Looking for the best pet massage tools? It’s no secret that pets, like many humans, love a massage. And as with people, the feel-good benefits of a massage can have a meaningful impact on overall mental and physical health. It’s true, a massage can help your dog by reducing stress, anxiety, and aches and pains, increasing flexibility and range of motion, aiding in digestion and circulation. “Massage also keeps you in touch with changes in your dog’s body while strengthening your bond,” says AKC Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein.
Whether it’s behind the ears or on that hard-to-reach spot on her back, you probably know your pet’s favorite spots to be rubbed. Now, to take things to the next level, you’re on the hunt for the best pet massage tools to make sure you’re getting the job done right.
Well, you’re in good hands, and soon your pup will be, too. Sit back and relax, take a break from petting your dog as long as he’ll let you, and we’ll walk you through some of our favorite pet massage tools and what makes each one worth trying. Note: Many cat owners recommend these tools, too.
1. The Best Pet Massage Tool for Back & Neck Relief
This roller is great for alleviating muscle tension and stiffness in your pet’s back and neck, and also works on the shoulders, chest, and hips. It can be used for dogs of all sizes.
For those worried about applying too much pressure, the product is designed to help protect your pet’s spine and can be used for gentle or deeper massaging sessions, and the curved handle is designed to protect the spine as you massage.
How do pets rate this massager? Verified human reviewers, speaking on behalf of their cats and dogs, say it may depend on the individual pet and what mood they’re in on any given day. Price: $9
2. Our Favorite Total Body Pet Massage Tool
PetWell All-Over Massage Roller
For a roller that can help your dog feel good from head to toe, this option from PetWell provides total body relief by helping stimulate blood flow to the muscles and joints — something senior pets in particular may appreciate.
Verified purchasers have said their older dogs and those with hip pain and arthritis enjoy getting a massage with this tool, especially after long walks and playtime.
If you’re wondering, as other shoppers have asked, if this comes with extra features such as a vibration option, it does not. It’s a simple roller, but the quick-release handle does make it easy to clean out any dog hair that accumulates. Price: $7.50
3. The Top Pet Massage Roller
If you’re looking for a massager that will go deeper, reach farther, and help your anxious, stressed, or aging dog feel calmer and more relaxed, then PetWell’s handheld massager targeted for back, neck, and shoulder discomfort may be worth looking into.
The large roller on one end can massage out stiffness, while the small roller on the other end can pinpoint areas of tension.
While some verified reviewers say that it took their dogs some time to get used to it, most said they could see a difference — that their pets seemed more relaxed after getting a massage with the tool. Price: $15
4. The Best Pet Messaging Product for Improving Circulation
Behind the futuristic design — intended for ease of human use and to help increase pet circulation while decreasing muscle tension — lies a reliable option for serving up a nice, old-fashioned, feel-good massage for your pet.
The product is designed with an easy-to-hold knob that helps you control how much pressure to apply with each of the four nodes.
The product material, some verified purchasers point out, is made of thin plastic. Overall, most verified reviewers say their pets love getting a massage with this tool. Price: $9
5. 2-in-1: Pet Massage Tool and De-Shedding Brush
Furniture and floors covered in pet hair? Is your dog in need of some extra TLC? Then this two-in-one massager and de-shedder may help with your household and pet’s needs.
With regular use, it’s meant to help keep unwanted shedding in check while you groom and prevent the build-up of matted fur. It’s made of silicone for easy cleaning and durability.
Some verified shoppers say this product wasn’t what they were expecting, but most say this brush helps give their dogs a nice relaxing petting session. Price: $8.50
6. The Best Pet Massage Tool for Bath Time
Pet Massage Bath Brush by Vanvene
For dogs who love being bathed, getting a massage at the same time may be the icing on the cake. And for those that don’t — well, a good scrub with a massage tool like this one may be the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down.
Some shoppers have wondered if this product can be used for all hair (or fur) lengths, and verified reviewers have said it works for long-haired dogs — even those that don’t like being brushed. For those with big dogs, some verified reviewers complain that this product is smaller than what they need for a thorough grooming.
Reviewers said the tool does help get down to the skin when they have to give their pets medicinal baths due to allergies and other conditions. Price: $10
7. 2-in-1: Pet Massage Tool and De-Shedding Glove
DELOMO 2 in 1 Pet Grooming Deshedding Glove
Petting a dog or cat can be therapeutic for humans and for the animals on the receiving end, and as we mentioned above, massages are a key component of holistic care for pets, too. With this glove, you can get your mood-boosting petting time in, and your pet can be treated to a nice rub, all while the grooming mitt works to remove excess fur from your dog.
So can this product take the place of a traditional brush or a comb? People who’ve used it with dogs of varying hair lengths have mixed feelings. Some verified reviewers said the glove is easier to use than other tools — especially for pets that otherwise hate being groomed. But others commented that the glove only helps with picking up loose hair on the top layer of their pet’s fur — and did not provide a truly deep clean.
The glove has soft rubber tips, is machine washable, and comes in a right-hand and left-hand version. Price: $7
The AKC independently selected each product featured in this article. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale. While we do our best to update links often, please note that prices and deals are subject to change.