Benefits of Pet Massages

Benefits of Massaging Pets

A Relaxed Pet is a Happy, Healthy Pet

You love your fur babies, so you make certain they have the right food, the right shelter, and the right health care. For most pet owners, their animals are truly members of the family and possibly more important than some of your cousins. That's why you continue to search for ways to improve their lives. Adding pet massage to your routine is a simple and effective way to enhance your pet's mental and physical health. Plus, this type of contact with your pet can have relaxing benefits for you as well. Massage should be a part of your regular pet care routine.

Physical Benefits

Using massage on your dogs, cats, or other small pets has a number of health benefits. For instance, a gentle massage can help your pet's mobility by reducing inflammation, stiffness, and pain, making it particularly effective for elderly animals. Massaging your pet also helps impede the degeneration that aging brings and may make your animals live longer.

If your pet has been injured or had surgery, massage can speed their healing. It also improves blood and lymph circulation as well as adds flexibility and muscle tone.

Emotional Benefits

Massage is a fantastic way to soothe your pet when they are stressed by storms or other anxiety-provoking events, like a visit from the neighbor's toddler. After all, a nice massage relaxes humans after a tough day or week, so why wouldn't it work on your pet?

Massage also helps you bond with your animal and makes them feel "refreshed" and calm. If you have a new pet, easing into massage can help them feel connected to you and more at home in their new surroundings.

Methods

Before you begin, you should softly pet your animal and speak gently to them. You can start the massage by using circular motions on your pet's neck. Then progress to the shoulders, chest and front legs. Eventually, work your way around to the animal's back. If your pet doesn't like being massaged in a certain spot, move on.

You may also use a Furbliss pet brush to deliver a relaxing massage. The Furbliss brush will deliver all the same health benefits, such as increased circulation and flexibility. The brush also removes loose fur and dander while it exfoliates your pet's skin. The Furbliss brush also works for animals with delicate skin caused by allergies and atopy.

Human Benefits

Giving your pet a massage can also help your mental and physical health. The rhythm of the massage can lower your cortisol, a stress hormone. Your oxytocin level goes up, reducing stress and possibly your blood pressure. Taking care of your pet also gives you a purpose, no matter what else is going on in your life. You know that you are important and that you are loved.

Massage is a wonderful way to enhance your animal's health. Just as humans need to be touched, so do dogs, cats, and other family pets. They will almost immediately feel relaxed and safe when you massage them. Their physical condition will also improve. Your pet should have less stiffness and pain. They will heal more quickly from any injury. As an added benefit, you too will feel comforted and less stressed. People and pets make each other healthier and happier. Massage just increases these benefits.