Does Your Pet need a Massage? Veterinarians have a Surprising Answer!
Everyone knows the universal sign of feline contentment:
Curled up on a couch with their humans petting them, cats will often let out the slow rumble of a purr. What you may not realize, though, is that the simple act of petting is a form of massage. Experts say it, and more specialized massage techniques and therapies like acupuncture can do wonders for your pet’s health — from easing stress and anxiety to preventing muscle injury and reducing arthritis pain.
How does Massage Therapy for Animals work?
In humans, massage is an ancient medicinal practice that targets muscles and soft tissue, encouraging blood and lymphatic fluid circulation in part by relaxing the nervous system. Health benefits include reducing muscle tension, improving joint mobility and flexibility, and reducing stress hormones like cortisol.
Jessica Bunch, an assistant professor of integrative veterinary medicine at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, informed that while you and your cat or dog aren’t the same, the underlying mechanism and accompanying benefits are believed to be close enough given similarities in physiology. Limited studies suggest that massage has similar effects in both animals and humans, including reducing cortisol levels, lowering blood pressure, increasing pain tolerance,
medicine and rehabilitation at the University of California, Davis, informs Inverse.
Arthritis worsens over time and can be difficult to manage with medication alone, especially in cases of chronic pain. Acupuncture and massage offer nonpharmacological options that, when combined with medication, can provide more effective pain control.
Some studies in lab animals suggest the centuries-old practice originating in China encourages the body to make its innate painkiller (called endogenous opiates) and shut off pain circuits as well as the needles causing teeny tiny injuries that promote healing.
One 2006 study published in the journal Vet Record found that acupuncture granted pain relief for up to six months for dogs with hip dysplasia compared to dogs who didn’t get the treatment. Similar findings were made in a 2017 study that was. Published in the journal Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia: Cats Who Had Acupuncture. Following spaying needed fewer painkillers than cats in the control group.
What kinds of Animal Massage Therapies are there?
There are a variety of techniques out there targeting different issues like calming, improving circulation, or range of motion. Some of these techniques, like gentle stroking, rubbing, or kneading (a technique where you apply pressure in circular motions to compress the muscle, and then you release it), are simple enough for pet owners to do themselves. Others, like myofascial release or acupuncture, require a trained professional, whether a veterinarian or a certified massage therapist, both Bunch and Koh note.
One [technique] I commonly teach the owner to do is acupressure, a combination of massage with acupuncture, says Koh. “We teach them to use their thumb or fingers to stimulate acupuncture points, [applying] a couple of ounces of pressure for a few seconds or minutes.”
Some massage techniques. Are better suited to destressing or healing. It’s best to consult your veterinarian before embarking on any techniques on your own.
According to Bunch and Koh, if you’re interested in learning more about at-home methods, there are a. Ton of instructional videos on the internet with veterinarians and licensed therapists as instructors. As well as certifications through organizations like the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage.
When Should You Get or Give Your Pet a Massage?
Bunch and Koh advise giving your pet a mild massage regularly as long as they tolerate touch (which may be more problematic for cats and exotic animals like birds and rabbits). Especially for active dogs or “weekend warriors” (dogs that get most of their playtime during the weekend). A good rubdown before physical activity can help with joint mobility and warm up muscles.
The ideal massage circumstance is that you want your pet to be comfortable. Bunch states that you should aim to be in a quiet, relaxed environment where your pet will relax. The massage won’t provide maximum benefit if they’re not relaxed.
Massage therapy may even prevent or slow down the progression of age-related conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. However, both Bunch and Koh. Recommend that if your pet has these or others. It is best to consult your veterinarian before attempting anything. Home for medical diseases that. May be influenced by massages. Such as persistent skin problems, fever, or even cancer (Koh warns that boosting blood flow to where a tumor. Is localized may mistakenly feed it).
Massage – A Wonderful Way to Bond with Your Pets
This article is written by Inverse