The Top 5 Benefits of Swimming for Dogs
Have you ever witnessed the pure joy of a lab belly-slamming into a lake after a tennis ball, a border collie cooling off in the ocean on a hot day, or a Newfoundland proudly saving his human companion from the backyard pool – even when they don’t actually need saving? Many dogs love to swim, but when it comes to dog exercise, the go-to activities are usually walking, running, or playing fetch. Just like humans, dogs enjoy variety, and there’s no better way to get it than by swimming.
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for your dog – and for you! It does wonders for overall health, providing an aerobic workout that also tones and strengthens muscles. It can be especially beneficial as therapy for dogs who are rehabilitating from an injury or surgery, have joint problems, or are older or overweight. Plus, diving in with your canine companion can be a great way to foster the bond you two share.
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.
