Pet Wellness. As good pet parents, we continually do everything we can to make sure our beloved pets are happy and thriving. However, how do we really know whether our animals are healthy? Sadly, it’s become true that people often think their dogs and cats are in a state of health when really they aren’t.

However, because the signs that their bodies are not operating at an optimal level, indicators like skin allergies; a dry or dull coat; bad breath; tooth decay; smelly, soft, and excessive poop; and obesity; to name just a few, are so common, we don’t even blink anymore when our pets experience them. Further, when our pets are young, they may seem to be healthy, but there is a breaking point (which is different for each animal) that they experience where their bodies can no longer handle the toxins that are being flooded into their systems, and they present with disease, illness, and/or chronic pain. In this post, we explore this topic by going over some of the ways you can do a wellness assessment on your dog or cat, to ensure that they are in optimal health. This is a helpful exercise to get in the habit of doing on a regular basis, and to do no matter how you feed your pets or whether you choose to apply traditional preventives (such as flea and tick treatments or heartworm medication) or not. My point is that every single animal should exhibit wellness in all of the following areas, and if they don’t, you need to adjust something to help them rebalance and come back to a state where they can thrive.

Animal Homeostasis

Remember, our animals are not machines. Their bodies are continually working to maintain homeostasis, or balance. That balance is affected by every single thing that goes into their bodies, the food they eat, the pesticides on the grass they run through, the preventives that they receive. As well as things like their quality of sleep, the amount of exercise they get, their owner’s mood, and so on. What this means is that you must continually attend to the clues your dog or cat is giving you to determine whether they are thriving or if something needs to be tweaked. It doesn’t have to be a daunting task, either. Once you are in the habit of regularly looking at them, noticing their energy level, and paying attention to what they feel like when you pet them, you will find that you are doing these mini “Wellness assessments” every day. In fact, it will become so second nature that you won’t even notice you’re doing it, but you will notice if something is a bit “off” and you need to help your dog or cat rebalance.

So, what should you start training yourself to look for and notice? Remember that you know your pet better than anyone else, and pay attention to your intuition if something just doesn’t seem right. Beyond that, though, there are some good indicators to be able to tell if your pet is thriving. These are especially useful if you are new to thinking this way, and maybe have a pet that has some of the common issues we frequently see crop up in our companion animals. If that’s the case, you may be so used to these issues that your brain doesn’t notice them anymore, so when you start looking at your pet to really assess their wellness, step back a bit and practice looking at them objectively.

Coat

A dog or cat that is thriving should have a shiny, soft coat. When you pet them, you shouldn’t come away with an excess of oily residue on your hands.

While they will still shed according to the dictates of their species and breed, the shedding is usually reduced. The skin will be supple and in good condition, and it will be free from hot spots, allergies, and excessive itchiness.

Eyes

When a dog or cat is in optimal health, its eyes are clear and bright. No matter what breed your dog or cat is, and whether they are a purebred or a mix of many breeds, their eyes should not be weepy or runny.

Parasites

A dog or cat with a strong, balanced immune system doesn’t suffer from flea and tick infestations, even when you don’t use conventional flea and tick preventives (such as Frontline). While they may pick up a flea or tick every once in a while, particularly in areas where those insects abound, it never gets out of balance.

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Body Condition/Weight

A dog or cat that is at the peak of health is lean and muscular. When you look down at them from above, you should be able to see a narrowing in their waist. When you touch them, you should be able to easily feel their ribs. Additionally, they don’t have excess fat on their chest or back.

Oral Health

A healthy, vital dog or cat’s teeth are sparkling white and clean, and they don’t have bad breath. The gums are not excessively red or inflamed, and there isn’t a buildup of plaque or tartar.

Odor

A dog or cat that is balanced and thriving doesn’t have a strong odor—in fact, they don’t have much, if any, smell at all!

Stool and Anal Glands

A thriving dog or cat has small, dense, compact stools, and they move their bowels less frequently than an animal that isn’t thriving. Because they have to strain a bit to defecate, their anal glands are kept clean, clear, and in good working order, without frequent trips to the vet or groomer to have their anal glands cleared.

