Do I need to wash my dog before a clinical canine massage?
I personally don’t mind…
I didn’t get in this profession to stay clean, I got into it to help reduce pain on dogs.
So it’s up to you if you do or don’t…
Obviously you wouldn’t leave your dog in a wet muddy state after a walk because you care about your dog’s state of health (you wouldn’t be getting me in as a massage therapist if you didn’t care) but following your normal routine would be more beneficial than changing it so we can discuss any changes you may want to make with regard to your dog’s health during the consultation.
I have had dogs who have been fully groomed before a massage and then the owner has been horrified at the amount of their fur that sheds during the massage process but as I explain to them, I go the opposite direction to the fur to help with “venous return” so I’m more likely to help remove any excess hair and dead skin cells than normal stroking would. Hence why a massage helps improves circulation and skin condition as well as removing any built-up toxins in the muscle and soft tissue.
But because it’s always better for a dog to have been walked before a massage session (walking should be restricted for a couple of days afterward) then I don’t expect the dog to be anything other than themselves.
After owning a Dog Hotel for over 3 years, I am used to getting covered in muck and fur and slobber…
I’m definitely not precious and that’s why I have a uniform ?
It is essential that your dog is looked after regularly to ensure their fur does not get matted because this can restrict normal movement and add to any soft tissue pain they have already so giving their feathers a brush would help them as well as me to access their Hamstrings for example… but it’s not essential because I still have ways of gaining access to these areas to carry out both assessment and treatment.
But because a dog’s coat is naturally made up of protective oils, then I find that washing your dog too frequently would remove these natural oils that have many immune benefits as well as natural waterproofing (and this is why I don’t generally use oils when doing a massage either… they have their own!).
So what other questions do you think of when you are thinking of booking your dog in for a massage?
Drop them in the comments below, no matter if you think it silly…
I want to increase the accessibility to the work I do, so breaking down any barriers to your understanding is of utmost importance to me.
SO ask away ?
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