Massage treatments bring great health benefits. They help relieve pain, calm the nervous system and strengthen muscles and joints. This type of therapy is necessary not only for people. Massage for dogs is used in the treatment of injuries, diseases, as well as for preventive purposes. Nowadays, this service is offered by many veterinary clinics. However, each owner of the dog can master the massage technique on their own and do the procedure for the pet at home.
Benefit
For the first time in their life, dogs get acquainted with massage even in infancy. When a mother licks newborn puppies, she helps them breathe. When the cubs grow up, mom kneads their tummies. Such manipulation prevents constipation.
Massage for dogs is also necessary in adulthood. It is a good treatment and disease prevention tool. The benefits of massage treatments are as follows:
- Massaging movements stimulate blood circulation. As a result, blood rushes to a certain part of the body, tissue nutrition and local metabolism improve. This contributes to faster healing of injuries, so massage is often prescribed for injuries.
- The procedure stimulates the motor nerves. Therefore, massage is necessary for paralysis and weakness of the muscles of the legs. This rehabilitation measure helps restore movement.
- Massage helps to relax and calm the nervous system. This procedure is useful for the dog to do after experiencing stress, difficult training or exhibiting.
- Massage treatments improve peristalsis and facilitate easy bowel movements.
In many cases, massage for dogs can be done on their own. However, if your pet is seriously ill, then the procedure should be handled by a professional. Not all types of massage treatment are feasible at home.
Indications
What diseases is massage for dogs indicated for? This procedure is effective in the following pathologies:
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- injuries
- constipation
- inflammation and degeneration of the joints;
- pain syndrome of various origins;
- neurotic disorders.
Massage should be done regularly to healthy dogs. This will help your pet maintain the health of the musculoskeletal system to a very old age, as well as relieve stress and relax.
Contraindications
There are times when massage is contraindicated. This procedure should not be done under the following conditions:
- fever;
- any damage and skin lesions (eczema, tumors, wounds, pustules);
- bleeding
- fresh bone injuries with severe pain;
- epilepsy;
- severe diseases of the liver and kidneys;
- shocked.
If the dog has at least one of the listed contraindications, then refuse the massage. Otherwise, the treatment procedure will do more harm than good.
Some tips
Before you massage your dog, read the following tips from veterinarians:
- You will need basic knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of dogs. You can find out about the characteristics of the animal organism from the veterinarian. You can also find this information yourself on dog breeding sites.
- Turn the pet over during the procedure to massage one side first and then the other. Try not to press on the stomach, this part of the body can only be lightly stroked. Otherwise, abdominal organs can be damaged.
- If your pet is diagnosed with a serious illness, then massage procedures are best left to a specialist.
- If you are doing a prophylactic massage to a healthy dog, then the procedures should be regular. Try to spend at least 10 minutes daily. This will be a good prevention of arthritis.
- If your pet is healthy, then pay attention to his reaction to the procedures. If the dog is dissatisfied (growls, shudders), then do not force it. You need to train the animal for massage gradually.
Doing a general massage
Veterinarians recommend a general massage for the prevention of diseases. The methodology for its implementation is as follows:
- Cover a hard surface with a soft cloth. Put a pet on it and stroke it from head to back.
- Massage the back first with your fingers and then with your palms. Carefully knead the skin, being careful not to put pressure on the spinal column.
- Focus on the sacrum. Massaging this area prevents joint diseases.
- Spread your legs in a downward direction. Then bend and straighten each finger.
- Gently pat the pet in the stomach. At the same time, avoid sharp pressure.
- Now proceed to massage the face. Take the cheeks with your fingers. Lift them up and then lower them. Stroke the chin, as well as the area around the nose and eyes.
Complete the procedure by stroking the tail from the base to the tip.
Relieve pain
How to massage a dog if something hurts? The technique of the procedure is as follows:
- Put the dog on a blanket or on the floor, make stroking movements and speak with the dog in a soft voice.
- Rub your shoulders, neck and back in a circular motion, as if you are kneading a dough. Do not press hard on the body; this may aggravate the pain.
- Gently stretch your paw muscles. Move from their base down. Do not forget to massage your fingers.
- Direct exposure to the focus of pain is prohibited. You can only stroke and stretch the muscles around the sore spot. This will help improve blood circulation and reduce discomfort. Be especially careful if the dog suffers from cancer. Try not to touch the neoplasms, this can trigger their growth.
- Complete the procedure by lightly stroking the entire body from head to tail and each foot.
Helping the dog relax
A relaxing massage for dogs is needed to calm the nervous system and relieve stress. This procedure is useful to do when your pet is frightened by something or after a hard day. In this case, the main attention should be paid to the area of the head, ears and back.
Follow the sequence below:
- Stroke the entire body of the pet. At the same time, try to gently talk with the dog. Pat the dog by the scruff of the neck. This will help the animal calm down and relax.
- Start the massage from the neck. Massage this area in a circular motion downward. Do not press excessively, remember that there are many vessels in this area. Massage your ears and the area around them, but very carefully.
- Then go to the shoulder girdle. Make the same circular movements. Gradually move to the tail.
This completes the procedure. You can finally stretch the tail a little or rotate it three times in different directions. But watch your pet's reaction. Some dogs relax such manipulations, but not all dogs like touching the tail.
Massage the limbs
Massage of the hind legs in dogs is done with paralysis and muscle weakness of the extremities. This procedure is an important part of rehabilitation. It stimulates nerve endings and develops muscles. This helps restore normal limb mobility.
To achieve the proper effect, the dog needs to massage the paws regularly. Treatment should last at least 20 minutes a day. To achieve the result, about 20 procedures are required. Then they take a break for 14 days and repeat the sessions.
How to massage a dog’s paws? It is necessary to give preference to kneading and vibrational influences. This helps stimulate and restore nerves and muscles.
Use the following massage technique:
- Stroke the entire body of the dog. Try not to take your hands off. Your pet should be completely relaxed and calm.
- Carefully stroke the paw. Move from its base to the heels. Then slowly bend and straighten the limb. Repeat this movement 5 times.
- Massage your paw in a circular motion. First move to the inner surface of the limb, and then to the outer. Repeat massage movements three times.
- Rub the leg muscles well. Gradually increase the intensity of the impact, but do not overdo it. Gently massage the heels and interdigital spaces.
After massaging one paw, move on to the other. Using this technique, you can massage both hind and forelimbs. If you repeat the sessions regularly, then the legs will regain strength. Gradually, your pet will learn to walk again.