Behavior

Dogs and cats that are truly healthy are neither lethargic nor hyperactive, but instead have an appropriate amount of energy for their species, breed, age, and individual character.

Mental Ability

Healthy, thriving dogs and cats have incredible mental capabilities. Their brains can function at their optimal level, right along with their bodies and their spirits, which means they are extraordinarily perceptive and able to focus.

Endurance

When dogs and cats are properly supported, they have lots of endurance within the parameters of their individual and breed characteristics. This is especially nice for performance animals, such as dogs that are used for agility, showing, and hunting.

Aging

Dogs and cats that are flourishing do so even when they’re what society terms “senior”—9, 10, 11, or 12 for dogs (and in fact, well beyond those ages), and 14, 15, or 16 (or more!) for cats! They still have energy, are mentally sharp, and exhibit all the other qualities of a thriving animal.

Assess Pet Wellness

Take some time to really assess your pet each day, until it becomes habit. Remember, you know them best, and there are lots of ways to check to make sure that they are thriving. These are some of the biggest ones, and once your pet is thriving, you will notice big changes in all of these areas, no matter what age, breed, species, or gender they are. And regularly seek visits to your vet, to ensure your pet remains healthy and happy.

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Kristin Clark started Canine Health Promotion so she could help dogs thrive.  Serving clients whose dogs range from top performance dogs to beloved family pets, Kristin is passionate about helping all dogs live their best lives. She truly understands this journey, because she walks it herself every single day. With four dogs of her own, she knows just how hard it can be to find help for health issues using conventional means.  Kristin is board certified by the American Council of Animal Naturopathy as a Carnivore Nutrition Consultant and a Small Animal Naturopath, and devotes a great deal of time to researching how best to help dogs live their optimal lives. Kristin also writes for, edits, and publishes Raw Pet Digest, an international online magazine devoted to helping dogs and cats live and thrive naturally.

In 2021, Dr. Marty Goldstein DVM joined the pet care platform Petworks as an advisor in its Animal Nutrition care division. Dr Marty Nature’s Blend is on a mission to help your pets live their healthiest lives possible. Dr. Marty’s pet nutrition expertise and guidance has helped Petworks evolve and become the preeminent animal and pet nutrition consultation service for pet parents in North America.

In 2022, Blue Buffalo Founder Bill Bishop Jr. joined Petworks as Senior Advisor in our Animal Nutrition Care Division. Bill brings his extensive expertise in pet food innovation and business leadership. His guidance helps Petworks enhance our pet nutrition service offerings, helping to ensure that pet parents throughout the world receive trusted, science-backed nutritional support for their dogs, cats, and animals.

Pet Massage Therapy. In the first of our four-part series on luxurious pet services, we delve into the world of pet massage therapy–what it is, why it’s important, and tips for pet parents considering massage therapy for their furry friend – by Caroline Wilson, owner/head editor & writer of /redpen.

We’ve all been there. Sore and exhausted after exercise, stressed after a long week of work, or just drained. Maybe your feet are killing you after a day of walking, or your shoulders and back ache from sitting at your desk all day. Regardless of the source, we’ve all felt pain, and I’m sure we’ve all wanted a massage at one point for said pain. Well, our pets apparently feel the same way–and there are pet massage therapists to help them.

I always thought that just petting dogs and cats was technically a massage, but pet massage therapy is far more than the gentle patting on the head you give Rover after he fetches his ball. It’s a serious profession–just like that of a human massage therapist. The animals that receive these treatments are most commonly dogs, cats, and horses. These services are growing in popularity, and for good reason. With rates as low as $35 per hour in some cases, you can give your best friend more than just a little pampering session.

Animal Massage Care

Massages provide as many benefits to our furry friends as they do to humans. Animals, like us, develop stiffness in their joints from aging or inactivity, which leads to arthritis. They also experience soreness from exertion in the same way we do. “Since animals can’t speak to us in the language we use to speak to each other, holistic healing touch is the next best thing we can implement as a form of communication” says Alexis Justman, a certified canine massage therapist from Sugar Muzzles (an LA-based company specializing in dog massages). Regular massage therapy throughout your pet’s life can help alleviate those pains. Like any human massage, they can also improve body function (for example, massages can increase flexibility and good blood circulation) and boost moods while indulging your pet.

