Most dog owners search for canine massage when they look at how to deal with pain caused by arthritis, hip dysplasia, polyarthritis, back pain, a popping hip or a clicking hip, a pinched nerve, stomach ache, or constipation.
Dog massage is done by rubbing the body’s soft tissues, kneading muscles, and joints of the body to relieve tension and pain.
If done correctly, massage can work wonders. It improves the body, posture, and mental well-being by getting rid of the pain.
Is it good to massage your dog?
Practicing this form of massage for your dog is an effective way to improve its wellbeing and general body health. If done on your own, it improves your bond with your pet.
Dog massage benefits include:
- Improves general health
- Alleviates specific pain (muscular, arthritis)
- Aids the healing process
- Detects stiffness and swelling
- Releases tension
- Helps digestion
- Recovery after accidents/surgery
- Relieves stress and anxiety
- Improves behavior
- Improves breathing
- Better sleep
- Deals with performance issues (agility for example)
- Prevents health issues
- A treat for any dog
- Great for bonding
This massage is extremely beneficial for dogs with arthritis.
It’s hard to find any disadvantages of massaging your pet. Some dogs might not like to be touched or might need a gentler touch. You may cause more pain to an injured dog if you are not aware of good massage techniques or misusing them.
Dog massage techniques
You can find out more about the techniques applied when massaging a dog, watching youtube videos, tutorials, reading tips given by other owners or specialists.
- It would help if you started massaging your dog with gentle strokes, from the neck to the shoulders.
- Massage its legs, stomach, and its back.
- Don’t put too much pressure on your touch straight away to avoid creating discomfort on sore areas.
Where to massage a dog?
You can massage your pet at home to give comfort, to relieve stress, to relax its muscles, or simply for better human-animal bonding. You don’t need any special tools or oils, but you need to know how to give a proper massage.
However, if your dog is in pain or needs a specialist massage, it is better to go to a canine massage center. For example, dog massage in Denver is done by a certified therapeutic specialist that uses extensive massage techniques and a holistic approach to alleviate pain or relax your pet.
The dog massage centers have trained and qualified practitioners who took courses to learn about a dog’s anatomy, specific issues, how to deal with them, and the best massage techniques for different breeds of dogs.
Along with massage, a holistic therapy center would offer other services suitable for your pet such as Reiki Energy Healing, Animal Communication, Canine Acupuncture, Hydrotherapy, Magnetic Field Therapy, and herbal treatments suitable for animals. The variety of services offered differs from center to center.
How much does a dog massage cost?
Prices vary from one place to another, from one country to another. In the USA prices start from around 50$ per hour whilst in the UK it starts around £40. You will need then to take into account the number of follow up sessions.
Many massage centers would offer a discount for new customers and it’s worth asking about this.
Of course, dog massage is free if done at home. Your dog will appreciate the comfort given by massage so why not start treating your favorite companion today?
