Acupressure work very well in cats. The feline body seems to respond amazingly well to the gentle massaging technique. This article will give you an introduction into feline acupressure and acupuncture charts for four very common health issues in cats.
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In this article, I will show you how to easily treat your cat with acupressure. You will also find acupuncture charts with acupuncture points to treat nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, and stress in cats.
Are you looking for feline acupuncture charts? Have a look at our canine charts here. As canine and feline anatomy is very similar, acupuncture charts for dogs work for cats too.
Acupressure points in cats
Cats, like dogs, enjoy being treated with acupressure. Even if there are some cats who do not like being touched on certain parts of their body, most of them find the treatment very enjoyable.
The acupressure points are generally at the same locations in the cat as in the dog. For this reason, acupuncture charts for dogs can be used for cats too.
Here is an overview of all meridians and acupuncture points in dogs.
Treating cats with acupressure
Most cats enjoy being massaged on the body parts where the acupuncture points are located. It is enough to apply very light pressure over a period of 2 to 30 seconds. It is important that you are relaxed and do not put your cat under pressure.
An alternative to massaging the acupuncture points is treatment with needles, is acupuncture. This treatment method is sometimes tolerated even by cats who refuse to be treated with acupressure. However, acupuncture sessions should only be performed by trained veterinary acupuncturists.
Treating Nausea in Cats with Acupressure
Any cat should be seen by a vet if it vomits. In addition to many quite harmless causes of vomiting in cats, there are also those that can have serious consequences and require urgent veterinary care.
Acupressure can help to naturally relieve nausea in cats and support veterinary care.
Acupuncture points for nausea in cats
- LI 10 – below the elbow joint on the prominent muscle belly.
- SP 06 – On the inside of the hind leg above the hock, just behind the tibia.
- ST 36 – just below the knee joint at the front of the leg.
- BL 21 – an inch from the spine, just behind the last rib.
Acupressure in cats with constipation
As with nausea and vomiting, cats suffering from constipation require veterinary attention. However, acupressure can be performed to gently support the veterinary treatment of a cat suffering from constipation.
Mild courses and chronic constipation in cats are particularly suitable for treatment with acupressure. If constipation keeps coming back, it is a good idea to integrate the massage of the acupressure points into your daily routine with your cat.
Acupuncture points for constipation in cats
- LI 11 – Just below the elbow joint.
- SP 06 – On the inside of the hind leg above the hock, just behind the tibia.
- ST 36 – just below the knee joint at the front of the leg.
- BL 25 – finger width lateral to the spine between the 5th and 6th lumbar vertebrae.
Acupressure Book for Cats
ACU-CAT gives you the perfect introduction to feline acupressure. It offers lots of background information on Chinese medicine and a large number of condition charts for feline health issues.
Treat cats with loss of appetite with acupressure
Loss of appetite, or anorexia in cats, is a symptom that indicates a disease of the internal organs. So be sure to consult your veterinarian to determine the cause of your cat’s unwillingness to eat.
In addition to veterinary therapy, acupressure has proven very beneficial to stimulate appetite in many cases.
The Shan Gen acupuncture point in particular is very effective. Start at the bridge of the nose, just where the fur meets the hairless skin of the nose, and gently stroke towards the eyes 10 to 20 times.
Acupuncture points for loss of appetite in cats
- Shan Gen – at the transition from hairless to hairy skin on the bridge of the nose.
- SP 06 – On the inside of the hind leg above the hock, just behind the tibia.
- ST 36 – just below the knee joint at the front of the leg.
Acupressure Points to Calm Feline Stress
Acupressure can help calm cats in stressful situations. Whether before a trip to the vet or on New Year’s Eve, cats can react to different situations with stress. Gently massaging specific acupuncture points can help your cat relax and find their inner balance.
Acupuncture points to calm cats
LG 20 works magic! Many cats even fall asleep when you massage this point. Use this point in stressful situations to calm your cat down.
- GV 20 – Right on the head, just cranial to the bony prominence.
- HT 07 – In the grove on the lateral aspect of the leg just above the carpal joint.
- PC 06 – on the medial aspect of the front leg above the carpal joint between the tendons.
- ST 36 – just below the knee joint at the front of the leg.
- Bai Hui – directly at the transition between the lumbar spine and the sacrum.
Acupressure Workbook
Do you want to dive even deeper into the world of canine acupressure? That’s great! For those who want to learn to treat even more canine health issues, we designed the Canine Acupressure Workbook. This e-book is made for dog enthusiasts, canine therapists, and trainers who want to have a useful resource on canine acupressure right there where they need it.
