Hydrotherapy — exercise in water — is increasingly used in canine rehabilitation following surgery or injury. It offers welfare benefits by enabling movement with reduced joint stress.
Hydrotherapy offers genuine welfare benefits for dogs recovering from surgery or living with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. It enables pain-free movement and exercise that supports physical recovery and psychological wellbeing — restricted dogs who cannot exercise suffer mentally as well as physically. The sensory stimulation of water and positive interaction with therapists provides enrichment alongside rehabilitation. Welfare considerations include ensuring the dog is not distressed by the water environment and that sessions are appropriately timed and supervised.