Search Programs
When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“There are just so many benefits to you and your furry family members…As animal massage therapists, we benefit from it because it’s pretty amazing to watch the animals. It helps owners bond with their pets, too. It can also help you develop community.”
Rubi Sullivan, Pet Massage Therapist and Founder of Heal Animal Massage
Massage therapy is widely recognized for its therapeutic benefits in humans, promoting relaxation, relieving stress, and alleviating muscle tension. These same advantages can be extended to our beloved pets, as they, too, experience physical and emotional strain in their daily lives. By incorporating massage into your pet care routine, you can enhance their well-being, foster a deeper bond, and improve their overall quality of life. Like us, pets can benefit from gentle touch, making massage an excellent way to pamper and care for them.
What’s great about massage for pets is that there really aren’t any downsides to this therapeutic practice. “There are just so many benefits to you and your furry family members,” says Rubi Sullivan, Heal Animal Massage’s pet massage therapist and founder. “It’s definitely a win-win. We see huge benefits for the animals. As animal massage therapists, we benefit from it because it’s pretty amazing to watch the animals. It helps owners bond with their pets, too. It can also help you develop community.”
Before introducing massage into your pet care routine, it is essential to establish a foundation of good behavior through training. Teaching your pet basic commands and reinforcing positive behavior creates an environment of trust and calm, which is crucial for effective massage sessions. Well-trained animals are generally more relaxed and more receptive to touch and manipulation. According to Sullivan, “When we teach professionals pet massages, there is a whole section on behavior and handling. You can know all the different massage strokes, all the different areas you want to massage, and all the reasons for massage, but if you don’t have the behavior and handling, then you won’t get very far.”
“People will say, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing,’ but I think there’s so much to be said for just touching your pets intentionally. There’s so much you’re probably doing that you don’t realize that’s really benefiting them,” encourages Sullivan. Pet massage is a holistic therapy that benefits both pets and their owners. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits, what to watch out for, and even some techniques on how to massage your pet.
Meet the Expert: Rubi Sullivan
Rubi Sullivan founded Heal Animal Massage in 2006, where she offers specialized animal massage techniques such as Swedish massage, manual lymphatic drainage, scar tissue massage, myofascial release, trigger point work, hospice care, and post-surgical rehabilitation. She works with dogs, cats, and occasionally pet rats.
Additionally, Sullivan is an instructor at the Northwest School of Animal Massage and conducts introductory classes for dog owners in the Portland Metro area. Passionate about animals since childhood, she currently cares for a three-legged dog named Sacha Muchacha and a cat named Captain Trout.
Benefits of Pet Massage
Pet massage offers many benefits that contribute significantly to our furry companions’ physical and emotional well-being. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, massage can help alleviate discomfort caused by muscle tension or stiffness in pets, enhancing their overall quality of life. Moreover, this nurturing practice fosters stronger emotional bonds between pets and their owners, creating a safe space for connection and trust.
As an expert in this field, Sullivan knows there are more benefits than people may initially think. “A lot of people think that when they get a massage, it is to help with a tight muscle or work on a problem area. While we are hopefully going find those areas and help their animal, there are many other benefits,” she says. By understanding and leveraging these benefits, pet owners can create a more fulfilling and health-conscious environment for their furry friends through the practice of massage. These can include:
- Improved Digestion – Massage can stimulate the digestive system by increasing blood flow and helping to promote the movement of food through the intestines. This can alleviate common issues such as constipation or gas in pets, leading to a healthier digestive process.
- Enhanced Lymphatic System Function – The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in removing toxins and waste from the body. Massage encourages the flow of lymph fluid, promoting better circulation and the efficient removal of waste, ultimately contributing to your pet’s overall health.
- Boosted Immune System – Regular massage can enhance the immune response by improving circulation and reducing stress hormones. This boost in immunity helps pets better fend off illnesses and infections, making them healthier overall.
- Activation of the Parasympathetic Nervous System – Massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which induces relaxation and calm. This helps lower stress levels and promotes restful sleep, which is essential for your pet’s recovery and well-being.
- Relief of Musculoskeletal Discomfort – Massage therapy effectively addresses muscle tension and joint stiffness, facilitating greater mobility and flexibility. It can be especially beneficial for aging pets or those with specific musculoskeletal issues, providing comfort and an improved range of motion.
Challenges To Watch Out For
When considering the practice of pet massage, it’s important to acknowledge that while the benefits are numerous, there can also be challenges that pet owners need to navigate. Understanding these challenges can ensure a safe and effective massage experience for both pets and their handlers. Factors such as the pet’s temperament, health conditions, and previous experiences with handling can significantly influence how well they respond to massage techniques.
