Senior care

Dog Swimming for Spondylosis

Gentle, compression-free swimming for older dogs with spondylosis.

Enquire about a session 07359 881320

WHAT OWNERS NOTICE

How spondylosis tends to show up

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.

HOW IT WORKS

In the pool with spondylosis

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

Spondylosis and warm water

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

A first spondylosis swim

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

RECOMMENDED SESSION

Swim Coach for spondylosis

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: 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.