Dear Ms. Paws: I’ve read that giving pets a massage can be good for their health. I love to pet my dog but never thought of it as a massage. What’s the difference? A. Giving your dog or cat a massage is a health measure, if done correctly, because it can uncover sore spots or aches and pains early, leading to treatment more quickly. There are a couple of areas that you may wish to be cautious about, and that is a cat’s stomach and the feet of both a dog and cat. You should start by finding a relaxing spot to sit or lie down with your pet. If they are already snoozing and you can start petting them without startling them, this is a time when they would be most accepting. Then, gently brush your hands over and down the back of his head and along his back to the tail. With your finger tips, gently stroke both sides of the spine, slowly, looking for tight or tense spots. When you find one, gently press and massage the area counterclockwise. After you have relaxed their back, see if your pet will lay on his side. Gently pet the tummy area if they will let you. Gently rub your hands in a circular fashion feeling for any tense or tight areas. Then take each leg in both hands and gently run your hands from top to bottom, going in the direction of his fur. Pass your hands lightly under the paws each time. Do this with each leg, always keeping a hand contact with your pet. Finish the massage by gently and slowly rubbing the inside and then the outside of each ear. By his reactions, you will be able to tell what areas are okay to touch. If he continually hisses or growls, avoid that spot. He may have a sore muscle or other problem. Since this is also a superficial physical exam, this may let you know if a trip to the veterinarian is needed. Pregnant, sick or over-excited pets should not be massaged and you should wait at least a couple of hours after a pet has eaten to give them a massage. I have a cat that loves being massaged so much that she literally drools. She closes her eyes and, if she were a human, you would think she was hypnotized. If I get sleepy and stop, she will open her eyes and reach out with her paw and touch my face as if to say, “Don’t stop now!” Luckily, she doesn’t use her claws!
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