Why pet massage is even more important in the winter months...Part 3

Why would I say senior cats and dogs benefit even more from massage therapy in the winter? This would be because they are more susceptible to things like arthritis, and to compensation, as discussed in the last couple of weeks.

Massage therapy eases arthritis because it improves range of motion by stimulating blood circulation to the bone, directly nourishing it. Regular sessions keep joints well nourished and therefore well lubricated, which maintains, and even increases, range of motion. Your pet experiences less pain, and their mobility improves.

Why is massage even more essential for arthritis in the winter? Cold weather exacerbates this condition, causing your pet to get even stiffer than before.

And in the winter, due to the possibility of inactivity (too cold for walks, or long walks, or playtime) coupled with cold temperatures potentially causing stiffness, massage becomes that much more important for compensation as well.

Circulation can be a big issue for older pets, therefore they are more likely to become stiffer and to become stiff more quickly. And massage therapy is all about improving circulation. And the heat created by massage therapy also warms up geriatric pets who are prone to becoming chilly more quickly than their younger counterparts. Another added bonus is the improvement of their coat and skin due to the stimulation in sebaceous glands. Dry skin is always a problem in the wintertime and massage can counteract this too.