When your pet arrives for an underwater treadmill session, the animal physiotherapist will begin by performing a health check. This will include taking your pet’s heart and breathing rate and a general check over for any wounds or changes in muscle condition. They will also check with you that your pet has been well since their last session.

Following the health check, your pet’s own collar or harness will be removed and replaced with a well-fitting harness and lead. Your pet will then be showered to remove any dirt or loose hair.

The underwater treadmill is very different from swimming in a river, lake or swimming pool as the pet always has their feet on a solid surface. Also, the water fills gradually from the bottom, so the pet doesn’t have to actually step into the water; it just fills gently around them. Added to that, the sides of the tank are all clear, so your pet will be able to see you at all times – very reassuring for nervous animals.

The amount of time your pet spends exercising on the underwater treadmill will be dependent on a number of factors, including their condition, age, fitness and general health. Initially they may only do very short bursts of exercise with rest periods in between. As they improve, the time on the treadmill will be gradually increased, but your pet will never do more than five minutes without a rest period.

Each session will allow enough time for your pet to acclimatise to the environment, receive a health check, be showered before and after, and towel-dried.

Here at the Cromwell ARC, we believe the owner is an integral part of a pet’s rehabilitation team. We very much encourage you to stay with your pet for their underwater treadmill session, as you can provide reassurance and encouragement to your pet.

We ask that you do not feed your pet for two hours prior to a session on the underwater treadmill.

While we do have absorbent micro-fibre towels that will remove a large amount of the water from your pet’s coat, we ask that you bring a large towel to finish off the drying process (plus an extra one for the car!).

Before entering the treadmill, your pet will undergo a health check by one of our animal physiotherapists to make sure it is safe to proceed. Your pet will then be fitted with a harness to ensure they can be restrained or lifted if necessary. The animal physiotherapist will enter the treadmill with your pet and will remain there for the duration of the session. Regular checks will be made on your pet, such as heart rate and breathing rate, to ensure they are coping well with exercising on the underwater treadmill.

Also, water quality is closely monitored to ensure your pet is exercising in clean, safe water.

The water used to fill the underwater treadmill is treated with chlorine, much like the water in a swimming pool. Water is tested at least three times a day to ensure safe but not excessive levels of chlorine are maintained. You pet will be showered after they have been in the water to remove any chlorine from their coat.

Pets will be towel dried after their session and the centre is heated, but we do recommend bringing a coat for them to wear on their journey home.

Yes. We offer fitness sessions, which are ideal for keeping sporting and working dogs in peak fitness, improving or maintaining condition of show dogs or just keeping your pet fit. Exercising on the underwater treadmill can also be an integral part of a weight loss programme for your pet.

Dogs, cats and even rabbits can be successfully treated on an underwater treadmill.