Hydrotherapy provides rehabilitation and exercise benefits for dogs recovering from injury or managing chronic conditions, with significant welfare improvements when properly administered.
Canine hydrotherapy offers genuine welfare benefits for many dogs with musculoskeletal conditions, but the welfare quality of therapy delivery varies significantly between practitioners. A positive experience requires that dogs are introduced gradually to the water environment, sessions are terminated when signs of stress or fatigue appear, and water temperature and session intensity are appropriate for the individual animal. Dogs that show persistent anxiety about hydrotherapy should not be forced to continue — the stress of treatment may outweigh any physical benefit. When delivered well by skilled practitioners, hydrotherapy significantly improves physical function and quality of life for dogs with chronic conditions.