Dog physiotherapy helps dogs move comfortably and confidently: recovering from surgery, living with arthritis, coming back from injury, or staying fit for sport and work. We're a mobile practice, so we treat your dog at home, and we work alongside your vet throughout.
When to consider physio for your dog
- After surgery: cruciate ligament repair (such as TPLO), hip and elbow surgery, fracture repair and spinal surgery
- Arthritis and age-related stiffness
- Back and neck problems, including intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Muscle, tendon and ligament injuries
- Neurological conditions such as FCE, degenerative myelopathy and vestibular disease
- Sporting and working dogs: agility, canicross and farm dogs, for conditioning and recovery
Signs your dog may benefit
- A limp that comes and goes, often worse after rest
- Stiffness or slowness getting up
- Avoiding jumps, stairs or getting into the car
- Slowing down or lagging behind on walks
- Muscle loss on one leg or over the hips
- Changes in posture, or reluctance to be touched in one area
If you notice any of these, speak to your vet first. Sudden weakness or wobbliness in the back legs is an emergency.
How a dog physio session works
At the first visit we go through your dog's history, watch how they stand and move, and do a hands-on examination. Then we agree goals and a tailored plan. Treatment may include manual therapy, exercise therapy, laser therapy, electrotherapy and kinesiotaping, plus a home programme you can do between visits. For spinal and nerve problems, see neurological rehabilitation.
“Caleigh was absolutely amazing with our Staffy after both her TPLO surgeries.”
What the research says
- Arthritis can start young. In a 2024 study of 123 dogs aged 8 months to 4 years, almost 4 in 10 had arthritis changes on X-ray, and owners had noticed problems in only about 3 in 10 of the dogs with painful joints. Enomoto et al., Scientific Reports, 2024
- Keeping dogs lean protects their joints. In a lifelong study of Labradors, hip arthritis showed on X-ray at a median of 12 years in dogs fed 25% less, compared with 6 years in their pair-mates. Kealy et al., 2002; Smith et al., 2006
- Physio after cruciate surgery. In a small trial, dogs given physiotherapy after TPLO had more thigh muscle at six weeks than dogs on a walking-only plan. Monk et al., American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2006
“Caleigh has helped me & my pup through a traumatic year after an accident, seen us through all the operations, recovery & rehab.”
Frequently asked questions
Does my dog need a vet referral?
A referral isn't always required, but we work closely with your vet and are happy to liaise with them directly. We encourage you to discuss physio with your vet before starting.
How many sessions will my dog need?
It depends on the condition. Recent injuries and post-surgical cases often start with weekly sessions that taper off; long-term conditions such as arthritis may suit regular maintenance sessions. We'll discuss a plan at the first assessment.
Do you come to my home?
Yes. We're a mobile practice, so we treat your dog at home, where they're most settled.
Is physio safe for older dogs?
Yes. Treatment is tailored to each dog's age, condition and comfort, and we check for anything that rules a treatment out before we start.
Where we work
We're a mobile practice, so we come to you. We cover Betty's Bay, Botrivier, Gansbaai, Grabouw, Hermanus, Kleinmond, Pringle Bay, Somerset West, Stanford and Stellenbosch, and the areas around them. See our service area map.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Every animal is assessed individually, and we work alongside your vet.