Senior care

Dog Swimming for Spondylosis

Spondylosis reduces spinal flexibility, and the surrounding muscle then tightens further. Private 30-minute sessions in a heated indoor pool at Bretherton, Lancashire.

Enquire about a session 07359 881320

WHAT OWNERS NOTICE

Signs owners mention when they call us

stiff, rigid-looking back

difficulty turning to look behind

reluctance to jump

slow to lie down or get up

WHAT IT IS

Spondylosis in plain English

Bony bridges forming along the underside of the spine, usually in older dogs. Often an incidental x-ray finding, sometimes a cause of stiffness and reduced flexibility.

We are a canine swimming and hydro pool, not a veterinary practice — this page explains how our sessions fit alongside the care your vet provides.

HOW IT WORKS

What the water is actually doing

Continuous, low-amplitude trunk movement in warm water

No jarring through the vertebral column

Warmth reduces the protective muscle tension around the affected segments

Maintains overall fitness in dogs whose walks have shortened

WHY THE POOL HELPS

Why warm water suits this problem

Spondylosis reduces spinal flexibility, and the surrounding muscle then tightens further. Swimming asks the trunk to work through a gentle, continuous range with no compression.

YOUR FIRST VISIT

What the first session looks like

Long warm-up standing in the shallow end, then a short, steady swim without any fetch or twisting.

30 minutes

Arrive 10 minutes early

28–32°C water

Indoor, private pool

Towel & dryer

Included every visit

RECOMMENDED SESSION

We'd start with the Swim Coach session

Fortnightly is a realistic long-term rhythm for most affected dogs.

Comfort and willingness to move usually change before anything visible does.

£40 · 30 minutesCheck availability

Before you book

If your dog is suddenly much worse, that needs a vet rather than a swim — new pain in an older spine deserves investigation.

QUESTIONS WE GET ASKED

Spondylosis: your questions

Is swimming safe with spondylosis?

For a stable, comfortable dog it is one of the gentler ways to keep the back moving, because nothing is compressing the spine. Get a vet opinion if your dog is painful.