12/12/2025
Some great holiday advice from the lovely ladies at Barkshire Hydrotherapy!! We see a lot of the same clients and the combination of physio and hydrotherapy can help with so many animals, whether it’s rehabilitation, managing degenerative conditions, helping the older animals or simply for weight loss and fun! Really shows how a multimodal approach is beneficial for all!
We will be closing over Christmas for 2 weeks- but we didn't want to leave you all alone without any support....so with a bit of collaboration with the lovely Lucy, (a physio, some of you may know), we have come up with a handy list to keep you going strong through the festive period.....
*Shorter more frequent walks-- just because you have more time now, it doesn't mean those little legs can cope with more than normal.
*Keep them warm- throughout the day and after walks. You can use hot water bottles (in cases), microwave bean bags, drying coats.
*Keep them moving throughout the day (little and often). You could try enrichment activities: scatter feeds, puzzles, kongs, cardboard boxes with treats inside, licky mats, snuffle mats.
*Helpful house stuff: non slip mats in popular routes through the house, non slip mats at food/water stations, raised food/water bowls- less static time bending down putting pressure on sore joints.
*Weight gain! Low calorie treats/limited treats. Having more time with you is a treat! (Reduce daily meals if giving treats in enrichment toys).
*Walking routes- be careful on rough terrain, hilly areas or slippery areas if/when it rains.
*Paws- take care around grit or ice, you might need to clean/brush paws after walks to keep those toe beans clean and safe.
*Meds- for those on medication/supplements, make sure you have enough to last your holidays (you don't need any reasons for a surprise vet visit).
Please share to anyone you think may find this helpful.
But most importantly- enjoy your time with your family, friends and pups!!
