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Benefits of Swimming for dogs...
benefits of swimming for dogs.
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, 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 programme, 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.
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, 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 programme, 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.
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