When most people think of massage therapy for animals, especially pets, the first thing that comes to mind, I think, is a pampered exuberance – dogs who get $200 spa treatments and cats who get manicures while eating $10-a-can meals. I know this was our thinking when we first wrote about the emergence of pet spas last year.
However, writing off animal massage therapy as an unnecessary luxury is somewhat like writing off massage therapy for humans as an unnecessary luxury; yes, massage therapy can be an indulgent treat, but it can also be a medically beneficial procedure that can improve the health and quality of life for animals, pet or otherwise. (more…)