Paws-itively Pampered: The Surprising Benefits of a Dog Massage

 Everyone loves a good massage. Why shouldn’t your dog? Dogs love to be pet. Why not go a little deeper and relax those muscles? Doing so provides a wealth of mental and physical benefits.  This article will discuss dog massage benefits and recommend some techniques you can try at home.

What Are Some Dog Massage Techniques I Can Try at Home?

Backstroke: A backstroke is effective for dogs who experience anxiety and are especially fearful of human touch. It involves gently stroking either side of the spine starting at the back of the head and using gentle pressure. Avoid the dog’s backbone.

Forehead Rub: The forehead rub is a technique that targets the calming points located on the dog’s head. Start at the tip of the nose, an acupressure point said to soothe and promote healing. Apply gentle pressure while running your thumb from the nose to the back of the head. Then reverse your movements.

Tight and Glute Rub: The thigh and glute rub is a recommended massage for older dogs. It helps treat arthritis and other age-related mobility issues. It keeps muscles loose and supports dog joint flexibility. It involves gently pressing your thumb into the dog’s thigh or glute muscles and making a backward “c”. Work your way across the thigh muscle making these clockwise semi-circles. The technique can also be performed around the base of the neck.

Ear Rub: An ear rub is effective in promoting stress relief for dogs. Start with your thumb on the inner side of your dog’s ear at the base of the ear flap. The index finger should be outside the ear. Use slight pressure to slowly stroke the ear working outwards towards the end of the ear. Finish with a gentle tug.

What Are Dog Massage Benefits?

• Reduces Stress: A massage will calm your dog down and reduce stress and anxiety. For best results, make massage a part of your dog’s daily routine.
• Minimizes Pain: Massages increase serotonin production which boosts mood and minimizes pain.
• Improves Lymphatic Flow and Circulation: Massages aid with circulation and ensures nutrients and oxygen are circulating throughout your dog’s body. It also improves lymphatic flow helping the body carry waste away from muscles and organs. These canine massage advantages reduce the risk of disease.
• Beneficial to Recovery: Massages are recommended for dogs that are recovering from surgeries or injuries. Your vet will show you the techniques that are best for your dog and won’t cause reinjury.
• Helps You Identify Health Issues: When you massage your dog, you can look out for swelling, lumps, bumps, sensitive areas, and changes in skin, hair, and temperature. If a change is detected, you can alert your vet so issues can be treated early on.
• Bonding Through Massage: Massages are a bonding experience that benefits the dog and the owner. Petting a dog has been shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure and release oxytocin, a hormone associated with feelings of love and happiness.

What Signs Should I Look for to Know if My Dog Is Enjoying the Canine Massage Experience?

If your dog is enjoying its massage, he will stretch and lean into your hands. It will relax to the point where it is almost asleep.

If the dog is uncomfortable, she will monitor your movements. It will growl and try to escape.

You will increase your chances of getting a good response if you use a low, calm voice and maintain a soothing demeanor while massaging your dog.

K9U Can Help with Stress Relief for Dogs

Massages are a great way to help dogs relieve stress. K9U offers a variety of other stress-relieving activities.

Dog owners can take their dogs to our Doggie Daycare. Dogs can enjoy socializing with other dogs, so they don’t feel depressed due to isolation. They can let off steam in our 29,000 square feet of outdoor and indoor play areas.

We can also engage your dog in individual activities like playing fetch, treadmill exercises, and rope pulling. They will receive mental and physical stimulation that improves their mood and health. They will also learn how to engage with other dogs respectfully.

Our Day Grooming services will make your dog feel happy and healthy. We will fully pamper your dog with treatments like fur and nail trims, teeth brushing, and more. Our trained groomers will make your dog feel right at home.

Your dog’s mental and physical health is so important. A combination of beneficial massages, grooming, and social interaction will make them feel their best. What activities do you engage in to keep your dog happy?

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/surprising-benefits-of-dog-massage/

 

Eating healthy is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. Dog parents are advised to invest in premium dog food that reduces the risk of digestive issues and is made with quality ingredients that promote optimal health. They boost immunity, improve coat and skin health, and help dogs maintain a healthy weight. Current trends in the premium dog food industry are setting the standards for high-quality food. This article will review those trends, so you know what to look for when shopping for your dog’s meals.

