As with human massage, it varies by practitioner and area (and whether or not the practitioner has an office/is mobile). In general, it seems that the going rate is based on time rather than the kind of animal...very similar to human massage, approx $1/minute. Depending on the animal - and the animal’s temperament, health, history with humans & touch, and primary discipline - sessions run anywhere from 10 minutes to 90 minutes.
**Here is a direct quote from Equissage regarding compensation as an equine massage therapist (http://www.equissage.com/request_equine.htm#ten): What kind of compensation can I expect as an ESMT? Fees presently range from $50.00 to $100.00 per session and a session will generally last between 45 minutes and an hour. If a particular track or barn has already been exposed to the advaneforum.xxxes of equine sports massage, a fee of $75.00 is easily accepted. A track or barn where the owner or trainers have not yet witnessed the benefits of massage, a fee of $50.00 may be in order. Make no mistake about it, as an ESMT you are offering a valuable professional service. You can expect to be paid as the health care professional that you are.
As a canine massage therapist (http://www.equissage.com/request_canine.htm#twelve): What kind of compensation can I expect as a CMT? Fees presently range between $40 to $70 per session, with a session usually lasting between 40 and 50 minutes. If a particular owner- or trainer-client has previously been exposed to the benefits of massage therapy, a fee in the higher range is easily accepted. Where an owner or trainer perhaps has not previously experienced the advaneforum.xxxes of massage, a lower fee might be expected.
Make no mistake about it, however; as a certified CMT you are offering a valuable professional service and you should expect to be paid as the health care professional you are.