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Discover how hydrotherapy helps dogs regain mobility, joint comfort, and muscle mass through the benefits of water.
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Dog Joint HealthAmong the rehabilitation solutions used in veterinary medicine, hydrotherapy now holds a prominent place. Thanks to the properties of water, it allows muscles and joints to work while reducing the strain placed on the body.
But what are its real benefits? In which cases is it recommended? And what does science say about it? Let's take a closer look.
Hydrotherapy is a rehabilitation method that uses the properties of water to improve mobility, strengthen musculature, and support functional recovery in dogs with locomotor disorders.
It is mainly carried out using an underwater treadmill or, less commonly, in a pool. Water creates a particularly beneficial environment: it reduces the weight borne by the joints through buoyancy, while offering natural resistance that stimulates the muscles.
This combination allows the dog to move more easily, with less pain, while still performing genuine physical work.
Hydrotherapy is now frequently used in dogs with:
Its goal is not only to improve locomotor performance, but also to preserve the dog's independence and quality of life over the long term.
The effectiveness of hydrotherapy is based on three fundamental properties of water: buoyancy, resistance, and hydrostatic pressure.
When the dog is immersed, part of its weight is naturally supported by the water. Painful joints therefore experience less strain during movement.
A study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research showed that immersion up to the hip could reduce the load on the limbs by approximately 62%. This reduction is particularly valuable in dogs with osteoarthritis, dysplasia, or in the recovery phase after surgery.
Immersion up to the hip reduces the load borne by the dog's limbs by approximately 62%.
Contrary to what you might think, hydrotherapy is not a passive exercise. Water provides natural resistance to movement, requiring the dog to engage its musculature more actively.
This resistance helps to strengthen the muscles that support the joints while limiting the impact seen with exercise on firm ground.
In painful dogs, fear of pain often leads to a decrease in physical activity. Yet the less a dog moves, the more muscle mass and mobility it loses.
By reducing mechanical strain, water allows the dog to regain broader, smoother movements. This gradual return to movement is one of the main goals of functional rehabilitation.
But are these theoretical benefits actually observed in practice? Scientific studies carried out in recent years provide particularly interesting answers.
Long considered a complementary approach, hydrotherapy now benefits from a growing number of scientific studies demonstrating its effects on mobility, pain, and functional recovery in dogs.
In a study published in the Veterinary Journal in 2018, Preston and Wills evaluated Labradors with elbow dysplasia. After a single underwater treadmill session, the researchers observed a significant increase in joint range of motion as well as an improvement in stride length.
A single hydrotherapy session increased elbow range of motion and stride length in Labradors with elbow dysplasia.
These results suggest that the benefits of hydrotherapy can appear quickly, even in dogs with chronic joint disease.
The effects appear even more marked when hydrotherapy is integrated into a rehabilitation programme over several weeks.
A pilot study published in 2025 in the journal Animals followed 50 dogs with various orthopaedic and neurological conditions. After a programme of 10 underwater treadmill sessions spread over five weeks, the researchers noted a significant improvement in mobility across all joints assessed.
The greatest gains concerned:
Interestingly, improvements were observed in dogs of all ages, with no significant difference between young and older animals.
In a randomised clinical study published in Revue Vétérinaire Clinique involving 32 dogs with hip dysplasia, researchers compared several rehabilitation approaches over two months: hydrotherapy, therapeutic laser, a combination of both, or no treatment.
Dogs that received hydrotherapy showed:
These results are particularly important, as muscle loss is one of the main consequences of osteoarthritis and dysplasia.
Contrary to a common misconception, the underwater treadmill is not used solely to unload the joints.
A study published in 2023 in the journal Research in Veterinary Science showed that walking in water increases heart rate and muscle engagement, even at a moderate speed. Hydrotherapy is therefore a genuine form of physical exercise, capable of stimulating the cardiovascular system while remaining more comfortable for the joints than effort on dry land.
Taken together, this research confirms that hydrotherapy is not limited to improving the dog's comfort: it actively supports functional recovery, muscle maintenance, and long-term mobility preservation.
Despite its many benefits, hydrotherapy is not suitable for every situation.
Certain contraindications must be taken into account:
A prior veterinary examination remains essential to determine whether this approach is suitable for the dog and to define the most appropriate work parameters.
It is also important to remember that hydrotherapy is generally not a standalone solution. The best results are achieved when it is part of a comprehensive care plan combining adapted physical activity, weight management, veterinary follow-up, and nutritional support.
Hydrotherapy is now a recognised rehabilitation solution to help dogs with joint, neurological, or recovery-related disorders. By reducing strain on the joints while encouraging movement, it helps improve mobility, preserve musculature, and support day-to-day comfort.
To achieve the best results, it is generally integrated into a comprehensive approach combining adapted physical activity, weight management, and nutritional support. Certain joint supplements, such as PERNIXOL®, can support the measures put in place to preserve the dog's mobility and quality of life over the long term.
Discover PERNIXOL®
This article was written by the R&D team at Laboratoire Sensilia, experts in animal nutrition.