• Older pets with arthritis and other joint or mobility problems
• Animals recovering from a recent injury, illness or surgery
• Pets with past injuries, genetic abnormalities or chronic conditions that continue to limp or move awkwardly
• Pets with poor circulation
• Pets that have been, or about to be, confined for an extended period of time such as boarding or recovery
• Pets distressed before or after vet visits, grooming appointments, lengthy travel, etc.
• Agility competitors before and after competition
• Show animals that need to be relaxed and look their best

Petting is essential for your relationship with your dog and/or cat. Your intention in petting is enjoyment and communication. Massage, on the other hand, is a focused and specialized form of therapeutic touch utilizing specific movements and pressures for specific results. The practitioner you choose should have an understanding of anatomy, physiology, psychology, and kinesiology. The results from consistent massage sessions will significantly impact your pet’s overall wellness; benefits most do not get from petting alone.

Most of the time, the answer is yes. Remember that every pet is unique so there are quite a variety of reactions. Some will fall asleep during a session while some leave extremely invigorated. No matter which of these categories (or somewhere in between) your pets falls in to, the result will benefit their overall well-being.

Sometimes, especially during a first massage, an animal will be unsure of the intention of the massage. It’s not uncommon at all for an animal to be overwhelmed at first, but the uncertainty generally goes away and the pets enjoy massage.

Massage addresses many health issues including prevention, maintenance, and recuperation. Because of the variety of techniques, a plan can be easily customized to suit the needs of a specific pet. Since it is non-invasive, almost any dog, cat or other animal is a good candidate for a massage or another method of bodywork.

Massage relieves pain, discomfort, and stiffness and helps advance the healing process for pets with a variety of ailments. Some examples may include: aiding growth and socialization in the young, enhancing comfort and quality of life for seniors, maximizing performance and recovery for athletes and calming animals with behavioral issues related to physical ailments or emotional trauma. Even for your average companion, massage is a great tool for keeping your pet in top emotional and physical condition.

Learn more about the many benefits of pet massage for small animals.

Clients are often concerned about how their pets will react to a massage session and that they are receiving the treatment they’re paying for. At Kneaded Pets, LLC, our first step is to meet with you and your pet. During this consultation, we will discuss the pet’s needs, medical history, your goals for massage and even have an abbreviated session. With this, you will be able to see first-hand just how your pet reacts to a massage. Keep in mind that it is very common for pets to be apprehensive at first. It is also common, especially with small animals, to provide 10-15 minutes of massage, take break and resume. Massage fees are based on actual time spent massaging the animals, not clock time. Occasionally, just like people, pets will have an “off day” or be unable to focus on the massage. In these instances, we will reschedule the massage and try again on a different day. Rarely, we do encounter pets who do not enjoy massage. If your pet is not relaxed and benefiting from the massage, we will recommend an alternate treatment. Clients are always welcome to be in the room with their pets during the actual sessions.

All animals are different and have their own unique sets of conditions and circumstances. All of these factors help determine the appropriate schedule for your massage plan. A pet with chronic pain or mobility issues might benefit from a massage once or twice a week while a healthy dog or cat may only require a session once or twice a month or more.

Massage increases and maintains flexibility and range of motion and keeps joints lubricated, often allowing for improved mobility. Along with exercise, nutrition, and proper veterinary care, massage can play a significant role in keeping pets beginning to show joint stiffness, those with joint disease or congenital joint malformation mobile and comfortable.

No! Regular, consistent massage therapy is an invaluable opportunity to maintain your pet's good health. It can potentially provide tremendous increases to an animal's quality of life, longevity and mobility. When animals are massaged regularly, their bodies consistently function at a higher, more efficient level. This allows the bodies of self-healing properties to remain consistent which can possibly ward off or ease the onset of inevitable or predisposed health conditions. In addition, massage provides numerous benefits to the mental health and behavior of pets.

Your best friend's health is priceless. Massage provides a safe, natural, non-invasive method of maintaining your animal's optimal health and quality of life. Regular massage sessions may, in some circumstances, reduce the frequency of veterinary visits or the need for medication or more invasive, painful treatments. Today, many veterinarians recommend massage therapy as a supplement to their health care treatments.

No! Animals of every age benefit from massage! Typically, it's best to start a massage program with a young, healthy pet. This will prevent the animal and massage therapist from having to play "catch up" as is often the case with older pets who have never been massaged. Specifically, massage helps young animals develop properly aligned skeletal structures with strong bones and healthy tissues. This can be extremely helpful to large breeds and breeds that are predisposed through conformation to specific ailments. Massage helps to build relationships of trust with humans and to make handling of the animal easier.

Massage, in general, can be performed on most pets and is only rarely contraindicated. Always consult your veterinarian prior to seeking massage for your pet.

Kneaded Pets, LLC is owned and operated by Carrie A. Nava. She received her Small Animal Massage Accreditation and Training from the Northwest School of Animal Massage in Redmond, WA. She is a member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) and the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB). Carrie is fully insured and certified in Pet First Aid and CPR and continues to attend continuing education seminars regularly. She has over 400 hours of animal specific massage training.

Learn more about Carrie and Kneaded Pets, LLC.