Canine Massage

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The Benefits of Canine Massage

 

We all know that wonderful feeling of relaxation you get after a really good massage, but massage therapy can do so much more than that – and it’s not just for humans. Canine massage provides a wide range of physical and psychological benefits for your dog.

Here are five reasons to pamper your pup with canine 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 routine – can provide a comforting form of relaxation.

2. It Decreases Pain

The act of massaging muscles stimulates the release of endorphins, which helps to alleviate pain. If your dog has spent a long day running, playing or swimming, this exertion can 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. 

3. It Improves Circulation and Lymphatic Flow

Massage increases circulation and lymphatic flow, which in turn benefits the 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 helps carry metabolic waste away from their muscles and internal organs. All 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).

4. It Assists in the Recovery Process

Canine massage can be a wonderful form of therapy for animals who are rehabilitating from an injury or surgery. 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, in order 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 massage during the recovery process.

5. It Helps Identify Potential Health Issues

Another added benefit of regular canine massage is that your canine massage therapist can become familiar with your dog’s body and can better recognize what is normal and not normal. This allows identification of any trouble spots that you could then bring to your veterinarian’s attention for further investigation. Your canine massage therapist will look for any unusual swelling or lumps, or 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.

6. Signs that Your Dog Could Be in Need of a Massage

  • Difficulty jumping into bed or into the car
  • Weakness in the legs
  • Visible muscle spasms
  • Acting anxious
  • Avoiding turning head to one side
  • Lethargic
  • Not wanting to go for a walk or exercise
  • Favoring one or more legs
  • Uncharacteristically grumpy
  • Growling or biting when you pick them up or touch them in a certain area

 

Canine massage not only provides numerous health and therapeutic benefits, it also makes your dog feel good! Start pampering
your pup and you will have a happier, healthier and more balanced canine companion on your hands in no time.