Underwater Treadmill Therapy
Underwater Treadmill Therapy for Dogs at Pawsitive Relief
Help Your Dog Move More Comfortably, Recover Faster, and Regain Confidence
At Pawsitive Relief, we’re proud to offer underwater treadmill therapy as part of our comprehensive, evidence-based rehabilitation services. This low-impact but highly effective treatment supports dogs recovering from surgery, managing mobility issues, or needing structured fitness support — all under the care of our veterinary-led team.
Our underwater treadmill facility is located at our main clinic in County Durham, where we provide tailored, individualised sessions designed to restore strength, coordination, and comfort.
💧 What Is Underwater Treadmill Therapy?
The underwater treadmill is a specially designed treadmill enclosed within a tank that fills with warm, temperature-controlled water. As your dog walks on the treadmill, the buoyancy of the water helps reduce weight-bearing stress, allowing for safe and supported movement.
This therapy is ideal for dogs who need to rebuild muscle, improve joint range of motion, or regain confidence after injury, illness, or surgery — all in a calm, controlled environment.
🐾 Who Can Benefit from Underwater Treadmill Therapy?
Underwater treadmill therapy is commonly recommended for dogs with:
Arthritis or age-related stiffness
Hip or elbow dysplasia
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Cruciate ligament injury (pre- or post-op)
Neurological conditions (e.g., post-spinal surgery)
Obesity and muscle loss
Generalised weakness or poor coordination
Gait abnormalities or post-operative rehabilitation
Whether your dog is recovering from a specific procedure or needs long-term support for a chronic condition, the underwater treadmill can help improve comfort, strength, and function — all without unnecessary strain.
✅ Why Choose Underwater Treadmill Over Swimming?
While swimming has its place, the underwater treadmill offers superior control and therapeutic benefit:
Controlled speed and duration
Adjustable water depth to modulate resistance
Improved focus on limb placement, symmetry, and posture
Safer for dogs who are nervous or less confident in open water
Especially helpful for dogs with neurological weakness or poor balance
Sessions are always guided by a qualified hydrotherapist under veterinary direction, and tailored to your pet’s specific rehab goals.
📝 Referral & Suitability Process
To ensure safety and efficacy, all dogs using our underwater treadmill must first undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation with one of our veterinary rehabilitation clinicians. This includes:
Full medical and surgical history review
Musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, and neurological assessment
Gait and stance analysis
Pain scoring and baseline measurements
Development of a bespoke rehabilitation plan
We also work closely with referring vets to ensure seamless continuity of care.
🗓 Ready to Book?
Our underwater treadmill service is available now at our County Durham clinic. To schedule an assessment or find out if your dog is suitable for hydrotherapy, simply get in touch using the contact details below or request a callback.
📧 info@pawsitiverelief.vet
📍 County Durham
🐾 Vet-Led Rehabilitation | Safe. Skilled. Supportive.
Why Pawsitive Relief?
🩺 Veterinary-led care from day one
🐶 Gentle, dog-centred approach
👩⚕️ Qualified hydrotherapists and physiotherapists
🌱 Evidence-based, multimodal rehab plans
🧘 Fear-free environment for nervous patients
🏆 Trusted by referring vets and clients across the North East
Looking for Pool-Based Hydrotherapy or Fun Swims?
We’re excited to announce that our purpose-built hydrotherapy pool is launching soon at our new branch location! Fun and fitness swims, alongside clinical pool-based therapy, will be available in the coming months.