The benefits from massage can be evaluated in many ways. Obvious mobility improvement can provide a measurable indication. But massage and other touch therapies can work in other ways which can be more difficult to quantify. For instance, how do you see the rush of body fluids washing your dog’s internal world, flushing toxins and strengthening his immunity?
Not only can canine massage provide your dog with relief from physical pain, but also it can also alleviate the trauma of emotional stress. And stress can contribute to a varied array of illnesses. Let’s look at a few of the benefits of massage for your dog.
Alleviates Muscle Restrictions
Dogs experience the same muscle knots and restrictions as people do. Dog Massage can loosen and separate sticky muscle fascia (or connective tissue). This allows fluids to pump through the area more easily and decrease pain. Massage can also balance muscle tone for flexibility around the body joints. When my dog was experiencing initial signs of a luxating patella, strengthening the muscles around his knee through massage, supplements, and proper nutrition provided a stable “harness” around his joints.
Circulates Body Fluids
Dog Massage stimulates the movement of bodily fluids like blood, water, and lymphatic fluids. If your dog has just undergone surgery, massage can move the anaesthesia or sedation more quickly through the body allowing for a shorter recovery period. Massage helps flush and release stored toxins from the body enabling your dog to recover more quickly from illness. The circulation of lymphatic fluids can activate healing and strengthen your dog’s immune system.
Speeds Recovery from Surgery or Illness
High energy dogs and dogs active in agility can be prone to repetitive stress injuries and joint traumas. Cruciate ligament ruptures in the knee joint (also known as CCL or ACL injuries) or patellar luxation can cause stress for both your dog and you. Major surgery with sometimes lengthy recovery times is generally the treatment option for the dog. To speed healing and shorten the recovery period, animal massage both before and after the surgery can be beneficial. Long, fluid effleurage strokes will prevent body fluid stagnation while the dog is kept immobile during the first few weeks after surgery. Massage techniques can also encourage fluid movement to address constipation and digestive issues which may occur following surgery. Passive Range of Motion (or P-ROM), which guides the dog’s limbs slowly through normal movement patterns, is one useful technique to use while the dog is inactive during the recovery phase.
Beneficial for Senior Dogs
As dogs grow older, they develop conditions associated with the normal aging process. Arthritis and hip dysplasia can contribute to a loss of mobility, especially for bigger breeds. Animal massage can increase movement and flexibility for geriatric dogs creating a better quality of life.
Reduces Stress
When your dog experiences massage, special “feel good” hormones called endorphins are released throughout his or her body. Your dog becomes calm and relaxed, which, of course, is optimal for maintaining good health. If you’ve read the book When the Body Says No by Dr.Gabor Mate, you’ll know how insidious stress is and how many diseases are born from the daily onslaught of stressful living. The same is true for our dogs. Massage brings our dogs back to that state of calm where the body can mend and recover from hard exercise or initial stages of dis-ease.
So, what do you think? Do you think this is something that may benefit your dog? In future posts, I will cover some basic touches you can use with your own dog.
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I have always believed in the positive benefits of therapeutic massage for humans and it should be obvious that animals will achieve the same positive benefits that we do. Even the power of touch can be very helpful, especially for those that are not accustomed to it. I’m sure that there are so many pet owners that love their companions, yet simply lead too hectic a lifestyle with all our modern distractions to spend more time with their pets. A canine massage must feel like heaven for a dog that loves attention, and by that, I mean all dogs. And cats.
So true, Kelsey. And yes, many pet guardians lead hectic lives. But it’s amazing how just a few moments of engaging touch and massage at short intervals during the day can help our pets. For instance, many dogs respond to light touches before or after placing a harness or leash on. It can enhance bonding and calm your dog. In future posts, I’ll be covering basic touches and massages strokes every dog guardian can perform easily on their dog. Oh, and we can’t forget cats too!
I have a pit bull combine who’s a calendar year and a fifty percent old. She is seriously muscular and a tremendously quick runner. Typically she doesn’t watch wherever she is heading when actively playing, and bumps into matters like park benches. I have seen that massage can be advantageous to pit bulls simply because of their potent muscles and tendency to bump into furniture when enjoying. Is there benefit to giving her a massage equivalent to an athletic massage, and if so, how do I do it? I am not hunting for massage tips for older puppies, or puppies with arthritis or other health and wellbeing situations.
Now going through the rest of the site. Thanks!
Hello and thanks for visiting! For athletic dogs, some of the deeper massage techniques (like petrissage) are beneficial, as long as you are not creating more pain for the dog. Alway watch their body language to see if they are comfortable with the massage. But don’t discount the lighter techniques as well, like TTouch and effleurage. They can help with circulation and relaxation which is beneficial for all dogs. Check out the tutorials in the sidebar.