Making Waves: How Hydrotherapy Helps Pets Heal and Thrive
- Animals Only Team
- Jun 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 30
SELF-CARE FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND
At Animals Only, we’re redefining what healing looks like—for pets and the people who love them. Our integrative approach to rehabilitation goes beyond traditional treatments, combining trusted medical therapies with holistic, movement-based care that treats the whole pet. One of our most powerful and pet-approved tools? Hydrotherapy.
With the help of our underwater treadmill, hydrotherapy offers pets a low-impact, high-reward way to regain strength, improve mobility, and feel good doing it. Whether your pet is recovering from surgery, managing chronic pain, or simply needs a gentle way to move—hydrotherapy offers healing with every step.
💦What Is Pet Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is a treatment modality that uses water—specifically, warm, supportive water—as a therapeutic environment for rehabilitation. At Animals Only, we use an underwater treadmill that allows pets to walk or trot in a safe, controlled space with reduced pressure on their joints.
This method is particularly helpful for pets dealing with pain, inflammation, or mobility challenges. It’s a non-invasive, gentle, and effective way to help animals recover, rebuild, and return to their daily lives stronger than before.
In other words: your pet gets a workout and a wellness boost—all while floating through it.
🌟How Does Hydrotherapy Work?
Water works its magic in several incredible ways:
Buoyancy reduces weight-bearing stress on joints, making movement easier and less painful
Hydrostatic pressure helps decrease inflammation and improve circulation
Resistance provided by the water strengthens muscles and builds endurance
Warm water soothes stiff joints, relaxes muscles, and encourages better movement
All of this makes hydrotherapy a uniquely powerful treatment for pets who may struggle with conventional exercise. It’s especially beneficial for senior pets or those with painful conditions like arthritis, hip dysplasia, or spinal issues.
Water supports the body where it needs it most—easing pressure on joints while helping rebuild strength, mobility, and confidence.
🌊Integrative Healing Through Movement
At Animals Only, hydrotherapy is just one part of our integrative rehabilitation model. That means we blend Eastern and Western techniques—offering everything from prescription medications and physical therapy to acupuncture and hydrotherapy, all under one roof.
Western therapies we use might include laser therapy, medications, post-op care, and diagnostics.
Eastern or holistic treatments include acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, herbal supplements—and yes, hydrotherapy too.
By combining both approaches, we create personalized treatment plans designed around your pet’s unique needs and goals. If your dog just had knee surgery? We’ve got them. If your senior cat is slowing down from arthritis? We’ve got them, too.
Hydrotherapy is one of the most fun and effective ways we help pets feel better—without strain, stress, or unnecessary interventions.
💪What Conditions Can Hydrotherapy Help With?
Hydrotherapy supports healing for a wide range of conditions, including:
Post-operative recovery, especially orthopedic surgeries like TPLO or spinal procedures
Arthritis and joint degeneration, to improve mobility and reduce pain
Neurological conditions, helping restore coordination and function
Obesity and weight management, offering a safe cardio workout without added strain
Muscle atrophy, to rebuild strength after injury or inactivity
Hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia
Athletic conditioning, for active or working dogs needing low-impact training
And yes, cats can benefit too—although they may need some gentle persuasion (or a very fancy incentive).
🐶Creating a Comfortable Experience for Your Pet
We know the idea of walking in a water tank might be new (or even a little weird) for your pet. That’s why our team goes above and beyond to create a calm, positive experience that meets each animal where they’re at.
To help pets feel safe and engaged, we may:
Offer a licky mat on the front panel as a tasty distraction and motivator
Include a stuffed animal companion in the tank for comfort
Use slow introductions and calming encouragement every step of the way
Provide side cushions within the tank for safety measures
We want your pet to feel confident and empowered during their sessions. When we say it’s “self-care for your best friend,” we mean it—right down to the squeaky toy sidekick.
🔦Pet Patient Spotlight: Meet Manny
This sweet boy visits us monthly for his wellness routine—and he’s a total pro at it!
Manny receives laser and shockwave therapy to relieve muscle pain and support recovery from a soft tissue strain in his pectoral area. Afterward, it’s time for some gentle strengthening and fun in our hydrotherapy tank!
Hydrotherapy helps us monitor for any signs of re-injury while giving Manny a low-impact workout to stay strong and mobile. He walks, trots, splashes, and sometimes just enjoys the warm water while watching his reflection.
Healing, strengthening, and a splash of fun—just how we like it.
🔦Pet Patient Spotlight: Meet Coco
Say hello to Coco, our rehab rockstar!
Coco recently graduated from her personalized rehabilitation program after undergoing a Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO)—a surgical procedure to treat hip joint issues. From day one, Coco showed determination (and some serious tail wags) as she worked toward regaining her strength and mobility.
Her recovery plan included targeted therapies like hydrotherapy to support her joint while gently rebuilding muscle and improving range of motion. The buoyancy of the water helped ease pressure on her hip, while the natural resistance provided a safe, low-impact workout. Week by week, Coco became more confident, mobile, and pain-free.
To help her feel comfortable during sessions, Coco sometimes walked alongside a stuffed animal friend or enjoyed a tasty licky mat treat for extra motivation—whatever it took to keep those paws moving!
Now, Coco is back to living life to the fullest—strong, happy, and ready for all the adventures ahead. We’re so proud of her progress and honored to be part of her healing journey.
😀What to Expect During a Session
Every hydrotherapy session at Animals Only starts with an evaluation by our certified rehabilitation veterinarian. We’ll assess your pet’s condition, discuss your goals, and build a customized plan.
In the hydrotherapy room, your pet enters the treadmill tank and walks in warm, supportive water. We control the speed, depth, and duration to match their comfort and condition. Sessions usually last 10-20 minutes, and many pets show improvement after just a few visits.
Most importantly, they leave relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for a post-workout nap.
🐾 Final Thoughts: Float Toward Wellness
Self-care for your best friend means meeting them where they are—and helping them heal with compassion, movement, and science. At Animals Only, hydrotherapy is more than a treatment option. It’s a gentle yet powerful way to restore health, confidence, and joy in pets of all ages.
Whether your pup is bouncing back from surgery or your senior dog just needs a little more ease in their step, hydrotherapy might be exactly what they need to feel better, move better, and live better.
💬 Curious if hydrotherapy is right for your pet?
We’d love to help you and your best friend.
Schedule a consultation at Animals Only to learn how our integrative rehab therapies—like hydrotherapy—can bring comfort, strength, and new vitality to your pet’s life.
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