Massage for Dogs – Relaxing the Back and the Mind (+Tips from a Dog Physical Therapist)

Do you also enjoy being pampered with a massage? Then you know that feeling: tension melts away, your mind calms down, and for a moment, everything just feels light. That’s exactly what we need sometimes—and our dogs, by the way, do too.

After all, massages don’t just work wonders for us humans. Our four-legged friends also benefit greatly from them: they relax, tension eases, and their overall well-being improves noticeably.

Would you like to give your dog that same feeling? Then you've come to the right place. In this post, you'll learn when a massage is beneficial, how to spot tension, and how to give your dog a really good massage.

Where did we get this information? We spoke with Martina Flocken from Doggy Fitness. She shared her expertise, gained from years of experience as a canine physical therapist, with us. So all the information and valuable tips in this article come directly from an expert in canine health. Let’s get right to it!

Massage for Dogs – When Is It Beneficial?

Massage can be beneficial for dogs at every stage of life—from young, healthy dogs to senior dogs with health issues. It not only serves as a preventive measure but can also provide targeted relief for specific problems, such as those affecting the musculoskeletal system.

“Over time, joint and back conditions lead to tension caused by compensatory and poor posture, and this is where you can start addressing the issue even before the dog shows visible signs of pain,” says canine physical therapist Martina Flocken. Especially when pain is already present, massage can be an important component of pain management. “Actually, I recommend massages for every dog. As a rule, most dogs respond very well to them once they understand what’s happening. Because, of course, a massage involves a very different kind of touch than simply petting—it’s significantly more intense.”

What are the signs that a dog is tense? 

Unfortunately, dogs can’t tell us when something is wrong or when they’re in pain. But they show it! In short: If your dog is acting “different” than usual, take a closer look. 

Martina told us which signs might often indicate tension or pain: 

• an increased need for rest
• a loss of enthusiasm for exercise or lagging behind during a walk
• Avoiding movements or difficulties with movements such as climbing stairs, sitting down, lying down, standing up, getting into a car, or lifting a leg
• a stiff or awkward gait
• intermittent or persistent lameness
• Paw prints
• Restlessness and agitation, and frequent changes in sleeping position
• Cracking joints
• A sensation of warmth in the back or joints 
• Touch sensitivity
• weakening muscles
• Muscle tension and stiffness 
• flaky, dull, matted, or greasy coat
• change in odor
• changes in facial expression, such as hollows under the eyes, a stressed-out look, or a strained expression 
• frequent panting, smacking, or yawning
• changes in social behavior toward people or other animals of the same species

What are the benefits of massage for dogs?

So massages aren't just about wellness—they actually work! In addition to strengthening the bond between you and your dog, both your body and mind benefit equally:

“In principle, the entire dog’s body benefits from massage. Blood flow to the muscles and tissue temperature are increased. Pain-causing substances are flushed out. Tension is gently released and pain is alleviated—not only in the muscles, but also in the joints. Additionally, the nerves are stimulated. Massage also affects your dog’s metabolism and circulation. Breathing, heart rate, and digestion are all influenced. Your dog relaxes both physically and mentally. As a result, he moves more calmly and balanced in everyday life. Which brings us to the next point: Massage also has a relaxing effect on the psyche and can really help insecure and anxious dogs to calm down and feel more at peace within themselves,” says Martina.

Massage for Dogs – A Step-by-Step Guide to Greater Relaxation

But what does the perfect massage for dogs actually look like? In principle, any dog owner can perform basic massage techniques on their dog themselves. Ideally, you should get a brief introduction from a physical therapist beforehand. In her online massage course “Relaxed & Happy,” Martina Flocken explains in a practical and easy-to-understand way how dog owners can help their dogs with the right massage techniques. All instructions are structured so that the individual techniques are easy to learn and can be safely applied to the dog. So if you’re unsure and want to avoid making mistakes, we highly recommend her course.

1. Make sure you have the right setup—tailored to your dog’s needs

A good massage starts with the right setting. Create a calm, relaxed atmosphere and make sure to set aside time for your dog. It’s important to pay attention to your dog’s individual needs.

An experience from Martina’s daily practice illustrates just how important this is: “I’ve treated many rescue dogs in my practice, including a female Podenco. This dog had previously been turned away by two therapists, who said she was ‘untreatable.’ It was important to her that she be allowed to remain standing during the treatment and the massage. In an unfamiliar environment, this was the most relaxed position for her. I respected that. She enjoyed the massages immensely, closed her eyes, and literally fell asleep standing up every time. Respecting the dog’s individual needs and limits is so important here. Even though we’re taught “by the book” that the dog should ideally lie on its side, reality often looks different. I believe the best approach is to accept what the dog is comfortable with. That way, she can relax and enjoy the massage. I’d like to share this advice with dog owners as well: during the massage, accept what the dog is willing to give. And if she prefers to sit during the massage and enjoys it to the fullest, that’s perfectly fine too.”

2. Find out which areas are particularly tense

Before you begin, get a general sense of the area. Gently feel the muscles and look for any differences. “You should always check both sides to notice any differences between the left and right sides of the body and in the legs,” says dog physical therapist Martina. “You can also feel warmth and swelling here, as well as muscles that are more or less developed or stiff. This takes a little practice. It always helps me a lot to close my eyes, focus my awareness entirely on my hands, and concentrate fully on what my fingers are feeling and ‘seeing.’”

What does muscle tension actually feel like in dogs? 

If you still lack the necessary practice and experience, Martina has a tip: “Rest your forearm loosely and relaxed on the table. Then lift your hand up. When you feel the muscles in your forearm, you’ll get a sense of what tense muscles feel like. This also lets you check the pressure of each grip if you’re unsure how much pressure is appropriate during the massage. Of course, you always have to take into account what the dog personally finds comfortable.”

3. Use the right grips correctly

Now let's get down to the practical part. Typical massage techniques include 

• Deletions
• Circles
• kneading
• Rolls 
• Shaking 

They have varying depths and serve different purposes. 

“It’s important to perform the massage strokes gently and slowly. The goal of a massage isn’t to work as intensely as possible. That tends to be uncomfortable for our dogs. And it’s important to keep reminding yourself to slow down. A massage only has a relaxing effect on both the body and the mind when the strokes are performed slowly,” says Martina.

Massage for Dogs – How Often Should You Do It?

For a noticeable therapeutic effect—for example, in older dogs or when they’re experiencing discomfort—Martina recommends at least one massage per week. “If the intervals are longer, we still have a wonderful moment of relaxation that continues to have a positive effect, but the intensive effect we rely on for musculoskeletal conditions and severe muscle tension is no longer as pronounced.”

For healthy dogs, feeding every two days is perfectly fine.

When should you avoid giving your dog a massage?

As helpful as massages are in many cases, there are also situations in which you should avoid them. According to Martina, massages are off-limits in certain cases—namely when

• Inflammation
• Pregnancy
• Tumors 
• Fever
• Heart disease
• Infectious diseases
• recent injuries and 
• Tendency to bleed.