Healing Hounds

What is Canine Massage Therapy?

Canine Massage Therapy (CMT) is a form of alternative therapy to help promote a dog’s physical and emotional health. The benefits include relaxation, decreased anxiousness or hyperactivity, increased blood flow and oxygenation, pain relief, improved range of motion and flexibility, improved immune system, reduced arthritis discomfort and other age-related issues, recovery from high intensity exercise/sport, decreased muscle tension and soreness and recovery from injury/surgery.

How Do I Know if My Dog Needs Canine Massage Therapy?

Your vet may have recommend massage after surgery or an injury, to give your dog the best chance of a quick recovery. If your dog competes in agility or other high intensity sports, massage is a good way to recover after these sessions and pick up on any area of tightness that may become a problem. If you have an ageing dog that seems to struggle first thing in the morning, has difficulty getting up and down stairs or getting up from sleeping, massage could help keep him more mobile and comfortable. An anxious dog can really benefit from touch and there are many techniques that are used specifically for this and areas of the body that are proven to relieve stress and calm the dog.

How Much Does it Cost?

Appointment time varies depending on how quick your dog settles down, sometimes this can take a while if your dog is nervous or doesn’t know me! Once we get started on the massage, we keep it short, about 15-20 minutes, so that your dog stays happy and comfortable. Usually an appointment will be about 30 minutes in total and costs $55. If your dog is happier to be at home or unable to travel, then I can do mobile and will charge extra to cover the time and distance travelled, usually an extra $15 if it is not too far out of town.

Contact me if you would like to hear more about Canine Massage or to chat about your dog.