Hydrotherapy is a excellent non weight bearing environment in which to help your much loved dog lose weight. Hydrotherapy and cutting back on your dog’s food intake will give your pup a few extra years of life.
If you are swimming your dog for fun do not automatically increase his/her food intake! It is best to monitor your dog’s weight, if he/she is losing a bit of weight but adding muscle and looks good all is well.
Remember you should be able to feel your dog’s ribs by lightly running your hand over them and you should be able to visibly see his/her waist. Even a couple of extra pounds can put undue stress on your dog’s joints causing a change in gait which in turn can cause pain. The trickle down effect is your dog not wanting to exercise as much which in turn will cause weight gain. The money you spend on hydrotherapy will be wasted by allowing your dog to gain weight. Plus, your dog will be losing out as well due to the burden of the extra weight he/she is carrying around!
One of my dad’s clients unknowingly brought their dog to swim after their dog had been exposed to kennel cough. Oh well, I’ll be well soon. The worst thing is I can’t swim because I don’t want to spread my germs throughout the pool building. My dad had to do the responsible thing and close the pool until I get better so I don’t infect any else. Great chatting to you, I’ll be back soon.
