Massage Therapy for Our K9 Friends

​We all know that massages are good for us and that they leave us feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. What most people aren’t probably aware about is that massages are equally beneficial to their dogs as well. So, are massages for pets and animals a modern concept?  

Not really!! Let’s take a peek into the history of animal massages…

Massage Therapy For Animals- The Background

The word massage is derived from mass which is an Arabic word that means press. Massage therapy finds its origins in China and is over 4000 years old. There is also a lot of evidence in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics that display how healers used to massage animals as a form of treatment. The therapy was also used by the Romans; Flavius Arrianus was a noted philosopher and administrator who worked during Roman Emperor Hadrian’s reign. 

He is said to have propagated the use of massage therapy for horses and dogs and stated that it would help strengthen and knit their limbs. Aside from this, he also mentioned that it helps cleanse any impurities their skin might have. Different ancient civilisations used to address various medical conditions in their work animals and pets, using massage therapy. 

“Massage is the act of manually rubbing and kneading tired muscles to significantly improve the physical, emotional as well as metal health. This also helps the body heal itself.”

How Your Pets Can Benefit From Massages

Over the years, many studies have been conducted by researchers across the world and there is solid evidence that massage and the act of touch benefits our pets in a number of ways, such as: 

• In massages, the soft tissues of the body are deftly manipulated; this helps stimulate and relax your pet’s body. 
• Since our pets can’t talk it’s not something we realise, but they too can feel stressed for various reasons. Regular massages promote the supply of nutrients to the different muscle groups. In turn this brings about a positive physical and psychological change and helps de-stress your pet.
• Helps in lymphatic flow. 
• Massages make your pet stronger and more agile.
• If they have suffered any illness or have undergone surgery, massages can speed-up the rehabilitation process. It improves their recovery time and performance too. 
• For your canine friends that are either in training or competition, massage is a great way to ease chronically-tense muscles. 
• Massages for pets help reduce the impact of an injury, stresses and strains.
• Improves blood and oxygen circulation to the muscles in the body.
• Assists the body’s detoxification process.
• It helps alleviate age-related or arthritis-related aches and pains.  
• It’s also highly beneficial and shows almost immediate effect in reducing physical tension and helps calm the pet’s nervous system. 
• The benefits of massages are always cumulative in nature and when you treat your dog to regular massages you will notice a marked improvement in their activity levels and range of movement.
• Can be a very effective preventative measure against potential injuries.

In addition, it is excellent for pain management; expert veterinarians are now recommending massage therapy for their patients that have undergone surgery or are recovering from an injury. Over the years, there has been a noticeable increase in the popularity of canine massages in Australia. 

It is increasingly becoming an integral part of chiropractic, physical, veterinary and physiotherapy treatments for canines.  It has proved to be so effective in improving the overall wellbeing of pets that is now also being used for sporting & competitive dogs, as a preventive treatment. 

Who Should Learn Pet Massage Therapy?

1. Pet Parents 

​If you learn how your pet should be massaged, it will help maintain its overall health & wellbeing. In fact, it’s a great way to help your canine friend relax, and massage time is perfect for bonding with your pet. If there are any abnormalities in your pet’s bodily movements, those may also be brought to light in the course of the massage. This gives you the opportunity to have them addressed before they escalate and affect the health of your pet. 

2. Workers/Helpers at Animal Shelters 

​If you work or are a volunteer at an animal shelter, massages can be quite beneficial for the canines there. In fact, animal rescuers should also consider learning canine massage. It can help de-stress, relax and teach the dogs to be more trusting and confident while interacting with humans. Massage has therapeutic effects on pets suffering from any emotional issues such as stress, trust, anxiety and grief.

Tips For Massaging Your Pet 

• Create a relaxed, calm and pleasant atmosphere for your pet.
• Ensure there are no distractions such as other pets, telephones or kids. 
• Schedule the massage when you have sufficient time so you can massage your dog in an unhurried manner.
• Make sure you don’t massage your pet close to its mealtime; hunger will only make it restless. 
• Choose a time when you know your dog is very relaxed as it will be happiest to sit with you at that time.

Note –Massage therapy works in tandem with any veterinary treatment your pet might be undergoing, and isn’t meant to replace the latter. 

Contact the Experts

We offer excellent massage therapy services for dogs at our new K9SWiM Hydrotherapy and Wellness Centre  at North Richmond. Sessions are by Booking Only. 
I (Sharon) run specialised animal massage workshops at this centre. If you are interested in learning how to perform massages for your own dog, please contact us for details of our next massage workshop. For more information, please check this page.


​Sharon Osmond