To massage a dog with arthritis, you need to be extra careful. When a dog has arthritic conditions, massage can help reduce pain, increase mobility, and strengthen muscles. While there are several different types of massages for dogs, some require more advanced skills than most people have.
What exactly is arthritis?
Dogs may suffer from arthritis, which is an inflammatory condition that lasts for a long time and negatively affects the health of the animal’s joints. It is produced when the cartilage that is found between the joints gets damaged and less smooth. This causes the surface of the bones to rub against each other, which results in your dog’s joints being stiff, swollen, and uncomfortable.
That’s why it is very helpful to know what type of massage is best for your specific dog. There are two main types of massage for dogs with arthritis:
- Reflexive bodywork
- Structured professional treatments.
Reflexive bodywork uses pressure via hands or feet on various points in the skin to find relaxed areas and stimulate blood flow. These are typically done at the level of the surface tissue- you can use your own intuition to determine if this is working for your dog.
Structured professional canine massage requires training beyond the basics of touch therapy. Professionals learn about musculoskeutonic (muscle and bone) anatomy as well as how nerves work in the furred layer of the skin. They also go through certification processes that test their knowledge and skill levels.
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This article will talk about massage a dog with arthritis. If you would like to read more information about structured professional massage for dogs, check out our separate article! You may choose to do both depending on your dog and his needs.
01. Wash your hands thoroughly
When bathing your dog with arthritis, make sure you use the proper hand washing technique. Use either an antibacterial soap or gel-based hand wash, and make sure to scrub all of the areas of the dog’s body properly.
After rinsing off, dry your hands completely before touching any other part of the animal. This way, you don’t spread infectious agents such as bacteria to another area of the pet!
It is also important to never use the same towel for different parts of the animal. If you do happen to get wet when drying a certain area, try using a sterile one instead. This will help prevent bacterial growth in that area. These points must be kept in mind when you massage a dog with arthritis
Finally, be careful not to overwork your dog while he/she has arthritic conditions.
02. Use a lubricant
When working with an arthritic dog, it is very important to use appropriate oils or lubes to facilitate ease of movement and prevent excess tissue inflammation.
Many people begin using massage oils for humans before trying them on animals. This is not a good idea unless you have veterinary training! Using the right oil for your animal depends on their breed, health conditions, and whether they are male or female. Different dogs require different amounts of certain oils to feel comfortable so we cannot tell you what type of oil is needed until you try.
To massage a dog with arthritis, we recommend using pet-friendly natural oils such as sunflower or canola oil because they do not contain any additives that may irritate sensitive skin or cause allergies in some individuals. You also want to be sure to test the oil on your own hands first to see if it causes dryness or irritation.
Massaging a dog with arthritis will help increase their mobility and quality of life, but only if you are careful with the oil.
03. Sit with your dog before you massage a dog with arthritis
When you want to massage a dog with arthritis, you will need to find a position that is comfortable for both of you! You can either be sitting together or one person can lie down next to the dog.
In both cases, make sure the dog has space to move around and adjust his body if needed. If the dog looks like he is uncomfortable, try finding another position or getting him up out of this one so he feels more relaxed.
You can use your hands or toys to apply pressure to different areas of the skin and muscle. For example, using your thumbs, pull back some of the fur on the dog’s neck, then press hard along their spine. Apply light pressure at first, and then increase it as the dog relaxes.
Reminder: never force yourself upon any animal, even if they seem indifferent towards you. This could cause them harm or injury.
04. Use firm pressure to massage a dog with arthritis
When you massage a dog with arthritis, it is important to use proper, gentle touch. Firm but gentle hands are best as they may cause some discomfort for your canine client, but will also help soothe them.
Dogs who suffer from arthritis can develop thickened cartilage or bone that makes moving joints more difficult. This typically happens at the end of a joint where there is less space for the bones to move within the socket.
To massage a dog with arthritis, you should pay special attention to these areas. If you feel hard muscle, that’s okay, but make sure to work only soft tissue like muscles or skin.
You can run your fingers or a brush (massager) tip along the area, apply light pressure and see how well it works on your pet.
If you find this one doesn’t seem to be helping much, try switching up your pressure or trying something slightly different.
05. Work your way down their body
Rubging the dog all over is often the most effective treatment for arthritic diseases. She should begin from the very bottom, with her feet.
Arthritic dogs often have impaired mobility. Consequently, they have restricted mobility in several of their body parts. As a result, massaging them might induce a short and perhaps cause damage.
After a long day of walking, your dog may feel stiff. To help him relax, try massaging him before bed. The same rule applies if he’s resting his paws on a sofa or blanket.
06. Use your hands, feet, and a massager
When dogs suffer from arthritis, massage is very helpful in reducing pain and improving their quality of life. While there are many ways to give a dog a massage, using your hands is one of the best strategies.
You can use gentle hand squeezes or strokes to relax muscles that are overactive due to the inflammation. Or you can apply light pressure with your fingers or a soft brush to still feel the tension but ease it slightly.
The most common areas for arthritic dogs to have trouble relaxing are their front legs, back paws, and shoulders. For these areas, professionals sometimes add an ultrasound device into the treatment. This uses sound waves to help reduce muscle spasms and stress.
Although not strictly a form of massage, crumpling up paper and rolling it out like tissue helps get rid of excess fluid that may be accumulated because of lack of activity. If possible, try to do this outside so it does not wet the animal. This is something that you can try to massage a dog with arthritis.
07. Keep an eye on your dog
If your dog has arthritis, it is very important that you keep an eye on them while they are massaging themselves or being massaged by someone else.
If your dog has joint pain due to arthritis, they may hurt more quickly when touched or handled. This could be because their body isn’t as strong of a material as bone so it breaks down easier when stressed out.
Also make sure to watch for changes in behavior such as acting nervous, anxious, or aggressive. These behaviors can get much worse as your dog suffers from arthritic pain. Make note if anything seems off about how your pet acts before and after the massage a dog with arthritis.
It’s also important to know what kind of pressure your dog needs during a massage. Some dogs need lighter touches, while others like heavier ones.
08. Practice massages with your dog
Before beginning a massage on an animal, it’s important to do a thorough physical assessment of each leg to check for signs of heat or cold, assess range of motion, and identify any tender spots.
Start by using gentle strokes along the dog’s skin’s surface to check whether he or she is comfortable with the process.
As the dog relaxes, increase your pressure until you can feel the underlying muscle. You may then use your palm, fingers, a brush, or a soft cloth to provide the right amount of pressure.
As long as the dog shows no signs of tension, you should proceed carefully and steadily. Work on one leg at a time if necessary to help him feel more comfortable.
After finishing the massage, wait a few minutes to observe whether the dog has calmed down enough to lie down. After the allotted time has passed, try massaging him again to see if he responds.
FAQs
Summary to massage a dog with arthritis
In conclusion, to massage a dog with arthritis can provide numerous benefits, including reduced pain, increased mobility, and strengthened muscles. To effectively massage a dog with arthritis, it is important to follow certain guidelines, such as starting slowly and gradually increasing the duration and intensity of the massage, using appropriate pressure, and being aware of any sensitivities or discomfort the dog may experience. It is also advisable to seek guidance from a veterinarian or trained canine massage therapist to ensure that you are using the most appropriate techniques and applying them safely. With proper knowledge and care, massage can be a valuable addition to your dog’s treatment plan for managing their arthritic condition
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