How to Massage a Dog's Back Paws

If you have ever been lucky enough to receive a foot massage, you know exactly how good it feels. Like humans, our four-legged friends also suffer the aches and pains of muscles, particularly if they are older, arthritic or have suffered an injury. A few simple tips can teach you how to help your dog feel better with a simple massage to the paws.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Perform dog massage on a soft surface to protect your dog's joints as well as your own. Your dog should be resting on her side with your back to you. In order to massage the paws you will simple find a comfortable position and gently lean across her body.

2. Place one of the paws in your hands and squeeze gently a few times to get your dog used to the idea that you will be working on their feet. When ready, place your thumbs between the toes and wrap your fingers around the top of the paw. Stretch the toes apart very gently and use gentle strokes, moving up towards the leg.

3. Check the paws for debris, injury or items caught in the fur as you go. You may also notice at this time that your dog is overdue to have a nail trimming. Often nail trimming is easier after a massage, when your dog is good and relaxed.

4. Hold the paw in your hands with your thumbs together at pads of the paw and use the sides of your forefingers to gently rub up the top of the paw towards the leg. Once you have completed the massage on the paw, finish by gently squeezing a few times as you did to begin.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all dogs will tolerate having their paws massaged; however, a good paw rub can help improve circulation in the entire body. Often dogs will allow you to work on their hind paws, but not the front paws, so just do whatever they allow you to. Additionally, if you begin paw massage with your dog when he is a puppy, you will find it much easier to trim nails, check for injury and of course, perform massage.