What to Expect at Your Cat's Massage Appointments

First Appointment:

At your cat's first massage appointment the caretaker will fill out a form for contact information, veterinary information and pet's medical history. The form will be discussed with the caretaker and questions asked about the cat's behavior and any conditions, as applicable.

The cat will be observed while it walks, in order to visually locate any obvious stiffness or problem areas.

Since cats are a bit trickier to work with than dogs, the amount of time necessary to spend gaining the cat's trust may vary. It may even be necessary to employ catnip-scented toys or the cat's favorite treat.

Once everyone is calm, the massage is performed wherever the cat is most comfortable, which may be on my lap, on the caretaker's lap, a bed, couch, or the floor. It's not necessary for the cat to stay in the same location throughout the massage.

It is preferred that the caretaker be present throughout the massage. This is to provide reassurance to the dog in case of anxiety, and so any observations may be verbalized or additional questions asked as the massage is performed.

The cat may need to take a quick break at some point during the massage. They may want to get up to stretch and change locations, get a drink of water, or use the litterbox.

For up to a day after the massage, the cat may be more lethargic and sleepier than usual, and they may drink more water than usual. This is normal behavior. Massage helps release lactic acid from the muscles. Lactic acid is what causes us to feel achy and have muscle soreness after excessive exercise or if the muscles have been cramped or in a spasm for any length of time. As a result, after a massage, people and animals alike tend to sleep more and drink more water as a way to aid the body in flushing any toxins from our systems.

The first massage appointment can take up to one hour.

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Subsequent Appointments:

Follow up appointments are recommended every two to four weeks, or can be as frequent as weekly,
depending on the nature of the condition or behavior being treated.

The caretaker will be asked if any changes in the cat's physical condition or behavior have been observed
since the previous massage. Any caretaker observations will be noted in the cat's file.

Since most of the paperwork is completed at the first appointment, subsequent appointments take
approximately 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the cat's temperament
and the nature of the condition or behavior being treated.

Again, it is normal for the cat to drink more water and sleep more for the day after a massage.

After each massage, any findings and recommendations are recorded on a body chart
and in notes maintained in your cat's massage file.

Recommendations:

In the event any kind of lump, bump or abnormality is felt, especially one the caretaker is unaware of,
a recommendation of taking the cat to the vet for follow up will be made.

In cases where there are behavioral issues such as separation anxiety, shyness, excessive bullying
of other animals, etc., a recommendation of alternative therapies such as
Bach Flower Essences and Bach's Rescue Remedy alone
and in conjunction with massage may be made.

If your cat is recovering from a recent surgery or injury, massage is not recommended around
the site of the trauma. Gentle massage can be performed elsewhere on your pet's body, but
most likely a recommendation will be made for the use of Reiki, which is a form of energy healing,
in place of massage. Bach's Rescue Remedy, mentioned above, may also aid in the healing and
calming process.

Pet Massage and Alternative Therapies Do Not Take the Place of Proper Veterinary Care.