While couch cuddle sessions, belly rubs and hit-the-spot ear scratches are always appreciated, a more formal dog massage may be just what your best friend needs. Like humans, dogs see a bevy of benefits from canine massage therapy, including physical, behavioral and emotional improvements.
“Massage therapists manipulate the soft tissue with their fingers and hands to loosen muscles, joints and tendons, increase blood flow and lymphatic activity and reduce stress,” says Heather Wallace, a certified equine and canine sports massage therapist based in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Massage techniques specific to dogs can result in: * Relaxation * Pain relief * Improved digestion * Immune system support * Relief of muscle tension * Reduced inflammation * Speedier wound healing * Positive desensitization to touch * Early detection of skin and health problems
Benefits of Dog Massage
Pet parents seeking arthritis treatment for their dogs will often hire a canine massage therapist to aid in pain relief.
“Massage can mitigate some of the pain and impaired mobility from arthritis, as well as other musculoskeletal problems,” says Dr. Narda Robinson, an osteopathic physician and veterinarian in Fort Collins, Colorado. “This can include post-surgical pain and stress, neck and back pain and disc disease.”
Lindsay Hallman, a certified veterinary technician and canine massage therapist from Philadelphia, specializes in dogs receiving hospice and end-of-life care. With experience in both oncology and physical therapy, she realized her patients’ quality of life could be greatly improved with massage techniques.
“When dogs get older or have a cancer diagnosis, it is not always that they have a specific area hurting them,” says Hallman. “They just generally don’t feel great, and massage comforts them.”
This work goes beyond pain relief. Massage becomes a source of bonding during the final chapter of a pet’s life. “The owners really like to give them something at the end of their days to look forward to,” says Hallman, who invites pet parents to sit in on the sessions and relax with their dogs.
Massage Techniques to Try at Home
True canine massage therapy should be left to the professionals. Depending on your dog’s needs and health, you could potentially injure your pet using the wrong techniques.
However, there are some simple, modified massages you can safely try at home.
“Touching in general is a great way to connect with your pet,” says Hallman. “Even a light touch and a gentle rubbing of their neck and back is a real way to make them feel connected to you and loved.”
She recommends trying the following techniques.
1. Back Stroke
Place the palm of your hand gently on one of the two muscles that run alongside the spine (these are called the paraspinal muscles). Place your fingertips on the other paraspinal muscle and lightly run your hand down the back along those muscles.
“Dogs, just like us, hold tension in their backs. Imagine if someone did that to you! It relieves a lot of tension and feels great,” says Hallman.
2. Head Stroke
With your fingertips, lightly rub from the end of the nose, up between eyes, over the forehead to the back of head, in one light, fluid motion. “This is a calming technique I will use for stressed patients,” says Hallman.
3. Fluid Belly Rub
When rubbing the belly, try a long, gentle, fluid-like motion instead of a traditional pat or rub.
4. Puppy Toe Touch
For puppies, gently rubbing their toes with your fingers gets them used to having their feet touched. “This makes it less traumatic for them to get their nails trimmed, or when they step in something and you need to clean their paws,” says Hallman.
Is Your Dog Enjoying His Massage?
It may take your dog a few sessions to acclimate to a massage practice.
“While I’m sure petting is prevalent in your household, a 30-45 minute session over the entire body is an entirely different thing to become accustomed to,” says Wallace. “Often, new clients will stand up and walk away, shake out their tension, and then come back ready for more.”
If your dog is enjoying himself, he will let his massage therapist know through body language. “Signs of enjoyment include seeing the body relaxing, eyes closing, breath slowing and sometimes pushing into the hands doing the massage to keep it going,” says Robinson.
Your dog will also signal if he’s in pain, just the way a human would tell their own massage therapist if something was too tender. A dog who is uncomfortable or stressed will have a guarded expression, stiffen up, pin back his ears, show his teeth and may even growl or cry out.
If you want to give massage therapy a try, consult with your veterinarian, who will treat it as a supplementary health care regimen and may be able to connect you with a massage therapist in your area.
“When looking for an animal massage therapist, look for someone with good references and who ideally works closely with local veterinarians,” says Wallace. “Most importantly, choose someone your dog—and you—will love.”