Effective Dog Massage & Acupressure Techniques Guide
Massage, as the name suggests, is essentially the act of touching the fur (skin) and manipulating the muscles. This form of physical contact has been shown to strengthen the bond between humans and animals, and can even foster a deeper, more intimate connection. For inactive or older pets, as well as young or working animals, owners can provide a gentle and soothing petting session. This not only offers a sense of security and calmness to the pets but also aids in stress relief. Please be aware that a home massage is quite different from one performed by a professional therapist. Trained therapists can offer a more comprehensive massage, incorporating a variety of techniques.
Benefits of Massage
Increased flexibility
Improved overall health
Reduced pain
Enhanced blood circulation
Calming of emotions
Massage should be a tranquil and gentle process. Before you begin, ensure your dog is in a comfortable and quiet spot, such as a table, floor, or sofa. These areas should be flat, clean, and provide ample fresh water to maximize the benefits of the massage. It's important to note that the key to a successful massage is relaxation. If your pet seems uninterested in the massage, it's best not to force it. Additionally, never massage lumps, and avoid massaging your pet when it's feverish or infected. Like any other activity, sometimes massage may not yield results.
Basic techniques you can use at home include gentle stroking and passive touch. Both of these methods can help your pet gradually become accustomed to and enjoy the massage experience.
Techniques for Dog Massage
Gentle Stroking
This is a gentle, prolonged method of stroking that helps warm up the tissues (also known as "warming up"). The pressure applied to the animal is approximately 0.5 pounds – a very light touch. Place one hand on the pet's body, and use the other hand to slowly glide along the face, head, body, tail, and outer sides of the legs, always in the direction of the hair growth. Gently stroke the inner sides of the legs as well, again following the direction of hair growth. Alternate hands as one set of movements ends, repeating the same sequence. Circular movements around the heart area are referred to as heartaround stroking.
Be mindful not to pull on the hair, avoid contact with infected areas, open wounds, or lumps.
Passive Touch
With passive touch, you do not need to apply any pressure. Simply place one hand on the dog's muscle groups, and the other hand on the dog's head, shoulders, sides, or upper thighs and buttocks. After a while, this will help calm the dog and alleviate some pain. Your pet will find comfort in this weightless touch. Passive touch can be done at any time, such as while watching TV or walking. As with the other techniques, avoid touching infected areas, bone areas, open wounds, and lumps.
