Why massage therapy for your animal companion?

Massage for your dog, cat, or other pet is a holistic bodywork modality that complements other practices of pet care very well. It can help your pet rejuvenate, recover, and restore their health and well-being in both physical and behavioral ways, giving them a new leash on life.

Physical well-being benefits of massage

Whether healthy and active or ailing and less active (or anywhere in between), your pet will experience benefits physically and physiologically as a result of massage therapy. It is a non-invasive and proactive way to support your animal’s well-being at all life stages. Additionally, their bodies work more quickly than ours do in integrating the positive impact of bodywork throughout all of their systems.

Different massage techniques are used to achieve different goals based on your pet’s needs. Below are some of the physical well-being benefits of animal massage therapy.

Yellow Labrador dog laying in grass with a black and blue bandana, facing to the right of the image and looking at a woman crouched down wearing a dark blue baseball gap and in running wear. She is looking at him.

Injury prevention

Relieve existing or chronic pain and decrease risk of injury from muscle soreness, stiffness, fatigue, weakness, atrophy, and tension.

Structural stability

Develop stronger cardiac muscle, better stimulated motor nerves, improved cell oxygen supply, healthier scar tissue formation, and greater skeletal alignment.

Greater flexibility and mobility

Increase joint flexibility, muscle tone, and overall mobility through soft tissue manipulation and range of motion exercises.

Whole-body wellness

Improve holistic success in appetite, blood pressure, circulation, healing, liver and kidney function, nutrient intake, and respiration.

Faster health recovery

Bounce back from surgery, illness, or injury better due to a more effective immune system and more efficient metabolic waste elimination.

Pain management

Ease discomfort from aging and chronic or progressive conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and seizure disorders.

Behavioral well-being benefits of massage

Pets cannot tell us in our words what is bothering them or if they are in pain, but they do try to communicate. Unfortunately, many guardians do not understand their language. Expressions of tension and pain can manifest as behavioral and social issues to us. Your pet may start shying away from touch, reacting aggressively in certain situations, carrying their head low, or acting more submissive than normal.

Relieving them of their ailments (whether physical or emotional) can resolve these supposed problems. Below are some of the behavioral well-being benefits of animal massage therapy.

Yellow Labrador dog wearing a no-pull harness standing in a park looking to the right with his tongue out. A woman is seen behind him holding his leash; she is wearing shorts and a turquoise shirt that says "sup dawg."

Anxiety and stress management

Reach a calmer state more quickly by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and easing them into relaxation.

Stronger pet and guardian relationship

Bond more deeply using simple techniques that can be done at home (after being shown how) and better connect body, mind, and spirit.

Confidence and body awareness

Increase balance and coordination and improve proprioception to help them be more sure of their step and movements.

Better adaptability to change

Relieve restlessness, sleep disturbances, boredom, and mental tension during lifestyle, health, and environmental transitions.

Trust and sociability

Ensure more situations where your pet is likely to socialize and trust others and behave less sensitively or aggressively toward touch.

Greater energy and alertness

Remove physical blockers to their energy (such as pain and tension) to improve concentration and alertness.

Learn what your pet might need.