Abdominal Massage: Safe, Simple Steps for Dogs and People

Abdominal massage can speed digestion, ease stomach discomfort, and help your dog or yourself feel calmer. Used correctly, it’s a gentle, practical tool you can add to daily care. Done wrong, it can cause pain or hide a serious issue. Read this for clear steps, signs to stop, and simple safety tips.

Why it helps

Massage improves circulation and helps move gas and stool through the intestines. For people, gentle clockwise strokes follow the path of the colon and support digestion. For dogs, the same gentle direction can reduce bloating, aid digestion after a slow meal, and lower stress. Maya abdominal massage and other traditional techniques use specific pressure and patterns to support fertility, menstrual pain, and chronic constipation in people; a few adapted moves can benefit pets too.

Beyond digestion, abdominal massage calms the nervous system. Light, steady touch signals safety to the body. That helps with stress-related stomach upset in both humans and dogs. If your dog has tense belly muscles after exercise or nervous pacing, a few minutes of calm touch often helps them relax.

How to do it safely

Always check with a vet or doctor first if there’s sudden pain, swelling, fever, vomiting, or a known condition like an abdominal mass, hernia, pancreatitis, recent surgery, or pregnancy. For dogs, never press hard near the ribs or spine. Start with a short session—1 to 3 minutes—and watch reactions closely.

Basic steps for people: lie on your back with knees bent. Warm your hands. Start with light circles around the belly button, moving slowly clockwise. Use the flats of your fingers and keep pressure gentle. Increase time to five to ten minutes if it feels good and relieves gas or cramps.

Basic steps for dogs: have your dog lie or sit comfortably. Let them sniff your hands to relax. Use warm, flat palms and follow gentle clockwise strokes from the lower right side toward the ribs, across the belly, then down the left side. Keep pressure very light—barely more than a touch. Stop if the dog pulls away, tenses, growls, whines, or tries to bite.

Frequency: short daily sessions often work best. For chronic constipation, combine massage with hydration, a fiber-adjusted diet, and vet guidance. For stress-related issues, pair massage with calm routines: a predictable walk, quiet space, and slow breathing.

Red flags to stop immediately: sharp pain, sudden swelling, a hard or hot belly, vomiting, bleeding, or any sign of acute distress. In those cases, contact a vet or doctor right away. For ongoing discomfort that improves with massage, keep a log and share it with your care provider—patterns help diagnose causes.

Abdominal massage is a low-cost, hands-on tool you can use at home. When done gently and with care, it supports digestion, eases mild discomfort, and helps calm the nervous system—for you and your dog. Keep it simple, stay observant, and always check with professionals when something feels off.