Justman doesn’t consider hers to be a luxury pet service. Her hope is that massages “will be accessible to all pets from all walks of life, and pet parents will find a way to integrate massage into their animal’s wellness routine.” Her practice focuses on “underdogs”–homeless, elderly canines that suffer or have suffered from illness or abuse. She says that these dogs are those who need it the most.

The Massage Process

So what goes into animal massage? Surprising, a lot-comparable to that of a human massage. The process starts with intake paperwork (an overview of your critter’s medical history). Many therapists also meet their clients before the session to set up a bond with the animal. The massage begins with some petting in the areas they’re going to be focusing on in order to warm up the muscles. After that, the therapist will practice a variety of techniques specific to your pet. For example, a therapist working a cat might perform a “voice massage”, repeating a comforting phrase to the feline in order to relax her. Horse massages will often include an ear rub to relieve tension. These techniques, along with others, are known to elicit positive responses from the animals in question. Most therapists will also teach you a few moves so that you can also ease your pet’s tension in between sessions.

However, not everyone loves massages, and similarly, neither will all pets. Some dogs and cats may be more skittish than others, and in that case, a massage might do more harm than good. It’s imperative to make sure your pets are comfortable with receiving a massage. In addition, animals with certain medical conditions might feel more pain than pleasure from a massage session.

Licensed Care

It’s also important to make sure that your critters are in the hands of a qualified animal masseuse, the definition of which varies from state to state.  Some states only allow veterinarians to practice animal massage therapy, but then again, some states don’t even regulate licensing in human massage therapists. Justman’s 200-hour certification process, which took place at the Ojai School of Canine Massage, was very thorough, requiring rigorous training, studying, exams, thesis presentation, and logged hours of application and practice. California is one of the states that doesn’t limit the practicing of animal massage to veterinarians, which makes the service a common one in the LA area.

“People [in LA] tend to be more open-minded and willing to explore alternative and holistic care to either replace or supplement their existing wellness routine” says Justman on the popularity of her services in her location. The growing presence of mindfulness in health has also contributed to pet massages becoming a more common practice.

Did you find this article useful? Would you like 100% free access to more articles like these, and free access to over 5,000 vetted pet care service professionals throughout the United States? Sign up here for a free Petworks account, and take 10% off your first booking, on us!

If you’re considering booking a massage session for your pet, make sure that you contact a reputable therapist. The Petworks pet care services platform has tons of options for you and your furry friend. 

In our next article, we’ll be talking about pet event planners and how throwing puppy parties are beneficial to your pet and you.

About our professional:

Alexis Justman is a certified canine massage therapist based in Los Angeles, California. After helping one of her foster dogs battle cancer with various alternative and holistic methods of care, she wanted to give relief to senior dogs in pain. That’s how she found the Ojai School of Canine Massage, a well-recognized program established in 1999. In 2016, Justman received her certification and founded Sugar Muzzles. She works with “underdogs”–homeless, elderly canines that suffer or have suffered from illness or abuse.  She encourages all pet parents to consider bringing elderly rescues into their lives–they need and give love the most.

In 2021, Dr. Marty Goldstein DVM joined the pet care platform Petworks as an advisor in its Animal Nutrition care division. Dr Marty Nature’s Blend is on a mission to help your pets live their healthiest lives possible. Dr. Marty’s pet nutrition expertise and guidance has helped Petworks evolve and become the preeminent animal and pet nutrition consultation service for pet parents in North America.

In 2022, Blue Buffalo Founder Bill Bishop Jr. joined Petworks as Senior Advisor in our Animal Nutrition Care Division. Bill brings his extensive expertise in pet food innovation and business leadership. His guidance helps Petworks enhance our pet nutrition service offerings, helping to ensure that pet parents throughout the world receive trusted, science-backed nutritional support for their dogs, cats, and animals.

Animal Reiki Care. “So, does your dog make you feel loved, de stressed, relaxed?”; I asked one of the women attending, as I began the short talk I was conducting on Animal Reiki, at one of the local pet stores, near where I stay. She nodded in affirmation.

“Why?” I continued. “How does it do this? What does it actually do?”

