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.
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.
A gentle massage is a wonderful experience so why not give one to your cat.
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.