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 daily routine – perhaps as a nighttime ritual – 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. If your dog is recovering from a painful injury, you can ask your veterinarian if there are any specific massage techniques you can perform at home to provide pain relief.

 

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. Your vet may be able to show you specific massage techniques to help your dog along in the recovery process. 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, 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.

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5. It Helps You Identify Potential Health Issues

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