It's estimated that Americans own between 70 and 80 million dogs. For many pet owners these dogs are more than a companion, they are a part of the family. If you want to treat your dog like a valued member of your own family, you may want to look into pet massage.
Here are three things you need to know about the benefits of pet massage for your dog.
1. A massage could help identify potential health problems.
If your canine companion is feeling sick or uncomfortable, he or she cannot vocalize this discomfort. As a result, many serious medical conditions in your dog could go without a diagnosis. Fortunately, your dog's body has the ability to communicate when it comes to serious problems.
Through a technique known as palpation, which is a method of feeling with the fingers and hands, a massage therapist can identify hot or swollen areas on your dog's body. These areas can then be checked by your veterinarian to determine their underlying cause. By identifying potential problems, a massage therapist can help improve the quality of your pet's life.
2. Pet massage can help reduce your dog's stress levels.
Just as a massage can be a great way for you to unwind after a stressful day, a massage can help ease your dog's stress as well. If you have noticed behavioral changes (like excessive barking, licking, or vomiting) in your dog, then stress could be to blame. Dogs that have their regular schedule disrupted can experience high levels of stress.
Through pet massage, a skilled massage therapist can alleviate the muscle tension associated with stress. A relaxed dog will have an easier time coping with change, so using massage therapy to reduce stress could help you address some irritating behavior problems your dog is exhibiting due to stress.
3. Massage can help reduce the amount of pain your aging dog feels.
Getting older means more aches and pains, and your dog is not immune to the discomfort that comes with aging. If you want to ensure your dog's quality of life remains intact, you should consider using massage as a pain reliever for your pet.
Regular massages can help to slow down the degenerative process that leads to arthritis, sparing your dog the pain associated with this condition. If your dog already has advanced arthritis, then massage can relieve muscle tension to reduce pain.
Investing in regular massages for your dog is a great way to identify potential health problems, reduce your dog's stress levels, and help alleviate your dog's pain.
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