Which animals can benefit from massage?
- Older animals with arthritis and other joint or mobility problems
- Animals recovering from recent injury, illness or surgery (with a veterinarian’s approval)
- Animals with past injuries, genetic abnormalities or chronic conditions that continue to limp or move awkwardly
- Animals with poor circulation
- Animals that have been, or are about to be, confined for an extended period period such as boarding or recovery
- Animals that get distressed before or after vet visits, grooming appointments, lengthy travel, etc.
- Agility competitors before and after competition
- Show animals that need to be relaxed and look their best
- Even family pets in need of a little pampering!
I pet my animals everyday, isn’t this the same?
- Petting is essential for your relationship with your animal. The intention of petting is enjoyment and communication. Massage on the other hand is a focused ad specialized form of therapeutic touch utilizing specific movements and pressures for specific results. The practitioner you choose should have an understanding of anatomy, physiology, psychology, and kinesiology. The results from consistent massage sessions will significantly impact your animal’s overall wellness; benefits most animals do not get from petting alone.
Will my animal like massage?
- Most of the time, the answer is yes. Remember that every animal is unique so there are quite a variety of reactions. Some will fall asleep during a session while some leave extremely invigorated. No matter which of these categories (or somewhere in between) your animal falls into, the result will benefit their overall well-being.
- Sometimes, especially during a first massage, an animal will be unsure of the intention of the massage. It is not uncommon at all for the animal to be overwhelmed at first but the uncertainty generally will go away and the animal will enjoy massage.
Do all animals benefit from massage?
- Massage addresses many health issues including prevention, maintenance, and recuperation. Because of the variety of techniques, a plan can be easily customized to suit the needs of a specific animal. Since it is non-invasive, almost any dog, cat, or other animal is a good candidate for massage or another method of bodywork.
- Massage relieves pain, discomfort, and stiffness and helps advance the healing process for animals with a variety of ailments. Some examples may include: aiding growth and socialization, in the young, enhancing comfort and quality of life for seniors, maximizing performance and recovery for athletes and calming animals with behavioral issues related to physical ailments or emotional trauma. Even for your average companion, massage is a great tool for keeping your pet in top emotional and physical condition.
What if my animal won’t sit still for a massage?
- Clients are often concerned about how their animal will react to a massage session and that they are receiving benefit from the treatment. At unRUFFled, our first step is to meet with you and your animal. During this consultation, we will discuss the animal’s needs, medical history, your goals for massage and even have an abbreviated session. With this, you will be able to see first-hand just how your animal reacts to a massage. Keep in mind that it is very common for animals to be apprehensive at first. It is also common, especially in small animals, to provide 10-15 minutes of massage, take a break and then resume. Occasionally, just like people, animals will have an “off day” or be unable to focus on the massage. In these instances, we will reschedule the massage and try again on a different day. Rarely do we encounter animals that do not like massage completely. If your animal is not relaxed and not benefitting from the massage, we will recommend an alternate treatment.
How often should my animal get a massage?
- All animals are different and have their own unique sets of conditions and circumstances. All of these factors help determine the appropriate schedule for your animals’ massage plan. A animal with chronic pain or mobility issues might benefit from a massage once or twice a week whereas a “healthy” animal may only require a session once or twice a month.
How does massage help an arthritic animal?
- Massage increases and maintains flexibility and range of motion and keeps joints lubricated, often allowing for improved mobility. Along with exercise, nutrition, and proper veterinary care, massage can play and significant role in keeping animals who are beginning to show joint stiffness, or those with joint disease or congenital joint malformation, mobile and comfortable.
Is it true that massage has no benefits unless an animal has an ailment, condition or injury?
- No! Regular, consistent massage is an invaluable opportunity to maintain your animal’s good health. It can potentially provide tremendous increases to an animal’s quality of life, longevity and mobility. When animals are massaged regularly, their bodies consistently function at a higher, more efficient level. This allows the animal’s self-healing properties to remain consistent, which can possibly ward off or ease the onset of inevitable or predisposed health conditions. In addition, massage provides numerous benefits to the mental health and behavior of animals.
Isn’t pet massage a frivolous expense?
- Your best friend’s health is priceless. Massage provides a safe, natural, non-invasive method of maintaining an animal’s optimal health and quality of life. Regular massage sessions may, in some circumstances, reduce the frequency of veterinary visits or the need for medication or more invasive, painful treatments. Today, many veterinarians recommend massage as a supplement to their health care treatments.
Is it true that only old animals benefit from massage?
- No! Animals of every age benefit from massage! Typically, it’s best to start a massage program with a young, healthy animal. This will prevent the animal and massage therapist from having to play “catch up” as is often the case with older animal that have never been massaged. Specifically, massage helps young animals develop properly aligned skeletal structures with strong bones and healthy tissues. This can be extremely helpful to large breed dogs and breeds that are predisposed through conformation to specific alignments (think German Shepherds with drop hip). Massage helps to build relationships of trust with humans and to make handling of the animal easier.
When should I not have my dog massaged?
- Massage, in general, can be performed on most dogs and is only rarely contraindicated. An in-depth discussion will be conducted pre-massage to discuss medical history and/or concerns in order to determine if there are any contraindications. Always consult your veterinarian prior to seeking massage for your dog if they have any significant medical history such as prior surgery, trauma, illness, or cancer.
What are your qualifications?
- unRUFFled Canine and Feline Massage is owned and operated by Kristen Marr. She has over 200 hours of animal specific massage training and received her Small Animal Massage Certification from Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, Massachusetts. Additionally, Kristen has an AAS degree in Animal Care Specialty from North Shore Community College and is certified in Pet First Aid and CPR through Pet Emergency Education. Kristen continues to attend continuing education seminars regularly in order to better the massage experience.
** She is a member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) and the International Association of Animal Massage Bodywork (IAAMB).
