Lifehacks for cats: how to make life together easier and more fun

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Massage has long been known for its healing properties. It can relieve pain, help you relax, and even promote faster healing. The massage therapist must act carefully and correctly for it to truly bring benefits. The article will not only tell you how to massage a cat, but also tell you why and when to do it. Pleasant stroking and pressing will calm you down during a trip or upon returning home, strengthen the bond between pet and owner, and help you survive unpleasant procedures. Aging cats, whose muscles and bones can ache from age and overload, especially love massage. It will remind little kittens of their mother.

Indications for massage

The main task of massage during constipation is to normalize the functioning of the intestines, improve the elasticity of its walls and help the movement of feces.

Abdominal massage is recommended for cats with the following types of problems:

• Chronic constipation, when the animal constantly takes laxatives for constipation. This disrupts normal intestinal motility.
• Constipation arising from stress. In this case, you can limit yourself to massage only without the use of folk or medicines. In this case, of course, eliminate the source of stress.
• Sedentary lifestyle. Most often, constipation occurs in animals older than 7 years, whose activity is reduced.
• Change of diet or incorrectly selected cat diet. Typically, diets that are low in fiber lead to bowel problems.

Normally, a cat goes to the toilet approximately once a day. For pets over 7 years old, visits to the toilet may be less frequent - once every 2 days. If a cat does not have a bowel movement for 3 days, this is a clear sign of constipation. Other symptoms: anxiety, the cat sits in the tray, strains, but nothing happens, refuses to eat. The owner can try to help the pet on his own. The first thing you need to start with is to do an abdominal massage.

General Information about Constipation in Cats

Constipation is a pathology in which there is difficulty in passing stool out or its complete absence. Causes that can cause constipation in cats include:

• errors in nutrition (unbalanced diet, natural food, a large number of fatty foods on the menu, etc.);
• inflammatory, infectious and tumor processes in the intestines;
• neurological disorders;
• lack of physical activity;
• disorders of kidney and liver function;
• prostatitis in males;
• narrowing of the anus;
• entry of a foreign body or hairball;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• perineal hernia;
• surgical interventions - for example, castration or sterilization;
• intestinal obstruction;
• age-related changes in the body, accompanied by a decrease in intestinal motility;
• worm infections;
• abdominal trauma;
• taking medications.

The main symptom of constipation is the absence of bowel movements or rare (every 3-4 days) trips to the toilet. Cats suffering from constipation become lethargic, do not want to eat or play, and may experience nausea, vomiting, and bloating. The pet may make attempts to relieve itself, but they are painful, and, as a rule, end in failure - feces come out in small quantities, look dry and hard, or do not come out at all.

Constipation causes serious discomfort for animals and leads to intoxication.

The absence of normal bowel movements for three days or more is an extremely dangerous condition that can lead to intoxication of the body and serious complications.

Attention! Constipation is not an independent disease, but a symptom of various pathologies, therefore, in order to completely eliminate problems with bowel movements, you must first get rid of their cause.

When is massage harmful?

There are some contraindications for cat massage:

• Vomiting, dehydration, high temperature (more than 39.5 degrees) are a sign that constipation is a symptom of another serious disease. You need to see a doctor.
• If there are areas of skin with damage.
• Diseases of internal organs.
• Hernias, intestinal tumors. Mechanical impact can cause the tumor to increase in size and even transform into cancer.
• Intestinal volvulus.
• Blockage of the intestines by a foreign object.
• You cannot massage cats on your own during pregnancy.
• Cats that have undergone abdominal surgery, including cesarean section or sterilization, should not undergo massage for six months.

In these cases, the effect on the peritoneum will not have a therapeutic effect, but can only aggravate the situation.

Puberty

The development and maturation of cats depends largely on the breed ; it can occur at different times. But usually this is between 8 and 10 months of age . At this time, the owner of the animal may realize for the first time that the cat wants a cat. What are the signs of this physiological condition?

• The pet may lose its appetite . Even those delicacies that he adored until recently cease to be of interest to him.
• During maturation, cats noticeably increase the number of urinations . You have to clean your pet's litter box more often.
• One of the most visible signs is the loud noises the cat makes. If a cat has been yelling for several days, this indicates his sexual desires.
• The animal may not only meow loudly, but also try to escape into the street .
• One of the most unpleasant symptoms is that the animal marks its territory . A special secret that the cat releases in a stream onto the walls, floor, furniture, has an unpleasant odor, which is extremely difficult to get rid of.

