Massage Benefits for Animals
Animal massage benefits all animals from companion pets such as cats and dogs to horses and livestock and even zoo animals. The benefits of massage for animals mirror those for people, including decreased stress and improved circulation.
Pet massage may sound like a luxury for pampered pets only. However, many pets receive massage to help recover from surgery or injury and athletes such as racehorses or agility dogs receive sport massage to improve performance. Massage for service dogs with high-stress jobs can mean the difference between early retirement and more time on the job.
Many studies have been conducted to verify the benefits of massage. Massage has been proven to lower blood pressure, increase appetite and reduce the perceived pain and discomfort of arthritis.
For those with aging pets, animal massage therapy provides one more tool in the management of age-related conditions and helps to improve the quality of their pet’s life.
Better circulation can contribute to improved digestion and better metabolism, a tremendous benefit for the large number of pets suffering with obesity and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, improved circulation can slow the degenerative process of arthritis and improve energy levels in geriatric pets. Better circulation means better immune function, helping to reduce the risk of infection or illness and assisting in the rapid recovery from injury or illness. Better blood flow also contributes to improving healing post-surgically.
Two of the most common conditions plaguing our dog population today are hip dysplasia and soft tissue injuries to the knee such as ACL tears (ruptures or strains of the anterior cruciate ligament in the stifle joint). Both are generally corrected by surgery and, particularly in the case of ACL tears, have a high rate of reoccurrence and post-surgical development of arthritis. Pet massage therapy can play a crucial role in optimal and rapid recovery from such surgeries and may play a role in reducing the risk of re-injury.
Animal massage can also be used to reduce boredom, decrease stress and increase relaxation during periods of confinement.
Susan uses the culmination of all of her training with both people and animals to create a truly holistic bodywork session uniquely suited for the recipient.