Underwater treadmill therapy
Underwater treadmill therapy leverages water’s various properties to provide safe, low-impact exercise for pets. The water’s buoyancy creates a relatively weightless environment, relieving stress from aching joints, while the moving treadmill belt encourages motion and healthy resistance. Pets with balance issues can rely on the water’s support to hold them upright, while applying gentle, even pressure to the limbs and trunk.
Conditions that benefit from underwater treadmill therapy
Water’s impressive healing abilities make the underwater treadmill a suitable therapy for pets of all ages. However, some of the most common reasons for recommending this therapy include:
Underwater treadmill benefits
Underwater treadmill sessions provide a total body workout that includes a wide variety of benefits, including:
- Improved joint range of motion
- Increased weight-bearing
- Weight loss
- Physical conditioning
- Gait retraining
- Muscle relaxation
- Increased stamina
What to expect from your pet’s first session
The underwater treadmill is a glass-sided chamber with a ramp where pets can enter and exit, although some small pets may prefer to be carried. The entry door is closed, and the chamber is filled to a predetermined depth that is often the pet’s elbow or hip. The warm water helps most pets relax—plus, we use plenty of praise and food or toy reinforcement so that the pet builds a positive association with the treadmill. Most pets are walking by the end of their first session. If your pet requires manual support or assistance, the therapist will remain inside the chamber with your pet.
Your pet’s initial session will focus on acclimation, and most pets walk for only a few minutes, but as they become stronger, the walking intervals are gradually increased.
Would underwater treadmill therapy benefit your pet? Contact Neighborhood Veterinary Centers to schedule a consultation.
What to expect from your pet’s first session
The underwater treadmill is a glass-sided chamber with a ramp where pets can enter and exit, although some small pets may prefer to be carried. The entry door is closed, and the chamber is filled to a predetermined depth that is often the pet’s elbow or hip. The warm water helps most pets relax—plus, we use plenty of praise and food or toy reinforcement so that the pet builds a positive association with the treadmill. Most pets are walking by the end of their first session. If your pet requires manual support or assistance, the therapist will remain inside the chamber with your pet.
Your pet’s initial session will focus on acclimation, and most pets walk for only a few minutes, but as they become stronger, the walking intervals are gradually increased.
Would underwater treadmill therapy benefit your pet? Contact Neighborhood Veterinary Centers to schedule a consultation.
