Question:
In one of your recent columns, you addressed arthritic cats and dogs. I am particularly interested to know how to perform massage on my 10-year-old female cat, Baby. You had advised a reader on your massage treatment, and this person seemed happy with the results. Would you please forward to me a description or instruction on how to do this massage treatment?
J.G., Germantown, Md Jul 03, 2011
Answer:
I have no simple description to mail out that deals with therapeutic massage for dogs and cats.
Giving a proper massage requires some study, especially of an animal's basic anatomy and where and how to apply various therapeutic massage maneuvers. My books "The Healing Touch for Cats" and "The Healing Touch for Dogs" (Newmarket Press) are available at amazon.com or can be ordered directly from the publisher.
There is also an excellent animal-massage training center for those wishing to receive professional instruction leading to certification. For more details, contact the Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute in Larkspur, Colo. (888-841-7211, www.nbcaam.org). Without prior basic instruction, massaging an animal can do more harm than good. The animal must be relaxed and trusting for the "healing touch" to have any therapeutic effects. These include helping reduce tension, pain and inflammation, and boosting immune-system neurochemicals; animal massage also has diagnostic value when given on a regular basis.
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