Have you ever received a cat massage? Do you know what a cat massage is? It is where your frisky little friend hops on your back and gives you a gentle massage. This little technique is actually something that my precious Cuddles made up on her own, and it had many benefits for both of us.
It was rather comical when it first started. I was lying in bed when Cuddles jumped on my back and started kneading away and purring up a storm. She was kneading with such intensity that it actually felt like I was at a spa getting a real massage.
She would not do it often, but I certainly enjoyed it when she was in her loving mood and I let her know with some extra hugs and stroking. She is gone now and the other cats have never done the kneading massage on my back, so now it is up to my husband to do the back massages.
There is another type of cat massage. It is a massage that you give your cat. You must do this with care as you do not want to turn your cat off to a wonderful bonding experience.
There are two main purposes of massaging your cat. Getting your cat to relax and for you to do a self-examination of your cat. It will also allow you to get to know your cat very well and create a special bond.
Massaging a cat can be a little tricky, depending on how touchy or loveable your cat can be with your touch. Some cats love to be rubbed down all over and some do not. It will take time for you to find the areas that your cat will allow you to do a gentle massage. Be patient and take it slow, you want it to be enjoyable for both of you.
While you are exploring with massaging your cat, notice how they feel to your touch. Get to know each area of them, at least the ones that they will allow you to touch and massage. After awhile you will notice your cat relaxing more and this will allow them to relieve any stress they have felt during the day.
Each one of my cats is different in the areas that they will allow me to massage. Tiggy is very fussy about her tummy and refuses to let me rub or massage it, so I leave it alone and just work the rest of her muscles. Cooper loves a massage anyway he can get it, as long as it is when he wants it. Leena also does not like her tummy to be rubbed or massaged, but she sure does love her neck to be rubbed.
When massaging them also pay attention to things like lumps, bumps, or anything that doesn’t feel normal. Or even a new irritation that they didn’t have with the massage before. I actually found a lump on Leena’s neck during one of her massages. I did not like how it felt, so I immediately made an appointment for her to see the vet. She had a skin infection on her chin and it was her limp nodes that I felt as being lumpy. I am glad that I found it, because she could have gotten really sick from the infection.
Learning to give your cat a massage has many benefits. You create a loving bond with your cat. It releases any stress and relaxes them, so they feel better. And you can even discover a condition that is not normal and have it looked at before it becomes serious.
Get your cat and discover the benefits of massage with them, maybe you will even be lucky and they will surprise you by giving you a massage.
Sharon Cowherd maintains Caring for Your Cat, a blog about her experiences and knowledge of caring for her cats. You can read more about Sharon and her cats at http://www.caringforyourcat.com/
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