It is very important to take the time to massage your cat regularly. Massages are beneficial for the animal. However, it is preferable to get him used to it very young so that it appreciates all the benefits. So let's see how and why to massage your cat.
Summary
- Getting your cat used to massages
- Benefits of massages for cats
- Massage your cat without scaring it away
- Massage technique for cats
1- Getting your cat used to massages
This is not the type of activity that you start doing when your cat is old because there is a good chance that it will not accept being massaged. On the other hand, it is advisable to start as early as possible. To do this, the kitten or young cat must gradually get used to being handled. No abruptness is tolerated so that it subsequently willingly accepts these well-being sessions.
All areas of the cat's body can be massaged. But before getting started, it is better to make sure that it accepts contact because it can very well rebel. Likewise, it is essential to ensure that the kitty is in condition to willingly lend itself to a massage session. If it's upset or angry, it's definitely not the time. Better to leave it alone and put it off until later.
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2- Benefits of massages for cats
Massaging your cat has many benefits for the animal, namely:
- Strengthen the bond between the master and the animal,
- Share a quiet moment,
- Release the stress,
- Relax,
- Relieve pain or bloating,
- Better digested,
- Evacuate more easily.
We note that purring has the effect of relaxing the owner. The benefits are therefore shared.
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The cat can even benefit from very precise therapeutic massages carried out by its owner on the exclusive advice of the veterinarian. This is for example the case if the little feline has suffered trauma and needs rehabilitation or has just undergone surgery.
These are special cases, and it may be better to entrust cat massages to a specialist. In this case, the sessions are scheduled by appointment and take place in the office or in a specialized center.
3- Massage your cat without scaring it away
The kitty must absolutely feel confident to enjoy massages, and you should always start a session gently, without forcing it, so that it does not run away. If it is used to it from a young age, it can even come spontaneously to ask its master when he is seated on the sofa for example.
We start any session with the body area that is easily offered to caresses in ordinary times. It could be below the neck for example. When it purrs, it means it is comfortable and not on guard.
Caresses, which are accompanied by comforting words spoken gently, can therefore gradually transform into palpations which are gradually moved to another area of the body, provided however that places where it is not I don't like being touched.
This varies from cat to cat. You must therefore know the animal well to avoid making mistakes.
If it is completely confident and the massages are carried out very well, the cat has every chance of loving these serenity-generating kneadings.
4- Massage technique for cats
Each area of the body should be massaged differently. Some only tolerate moderate contact while others massage more intensively. The favorite parts are generally the neck, the back of the ears and the skull as well as the cheeks, the space between the eyes and the forehead.
We then move on to the back using circular movements, then to the sides and shoulders. Be careful, however, not to touch the tail without being certain that the animal is relaxed, but it must also truly trust its “massager” to allow itself to be done.
The belly massage is more delicate and is not appreciated by all cats. If the kitty lies on its back, it is a sign that it consents. The hands should make circular movements, not too strong, more like light touches because the stomach is a sensitive area. Kneading too much can very quickly cause discomfort or even pain.
It is essential that it is done well to be appreciated by the animal. He must find this pleasant and it master must not tickle or hurt it at any time so as not to trigger distrust. If all goes well, this will allow you to massage your cat's belly again in the event of a problem.
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It is indeed an excellent solution to help the kitty to evacuate the hairballs that it has ingested, to promote its digestion or to relieve it in the event of a disturbance in transit.
Thanks to the massage, the cat feels absolute well-being, and if he closes his eyes this is irrefutable proof that he is perfectly relaxed. It can benefit from a daily session as long as he loves being massaged. This animal is easily subject to stress, so it is perfect for it to be calmer and happier.