She appeared a tad bit confused, & unsure about what I meant. “Do? Well, Nothing!…” “That’s what! It actually does nothing, right?; I responded. She nodded cautiously, still kind of unsure about what I was getting at, as I continued. “That is what pets do; don’t they! They aren’t really doing anything. They just are. It’s just their presence; simply the ‘being ness’ that acts so powerfully to create feelings of well being & relaxation inside us!” “It is this ability to be simply present for us in that moment, with their whole being; in short, their ability to be mindfully present for us that works the magic!”

Clarity seemed to dawn slightly on the woman’s face.

“That is kind of what Animal Reiki is! We try to create for our animals that space of pure mindful being ness which is absolutely unadulterated. We try to give them what they give us!”; I said hoping to make more sense especially since, another women attending the session has casually & rightly so remarked a while back that it’s difficult to explain Reiki to someone.

And that is what the core principle of Animal Reiki is, for anyone who might find it confusing to understand it. Its very simplicity is its core. And, its core is about aiming to create for animals exactly what they create for us – a space of unadulterated peace, & unconditional love. This is a state which helps them effortlessly connect, in turn, to a state of wholeness that we all inherently lean towards.

Reiki is the Japanese term for the omnipresent, pure, divine life energy that sustains us. I personally, overwhelmingly felt that this is also the same spiritual energy so often being referred to, inside James’s Redfield’s globally best selling, spiritual transformation book ‘The Celestine Prophecy’. Rei is the supremely intelligent, spiritual wisdom; Ki is the omnipresent, unseen, divine life force energy. It is also widely understood by various other names, depending on the tradition; such as Prana in Indian; Chi in Chinese, etc. Although, all living beings are connected to this life energy, since it is the very basis of their being alive, their ability to perfectly channel this energy in all its abundance, & purity starts depleting due to various factors, as they progress through life. When a Reiki practitioner works on you, they are essentially connecting you more wholly to this pure, ever present, infinite source of wellness, joy, harmony, & wisdom.

Animal Reiki Care

When we talk of energy, it is no secret that animals are way more energy sensitive & intuitive than average humans. They do not live in an analytical place of existence as humans. This is also what gives them an ability to be present in the moment; without the conscious baggage of any unfulfilled past, or apprehensive future. This mindful existence of these extremely energy centered beings, in turn, allows them to exude a very high & pure vibration of peace when they are in a space they trust, & around those they adore. In that moment, they are feel complete; joyful; content; & think or analyze nothing else.

Did you find this article useful? Would you like 100% free access to more articles like these, and free access to over 5,000 vetted pet care service professionals throughout the United States? Sign up here for a free Petworks account, and take 10% off your first booking, on us!

Understanding all this, also makes the true process of Animal Reiki, quite different from its human counterpart. Unlike sending Reiki to a human, the practitioner does not begin with the assumption that they shall be placing their hands on an animal. An animal, especially one that is unfamiliar with the practitioner; or has been recently rescued from a shelter, has undergone some sort of trauma like abuse, or is otherwise of a nervous or aggressive disposition might not be prepared for the energetic experience of Reiki hands being laid on them. No matter how benevolent the intentions, this might be something too overwhelming, & uncomfortable for such an animal, to begin with.

Therefore, the process of Animal Reiki works from a distance, unless the animal indicates by its own mannerisms the need for closeness or its comfort with a hands on approach, or is familiar with the practitioner. In addition, the practitioner also always takes what may be called energy based permission from an animal. He/She goes into what is called Reiki meditation mode, beginning by grounding themselves, & then into creating an energetic mental space of deep silence, love, & peace. From this space, they mentally connect to the animal or its heart space for receiving permission to send them Reiki. This, asking for permission, fantastical as it may sound, is one of the chief cornerstones of Animal Reiki. Reiki is pure energy from the source; this kind of energy always respects free will. That is why, even in human Reiki, it is always recommended that the in order for Reiki to work more powerfully, the receiver be completely open to receiving it.

