Title text reading 'The Benefits of Pet Massage & How to Incorporate it into Your Grooming' in a decorative font.
by Malissa Conti-Diener
Canine (Pet) Massage Therapy is becoming more popular than it has ever been. As a long-time licensed massage therapist and professional pet groomer, I noticed that the dogs respond very quickly to the massage techniques I use to help calm and soothe them in the grooming environment. Over the years I worked on developing a specific way of applying the combination of compassionate handling, acupressure and massage on my pet clients, eventually creating a specialized concept for pet groomers, called Compassionate Touch Point Therapy.

Compassionate handling can have a huge positive impact on an animal’s welfare and on developing good human-animal interactions. It focuses on the mental welfare of the pets, as well as their physical health, and it goes beyond the alleviation of suffering and recognizes the importance of animals and people having positive experiences, which are essential for a good life.

So why use massage in your grooming practice?

Defined as the therapeutic manipulation of soft tissues, massage has many effects on muscle, the circulatory system, the autonomic nervous system and the mind. Various techniques are employed to achieve a desired effect in the treatment of many conditions, including but not limited to, swelling and edema, critical illness, prolonged recumbency, osteoarthritis, chronic pain, and palliative and hospice care. Essentially, massage enhances every system and organ in the body. It is about bringing change within the muscle tissue, not about “fixing” a problem.

The widespread application of pet massage specifically has led to more research with efforts aimed at proving scientifically that massage does indeed have beneficial effects on dogs and small mammals as well. It is now being looked at as a good source of pain relief as well as being beneficial for the overall health and wellbeing of the pet.

New scientific studies are showing that massage therapy alters dopamine and serotonin (the “feel-good hormone”) levels, decreases noradrenaline levels and modulates the immune system. Psychological effects were also reported, such as reduction of stress, anxiety and fear, and improvement of separation anxiety. While techniques were originally developed for humans, we now have the opportunity to share this ancient art with pets.

Though we as pet groomers do not diagnose nor treat specific illnesses, veterinarians are now seeing the benefits of massage therapy, even outside of their treatment centers. Each state has individual laws for practicing massage therapy on mammals, so always check with your state’s veterinary board to be sure you are on the right side of the law.

By taking the time to incorporate massage therapy into your appointments, you can effectively help the pets and yourself by:

  • Reducing anxiety and stress
  • Helping to ease pain/inflammation
  • Creating a bond between pet and groomer
  • Making pets calmer for better grooming sessions
  • Teaching the pet that pleasurable touch is a reward for positive behaviors
The main thing to remember about massage is balance. You—the giver—must be balanced and focused on the pet.
The main thing to remember about massage is balance. You—the giver—must be balanced and focused on the pet. When performing massage, the strokes must be balanced; what you do to one side of the body you must do to the other. Always watch for signs of discomfort and stop if the animal shows any signs of pain. Be sure to maintain steady, light strokes; no need for deep pressure.

Reassure the pet as you go along by talking to them and letting them know it’s OK to relax. However, understanding that pets look to us for nonverbal cues—just the way you focus in on them—the touch techniques and your intentions will speak louder than any words you can say to them. They are masters at reading our energy and intentions with them. Letting them know they can trust you will be the first thing you will do to gain their confidence and allow you to continue with some compassionate touch techniques.

During the bath is the perfect time to incorporate massage therapy into the grooming routine. Your hands are slick with shampoo and conditioner, so instead of scrubbing, start rubbing and relaxing the pet. Here are a few simple tub techniques to try:

  • Start at the back of the neck and slowly move your hands lightly over the pet’s body to distribute the product, gently massaging the muscles of the body while you are applying the product.
  • Using long, flowing strokes (effleurage) following the grain of the coat, slide your hands over all the sections of the body, maintaining your connection with your hands, moving them in the same direction. Stay off the spine with any direct pressure.
  • Cup your hands around one leg at a time, lightly pulling down to the foot and then release. Shake out your hand after letting go of the foot to release all of that nervous energy.
  • Create a pumping action with your hand (petrissage) over the foot. This pushes the lymph fluids along to help with swelling and soreness. Don’t forget the toes. Push your fingers in between the paw pads gently to help circulation.
  • Slowly and gently massage the tail from base to tip, utilizing that same cupped-hand and pumping movement.
  • Gently massage the ears with soft, circular strokes over the ear leather.
  • Easily slide onto the top of the cranium and continue with those same circular movements.
  • Move over to the brow line, down the stop and across the face, utilizing small circular motions with your fingertips. Use caution near the eyes.
  • Rinse and repeat while conditioning.
Here are a few of my favorite grooming table or floor techniques for anxious pets that you can’t get to relax and stay still:
  • Hold the pet close to your body and gently massage at the base of the ear, slowly moving in small circles all along the ear leather. No deep pressure; just gentle circular motions using your thumb and pointer fingers. You can continue that movement down the back of the head and into the neck with an open palm, smoothing over the back and rump.
  • Move from the ears across the forehead and over the brows with the same gentle circular movements. Put a tiny bit of pressure over the brow line with one finger and hold for a count of five and release. This is a trigger point that will aid in relaxation.
  • If you have a dog trying to bite when you touch them, work on some slow trust touches by bringing the pet in close to your body. Softly begin to touch the pet’s body with an open palm. Using deliberate touches, smooth over the dog’s body in long strokes while speaking in soft, soothing tones.
  • Towel swaddling also works well for biters, allowing you to massage over the towel.
  • To help with severe anxiety issues as well as with circulation problems, gently rock your palms on either side of the spine, slowly moving from the base of the neck to the rump.
You can also try some acupressure points by pressing and holding (easily, not deeply) the following spots to help relax and ease tension:
  • In the tuck-up area, take thumb and pointer finger and lightly hold the flap of skin between the body and leg. Apply light pressure, count to 10 and release.
  • Gently hold the ear leather with thumb and pointer finger close to the base of the ear. Press gently, count to 10 and release.
  • Using both thumbs, place on either side of the base of the tail (off to the side, not on the spine). Press gently, count to 10 and release.
These are just a few of the many pet massage techniques you can use to help calm and build trust with the dogs you work with. But remember, it’s about having a calm energy, the intention to aid the animal in reducing their stress level and maintaining a compassionate touch. This is a synergistic modality; meaning, you also will begin to feel calmer, more relaxed and focused as you hold that space for the animal.

When we consider the pets that we interact with daily as more than just a haircut to get through, we are honoring the whole animal—body, mind and spirit. When we do this, we are also giving ourselves the opportunity to connect with these pets on a deeper level. We are the guardians for these special creatures. I believe as pet professionals we can do so much more to make pet grooming more than just a haircut.