SWIMMING, THE PERFECT EXERCISE FOR DOGS!

Swimming is the one of the best physical activities for people and ALSO FOR DOGS because it exercises every muscle of the body without any stress. When swimming, muscles and joints are able to move through a complete range of motion without bearing any weight. Swimming in a pool with WARM water has the added benefit of relaxing muscles (specially important for arthritic dogs) and increasing overall blood circulation. All dogs, even those that are paralyzed, have the reflex to swim when in water, as muscles relax and can be retrained. It will also enhance cardiovascular strength and general fitness, speeding post surgery recovery.

Dr. Brian Beale, D.V.M in his book The Arthritis Cure for Pets states:  "Ideally, an exercise program should include each of the three basic types of exercise- aerobic activity, stretching and strength training". Swimming accomplishes  all three !!!

Hydro exercise is recommended by general and orthopedic veterinarians for the rehabilitation of arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia, paralysis, geriatric muscle regeneration, weight loss, pre surgical conditioning and post surgical rehabilitation.

WHICH DOGS WILL BENEFIT?

All dogs can benefit from swimming. Regular exercise will help your dog live longer, be stronger and prevent heart disease. This form of rehabilitation is particularly appropriate for dogs that are recovering from a range of conditions such as:

Arthritis: swimming is a gentle activity for the geriatric canine. Warm water relaxes muscles so the dog will not feel pain when exercising, thus improving joint lubrication. Old dogs have the added benefit of cardiovascular strengthening and weight loss improving general fitness. The water current stimulates sensory nerve endings in the skin creating a soothing massage your dog will certainly appreciate. Rapid improvement is visible as many dogs are able to climb stairs and walk for longer periods when they swim regularly.

Hip and elbow dysplasia: because typically these dogs compensate for the pain and discomfort by altering their posture and gait, the tensing of the muscles may exacerbate the condition. Swimming relaxes muscles, allowing tendons to tighten and better hold the ball and socket of the hip together. It will also increase muscle mass.

Post surgery: Dogs recovering from surgery are usually prescribed weeks of crate rest, which can cause a lot of stress on the dog and its owner. Because swimming is a non-weight bearing exercise it will not interfere with the recovery and by increasing cardiovascular strength and improving fitness, post surgery recovery can be drastically reduced. Swimming is also ideal for rebuilding muscles that have not been working because of the rest. Water will soften scar tissue and gently wash bacteria and debris from skin, thus reducing infection risk and promoting healing.

Weight Loss: Just as with humans, excess weight is detrimental to your dog's health. Many vets will not perform surgery on overweight dogs and swimming is the perfect complement to diet in a weight loss program. It is a very gentle and effective way to make them fit and will definitively enhance their post surgery recovery. Lots of dogs will go right back to swimming after surgery.

Endurance: Swimming is an excellent way to condition your dog for the show ring, and competitions. Dogs engaged in agility or racing will show improved performance. You may also maintain its fitness level during times of the year when trials are not available due to weather conditions or even if the handler is not able to train. Conditioning programs consist of intense workouts of up to 30 minutes three days a week. This will build muscle tone without causing wear and tear on your dog's joints. After just a few weeks of this excellent cardiovascular activity you will notice a difference in your dog's fitness, as well as minimizing the risks of sprains and muscle fatigue.