Massage for Your Dog

If you've ever wondered about the benefits of massage for your dog, Two Minute Dog Advice columnist Wendy Nan Rees shares her experience with this healing art.

Dogs love massage.

Massage has many important benefits for both you and your dog. I first learned about this at the age of 12 as a young rider when my horse went lame one week before a very large horse show. My trainer did not want to give my horse any type of medication, so he called a friend of his who practiced the art of massage. Massage has been used in the far east for over 2000 years and back in the 1970s it was still very new to this country. To my delight, my horse was up and as sound as could be after being treated for a week, and we were off and having a blast at the horse show.

I have never forgotten that lesson. When I got my first dog, Webster, I always remembered what I had learned riding and brought all of that with me to my dogs and never looked back. I can make all my friends laugh because I even bathe my large dogs by having them stand as though they are in what we horse people would call cross ties, but without the ties. They love to be bathed so they just stand, and I love it because we have a blast.

When it comes time to have a doggie massage or a treatment for acupressure or acupuncture, the dogs are also very good because they trust me and know they are going to feel so much better afterward. My boys just love doggie massage, and they often just come begging for more.

There are many benefits for your dog when you massage him. It helps aid in healing by increasing the circulation of blood in the system, and in some cases massage can be used as an alternative to surgery. It helps keep scar tissue and adhesions from forming, and it can help rebalance your dog's body which can speed the time it takes for your dog to heal after surgery by reducing pain and swelling. It can also reduce pain and discomfort because it releases endorphins as well as helping flush toxins from your dog's body. Massage can reduce stress and help your dog relax. It also helps strengthen the bond you share with your dog. This is especially good with puppies since it can also help with the socialization process because they will be reassured by your touch. It can even help keep dogs from having anxiety as they age and help them keep an even temperament.

If you are using massage on an older dog, this type of therapy can help if he suffers from stiffness and has a difficult time getting around. If he has a difficult time exercising, manipulating his muscles with massage provides a partial exercise program. It can help increase circulation in areas where it may be needed due to lack of exercise, and release tight muscles or help with muscle cramps. It can also help relieve pain due to chronic or degenerative diseases and reduce the use of pain medication. An older dog has hip issues, he can regain strength and activity with massage.

Not only does your dog benefit from a massage you give him, but so will you. I already mentioned that it builds the bond that you share, but did you know it can help you assess your dog's health? Massage can help you detect any health issues and even prevent problems from escalating into an illness. When you are massaging your dog, you can check his general temperature, how his coat looks, whether or not he is having issues with his joints and if he is moving correctly. If he is already having issues with his joints, massage can improve an existing problem and slow down the progress of a degenerative situation. If your dog has to have surgery, massage will not only help calm him prior to surgery, it can help calm you as well.

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