Most owners give their cat a massage to make them feel more at ease, less stressed after a stressful event, and simply more loved and cared for. In fact, if done properly, massaging your cat can actually make your feline friend feel a lot better than simply being pet. When your cat needs a pick-me-up or you want to connect with your furry pet, try this bonding strategy.
How to Give Your Cat a Massage
1. Start slow at your cat’s favorite spot.
Pick your cat’s favorite spot, whether it’s under the chin, behind the ears, or on the back. If you start in a comfortable place, your cat will be more amenable to getting a full-body massage. When your cat begins to purr, pay attention to where they want to be handled. Starting out slowly is crucial since moving too quickly can overwhelm and frighten your cat.
2. Use your full hand to massage.
Touching a cat with your fingertips is a common practice, but it may be too light for the cat to notice much, especially along the back or belly. As you stroke the cat, use your entire hand to gently press down on its body. The head and face should only be massaged with your fingertips. Either one hand or both hands may be used.
3. Monitor your cat’s reaction.
Keep an eye on your cat’s reaction while you massage it. Your cat might not be in the mood for a massage if he continues attempting to stand up. They are probably thoroughly enjoying the massage if they are blinking, purring, drooling, nodding out, or perhaps appearing a bit confused. Stop massaging your cat if it starts to scratch you or backs up. You can try it again after a few hours or days because it’s probably nothing personal. Particularly if you’re massaging them down the spine from the top of their head to the base of their tail, some cats may lift their hind end when they’re enjoying a massage.
How to Give Your Cat a Head and Neck Massage
Use a circular motion on top of the head. The majority of cats enjoy having their heads stroked. Use the palms of your hands to make a circular motion, starting at the top of your cat’s head and working your way down to the temples and cheeks. Massage your cat’s ears by massaging them with your fingertips as well. Pay close attention to your cat’s response when you stroke its head. If they seem uneasy or nervous, back off because some cats can see this as a threat. In order for your cat to truly enjoy having their head rubbed, you might want to return to it after you’ve given them a more thorough body massage.
Massage your cat’s chin and neck. After massaging your cat’s head, very slowly and delicately stroke under its neck. Use your fingers to gently rub your cat’s neck in little circular motions. To prevent injuring them, take care not to press too firmly into their neck. Another delicate spot that your cat might not appreciate is the neck. During this portion of the massage, pay close attention to their behavior and body language.
Use your fingers to massage your cat’s face. Massage his cheeks and forehead with your fingers in little circular motions. On each side of his face, you can also use the palms of your hands. Your cat might even allow you to massage the tiny region around its eyes, nose, or whiskers if it likes what you’re doing. Face massages for cats can be very relaxing because they don’t often get their faces stroked.
How to Give Your Cat a Body Massage
Stroke your cat’s body from head to tail a few times. Give your cat a few strong strokes on his body after you’ve finished rubbing his head and neck. As you massage him from head to tail, gently press down on him. This will aid in his body’s relaxation during the subsequent massage. To truly calm your cat, try to repeat each movement at least six times.
Massage your cat’s shoulders. Slowly begin circling your cat’s shoulders. Give your cat a nice rubdown by placing one hand on each side of its body. Use both hands to firmly yet gently rub your cat’s sides, particularly the shoulders. After rushing around all day, your cat’s shoulders may become very tight. A relaxing massage can relieve that pressure and improve their mood.
Stroke your cat’s back. Apply mild pressure in circular strokes down your cat’s back and sides, starting at the shoulders and working your way down the back. Keep your focus on your cat’s upper back because many cats have sensitive lower backs and hips. If your cat enjoys having this region stroked, gently rub it. Keep in mind to watch your body language and purring.
Massage your cat’s belly. Your cat may offer up their tummy if they are at ease enough. With one hand holding your cat firmly, use the other to softly knead the skin on their abdomen. You could even rub his tummy with both hands if they’re truly at ease. Do this cautiously at first, since some cats really don’t want to have their bellies stroked. Move to a different area if your cat starts to hit you with its paws or stops purring. Alternatively, you can alternate between rubbing your cat’s head or back with one hand while massaging his tummy with the other.
Cup your cat’s chest to massage it. Keep your cat on their back and hold their head with one hand while using the other to cup their chest. To relieve the tension in your chest, right above the abdomen, rub your palm in a circular manner. If your cat is calm enough, you can gently massage the chest area from the outside in using your fingertips as well.
Massage your cat’s tail. You should begin massaging your cat’s tail at the base, close to the rump, and work your way carefully toward the tip. You can use both hands, but use caution when using the fingers because the cat’s tail is a very delicate area. Your cat might flee from you if you simply go for their tail first. Even better, use one hand to massage the head and the other to massage the tail of your cat. The opposite of what you want is likely to occur if your cat begins to wildly move their tail, because that indicates that they are likely becoming aroused and possibly even angry.
