Canine Massage Therapy

Professional canine massage therapy involves disciplined & pressured strokes placed with intention on specific areas of the dog’s physiology. Potential problem areas can thus be identified and re-balancing of the energy of the dog as a whole can be achieved. Special massage strokes and techniques are then applied to the problem areas to aid the dog in self-healing. Through the skilled touch of a professional massage practitioner, massage is an excellent complement to veterinarian care.

For Relaxation Purposes

Massage for relaxation purposes can be done at almost anytime. It is used to rebalance the energy in the whole body of the dog, enhancing their health and even speeding up recovery from certain illnesses. Of course, for dogs that are under stress, like having moved to a new home or in a kennel or a change in lifestyle, or even going through a loss, this massage will help them to heal emotionally.

Just as people go for massages to melt away a week’s worth of stress in order to heighten one’s sense of well-being and recharge for the next week, a dog has similar needs. Relaxation massage is able to bring a dog’s body out of its state of stress and back into balance where it will feel calmness and relaxation. And just as the physical body affects the mind, relaxation massage will be able to emotionally support the canine and weed away the stresses.

For Working Dogs

Workings dogs (e.g. Seeing-Eye Dogs/Police K9s) lead a highly stressed life, although they seem to take it in their stride. For many, the signs of stress show more obviously when they are older or sickly. Working dogs have more wear and tear on their body than most house pets and are likely to have reduced life spans.

Massage for such deserving canines helps their bodies return back into balance and a relaxed state after a hard day’s work. Most will have problem areas that will be addressed in massage. For those with no symptoms, massage aids in keeping their health in optimum condition as well as helping their physical body relax and their mental body rejuvenate. This may increase their life span and will definitely raise their sense of well-being.

For Elderly/Senior Dogs

Elderly or senior dogs tend to have a weaker immune system, fewer hours of activity and the tendency to get injured, amongst other things. All these affect their health and mobility. Their joints tend to get sore easily and bowel movements may become erratic. Reduction in the elasticity of muscle and connective tissue occurs, as it does in people, and may cause difficulty in normal everyday activities.

Massage can help as a substitute for normal daily exercise. Therapeutic massage for senior dogs maintains and mildly stimulates circulation of blood and lymph as well as increases flexibility. Pain is relieved naturally (no drugs), which is especially good for dogs in constant pain or that have a chronic illness. It also aids to speed up the healing process post-surgery.

Massage further relaxes the senior dog and helps it to emotionally adjust to its aging body. The body’s energy is brought back into continuous balance. Therapeutic massage for senior dogs is a wonderful complement to veterinary treatments.

Dogs With Mobility Problems

Dogs with mobility problems usually inherited the genetic disposition or suffered a serious injury. For example, many large dogs, particularly the German Shepherd, are prone to back and hind leg problems like hip dysplasia. These types of mobility problems can severely restrict motion and the ease of day-to-day activities like climbing a step or even walking.

Therapeutic massage for these dogs will be centred on the problem regions whilst keeping the whole body in balance. The injured regions may be off-body massaged (depending on its severity) to stimulate and help the dog self-heal. If the region is physically maneuverable, then the joint may be positioned and massaged to aid in the dog’s healing.

Many times, after just a couple of sessions, dogs may show visible signs of recovery and even climb a step if they could not do so previously! It is necessary to know that each dog has its own ability to self-heal and that therapeutic massage is simply a means to stimulate the dog to do just that.

Dogs With Respiratory Problems

Dogs with respiratory problems are more likely to have shorter nasal tracts. Breeds that are more susceptible to this include Shih Tzus, Boxers and Bulldogs. Other dogs may have sensitive nasal passages and trouble breathing during colder, wetter seasons.

Therapeutic massage on the respiratory system is helpful for all dogs in increasing the oxygen level in the tissues surrounding the nasal cavity. Lymph nodes will get drained and circulation to the muscles involved in breathing are stimulated. The dog will breathe much easier as specific massage techniques are employed to target the “choked” respiratory system.

Many techniques are used in the massage and they will vary with each dog’s needs for that particular session. The massage practitioner will read, feel and customise the massages according to each individual dog and each individual massage.

This section will outline and depict a few of the main techniques used.

Effleurage

Effleurage is the most basic and common massage technique used. An open or closed palm is placed face down on the body and a gentle sweeping motion is used. The stroke is long, slow, even-pressured and light to medium. The pictures show effleurage from the top of the head and down the back to the tail.

Skin Rolling

Skin Rolling is important for the stimulation of blood circulation to the surface of the skin. This is particularly helpful for older dogs whose coats are duller and weak in appearance. Skin rolling is the lifting of the coat and skin away from the underlying structures of muscle, fat and bones. This stretches the connective tissue beneath. The coat is grasped and rolled between the thumb and fingers.

Tapping

This technique is not commonly used unless necessary. Tapping is a gentle percussion used primarily on the top of the head and over specific tightened muscle areas. It helps to rebalance the cerebral spinal fluid and relieve muscular stress.

Compression

The action of compression is akin to gently squeezing water out of a wet sponge with one or both hands. As much as possible, the entire palm surface, fingers and thumbs are used so as to evenly distribute the pressure. Compression helps to move lymph and blood through the limbs and relax tense aching muscles.

Joint Movement

Joint movement involves passive movement (rotation, flexion or extension) of the limbs. In healthy dogs, these series of movements help to keep the limbs flexible and prevent sprains and strains. For older dogs, it will assist in limiting the potentially debilitating effects of arthritis.

Additional techniques used include

Acupressure
Off-The-Body Massage
Energy Shells

*Initial Consultation – $30
(*For dogs with physical problems. Consultation may not be necessary for relaxation massage. Please contact us to clarify.)

Single Session Prices
45 mins - $45
60 mins - $60

Package Price
5 sets of 45 mins - $210
5 sets of 60 mins - $280

There is an additional 10% discount for service/working dogs with proof of licence.

*Note that there is a $20 surcharge for massage sessions done by Zoe.

Location and Transport Fees

• All sessions are house calls and transport fee ranges from $25 to $35 depending on the location of your home or where your pet is staying. Do contact us for the pricing.

All prices stated are in SGD

Appointment
To arrange an appointment, please fill in the Appointment Booking Form, or contact us via Whatsapp at 9768 1417. Please note that all appointments are subject to availability. We endeavour to reply all enquiries within 48 hours.

Hours of Operation
Tues - Sat: 10am to 6pm
(For appointments outside of opening store hours, please contact us about it and we will do our best to accommodate you.)

Therapists
Michelle Lim - Canine Massage Therapist (since 2010), Specialist Diploma in Veterinary Wellness Care (2022)
Zoe Gan - Canine Massage Therapist (since 2007)