Dog massage? Some people don't realize that there are are therapists who specialize in dog massge therapy. And why not? Our pets are often an important part of our household and loving friends for ourselves and our children. They have health issues too and sometimes a little animal massage can be a good thing.

Our pets enjoy the relaxation experienced by being touched and I'm sure you give your dog massage once and awhile. Dogs are emotional creatures. Just ask any dog lover how Fido reacts when they return home after fido has been left home alone for a few hours. Dogs not only have emotions they have thoughts too. They experience pain, loneliness and anxiety just like their humans do. Their past experiences can leave them with emotional issues that the touch of massage therapy can relieve. Those who are deprived of touch during their puppyhoods can have physical and emotional development issues. They can suffer from reduced socialization skills and depressed immune systems.

Touch gives a dog the feeling of affection and reassurance necessary for healthy living. Touch gives a dog the ability to process socialization, support and balance.

Massage is an excellent way to help a newly adopted pet bond with you. Dogs who have been adopted through shelters are especially prone to having suffered traumatic events such as abandonment, and physical or mental/emotional abuse. These dogs will respond positively to the benefits of pet massage.

Pet massage stimulates circulation, enhances flexibility and can improve the dog’s metabolic efficiency. The pushing and pulling of skin and muscles and the moving around of limbs in a passive range of motion way is a form of exercise. It develops the dog’s muscle tone, increases the depth and rate of his respiration and gives him emotional benefits too.

Dogs who are elderly or who do not receive enough daily exercise can benefit from massage. Dogs who receive too little exercise can have more difficulty breathing because the food they eat turns to fat that puts a strain on their heart and joints. When a dog exercises they not only burn calories they increase their respiration rate. The movement they experience during both exercise and massage improves their large joint movement and increases circulation of both blood and lymph.

Dogs who are sedentary during most of their days really need pet massage to improve their health, especially the health of their joints. Massage moves body parts and this has a particularly strong benefit for older dogs and those who do not get enough exercise because they are indoor, stay-at-home dogs.

Humans who love and care for their dogs can learn how to do dog massage in courses offered by pet massage schools. As well, there are some animal massage books, websites and instructional manuals that can teach you how to do massage on pets. Massage not only has emotional and physical benefits for the dog, but for the person massaging as well. Knowing that you are having a positive, health promoting affect on an animal can really give you a sense of achievement.

Although you can do pet massage yourself, there are situations where our pets can benefit from the trained hands of a dog massage therapist who has been specially trained in pet massage at a certified dog massage school. This is especially true if your dog has specific physical ailments or injuries. In many of these cases, pet massage training is essential for truly effective pet massage.

To find someone who is trained in <dog massage therapy> check out the <massage therapist directory> at BodyworkWeb.