Benefits of Swimming?
The benefits of swimming for dogs are very similar to those for humans. Swimming
involves the use of almost all the muscles required for movement, without
the concussive stresses of walking or running. Also, because water resistance
is greater than air resistance, the muscles have to work harder.
It may surprise you to know that for a dog, 1 minutes' swimming is equivalent
to about 4 minutes of running, according to Dr Arleigh Reynolds, a Veterinary
Surgeon and Canine Physiologist.
However, swimming has the benefit of achieving this level of work on the muscles,
improving strength and tone, and working the cardio-vascular and respiratory
systems, without the impact of unsupported exercise, with the associated damage
that can cause.
In fit dogs, swimming can be used as a supplementary form of exercise to improve
strength and stamina. Once used to swimming, most dogs enjoy it, at the same
time as improving their fitness. Stronger, toned muscles help to protect dogs
against injuries sustained during normal exercise, such as running or chasing
a ball, or during more demanding exercise such as agility and flyball. Swimming
should be used in conjunction with normal exercise to ensure the dogs' bones
are also kept strong and prepared for exercise on land.
For dogs with medical conditions that restrict or prohibit normal, concussive
exercise, swimming is vital.
For example, in the case of a Total Hip Replacement operation, it is important
to build up the supporting muscle prior to the operation. However, walking
and running are unsuitable forms of exercise, whereas swimming enables supported,
non-concussive exercise to build the muscles. And after the operation when
exercise is limited, swimming can increase the amount of exercise done and
help recovery to normal fitness.
For conditions such as osteo-arthritis, hip-dysplasia, OCD & CDRM, swimming provides weightless exercise to improve joint movement, increase circulation and build supporting muscle, where walking on hard ground can be uncomfortable and cause lameness.
For weight loss, swimming provides a form of supported exercise, enabling
good use of muscles and improving the metabolic rate. It can be difficult
to give an overweight dog sufficient exercise on land without over-stressing
bones and joints, so swimming is an excellent complementary exercise.
As with any fitness program, you should expect to start gently and increase
the exercise over time. Don't be surprised if your dogs only swim for a few
minutes or a few short bursts to begin with. Gradually, as their fitness improves,
they will be able to swim longer with fewer rests.
Finally, our water is heated to the optimum temperature for canine hydrotherapy.
This helps relaxation and assists blood flow. It also helps to reduce muscle
spasm and improve the dogs' range of movement. And, of course, it is more
comfortable for the dogs, making swimming in a heated pool much more enjoyable.
The more they enjoy it, the harder they tend to work, and the more benefit
they get from it, and that means we, their loving owners, enjoy it too.