In Sullivan’s experience, one of the primary challenges is some pet’s sensitivity to having all areas of their body touched: “For some pets, it might be their toes. For others, it might be their inner thigh muscles, which aren’t normally touched unless they are at the vet. They’re not used to that kind of touch, and they didn’t call us and say, ‘Hey, I want to schedule an appointment.’ Building trust and having lots of patience and persistence are necessary,” she explains.
One way to address this is to provide massage on a regular basis, either as an owner or by hiring a professional. “A regular routine can be really beneficial because you have a baseline moving forward. After the first few sessions, you can get a true reading on the pet. A lot of animals can be a little guarded initially. When families can see animals relax, it has a ripple effect,” says Sullivan.
Working with a Professional
While it is possible to learn some massage techniques on your own, working with a professional can have tremendous benefits. Sullivan works hard to ensure families are included in the process. “Homework is so good. Instead of being generic information you can find, it is specific to your animal,” she notes. “There might be an area where they need a little more desensitization or work, and we can note that. For example, if I find a sensitive area or a tigger point, I can show them how to do a specific stroke to address that area.”
She continues, “Then the next time we see your dog or cat, we’ll check in and see how it is going. The feedback I get from many families is that they’re so happy that they can do something more specific now and maybe a little more helpful for their particular pet.”
Another way owners can work with professionals is by taking a course. “I do dog massage for owners’ classes. I have a handout that is a shortened version of the work I can do with some very basic strokes that they can do with their animals. Everybody brings their dog, and we go over the handout, and then we talk about why and where,” Sullivan says.
Observation is Key
In addition to working with a professional or learning techniques on your own, pet owners need to observe and understand their pet’s body language during massage. This can help identify any areas of discomfort, tenseness, or sensitivity so that adjustments can be made accordingly. Sullivan emphasizes the importance of listening to your pet and being aware of their nonverbal cues during massage sessions.
“There is often very obvious feedback like they’re relaxing and closing their eyes. But then other times professionals who’ve been doing this for a long time can pick up on little nuances that the pet is anxious or uncomfortable,” says Sullivan. “These small little pieces of communication are critical. Always watch for feedback from your pet. Look for not just feedback in one particular spot, but also in different locations, environments, and stress levels to see how they respond to a stroke in different situations.”
The next important step is to incorporate the feedback they have given you. “Find a time or situation that is less stressful for them, and you may see a big difference in their ability to relax. Maybe it’s at home, in their bedroom, or wherever. If you can reinforce the touch in a calm place, then you can use it later in a more stressful environment like the vet clinic or the dog park. You can use the stroke or touch to help access the parasympathetic nervous system and perhaps help calm them,” encourages Sullivan.
Two Techniques To Use On Your Pets
Now that we’ve covered pet massage’s benefits and challenges, let’s explore two simple techniques you can use on your furry friends. According to Sullivan, these are gentle and easy to learn, making them accessible for any pet owner looking to enhance their pet’s well-being.
Effleurage Technique
The effleurage technique is a great starting point because it is simple and soothing. It involves using long, gliding strokes with light pressure all over the body. This can help relax muscles, increase circulation, and promote overall relaxation in your pet.
To use this technique:
- Begin by gently placing your hands on your pet’s back or neck area.
- With a smooth motion, glide your hands following the body contour.
- Continue using long strokes on your pet’s body, adjusting pressure and speed as needed.
- Pay attention to any areas of sensitivity or tension in your pet’s body and adjust accordingly.
Try using effleurage on different parts of your body. Increase the speed and see what happens. Now, change the pressure. All of these feelings you notice in yourself also affect your pet. This is an excellent stroke for both cats and dogs.
Tapping (Tapotement)
Tapping involves drumming your fingers on a specific area of the body. Tapotement is a gentle, percussive stroke that stimulates atrophied, as well as healthy, muscles. Tapping is an effective technique when it is necessary to get your pet’s attention or in combination with other strokes. Tapotement engages the central nervous system. Some pets find it stimulating, while others find it sedating.
To use this technique:
- Begin gently placing your hands on your pet’s back or neck.
- Use a light tapping motion with your fingertips or palms, alternating between hands and areas of the body.
- Pay attention to any areas of tension or sensitivity and adjust pressure accordingly.
- Continue for a few minutes, gradually increasing speed if desired.
Try tapping on your own forehead and cheeks. Notice how it makes you feel. Now, change the pace of the tapping and feel the difference. Is it relaxing or stimulating for you? Now try it on your pet. Does it make them feel relaxed or stimulated? This is a good stroke to use on both cats and dogs.
