We all know the benefits of getting massages as humans. It can be incredibly relaxing and can help lower blood pressure, improve circulation, soothe sore joints, and more.
Turns out, these benefits of massage aren’t exclusive to humans; they are amazing for cats, too!
Here are the basic steps to giving your cat the best massage ever!
Make Sure You Are In A Zen (ish) Place First
No one wants you to take your bad day out on them via an all too-aggressive massage, including your cat.
You may not even realize it, but your own stresses and anxieties can manifest with white-knuckled shoulder rubs for your kitty. Before you go to give your cat a massage, center yourself with a few calming breaths.
Cats are also incredibly perceptive, so if you go to give your cat a “relaxing” massage when you’re all keyed up, it will be anything but relaxing for your cat.
Talk Before Touching
Before starting any type of petting or massage, talk to your cat in a calm, soothing voice.
Give yourself permission to go full-on, doting cat parent and serenade them, use your gentle babying voice, or any sort of verbal communication that puts your cat at ease.
Start With Areas You Know Your Cat Enjoys
If your cat loves being scratched under the chin, start there to show your cat this is going to be a pleasant experience.
Don’t pet anywhere on the face or the head, however, if your cat doesn’t normally go for that. Cats can interpret that as a threat and will not feel calm.
Slowly introduce your touch to your cat’s favorite spot. Your cat will begin to relax even more and will confirm this with slow blinking, eventual eye closing, and a lot of purring.
Take these as signs to move onto the full body massage.
Use Slow, Lightly Pressured Strokes Down Your Cat’s Back
Once your kitty is all blissed out from petting, start the full body massage with slow, lightly pressured strokes down your cat’s back, from their neck to the base of their tail.
While it may be tempting to rush through this, use slow, deliberate motions so your cat gets the full physical benefits of the massage. Your can use either your thumbs or your pointer finger and middle finger together to make these strokes down your cat’s back.
Do this six to ten times, depending on how your cat feels about it.
Move Onto The Shoulders With Slow, Circular Motions
Once you’ve given the back a good amount of attention, move onto your cat’s shoulders. Again, using either your thumbs or two fingers together, make slow, very lightly pressured circles around their shoulder blades.
Do this at least ten times, and feel free to go a little longer if it seems like your cat has reached nirvana.
Free Style It Around The Ears & Chin
Most cats enjoy being scratched and rubbed around their ears and chin. If this is your cat, go to town and massage their favorite spots once again.
At this point your cat may be so relaxed that their purrs are reverberating through your hand, or they could be drooling slightly.
All are signs that, so far, you’re giving a great cat massage.
Cup The Chest & Massage
At this point, if your cat isn’t too sensitive around the chest, you can take one hand and gently cup your cat’s chest with it.
Use your finger pads to gently massage the chest in tiny, circular motions. You can also pull your fingers together towards the center of their chest with a light pressure and repeat.
Finish With Paws
Some cats don’t mind their paws being touched, while others hate it. If your cat seems relaxed enough, take your thumb and rub the center pad of each of their paws for 30 seconds.
Cats’ paws do a lot of work and deserve attention, just like the rest of their bodies!
The benefits of giving your cat a massage are endless. It’s a useful way to do your own health check on your cat. During a massage, you can check for ticks, fleas, or other parasites.
You can also discover cuts or abrasions your cat may have acquired unbeknownst to you. Regular massages for your cat will help you “know” your cat’s body, so you may able to feel if something is off down the road, like a new foreign lump under the skin or tenderness in a certain area of your cat’s body.
Regular massages can also help strengthen the bond you have with your cat, and may even lead to them becoming more affectionate than ever.
Do you give your cat massages? Do you have any tips? Let us know in the comments below!
