Can Dogs Benefit from Massage Therapy?

Ever wonder if your dog could benefit from a massage? The likely answer is "yes".  Similar to human benefits, massage therapy can have relaxing, healing and therapeutic effects on your dog.

Benefits of Massage for Your Dog:

Reduces muscle and joint pain Improves muscle tone Increases flexibility Reduces anxiety Promotes healing by increasing blood flow

Boosts immune system function Aids in removing toxins and waste products from your dog's muscles and tissues Reduces the risk of injury

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

Warning:

It is important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian before having him or her massaged to rule out more serious causes of disease and discomfort.  Ask your veterinarian if your dog is a candidate for massage therapy before scheduled a massage.  Since there are specific ways to correctly massage a dog and contraindications to massage (circumstances where massage could make the condition worse), it is important to utilize a certificated canine massage therapist or receive the proper training yourself before massaging your dog.

Learn about our canine massage course for dog owners!

Learn about our canine massage course for those who would like to become a canine massage therapist!