A pet can attack not only humans, but also other animals living in the house. You should calm your cat using effective and safe methods. Sexual hunting can continue for a long time, you need to be patient and look for the best solution to the problem.

ATTENTION! During this period, you need to be careful, since a cat overcome by desire can even attack its owners, showing aggression.

It is worth finding out in advance at what age cats may develop sexual desire, and preparing sedatives for your pet and other means.

Recommendations for conducting

After eating, you can massage 2 hours later. Otherwise, you can induce vomiting and worsen the digestive situation.

During the procedure, talk to the animal in a quiet, soothing voice.

The person's hands should be warm.

No need to use oils or creams. In the case of a cat, they make no sense.

Don't put too much pressure on your stomach. The idea that massage should be sensitive is wrong.

If the cat tries to run away, there is no need to hold him by force. It is better to return to the procedure in an hour.

The average duration of a physiotherapy procedure is 15 minutes. Sessions are held daily.

How to give a belly massage to a cat with constipation

Massage is simple gentle stroking that a cat, if properly prepared, will accept with pleasure. It is important to avoid actions that are unpleasant for the animal during the entire process, so that stress does not aggravate the situation.

Preparatory actions

To make the massage as comfortable as possible for the cat, you need to calm it down, stroke it, and talk to it. Then place the animal on your lap with a soft cloth. Additionally, the cat can lubricate the anus with a cotton swab with Vaseline or baby cream.

If your pet belongs to the category of cats that categorically do not accept touching their belly, you will have to choose your moment. It is better to start massaging while your pet is sleeping or in a drowsy state.

If the cat starts to struggle, ask a family member to hold him. In case of strong resistance, it is better to stop the procedure.

Technique

You can start the massage 2 hours after the cat has eaten. She should be calm and relaxed.

Abdominal massage is carried out with both hands, movements should be directed clockwise and from top to bottom. There is no need to press hard. The duration of the massage procedure is approximately five minutes.

1. Start from the top, almost from the armpits. Lightly pat the area and work your way down.
2. In the groin area, move your hand in a circle, applying slight pressure. You need to do 5-7 laps.
3. After this, slightly remember the tummy from the edges to the center, from the ribs to the bottom.
4. Repeat these steps 2-3 times.
5. If the cat responds favorably to the massage, complete the procedure with patting movements.

The effect is usually very good, and after a few minutes the cat runs into the litter box. If your cat has chronic constipation or does not tolerate massage well, it is necessary to solve the problem together with a veterinarian.

Massage for kittens

The massage technique for kittens over 1 month old with constipation is no different from the massage technique for an adult. Remember that the pressure on the tummy should be minimal.

The first rule is that the procedure must be performed in a calm environment so as not to scare the animal. Lay the kitten on its back, preferably on your lap, start stroking in the direction from the head to the stomach, from the ribs to the middle of the stomach. Stop in the intestinal area and make 5-8 circular movements. It is advisable to perform a massage twice a day, the duration of the procedure is 5-10 minutes.

Kittens up to a month old, left without their mother, need to be massaged daily, regardless of whether they have problems with stool or not. Without proper stimulation of the intestines, the animal simply will not be able to go to the toilet.

Methodology

Many veterinarians recommend massage as an adjunct to drug treatment.

For constipation, the following methods of treatment are used:

• stroking;
• trituration;
• kneading;
• vibration.

However, there is no universal method for how to massage a cat with constipation. You need to observe the cat’s behavior and reaction and adjust actions depending on this.

All movements are carried out with little effort so as not to harm the animal. Use your palms or fingertips. Actions should not cause pain.

Walks

If the animal lives in a private house, or is accustomed to returning to the apartment after a walk, it will find a way out for its desires. After having a walk, the cat will return home and will not bother the residents with restless behavior . Also, such males do not mark territory indoors.

INTERESTING! At first glance, this solution to the problem is simple, but a pet from the street can bring diseases, infections, and fleas. After a walk, you need to carefully examine your pet for wounds, scratches, and harmful insects.

