Doggy Massage: Benefits & How-To
We all know the many benefits we can gain from regular massage. Physically, it can help relax our muscles, promote healthy blood flow, work through strains and knots, and even help recover from and prevent injury. Mentally it can help us unwind and destress, it can be a meditative experience for many, especially when done regularly.
The many benefits we reap from massage can also be helpful for our pups. Whether your dog is a senior, has arthritis, body pain, anxiety, or just needs some extra TLC after a long day of walking, hiking, swimming, running, or playing, massage can add to your pups happiness, as well as improve their physical and mental wellbeing. In this article you will learn the in-depth benefits to doggy massage, as well as some tips and tricks to use to give your pup the massage they deserve.
The Many Benefits of Doggy Massage
Anti-Anxiety Benefits: One of the many benefits of giving your pup a massage is its calming and anti-anxiety effects. Just like us humans, a good massage can relieve stress and leave us feeling much more relaxed and less “wound-tight.”
The hands-on, gentle but intentional, contact during massage works similar to weighted or compression therapy (for example a weighted blanket or thundershirt) in which the gentle pressure acts like a hug to your fur baby.
This effect can also help your pup become more comfortable and accepting of human touch; if your dog is chronically anxious this can work as a bonding exercise to built trust between you and your dog.
Arthritis Relief & Senior Care: Another amazing benefit of giving your pup a massage is the arthritis relief it provides. As we know, arthritis can be very painful and can cause difficulties in our ability to move, walk, jump, and function.
Older dogs with arthritis tend to not get enough exercise due to their physical inabilities. Doggy massage can help relieve some of these symptoms to allow your pup to be more physically active for longer. The act of gentle rubbing and kneading their sore joints and muscles can boost their blood circulation and release tension from stiff joints.
As always, be gentle and pay attention to your pup’s body languages, if your pup seems tender or in pain, take a break, be gentler, or cease the massage for that session.
Aiding Exercise: Just like humans, dogs can benefit greatly from a warm-up and cool-down/stretch pre and post workout. Massaging your pup before walking, running, or exercising can help warm up their body which helps them be more active, have less pain, as well as help prevent injuries.
Post-exercise the massage can help ease up tight muscles and help your pup’s body recover from the activity. Either way, the massage helps to increase blood supply to the muscles, joints, and nerves which improves your pup’s overall well-being. For dogs that are extremely athletic and participate in doggy sports or agility, massage can even help tone muscles, lengthen stride, and increase their range of motion for more fluid movements.
Post-Operative: If your dog is recovering from some kind of surgery or operation, or they are recovering from an injury, doggy massage has been proven to aid in healing, and can speed up the rehabilitation process. In these cases, it is vital that you learn exactly how, where, and with what pressure when massaging your pup to avoid tenderness or further injury.
Comfort & Bonding: Most people would agree that physical connection, in the form of massage, hugging, snuggling, etc., with someone else that we love and trust can be extremely comforting and bonding. This is the same when it comes to our pets; the comfort it can provide our dogs can be a game changer when it comes to cultivating trust and bond between you and your pup.
The more you commit to the practice, the more positive associations your dog will build with massage as well as with their trust in you. If you feel like you have trouble bonding with your pup, try to implement massage here and there in your daily routine.
How to: Doggy Massage Tips
Effleurage Massage: Described as long, soothing strokes that are primarily used during the beginning and/or end of the massage. This technique helps to warm up your pup’s muscles and encourage blood flow throughout the body.
Petrissage Massage: Kneading and rolling motions that promote blood flow as well as lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic drainage helps to promote the release of any toxins that may be trapped in the muscle tissue.
Compression Massage: This massage technique is done by gently pressing the muscle against the bone which helps to stretch and spread muscle fibers as well as increasing circulation. You can do this by pressing both hands gently on either side of your pup’s limbs and holding for a few seconds at a time.
Step-by-Step Daily Massage Routine
Listed below are the steps to a super basic massage routine that you can easily implement into your dogs daily routine. Depending on your pup’s needs, as well as how long they’re willing to be still, you can do this massage with them anywhere from just a few minutes up to 25 or 30 minutes (if they’ll allow you of course).
Make sure to pay attention to any signs of pain or discomfort and always have a gentle touch. If your dog is a senior or struggles with arthritis or body aches, this is excellent way to comfort them and works great as a maintenance routine in between vet visits. This routine includes the three massage styles listed above in an overall simple yet effective process.
Lay your dog down on a comfortable and even surface (such as a bed or blanket laid out on the floor).
