Why pet massage is even more important in the winter months...Part 4

Winter can be a dull, depressing time of year, not only for us humans, but for our pets, too. Reasons for these doldrums can vary from lack of light to inactivity due to cold temperatures. Whatever the reason, it’s not uncommon for pets to be bored during the cold months—possibly even depressed. 

Touch through massage therapy is a comforting and close one-on-one experience which can create a sense of trust, relaxation, and well-being.

The comfort and feeling of well-being provided by massage helps improve mood and therefore the mental state of an anxious or depressed pet. This is important for a number of physical reasons. The mental state of an animal (or human, for that matter) affects the sympathetic nervous system. Shelter dogs, for example, experience stress symptoms including elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Massage therapy helps reduce heart rate and blood pressure, therefore reducing stress, which is important because illnesses gain a foothold when stress diminishes the body's immune system.  Massage therapy reduces the physical and mental components of stress, which in turn helps the body feel balanced and rejuvenated, able to defend itself properly.

Massage therapy stimulates the release of oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins, all of which improve the mental state, whether they’re just under stimulated or outright sad. Massage also focuses gentle attention on the animal. The session is all about them. What a great way to relax and alleviate the winter weather doldrums!