Pet massage.What will they think of next? Isn’t petting or scratching your dog enough? Apparently not!
It turns out that pets can benefit as much from massage on their bodies as you do when you go for a rubdown. As the animal holistic movement grows, so do the ideas of pet massage and even acupuncture to relieve pain.
Why Do It?
It has to do with the price of domesticating your animals. In the wild, animals would get all of the stimulation they need by hunting and playing with others of their species. And, yes, petting and scratching are big components of your dog’s need for human touch… but massages go a little bit further.
Health Maintenance
One of the reasons why you want to touch your dog or cat is to keep up with how their skin feels and whether there are any lumps or bumps you need your veterinarian to observe. This goes beyond surface petting to feeling the skin under the fur.
You can also discover whether your pet has any soreness to a limb or paw and early diagnosis of any of these problems can lead to faster recovery. Massaging your pet can help them relax as well as increase their blood circulation and healing.
Emotions
Domesticated dogs, in particular, are pack animals and rely on us for their socialization. For instance, if your dog suffers from separation anxiety, regular massages may help her. A massage is also helpful for animals who are hand shy and make it easier for groomers or veterinarians to work with them.
Benefits
Besides the physical benefits from massage which include improved muscle tone, better energy and pumping up immune system functions through less stress and greater circulation, a massage is also a wonderful tool for increasing your pet’s well-being.
There are studies that show massage can help reduce the production of hormones which cause stress and this can decreased anxiety can keep your furry BFF healthy.
If you are fostering, a massage may be able to help those pets who have suffered from abuse or emotional issues.
Check in your area to see if there are any professional animal massage therapists available and see if this would benefit your pet.
Photo Credit: istockphoto.com