Start with the effleurage technique to help relax your pup and start to warm up their muscles. Using your entire palm, gently stroke down the length of your dog’s back using continuous, fluid, gliding motions. Start at their head, and with smooth sweeping movement, move down towards the tail and then down each limb. You can repeat this about five times before moving on.
Once relaxed and warmed up, you will move onto the petrissage massage technique. Start at their neck, using circular kneading motions with your fingertips or knuckles. Slowly make your way down, kneading their shoulders, chest, back, and the finally down their limbs.
When massaging the back, use both hands on either side of their spine (not directly on their spine) and knead the muscles in a circular motion down to their rear. Remember to use gentle pressure, adjusting to your dog’s personal tolerance.
To massage their tail, Use your palm to gently but firmly squeeze down the length of their tail. Make sure to use gentle pressure and avoid pulling. In some cases, some dogs hate having their tail touched, if this is true for your pup feel free to skip the tail massage step. Always do what you know is best for your dog and their personal comfort.
During the massage, make sure to feel for any tight “balls” of muscle, these are knots that can cause stiffness and pain. To release these knots, use gentle compression by using your thumb to apply even pressure over the top of the knot. Hold this compression for about 20 seconds and release; repeat this process if you feel the knot is still tight.
End the massage with more of the effleurage massage technique, making long gliding strokes down the length of their body and limbs.
Things to Keep in Mind
Take it Easy: Always go slow, especially if you are working with a senior, injured, or sensitive dog. Take your time, it’s not a race; the first few times you massage your pup they may be confused or worried; remember to be reassuring, giving them lots of love and encouragement. With time and practice, your dog will grow to enjoy and look forward to the massage sessions.
Be Conscious of their Comfortability: The massages we give our pups are meant to be enjoyable and an overall comforting experience. Make sure at all points that your pup seems to be enjoying it. Pay attention to any negative reactions, or signs of discomfort and react accordingly by lightning pressure, slowing down, or stopping the massage all together.
The last thing you want to do is allow any negative associations with your sessions. In some cases, only parts of the massage may be uncomfortable for them; for example, some dogs do not like their paws or tails to be touched. If this is true for your pup, avoid these areas for their contentment.
Don’t Overdo it: As pet parents, we can all recognize when our pup is discontent with something or has had enough of something. We can tell when our dog is ready to get up and move on, or if they’re in some sort of discomfort. Watch out for signs that they are becoming uncooperative or restless, and honor your dog’s feelings by letting them leave the session.
Allowing your pup to have this autonomy with their body and feelings will help them be more comfortable and willing to be massaged in the future. Listening to your pups cues and allowing them their space and feelings will strengthen their trust in you and make them more tolerant in future massage sessions.
Seek Professional Care: If your pup is struggling with chronic moderate to severe health complications, injury, or pain, it may be a good idea to seek professional massage therapy for them. If this is the case, it is also a great idea to check with your pup’s regular Veterinary Office to make sure massage is something that will work for them, and possibly receive tips for the best massage techniques for your dog’s personal needs.
It is also a good idea to seek out a professional canine masseuse who can work with your dog in a professional and highly skilled manner that may be more effective than at-home massage. In this case you may still be able to implement daily at-home massage which can act as an amazing maintenance routine in-between professional sessions.
Concluding Thoughts
From this article, it is clear to see that doggy massage can be a positive addition to your daily routine for most dogs. It is especially helpful for dogs struggling with pain, injury, or aging bodies, as well as for dogs who are extremely athletic and need the extra TLC for their bodies to recover and maintain strength. The most important part of starting to implement this into your dog’s life is to remember to always do your best to make it a comfortable and happy experience for them.
The more comfortable your pup is during these sessions, the stronger the positive associations curated with the massage experience will be. Let them have autonomy of their bodies and feelings, always being sure to listen to their cues that they have had enough, or may want more. Implementing these massage techniques in your pup’s daily life has the ability to slow down the aging process within the body, and subsequently extend their lifespan. Who wouldn’t want more time with their furry baby?
Written By: Jessica L Hays
Professional Dog-Walker, Community Outreach, and Social Media Associate
References
Animal Emergency & Referral Center. “Rubbed the Right Way: The Benefits of Pet Massage.” Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota, 25 Aug. 2020, aercmn.com/rubbed-the-right-way-the-benefits-of-pet-massage/.
Fitzgerald, Kevin. “How to Massage Your Dog.” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 11 Jan. 2019, www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/massage-can-help-your-dog/.
St. Clair, James. “The Benefits of Canine Massage.” TopDog Health, 16 Jan. 2024, topdoghealth.com/the-benefits-of-canine-massage-how-and-why-to-massage-your-dog/.
