Here are five reasons your pup should take the plunge
1. It Improves Overall Health
Swimming is one of the best, most complete forms of exercise for your
dog. Just one minute of swimming equates to four minutes of running!
It provides numerous health benefits, including strengthening the
heart and lungs, decreasing inflammation, increasing metabolism, and
improving circulation which helps keep the skin and coat healthy.
Plus, moving their limbs against the resistance of the water uses
every major muscle group, improving overall tone and strength. All
this adds up to a healthy, happy dog who can run, play, and have fun
for longer with less risk of injury.
2. It’s Joint-Friendly
Swimming is low-impact, non-concussive, and non-weight bearing,
meaning it allows your dog to enjoy all the benefits without putting
stress on their joints and tendons. When submerged, the water takes on
most of your dog’s weight, supporting their body and relieving their
skeletal system from the stress of jarring impacts that can occur when
exercising on land. Furthermore, swimming gets dogs moving in a
different way than they usually would on solid ground, which improves
their range of motion. All these advantages make swimming an
especially-beneficial form of exercise for dogs with joint disorders
such as arthritis or dysplasia, and wonderful rehabilitation for pups
who are recovering from orthopedic or neurological injury.
3. It’s Stress-Relieving
Not only is swimming great for your dog’s physical health, it also
improves their mental wellbeing. Just like humans, dogs need mental
stimulation in the form of play, fun, and varied activities that
differ from the norm to help them stay sharp and happy. Swimming
allows dogs that are usually restricted to exercising on a leash the
freedom to get out all their pent-up energy without feeling
restrained. Plus, a happily worn-out dog is more likely to look
forward to going home and sleeping, allowing them to reap the
restorative benefits of a good night’s sleep.
4. It Can Be Pain-Relieving – Warm Water Swimming
Swimming in warm water can be an excellent form of therapeutic
exercise for dogs, aiding in the recovery process by strengthening
joints, facilitating circulation, and helping fortify muscles. Not
only is the warm water pain-relieving, it also promotes blood flow and
helps to warm up muscles quicker, reducing the risk of further injury.
If you don’t live in a warm climate or have a heated pool, many cities
have rehabilitation facilities with heated pools for recovering pets.
5. It’s Great for Overweight Dogs
In the case of overweight dogs, it can be difficult to provide them
adequate exercise on land without overworking already-stressed joints
and muscles. With the water supporting most of the dog’s weight,
swimming is a great way for overweight pups to burn calories and
improve their metabolic rate without the risk of injury. Together with
a balanced diet, swimming can help bring heavy dogs back down to a
healthier weight.