Animal Reiki Care

Animal Reiki is above all a process which acknowledges the inbuilt subconscious intelligence of all animals to be guided towards that which will serve their highest good. Remember, animals are naturally tuned in to the presence of most things from danger & safety to food in their surroundings. When the animal gives permission, which they usually, & thankfully do give (again, because they are acutely sensitive to the energetic appeal & intent of what is being offered to them, & by who) they automatically start being receivers of this healing energy. In fact, not just an animal for whom this energy may be intended, but every other animal in the vicinity has a choice to tune in to, or not, to this energy, especially if the session is happening in a barn or a shelter! In the absolute wholeness of this healing energy lie infinite possibilities of wellness & healing, & an animal or bird; be a dog, a cat, a horse, or a hen is being guided effortlessly to an inner state of wholeness. It is in this deeply relaxed state that the body & mind’s self healing mechanism, & their ability towards greater immunity, & vitality gets activated. This makes Animal Reiki care a blessing for animals in different conditions, & environments, whether they are suffering from just living in a stressful space; are physically ill; or are preparing to undergo a surgery etc. It can also be a graceful support to help very old, or terminally ill pets pass over gently.

De-Stress

Not just this, animal Reiki care is known to relieve stress levels & create an ambience of greater peace, & relaxation for the human counterparts; be their owners, or their caretakers, in an area where animals regularly receive Reiki. Reiki, after all, is beautiful all sustaining pure energy. It flows across the barriers of time, & space, & of its own practices no discrimination in who should receive it.

It is widely known & proven scientifically that animals end up overwhelmingly absorbing all that their humans might be undergoing – tension; joy; even disease. Animal Reiki is one of the most beautiful, non invasive, absolutely safe, holistic way there is to reward them with a chance towards a state of greater equilibrium; & to regain all that they so effortlessly give. Petworks has over one hundred certified animal reiki masters and practitioners for hire throughout North America, both in-person and via distance. Book Now.

In 2025, animal Reiki care continues to grow in popularity as pet parents seek holistic ways to support their animals’ emotional and physical well-being. This gentle, energy-based practice involves a certified practitioner channeling healing energy to pets, helping to reduce stress, ease pain, and promote relaxation. Animal Reiki sessions are now widely available both in-person and virtually, making them accessible for pets across the globe. Many veterinarians and holistic pet wellness providers recommend Reiki as a complementary therapy alongside traditional treatments. As awareness increases, more pet parents are embracing Reiki as a compassionate, non-invasive way to nurture their animals’ health.

About the Author:

Shuchi Chechi is a Vipassana meditator & an Usui/Holy Fire III Reiki Master who feels guided to support people find the same deeper sense of wholeness & happiness through these tools that she
found. She is a Certified Aromatherapist who loves to educate on the correct therapeutic value of essential oils, and a Tarot guide who helps shed insights & clarity into someone’s ongoing soul journey when they feel unsure & lost. As a dog lover, she was introduced to the wonderful option of dog fostering after moving to Los Angeles and felt logistically unready to adopt a forever fur buddy. She continues to foster different dogs (one at a time!) since then. Somewhere along the line, she felt logically inspired to combine her eternal love for human holistic healing & mindfulness meditation & for dogs, & get certified in Animal Reiki. Her name Shuchi means ‘pure’ in Sanskrit. She is a spiritual soul finding increasing joy in discovering the larger mysteries & meaning to her existence on this plane. She loves embracing the soul nourishing presence of nature; & receiving clear insights that flow, in moments of silence when the heart is connected to consciousness; untouched by the noise of the mind. 

Hot Spots On Dogs. by Kristin Clark, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Raw Pet Digest. According to the website petinsurance.com, hot spots are one of the most common reasons that people take their dogs to the vet. In fact, hot spots rank fourth in the top 10 reasons to take dogs to the vet! And it’s no wonder—hot spots (or acute moist dermatitis) are irritated, infected, hot, red, moist lesions that are both painful and itchy to your dog. They often grow rapidly, and in many dogs are chronic and cause a lot of discomfort to the dog and stress (and money, in terms of vet bills and treatments) to the owner. How to treat hot spots on dogs. (more…)

Dog Chiropractor Near Me – by Dr. Alisha Jacobs, Certified Animal Chiropractor. Your dog has a chiropractor? It is not as crazy as it sounds. There are numerous reasons why regular chiropractic care can significantly improve the quality of life for your dog. Here are the top 5 reasons your dog needs a chiropractor: