Most people are captivated by the sight of these charming, graceful creatures—cats—and choose them as pets. Their mere presence in our lives brings daily joy, and petting a cat is doubly enjoyable. Try combining pleasure with benefit in your free time—give your pet a gentle massage.
Pats
To begin, shake your hands and rub them to increase circulation. Prepare your cat for the session: place it on a folded blanket or in your lap. Stroke it in the direction of its fur using gentle strokes. Talk to your pet in a soft, soothing voice. When you feel your cat relaxing, begin the massage itself:
- Gently stroke your cat's entire body, from the hollow between the ears to the base of the tail. Not every cat will allow you to touch their tail, so reserve massaging it until the final stage.
- Practice on your hand: tap your fingers lightly and quickly, as if you were drumming on a table.
- Tap your finger on the cat's chin just as quickly and rhythmically. This is beneficial for the organs around the eyes.
- Now, using relaxed fingers, make light patting movements along the back, working from the shoulder muscles to the legs. Move up and down. Massage the muscles along the spine, but not the spine itself.
- Using the same light movements, pat your pet's thighs for 2-3 minutes.
- Massage large muscles, avoiding areas where bones are close to the skin.
- After this, stroke the cat a couple more times from head to tail with gentle movements of both palms.
Patting stimulates the nervous system and has a relaxing effect on your pet.
Body stretching
After patting, move on to kneading:
- Applying gentle pressure, make circular movements along the muscles, first clockwise, then counterclockwise. Gradually increase the pressure. Be careful not to overdo it, as this can cause discomfort to your pet.
- Using the thumbs of both hands, massage the shoulder muscles using small circular movements.
- Starting from the shoulders, move down to the paws, massaging them with your fingertips from top to bottom. Stroke the pads using circular motions.
- Massage the back muscles on both sides of the spine, moving from the neck to the tail.
Kneading will increase blood flow to the muscles and improve circulation throughout the animal's body. This stage of the massage will enhance relaxation.
Stroking
Next, move on to stroking:
- Stroke your pet, moving slowly along its entire body with gentle pressure. The more deliberate your movements, the more pleasure they will bring your pet.
- Gently stroke the tail without bending it, so as not to cause discomfort to the animal.
- Stroke your pet around the mouth and chin. This is especially helpful for young kittens, as it improves digestion.
- At the final stage, stroke your pet's head, back, paws and tail a few more times with both hands folded together, as if covering the entire body with your palms.
Massage algorithm
If your cat is sitting, you can massage both sides at once. If your cat is lying on its side, massage one side first, then, gently turning it over, massage the other side. It's easiest to massage the cat when it's lying on its stomach.
Always begin with a soothing stroke. Wait until the cat relaxes and trusts you completely. Stroke the body and paws, moving toward the tail. If the cat doesn't wag its tail to express displeasure, continue stroking to the tip of the tail.
The next step is lightly tapping with your fingertips. Move from the muzzle to the base of the tail. Then, move on to kneading the muscles using circular motions, gradually increasing the pressure.
Finally, stroke your pet's entire body several times, applying gentle pressure. Your cat will subsequently perceive this action as a signal that the massage is complete.
Remember, you're giving a gentle, preventative massage. If your pet needs a therapeutic massage, please refer it to a specialist or veterinarian.
After the session, the cat's circulation improves, its resistance to disease increases, and, most importantly, it establishes a special bond with its owner. For the owner, this interaction with their pet helps them relax, relieve stress, and even lower blood pressure.
A gentle massage is not only a wonderful way to care for your cat, but also a wonderful opportunity to bond with your beloved pet. If your cat is purring contentedly, you've done everything right.
