Cat Massage - your cat will enjoy it too.
Do you remember how you felt the last time someone came and massaged your neck and shoulders? If you’re anything like me, you started purring. A gentle massage is a wonderful experience so why not give one to your cat. If possible, it is best to start massaging your cat when it is still a kitten.
Cat massage is not as strange as it sounds. And it is not hard to learn or do. You will need a surface (table, couch or even your lap) that is a comfortable height for you to work on and some soft towels or similar for your cat to lie on. There are a few different methods of massaging a cat. Start stroking, moving down the cat’s body and as one hand leaves the body or tail the other hand starts at the head again. You can vary the pressure but you should always start gently. Experiment to see what your cat likes or will allow. Gently running the fingers down the vertebrae will also help relax your pet. You can work on specific areas such as shoulders, thighs, neck etc by gently kneading the area. Again, let your cat be your guide.
Cat massage should be a bonding experience for you both. It is also a great opportunity for you to check your pet to make sure there are no lumps or anything else unusual on their skin.
Another method of massaging your cat is to hold it gently with one hand while using the other to knead or manipulate the areas as mentioned above. Always be careful of any places that are tender or inflamed. Cats are quick to let you know when something hurts.
The manipulation of muscles has long been shown to be healing in both animals and humans. There are now many practitioners who specialize in pet massage or pet chiropractic services. A specialist is able to give your cat a much more thorough massage than you can at home. Depending on your specialist, he or she might be willing to teach you some extra techniques you can use at home.
The therapeutic value of cat massage cannot be overlooked. It has been proven to help with a reduction of pain, increased flexibility, calmness and increased circulation which all add up to a happier and healthier cat. And happy, healthy cats live longer and cause less trouble in the home. While there is not a section devoted to massage in *How to Make Your Cat Adore You, there is a section on LOVE, and massage really is part of that.
Cats are wonderful creatures and bring much joy to their owners – from small children to the elderly living on their own. They quickly become part of our family, in fact they think they own us! However, there are times when they have a problem that can’t be resolved immediately, when we, as responsible owners, need some advice.
Cat Problems Resolved contains a growing library of articles on various problems that I or others have had with our cats or kittens. Some of the more common problems are listed below.
Cat Psychology or Understanding Your Cat
It can be very hard for us humans to understand just what goes on in our cat’s mind. They seem to remain a mystery and this is exactly what the cat wants. Because they can be totally independent and even solitary, they are hard to ‘read’. Cat Psychology is like trying to understand the human mind without being able to ask questions.
Normally a cat hiss is a defensive reaction. You may have moved suddenly and your cat is frightened by this so it hisses. A loud or unexpected noise will often produce a hiss. Sometimes children may have played too roughly. You need to understand why cats hiss and what to do about it so everyone remains safe.
If Your Cat Is Not Eating or Drinking
There can be many reasons why your cat won’t eat or drink. The first thing I would check is to make sure she isn’t sick. If your cat has been vomiting or regurgitating its food, a trip to the vet is advised. If a medical reason has been ruled out, you need to investigate further to find out why your cat doesn’t want to eat or drink. Find out some of the common causes as to why your cat is not eating or drinking.
Older cats, just like us, can run into incontinence problems. If we are female and have had children, these problems can be embarrassing. It is harder for cats when they face incontinence problems. Because cats are such fastidious creatures, they are highly embarrassed. They feel they have ‘let the family down’ and will even withdraw from being around them. You need to find the reason your cat has incontinence so you can treat it properly.
Walking Dandruff is a very contagious skin condition and is passed from cat to cat. It can also spread to humans. The symptoms are severe itching and scaling or flaking of the skin. You might wonder if your cat has dandruff, hence the name walking dandruff and if you do see this, a trip to the vet is advisable.
Cat Urinating Problems – Does Your Cat Urinate in the Wrong Place?
Cat urine problems and sometimes constipation seems to be something that many cat owners face at one time or another. It could be that your cat is no longer using the litter box or, if your cat usually goes outside, it is now urinating inside for some reason. This can become quite unpleasant quickly if allowed to continue. Follow these easy tips to stop your cat urinating where it shouldn’t.
There seems to be an epidemic of cat ear mites at the moment judging on the number of questions I’m asked about them. You need to be able to recognize cat ear mites and how to go about treating them. Find out here.
Cat Urinating Problems – Is Your Cat Having Trouble Passing Urine?
There are a number of ailments that are shared by cats and humans and problems urinating is one of them. These are usually caused by urinary tract infections. If you have ever had a UTI you will know just how painful they can be. Left untreated, they can become serious for your cat. If your cat has problem urinating, read this article to find out what to do.
Remember, if you have specific questions or problems, leave a comment and I will answer them personally.
