Dr. Shannon Nash

Dr. Shannon Nash šŸ¾ Helping your pet live a longer, healthier life
āœØ Food therapy, senior pet care, and everything in between

09/04/2026

Your old dogā€™s stiff joints have been waiting for this!

Most people think massage is just the rubbing and kneading part.

Gently moving your dogā€™s joints is where so much of the magic happens.

This is your reminder that a few minutes of gentle range of motion work can make a big difference for your stiff old dog.

Slowly and softly moving each joint through its natural range, starting at the shoulder and working down to the elbow, wrist, and toes, helps reduce stiffness, keep the joints smooth and mobile, and support better, more comfortable movement every day.

Itā€™s gentle enough for achy, aging joints, and most dogs completely relax into it.

One quick note: always go slow and easy, and only as far as your dog will allow, and check with your vet first if your dog has any injuries or acute pain.

Thereā€™s a lot more where this came from.

Drop the word SENIOR below and Iā€™ll send you the link to my senior dog course collection, where I talk about massage, range of motion, and so much more that helps your dog stay comfortable and mobile in their senior years. šŸ¾

09/03/2026

Save this one for later and send it to a friend whose pet needs it!

This is the massage sequence I teach pet parents who want to give their pet something that actually makes a difference in how they feel and move.

Consistent massage boosts circulation, releases muscle tension, supports joint mobility, and gives you a weekly check-in to catch changes in your petā€™s body early.

Hereā€™s the routine:

šŸ¾ Mo-fa (gentle petting) - Slow, sweeping strokes along the back and legs to warm the muscles and signal relaxation.

šŸ¾ Tui-fa (pushing) - Use your thumbs to push along both sides of the spine and down the legs. This releases tension in larger muscle groups.

šŸ¾ Nie-fa (lifting) - Gently lift the skin along the back, shoulders, and hips. This stimulates circulation and releases surface tension.

šŸ¾ Ca-fa (rubbing) - Brisk back-and-forth rubbing along the back creates warmth and stimulates circulation.

šŸ¾ Pai-fa (patting) - Rhythmic patting with cupped hands along the back and legs stimulates circulation and energizes the area.

šŸ¾ Rou-fa (circular kneading) - Circular kneading on large muscle groups like shoulders and hips breaks up tightness.

šŸ¾ Moo-fa (daubing) - Gentle stroking motions with the thumbs along the face and jaw release tension in the head and neck.

šŸ¾ Ba-shen-fa (drawing) - Gentle stretch of the ears to promote relaxation.

This sequence moves from warming strokes to deeper techniques, then finishes with calming work.

Each step builds on the last for a complete session, and your pet will start looking forward to it.

Massage is one of many supportive approaches that help senior pets stay comfortable and mobile longer.

Follow along if you want more pet massage routines! šŸ¾

The earlier you catch a change the more you can do about it.Thatā€™s the whole game with senior dogs.If thereā€™s one thing ...
09/02/2026

The earlier you catch a change the more you can do about it.

Thatā€™s the whole game with senior dogs.

If thereā€™s one thing Iā€™ve learned from working with senior dogs and caring for my own 19-year-old pup, itā€™s that the small changes are the ones worth paying attention to.

Here are a few things Iā€™d keep an eye on as your dog ages:

Changes in how they get up or move, like hesitating at stairs or being slower to rise

Shifts in drinking, eating, or bathroom habits

Changes in sleep, like restlessness or being up at odd hours

New lumps, bumps, or changes you can feel on their body

Subtle shifts in behavior or personality

Catching these early usually means more options and more comfort for your pup, and anything you notice is worth a quick chat with your vet.

This isnā€™t an exhaustive list, but I go through a bunch of other things that are important to keep an eye out for and what we can do about it in my senior dog course collection.

Comment CARE and Iā€™ll send you the link, so you know exactly what to watch for and how to help your dog feel their best through their senior years. šŸ¾

09/01/2026

I get asked all the time how I helped Haley get to 19 years old.

At the end of the day, itā€™s a lot of love.

Senior pets often fall behind with our fast-paced lives.

For me, I slowed my life down to meet her where she is.

I know thatā€™s not always possible for everyone.

And to tell you the truth, it has been incredibly hard.

But she means the world to me, and Iā€™ll never regret making adjustments to my life to support her in the last years of hers.

Aside from all the love, thereā€™s a lot that I did for her that was in my control to help her live as long as she has.

Iā€™ve got it all laid out in a collection of senior dog courses I made that condense all of my veterinary knowledge and lived experience with Haley girl.

Comment HEALTH and Iā€™ll send you the link so you can start implementing everything now and give your pup a healthy life!

08/28/2026

Most people think massage is just the rubbing or kneading part.

The real magic happens when you add stretching.

Consider this your reminder that a few gentle stretches can make a big difference for your achy old dog.

Adding stretching to your massage routine helps keep their joints flexible, eases stiffness, and supports their range of motion, which can make everyday movement so much more comfortable for them.

It only takes a few extra minutes, and most dogs absolutely melt into it.

Thereā€™s a lot more where this came from.

Drop the word CARE below and Iā€™ll send you my senior dog course collection, where I talk about massage, stretching, and everything else that helps your dog stay comfortable and mobile in their senior years. šŸ¾

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