Have you ever had a massage? Have you ever given someone a massage? Massages are very healing: it benefits both the giver and receiver—human or otherwise.

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When you massage your pet, your dog or cat will soften into your hands as tension in the body begins to diffuse. Sore joints or muscles begin to feel better and circulation will improve. At the same time that your dog/cat begin to relax and enjoy, your own blood pressure will drop, and you’ll relax, too.

Here are five reasons why, if you aren’t already, you should be giving your pet a massage.

1. Reduce Stress
Massage is proven to reduce stress, and any companion can benefit from that. You might find it particularly helpful if your dog or cat is easily worried or stressed; a nightly massage can help to relax him and establish a comforting routine.

2. Improve Circulation
The act of massaging muscles improves circulation, which in turn benefits the entire body. Increased circulation helps with muscle recovery after exercise, and it can also help with conditions such as arthritis. The act of pressuring and releasing muscles causes blood flow to increase, which is very healing.

3. Strengthen Your Relationship
Massage is a wonderful way to build and strengthen your relationship with your companion. Always begin slowly,  as massage may be unfamiliar to your dog or cat.  Chances are, once your companion,  realizes how good a massage feels, he’ll come to look forward to the treatment, and will associate you with being the one who provides it. Massage can help to establish a bond between an owner and a new dog, or it can build on an existing relationship with your pet.

4. Find Injuries or Problems
Massage has an added benefit in that it allows you to quickly pinpoint changes in your dog or cat’s body. If will help you to identify any unusual swelling or lumps, or any changes in the muscles. You will also be able to identify if your pet has put on or lost weight. It’s not uncommon for you to identify lumps during a massage. You never know, pampering your dog/cat may save his or her life.

5. Relieve Pain
Finally, massage can be an excellent pain reliever. Massage can help relieve muscle soreness,  help them recover from an injury, or help with pain and stiffness from arthritis.

Enhance your dog or cat’s experience by adding in certified pure therapeutic essential oils. PawsPath recommends a calming blend for tension, Frankincense and Lavender for muscle and joint soreness and Myrrh and Lavender for digestive issues.

Find out more with a Paws Path Consultation