Why You Should Start Massaging Your Dog
Sure, massaging your dog sounds a little crazy, but if you’re looking to pamper your pet, there can be real benefits to giving your dog a spa treatment.
If your dog enjoys being petted, he will probably enjoy a massage. The two main benefits are relieving stress (being a dog is difficult!) And creating a stronger bond with your puppy. Massages will relax both of you and give you a special time to bond in a calm environment.
Some of the other benefits commonly believed to come from massage for dogs (but which have not been studied by science) include pain relief, improved circulation and healing, reduced muscle tension, and fighting diseases such as arthritis. If you decide to massage your dog for medical reasons, check with your veterinarian first to make sure your dog does not have any problems that could be exacerbated by the massage.
You can easily start by watching a video (like the one above or this one from eHow). Classes are becoming more popular, but they can be expensive and you should check with an instructor or institute to make sure they know what they are talking about when it comes to dog anatomy. If you want to try massage for your dog, keep these tips from The New York Times in mind:
- Make yourself comfortable . Spread out a towel, blanket, yoga mat, or pillows for your dog to stretch out comfortably. You also need to make sure your back and legs are supported, so you can place the dog on a table or other raised surface so you don’t kneel or sit on the ground. Create a relaxing environment free of distracting noise from other pets or family members.
- Walk slowly and keep an even pace . Try to do about one stroke per second, which is probably much slower than when you just pet your dog. Keep pace and pressure evenly and get into the rhythm. Use lighter pressure than when massaging a person so as not to hurt the dog or make him feel uncomfortable.
- Learnpalpation techniques . This will help you find any questionable bumps, bumps, or overly sensitive areas that you might want to consult your veterinarian about.
- Let your dog take the lead . Listen to your dog’s body language and behavior. If he gets up and leaves, then the session is over. If he looks uncomfortable, try relieving the pressure or doing tests if he has a sore spot that should be checked.
The full benefits of massage for dogs are yet to be confirmed, but at least you will have a stronger relationship with them and both of you will be more relaxed. You can try this technique with cats as well … but if they lose patience, they are more likely to try to kill you.