Massage Benefits For Dogs

Who doesn’t like a good massage? In addition to the physical benefits, they contribute to relaxation, peace and well-being. Well, massages are also for dogs. Have you ever done one on your dog? We will tell you all the benefits they bring to our pets and how we can do them correctly.

Benefits of massages for our pets

Our dogs not only love the massages, they love us too, so in addition to the enormous benefits in the physical sense, there is also the emotional one. In an emotional sense, they will feel relaxed, loved and with inner peace.

Author: Rubi Flórez

In the physical sense, these are all its benefits:

• Improves circulation. External stimulation dilates blood vessels, which improves circulation, and your dog’s life will become longer, as well as preventing cardiovascular disease.

• Reduces stress and anxiety. This is an effect very similar to what massages have on us, as they make us feel peaceful and relaxed, combat stress and anxiety. Have you ever thought that a dog can also suffer from stress? Yes, for many reasons, including boredom, lack of exercise and other reasons.
• Disease detection. Massaging your dog can serve as an ongoing test to detect lumps or any other abnormalities he may have, including parasites.
• Releases oxytocin. This hormone, known as the happiness hormone, is released through physical contact, something massage will do very simply.
• It will strengthen your bond with your dog. Your bond will become even closer, as these will be moments that your dog will enjoy the most and for which you will have to dedicate special time to him, which, possibly, you would not do in other circumstances.

Now, for massages to do their job, they must be done well, but how?

How and where to massage dogs

There are several factors we should take into account before massaging our dog:

• Make him relax. Let’s face it, although our dog loves massage, we can rarely lay him down and make him relax like that, just like that. So we should start with a kind of warm-up, caressing the areas we know he likes the most. That way he’ll relax, and before we know it, we’ll be giving his long-awaited massage.
• Start at the neck. With the tips of your fingers, very gently, caress your neck in a circular motion. Depending on the size of the dog, these movements can be more or less wide.
• Pass over shoulders. Then lower to the shoulders, as doing so will allow the animal to slowly relax without realizing it. Do not squeeze, these should be circular and smooth movements.
• Paws and chest. This will be the next area to be massaged. Do not lift the paws, but massage them from top to bottom, just as you would your chest.

• Back and hind legs. Slide your toes up and down your back several times in a row, then end on your hind legs.

• Choose the moment. It should be a time when both are relaxed, stress free and unhurried. It can be, for example, at night, when both are on the couch watching television or simply resting.
• Increase the time gradually. It is possible that, at first, the animal feels uncomfortable, so the massages can be only a few seconds or a few minutes. Don’t force him, do it for as long as he allows you, and you’ll see how little by little you can easily reach 10 minutes.
• Don’t be a therapist. Remember you’re not a pro, so forget about heavy massages, leave it to a pro. Your massages should be limited to the dog’s relaxation and also to detect any anomalies that may be present.

Remember that for deeper massages, you will need to go to a veterinarian to recommend a professional. Wanting to do more than you should can harm your animal and cause it harm.