“Ooh, that feels good!” That’s what your dog will be thinking when you give them a proper rub down. Not only is a dog massage enjoyable for our canine companions, but it’s proven to have many healthy benefits as well.
Canine massage provides a wide range of physical and psychological benefits for your dog, and a basic massage you can do at home only takes a few minutes. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to build and strengthen the bond you share with your canine companion.
Benefits of Dog Massage:
1. It Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Massage is proven to reduce stress and anxiety, which is a huge plus for any dog and especially helpful for pups that are easily stressed or worried. Just like humans who experience anxiety, anxious dogs can benefit from a consistent, reassuring routine.
Incorporating massage into your dog’s daily routine – perhaps as a nighttime ritual or a morning routine – can provide a comforting form of relaxation.
Gentle hands-on massage can be effective in reducing everyday anxiety in our pups, including during stressful situations such as a thunderstorm or fireworks. Dogs really enjoy a good massage, as the physical contact given can help calm an anxious dog.
2. It Decreases Pain
Beyond the obvious benefits of relieving muscle tension, canine massage therapy can be a powerful tool for realigning the spine and body, which is great for your dog’s health. The act of gentle rubbing and kneading on your dog can increase circulation to a sore area or joint.
The gentle pressure of your hands causes tissues to contract and increases local blood flow. Take caution not to press too hard, and stop if your pet flinches, moves away, nips, or growls.
The act of massaging a dog stimulates the release of endorphins, which helps to alleviate pain. If your dog has spent a long day running, playing, or even swimming, this exertion can sometimes lead to soreness and stiffness in the joints and muscles. Massage will help to relax those muscles and release tense areas.
Dogs with conditions like arthritis will also appreciate massage for this reason. If your dog is recovering from a painful injury, you can ask your veterinarian if there are any specific massage techniques you can perform at home to provide pain relief.
3. It Improves Circulation and Lymphatic Flow
Dog massage is certainly great for increasing a dog’s circulation and lymphatic flow, which in turn benefits their entire body. Good circulation ensures your pup is getting a healthy supply of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to their brain and other organs, and keeps their skin and coat healthy.
Improving the flow of the lymph fluid in the lymphatic system helps carry metabolic waste away from their muscles and internal organs.
All of this means your dog will have a better chance of avoiding certain health conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) and edema (an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body). There are so many important factors when it comes to your dog’s health.
4. It Assists in the Recovery Process
Canine massage therapy can be a wonderful form of therapy for animals who are rehabilitating from an injury or surgery. Your vet may be able to show you specific massage techniques to help your fur baby along in the recovery process. Plus, it’s not only the injured area that can benefit from healing touch, so it’s helpful to take a holistic approach to massage in recovering dogs.
For example, to compensate for an injured leg, over time a dog will have put excessive stress and strain on many of the other muscle groups throughout the body. Therefore, their whole body can benefit from an efficient massage during the recovery process. This can really help your dog tremendously.
5. It Helps You Identify Potential Health Issues
The more you get familiar with your dog’s skin and hair, the easier it will be to notice if something feels different, or even wrong. Another added benefit of regular canine massage is that you become familiar with your dog’s body and can better recognize what is normal and not normal. This allows you to identify any trouble spots that you could then bring to your veterinarian’s attention for further investigation.
As you massage your pup, look for any unusual swelling or lumps, changes in surface temperature, sensitivity to touch, or quality of skin or hair. Early detection is one way that regular massage can add to the length and quality of your dog’s life. Dog massage is also vital to strengthening your pet’s immune system.
How to Massage Your Dog:
Step 1: Slowly starting dog massage therapy
Pick a quiet part of your living space for the massage to help your dog feel calm and secure. Do not try to start the massage if your pet is overly fearful or showing resistance. First, softly stroke the area of interest. Use flat palms to press against the skin lightly. Move your hands slowly using long, sweeping motions and in circular motions.
While massaging, take note of any swelling, increased sensitivity, and pain. Stop if it seems to hurt your dog in any way.