Rub each paw in a circular motion. Pick up one paw and insert your thumb in the middle of the cat’s paw pad to complete the massage. Apply light pressure while you slowly rub their paw in a circular manner, then go on to the next paw. Another name for this is “pawflexology.” Following the massage, you and your cat can cuddle, take a nap, or indulge in some catnip. When your cat is a small kitten, massaging their feet and toes makes clipping their nails easier as they age.
Tips for Giving Your Cat a Massage
Give your cat a massage to relieve stress
Your cat can benefit from a relaxing massage just like you do. After a long day, your cat’s muscles will greatly benefit from a mild massage to help reduce anxiety, release tension, and relax. and it can make your relationship even closer. Even your sick or elderly cat may benefit from a massage to induce slumber.
Stick to light stroking when you give your cat a massage
Consider how your cat prefers to be petted: Typically, kitties take pleasure in gentle, gliding strokes that travel along their body. When massaging your cat, avoid deep strokes that could be hard on their body and instead use delicate motions that caress them. You can take your cat to a veterinarian to have a professional massage performed if you believe your cat needs a deeper treatment. You can move with either one or both hands throughout the massage.
Keep the massage going for 5 to 10 minutes
Because cats don’t require lengthy massages, you can keep yours brief. When you have the time, devote at least 10 minutes of your day to giving your cat extra attention. There is no specific frequency for massaging cats, so you can adjust it to their needs. Generally speaking, try not to massage them more than once or twice a day.
Massage your cat when they’re in the right mood
Your cat might not be in the mood for a lot of touching if they are cranky, agitated, or jumpy. Wait for your cat to approach you and give you a few little head bumps to let you know they want to be petted before beginning the massage. Never give your cat a massage if they’re in a lot of pain, have open sores, or have issues with blood clots. Additionally, you must never massage a tumor or an infected area of skin directly.
Get yourself into a zen mood
Cats are sensitive to stress and anxiety, so if you’re having a bad day, they won’t be able to unwind either. Before you begin massaging your cat, make sure you’re at least somewhat relaxed so they can absorb the good vibes from you. You can use massaging your cat to help you unwind after a stressful day since it can be a soothing hobby for you. Your cat might not want to be petted at all if you aren’t feeling well.
Find a comfortable spot
The goal here is to calm your cat down, so choose a location where they feel most comfortable. Depending on where your cat loves to be, you can either stand next to a table or sit on the couch, the floor, or both. For your cat to remain peaceful and relaxed, make sure there aren’t a lot of loud noises (from kids, other pets, or TVs). Maintain a comfortable temperature that is neither too hot nor too chilly.
Wait until your cat isn’t busy
Although it sounds absurd, cats also have lives! It’s not a good idea to give your cat a massage right now if they are eating, using the litter box, or grooming themselves. Prior to beginning a massage on your cat, try to wait two hours after feeding time. They can digest their meals this way.
Make sure your cat feels comfortable around you
Get near your cat and check to see if he enjoys having you around. Instead of grabbing him outside of his comfort zone, you might even want to wait for him to approach you. Watch for him to relax, cuddle up next to you, or maybe just hang out with you and lie down. Your cat is probably not in the mood for a massage right now if they aren’t coming to you or don’t want to be touched.
Talk or sing to your cat
Get your cat in the correct frame of mind first so they can feel relaxed and content. Begin by softly singing to your cat or telling him in a low, soothing voice that he’s a wonderful boy. You can even play your cat’s music while you give them a massage. Stick with what you know since you know what your cat likes most!
Checking your cat’s health while giving them a massage
Check the health of your cat’s coat. Checking your cat’s general health while you are massaging her is a great idea. If your cat has been grooming himself, look at the fur to find out. If the fur is matted or oily, this can be a sign of diabetes, bladder infections, or other health concerns. If there are only a few locations that appear to be unclean, your cat may find it difficult to reach those regions due to arthritis. A dermatological condition, such as a skin irritant or allergy, may be present if the fur is over-groomed yet is actually absent or scant in some spots.
Check your cat’s skin. Check the condition of your cat’s skin by gently digging under the fur as you run your hands and fingers over its body. Your cat may have fleas or other skin irritations if you notice bites or pimples on its body. Your cat can have an injury that you haven’t yet discovered if you feel any cuts or scrapes. Take your cat to the vet to be examined if you do detect anything odd.
Feel the heat of your cat’s body. Fever in cats can be a sign of a variety of illnesses. You can feel your cat’s regular body temperature while you massage him. Start looking for further signs of illness or injury, such as an infected cut or vomiting, if you notice that their body is warmer than usual. On the body, hot spots may also be a sign of arthritis.
Feel for any lumps or other irregularities. As you massage your cat, make note of any anomalies you may see. Knowing what is typical for your cat versus what is abnormal is important since lumps and bumps can be a sign of major health problems. Take your cat to the vet right away if you suspect a tumor.
Consult your vet if you find anything out of the ordinary. The best person to determine your cat’s health is your veterinarian. Ask your vet if a lump, skin condition, or other health problem that you’ve noticed needs to be treated. Visit the vet frequently to monitor the health of your cat.
