centers, specialty clinics, or canine sports medicine practices. Some pet parents may also provide at-home hydrotherapy in safe backyard pools under veterinary guidance. This can be a great way to supplement professional treatment, but professional input is always best before starting.
Benefits of Hydrotherapy for Dogs
Hydrotherapy can benefit dogs in a variety of ways. It can be beneficial for:
Arthritis and joint disease
Buoyancy reduces the impact on painful joints. In one study, even a single hydrotherapy session increased range of motion and stride length in Labradors with elbow dysplasia (1). This suggests that water exercise may help arthritic dogs move more comfortably.
Post-surgical recovery
After orthopedic surgeries, such as cranial cruciate ligament repair, hydrotherapy helps restore mobility. Research has shown that underwater treadmill therapy improves joint range of motion and limb use compared to home exercises alone (1).
Spinal conditions
A study on dogs walking in underwater treadmills at different inclines found the exercise did not cause excessive spinal strain, suggesting that it can be safely incorporated into rehabilitation programs for dogs with back problems (2).
Neurological conditions
Dogs recovering from spinal surgery or living with neurological disease often benefit from hydrotherapy. The buoyancy of water supports weak or uncoordinated limbs, allowing safe practice of walking or swimming. Water also stimulates proprioception (awareness of body position), helping retrain nerves and muscles to work together. For many dogs, this means improved balance, mobility, and confidence (3).
Weight management
Water exercise allows overweight dogs to burn calories while protecting their joints.
Conditioning and injury prevention
Athletic dogs and working dogs can use hydrotherapy as part of a fitness program to build endurance and strength without excessive wear and tear.
Overall wellness
Hydrotherapy increases circulation, promotes muscle tone, and provides mental enrichment.
It’s important to note that swimming and underwater treadmill work each have unique benefits. Swimming is particularly good for front leg strength and mobility, while underwater treadmills better target the back legs (4). A rehab professional may recommend one or both, depending on your dog’s needs.
Dog Hydrotherapy Session: What to Expect
Most dogs need a veterinary rehabilitation consultation before beginning hydrotherapy. This ensures the therapy is safe and tailored to the dog’s specific condition.
During a hydrotherapy session, dogs usually wear a life jacket or harness for safety. A therapist guides them into the hydrotherapy pool or underwater treadmill, encouraging them with gentle handling, toys, or treats. Sessions typically last 20–30 minutes, though beginners may start with shorter sessions (5–10 minutes) to build endurance (4).
- Pool sessions: A therapist may swim alongside or guide your dog using a harness. Safe entry and exit are important — jumping in or climbing out on their own can lead to injury (4).
- Underwater treadmill sessions: The treadmill speed, incline, and water depth can all be adjusted to focus on front or hind limbs, reduce weight-bearing, or improve balance.
Most dogs tolerate hydrotherapy well, but for anxious pups, therapists may use positive reinforcement and a gradual introduction to help them feel comfortable.
How often sessions are recommended varies: some dogs go once or twice weekly for several weeks, while others may continue on a maintenance schedule for chronic conditions like arthritis.
Cost of Hydrotherapy for Dogs
The cost of dog hydrotherapy varies by region and facility. On average in the U.S., sessions range from $40 to $100 per visit, with some specialty centers charging more. Many facilities offer package deals to reduce the per-session cost.
Pet insurance may cover hydrotherapy if it’s prescribed as part of treatment for a medical condition, such as arthritis, post-surgical recovery, or neurological rehabilitation. Always check with your insurance provider for details.
How to Know if Hydrotherapy Is Right for Your Dog
Hydrotherapy can be a great fit for many dogs, but it isn’t the right choice for everyone. Dogs with arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia, or other joint conditions often benefit from the buoyancy of water because it takes the strain off sore joints. It can also be especially helpful for dogs recovering from orthopedic surgery, or for pets with neurological conditions such as intervertebral disc disease. Overweight dogs may find water exercise more comfortable than land-based activity, and canine athletes or working dogs sometimes use hydrotherapy to build strength and prevent injuries.
That said, hydrotherapy does come with some cautions. Dogs with open wounds, severe skin infections, uncontrolled seizures, or serious heart or lung disease may not be good candidates. Because water exposure can occasionally lead to ear infections or skin irritation, it’s important to rinse and dry your dog thoroughly after sessions. And while some dogs love the water right away, others may need a slower, gentler introduction — or might prefer a different type of rehabilitation altogether.
If you’re curious whether hydrotherapy could help your dog, start by talking to your veterinarian. They can assess your dog’s health needs and, if it seems like a good fit, refer you to a certified canine rehabilitation specialist. These experts can create a customized plan for your pup and guide you on whether professional sessions, at-home swimming, or a combination of both would be most beneficial.
References
- Preston T, Wills AP. A single hydrotherapy session increases range of motion and stride length in Labrador retrievers diagnosed with elbow dysplasia. Vet J. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.02.013
- Hodgson H, Blake S, de Godoy R. A study using a canine hydrotherapy treadmill at five different conditions to kinematically assess range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine in dogs. Vet Med Sci. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1067
- Prime Pet Rehab. Hydrotherapy and neurological benefits for dogs. 2023. https://primepetrehab.com/hydrotherapy-neurological-benefits-dogs/
- Canine Arthritis Management. Swimming pool vs underwater treadmill for dogs. 2020. https://caninearthritis.org/swimming-pool-vs-underwater-tread-mill/