Alternative Protein Sources for Dogs: The Latest Trend in Premium Dog Food

Protein is a valuable part of your dog’s diet. It is a source of amino acids that benefit skin, hair, nails, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and cartilage.

But some dogs are allergic to certain proteins. Additionally, some pet owners may want to use plant-based proteins as opposed to meat proteins which are harmful to animals and the environment.

There are various proteins you can try adding to your pet’s diet. These include plant-based sources like:

• Soy
• Quinoa
• Buckwheat

And meat-based sources like:

• Salmon
• Duck
• Turkey

Going Grain-Free: Why More Pet Owners Are Opting for Grain-Free Foods

Grain-free diets replace corn and rice grains with legumes as a carbohydrate source. The idea is to give dogs less to digest so they don’t experience digestive issues. It's an ideal meal routine for dogs that are allergic to grains.

A grain-free diet is also said to yield other benefits like:

• Better skin
• Better breath
• Smaller stools
• More energy

It may also benefit pregnant dogs as it offers optimal nutrients to puppies before birth.

However, some research suggests that grain-free diets have been linked to dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that decreases the heart’s ability to pump blood. If your dog is on a grain-free diet, he/she should be monitored by a vet.

Limited Ingredient Diets: A New Approach to Premium Dog Food

As the name suggests, limited ingredient dog food is formulated with a limited number of ingredients. The idea is to reduce the ingredients your dog is exposed to, to determine the source of food allergies. There are no clear guidelines for what’s included in limited-ingredient dog food, but it will generally have one alternate-source protein and one out-of-the-ordinary carbohydrate.

Limited-ingredient dog food doesn’t necessarily mean high-quality dog food. It’s important to source yours from a brand you can trust. These include:

• Natural Balance
• Wellness
• Zignature
• Blue Buffalo

Raw Feeding: The Controversial but Growing Trend in Premium Dog Food

Raw feeding involves switching out processed dog foods for all-natural ingredients. A raw feeding diet will reduce processed foods that can cause disease. It provides several benefits including:

• Improved skin and coat
• Increased joint and bone health
• Better immunity
• Improved dental health
• Reduced stool odor and volume

You can source your own raw food ingredients, but it will be challenging to find the right balance of ingredients. It can also be quite expensive. You may be better off with a recommended raw feeding brand such as:

• Raw Wild Dog Food
• Raw Bistro Dog Food
• Steve’s Real Dog Food
• Small Batch Raw Frozen Dog Food
• Stewart’s Raw Naturals Dog Food

Customized Meal Plans: The Future of Premium Dog Food?

Customized meal plans are like meal delivery programs for humans. You fill out a questionnaire about your dog’s dietary needs. The company uses the information to create a suitable personalized plan. They will deliver the meals as scheduled.

Customized meal plans offer several benefits to dogs and dog owners, such as:

• Healthy meals customized to the dog’s dietary needs
• Owners no longer have to shop for dog food and stress about ingredients

Several companies offer customized meal plans including:

• The Farmer’s Dog
• My Ollie
• Perfectly Rawsome
• Daily Dog Food Recipes
• Just Right Dog Food

K9U Offers Free Premium Dog Food Delivery to Our Clients

K9U makes it easier for you to feed your dog a healthy diet by providing free delivery of premium dog food to clients who use our daycare and boarding transport service. We offer a variety of brands and dog food varieties made with high-quality ingredients. The brands we carry include:

• Fromm (Four-Star Naturals Grain Free, Pate Can Food, Four Star Naturals)
• Stella & Chewys

We offer various services including dog boarding, training, grooming, puppy parties, and play activities. Our Activities for Dogs engage your canine in activities that teach them respect and help them maintain a healthy weight. Visit our blog to find out valuable dietary tips about which foods to give your dog and what they should be eating.

Enhance Your Dog's Health With Premium Dog Food Trends

Alternative protein, grain-free options, limited ingredient diets, raw feeding, and customized meal plans must be considered in creating a healthy meal plan for your dog. If you are unsure of which choices to make, visit the K9U premium dog food page to try out some of our recommended brands. We are committed to helping your dog achieve optimal health.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/top-trends-in-premium-dog-food/