A cat walking on the street should be examined frequently, because lichen or other diseases may not appear immediately. At what age should an animal be allowed outside? The kitten should get used to the house well; at first it is advisable to accompany it on walks.

Massage for kittens

When a kitten is taken away from its mother, its diet changes, which often leads to bowel problems. Cats lick the tummy and genital area of ​​their babies to encourage them to defecate. Therefore, if a kitten is constipated, you need to massage its tummy with your finger or a sponge soaked in water. This simple procedure imitates the licking of a cat and in most cases causes pushing.

And if the kittens are bottle-fed, then massaging the peritoneum and anal area after each feeding is a mandatory procedure.

When changing food, one of the reasons for constipation in a kitten is flatulence. As stool moves through the intestines, gas bubbles form. They provoke delayed bowel movements and cause colic. For flatulence, peritoneal massage is also recommended. Flatulence cannot be cured in one day. Therefore, sessions should be carried out regularly.

What to choose for your pet?

If, due to its age, the cat already feels a strong attraction to cats, you can choose one of the methods to calm it down.

• Castration with removal of the gonads.
• Special drops so that the cats do not mark the corners of the apartment, behave calmly and not aggressively.
• "Dating" with a cat.

With any method, you should monitor the condition of your pet and constantly monitor its health.

How to find out if there is an effect

Massage is both a method of physiotherapy and a well-proven means of preventing constipation. The effect of it in an adult cat manifests itself individually - for some after a few hours, for others after 1-2 days. If during the procedure gurgling sounds or rumbling appear in the intestines, then physical therapy is beneficial and motor skills are restored.

If there are no results, the condition worsens, the stool has become so hard that it does not leave the intestines at all, you need to consult a doctor.

Causes of constipation

The most common cause, depending on the owner, is an unbalanced diet. For normal digestion and bowel movements, the cat must receive foods with hard fibers. Inexperienced owners often believe that if they feed their pet only meat, it will be healthier. In fact, exclusively protein foods quickly lead to stagnation in the intestines.

Cats are nocturnal hunters, feeding in the wild only on what they catch. The cat eats its prey along with its fur, intestines and its contents. With a natural diet, the ratio of protein to fiber is approximately 10:1–10:2.

Important! If a cat receives an unbalanced diet, in which carbohydrate foods predominate over protein foods, it may also develop constipation.

Constipation can occur due to blockage of the small or large intestine. Due to the cat's curiosity, it may eat something inedible , for example, a piece of rope, Christmas tree decorations, wrapping paper or cellophane. An equally common cause of constipation is excess weight. If an animal is obese, metabolic processes are disrupted, which can lead to the formation of dry feces.

Preparation

For massage, it is recommended to choose a neutral time: give the kitten a rest after eating and do not distract him from playing.
Before the massage, kittens are recommended to prepare, for which you will need:

1. Find the right time. You can do any manipulations with your pet only when the cat is not busy with anything. You should not touch her immediately after feeding, when licking her fur, or when playing.
2. Pet the cat. It is advisable to pet, talk to the animal, and calm it down.
3. Choose a place for a massage. It is recommended to do the procedure on the owner’s lap; options for a sofa or chair are possible.

Common mistakes

The cat may not like the owner’s touch in the abdominal area, it may be out of mood, growl, bite, or scratch. In such cases, it is definitely recommended to postpone the massage. If you force the procedure, it can cause harm to the animal, both physically and emotionally, and aggravate the constipation situation.

Massaging should be avoided during constipation and if it causes discomfort and pain to the cat.

Using hand cream will not bring any benefit, but will only ruin your pet’s fur.
Sometimes inexperienced owners think that the massage procedure should be done with force and put excessive pressure on the animal’s abdominal area. Doing this is prohibited, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the internal organs of your furry pet. It is not recommended to use oil and hand cream; they will not bring any benefit and will only damage the cat’s coat.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the procedure are pregnancy of the cat, as well as the presence of injuries.
Abdominal massage for constipation is considered one of the most useful. Before carrying out it, it is recommended to make sure that the cat has no indications for prohibiting this procedure. For this reason, you should first consult with your attending physician at a veterinary clinic or hospital. The main contraindications include the following:

• injuries;
• intervertebral hernia;
• tumors in the gastrointestinal tract;
• bearing a fetus;
• urolithiasis;
• volvulus.