Is massage suitable for my dog? As listed on the treatments page massage can help a vast number of conditions and ailments. There are, however, a few conditions which may contraindicate massage. This is one reason why veterinary consent is required, so we can ensure your dog receives the most appropriate therapy possible.  If you can't find the answer to your questions on these pages, please do contact us by phone or email to discuss your dog's particular needs and we can go through the best options (including other complementary treatments) for your dog.

Does my dog need massage?  Dogs are expert at hiding pain, so being aware of the often subtle signs of discomfort in your dog are important to help keep your dog in optimal musculoskeletal health and out of pain. Apart from the obvious lameness, things such as slowing down on walks, reluctance to play, no longer initiating play, avoiding contact, reluctance to be groomed, no longer jumping up onto the sofa/bed or into the car, reluctant to go up or down stairs can all be indicators that your dog is in discomfort. Other behavioural changes can include seeking solitude or being grumpier towards other dogs/humans more than normal, increased anxiety, being unsettled at night, or they might just seem out of sorts. These are just some of the symptoms which may be soft-tissue related - anyone who has had muscle strain, or muscular knots will tell you what an impact it can have on your mood, let alone going about daily life! Clinical massage therapy can bring significant improvements, providing natural pain, restoring muscular and fascial function, whilst improving both sense of well-being and quality of life for your dog.  

Vet Consent.  In accordance with UK law, your Alba Dog Massage therapist cannot treat your dog without veterinary consent. This is largely to ensure that there are no underlying conditions which might contraindicate therapy. Vet consent forms are available at the bottom of this page. Once we have the vet consent form and we can book your dog in for their first consultation.

Will my dog settle? We are trained in how to get your dog to relax and settle. Massage therapy is, for most dogs, a new way of being handled but even the most boisterous usually settle into the massage fairly rapidly, many even fall asleep. We work with your dog, ensuring they are comfortable and relaxed. Some dogs like to get up and move around during the session which is absolutely fine and we tailor the therapy session to each and every dog to ensure they do not become stressed. Depending on your location, we may carry out the massage treatment in your own home which is often a more relaxing setting for your dog.  

What if my dog doesn't like being touched? Reluctance to being touched, groomed etc is often a sign of pain and discomfort in dogs, and so massage may be very appropriate. We are trained in how to handle dogs of all temperaments, and the well-being, health and safety of both the therapist and your dog are my primary concerns - I am passionate about positive-reinforcement based interactions with dogs and aim to make my therapy sessions as peaceful and stress-free as possible. Therapeutic touch is very different to normal handling, and it may take a couple of sessions to develop the trust required between an anxious or nervous dog and the therapist. If massage just isn't for your dog, then we may focus on other forms of treatment such as therapeutic exercise.

How many therapy sessions will my dog need? This is outlined in more detail on the therapy pages. In short, if you opt for massage as a stand-alone therapy, your dog will normally receive 3 or 4 treatment sessions. By the third session, and often after the first, you should see an improvement. Dogs with chronic conditions may benefit from ongoing maintenance massage, the frequency of which depends on your dog but is often every 4-6 weeks. Younger, active dogs may also benefit from massage 2 or 3 times per year to keep them in good condition and enable treatment of minor issues before they become problems. Rehabilitation therapy will typically involve a treatment programme of 6-12 weeks depending on your dog's presenting issues. Initial sessions will be in-person, thereafter many may be conducted remotely via zoom or similar.

Can the therapist diagnose health conditions? In short, no! Therapists can assess and treat your dog based on our findings and the information given to us by you and your vet. However, most therapists are not trained veterinary surgeons and so we will always refer you back to the vet if we have any concerns, as diagnosis of other conditions can only be made by your vet.

Where will the massage take place? Depending on where you are located, and what is best for you and your dog, the massage treatment can take place either at your house or at our clinic near Aberfeldy.