Pet Physical Therapy: Everything You Need to Know 

This article was approved by Lemonade’s favorite vet, Dr. Stephanie Liff. 

Keeping our furry companions happy and healthy is a top priority for pet parents. But what happens when your dog or cat shows mobility issues, suffers an injury, or needs help recovering after surgery? 

That’s where pet physical therapy comes in — a tailored approach to help improve your pet’s quality of life. 

Whether you’re a dog owner curious about hydrotherapy or a cat parent exploring ways to relieve osteoarthritis pain, let’s dive into the world of pet physical therapy. 

What is dog physical therapy? 

Dog physical therapy, also called canine physical therapy, includes a variety of treatments designed to help with injuries, improve mobility, and boost your dog’s overall well-being. Just like physical therapy for humans, it focuses on professional care and personalized exercises to support recovery.

Rehab specialists and vets offer a range of services for dogs, such as: 

• Manual therapy: This involves hands-on techniques like massage or joint manipulation to improve mobility, reduce pain, and promote healing. A therapist uses their hands to target specific areas of the body.
• Cold therapy: Cold packs or ice are applied to reduce swelling and discomfort. It helps to numb sore areas and control inflammation after an injury or surgery.
• Therapeutic ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves are used to penetrate deep tissue, generating heat to improve circulation and relax muscles. This treatment enhances healing in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
• Exercise programs: These are tailored activities designed to strengthen muscles, improve range of motion, and build endurance. They often include tasks like walking on treadmills, using balance boards, or guided stretching.

Two of the most common therapies are hydrotherapy and underwater treadmills, which use water’s buoyancy to make movement easier on the joints.

Whether your dog is recovering from a torn CCL, dealing with chronic hip dysplasia, or other conditions that may benefit from physical therapy, canine physical therapy can help reduce pain, rebuild strength, and improve their range of motion.

Do cats need physical therapy? 

Cats may be naturally agile, but they’re not invincible. Injuries, degenerative diseases, and post-surgery challenges can all take a toll on their mobility. Physical therapy can help improve their range of motion, build muscle strength, and speed up healing.

Therapy for cats can include:  

• Specialized exercises: These involve carefully designed activities to improve flexibility, strength, and coordination. Examples include gentle stretching, obstacle navigation, or low-impact movement exercises.
• Cold therapy: Ice packs or chilled wraps are applied to sore or injured areas to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. This method is especially useful after surgery or acute injuries.
• Electrical stimulation: Small electrical currents are used to stimulate nerves and muscles, promoting muscle contraction and improving circulation. It’s often used to prevent muscle atrophy or aid in pain relief.
• Slow manual therapy: Gentle hands-on techniques, like light massage or joint manipulation, are performed slowly to enhance comfort, reduce tension, and improve mobility in specific areas.

Whether they’re bouncing back from a leg amputation or dealing with arthritis, physical therapy can make a big difference for our feline friends.

When will a cat or dog need physical therapy? 

Your vet might suggest physical therapy as part of a personalized treatment plan for many reasons, including:

• Post-injury recovery: After trauma such as falling from heights, or sprains from chasing squirrels 
• Post-surgery recovery: After orthopedic surgery for fractures or ligament repairs like a torn CCL, a common orthopedic condition in dogs
• Chronic conditions: Like managing arthritis or osteoarthritis for older dogs or cats
• Soft tissue injuries: Treating sprains or muscle tears that cause muscle atrophy
• Neurological conditions: Supporting dogs and cats with spinal cord injuries or nerve damage
• Weight management: Alleviating pressure on joints caused by pet obesity

“In my practice, the most common conditions that lead pets to need physical therapy are back or neck problems like IVDD and orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, CCL injuries, or recovery after an amputation.” 

-Dr. Stephanie Liff

What are the signs that my pet might need physical therapy? 

Some early warning signs that your canine could benefit from physical therapy include: 

• If they seem stiff
• If they’re struggling with stairs
• If they aren’t as playful as usual

 For your feline friends, keep an eye out for early signs like: 

• Trouble jumping
• Decreased activity
• Changes in the way they walk

If you spot any of these signs, it’s a good idea to check in with your vet to figure out the best next steps. 

How much does physical therapy cost for dogs and cats? 

Here’s a look at the average cost of some common physical therapy treatments for cats and dogs.

Treatment	Average cost for dogs	Average cost for cats
Acupuncture	$60 to $300 per session	$50 to $240 per session
E-stim therapy	$40 to $120 per session	$30 to $100 per session
Gait training	$50 to $100 per session	$40 to $80 per session
Hydrotherapy	$40 to $70 per session	$50 to $70 per session (though this treatment is rare for cats)
Range of motion exercises	$50 to $100 per session	$40 to $80 per session
Therapeutic Ultrasound	$30 to $60 per session	$30 to $50 per session

However, costs for physical rehabilitation for both dogs and cats can vary widely depending on:

• Therapies used 
• Your location
• Frequency of sessions 
• Your pet’s size 
• Your pet’s behavior

Does pet insurance cover physical therapy? 

Good news for pet parents—pet insurance can often help cover the costs of physical therapy for our canine and feline friends. 

Lemonade offers an optional physical therapy add-on, which can take a bite out of costs of vet-recommended rehabilitation for eligible conditions. When you add our physical therapy add-on to your base policy, you’ll get reimbursed for treatments related to functionality issues as a result of an unexpected illness or accident.

What does that mean? Let’s say your senior Husky sprains her knee while chasing a squirrel in the backyard. Your base policy covers necessary X-rays and surgery. With the physical therapy add-on, she’ll be able to recover in style, without breaking the bank. 

Check out the treatments Lemonade’s physical therapy add-on can help cover. 

Treatments covered with Lemonade’s physical therapy add-on
Acupuncture	Chiropractic
Cryotherapy	Electro-accupuncture
E-stim therapy	Gait training
Hydrotherapy	Joint mobilization
Laser therapy	Massage
Range of motion exercises	Treadmill therapy
Stretching	Therapeutic exercises
Heat therapy	Therapeutic ultrasound

It’s important to note that Lemonade’s physical therapy add-on is subject to your base policy’s co-insurance and annual deductible. Additionally, “alternative medicines”, like CBD or aromatherapy treatments, as well as treatments related to pre-existing conditions will not be covered. 

Before we go… 

Physical therapy offers immense benefits for both dogs and cats, helping them recover from surgery, ease arthritic pain, and regain their playful energy. 

We hope that you and your furry friends are never in a situation where they may need physical therapy, but it’s a good idea to be prepared. Covering your pet with Lemonade pet insurance, and including the physical therapy add-on, can help  set your furry friend—and your wallet—up for success. 

Click below to get your free quote today. 

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A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.