Yes, you read that right — cats may be treated with acupuncture. Similar to us humans!
Ever since our fluffy boy Yoda was diagnosed together with his FISS , we’ve been increasingly more serious about researching alternative holistic remedies for cats.
Whilst western medicine can work wonders for our kitties, we’ve learnt that traditional eastern therapeutic practices can offer just as many advantages. Especially when working hand in hand.
That’s why today we’re very excited to check with you about acupuncture for cats. So you’ll be able to learn more about what it’s, how it will probably help your kitty, and whether it’s a treatment you could need to try.
Here’s what we discuss in this text:
Acupuncture for Cats
- Acupuncture has been around for hundreds of years and originated in China
- It involves the insertion of thin sterile needles into identified acupuncture points (otherwise called acupoints)
- Acupuncture may also help cats with acute or chronic pain, including arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions and gastrointestinal conditions
- It’s a largely non-invasive treatment and is taken into account completely protected for cats
- The duration and value of acupuncture treatments varies depending in your veterinarian, location and the ailment being treated
⚠️ Brittany, Paul, and the Fluffy Kitty team will not be veterinarians. This text is predicated on facts, research, and private experiences. We offer you the most effective information we are able to but it surely is the reader’s prerogative as to what consequential motion or inaction they could take. Paul and Brittany (and Yoda) shall in no event be held accountable for any loss or other damages including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or some other damages.
So, are you able to learn more about cat acupuncture? Then let’s dive in!
Acupuncture for Cats — What Is It?
To start out at the start… What’s acupuncture for cats?
The art of acupuncture is a treatment that has been used for hundreds of years in eastern medicine. It originated from China and is traditionally used for therapeutic purposes, including pain relief.
Actually, Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that acupuncture may also help unlock Qi (pronounced “chee”). Qi is believed by eastern medicine to flow through the body in balance, but this balance may be disrupted by pain and disease. Acupuncture may also help in stimulating the Qi meridians, restoring flow and balance to the body.
What’s super interesting is that acupuncture is helpful for humans and animals alike!
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin sterile acupuncture needles into acupoints. These are areas on the body with a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, and small blood and lymphatic vessels.
Fun fact: there are over 300 acupoints in your cat! And the everyday acupuncture spots for cats include:
- Along the spine
- By all major joints
- Around the pinnacle
By inserting acupuncture needles into acupoints on a cat, this stimulates the nervous system to induce therapeutic pain relief and healing.
Through stimulating the nervous system, this may induce a chemical release of endorphins, including beta-endorphins, serotonin and other neurotransmitters. And because the nervous system runs throughout the body, because of this stimulating one acupoint can actually affect different organs and tissues throughout the body.
Actually, acupuncture also can help to decrease inflammation, dilating blood vessels and increasing oxygenation to varied tissues and organs.
You may as well massage these common 44 acupoints to maintain your cat healthy naturally.
If, like me, you’re a little bit of a bookworm and are serious about learning more in regards to the art of acupuncture for pets, you could want to envision out this pocket atlas by Christina Eul-Matern called Acupuncture for Cats and Dogs.
What Acupuncture Can Treat in Cats
For cats, acupuncture may be used to treat:
- Musculoskeletal conditions (strains and sprains, muscle spasms, osteoarthritis, back pain, degenerative joint disease and post-surgical pain)
- Gastrointestinal diseases (akin to diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, vomiting, and constipation)
- Kidney disease (helping to decelerate the progression)
- Neurological diseases (akin to seizures, nerve paralysis, and intervertebral disc disease)
- Renal conditions
- Lumbosacral disease
- Arthritis (within the spine, back and lower neck)
- Symptoms from cancer treatment (i.e. chemotherapy, radiation, or general pain brought on by the cancer)
- Chronic diseases (akin to asthma, hyperthyroidism, skin conditions)
- Acute pain
It might probably even be used for preventative purposes too, or may be utilized in end of life look after senior and elderly cats to assist ease pain.
Depending in your kitty’s ailment or condition, specific acupoints could also be chosen to stimulate different areas of the nervous system. Your qualified veterinarian will probably be the one to discover the best areas to manage acupuncture.
Sorts of Cat Acupuncture
It’s possible you’ll be surprised to learn that there’s not only one form of acupuncture that may be used on cats.
| Type/Technique | Process |
| Dry needle | A really basic but effective type of acupuncture. That is where very small sterile needles are inserted at acupoints |
| Electro-acupuncture | Uses the identical small sterile needles as those utilized in the dry needle technique. Nonetheless, this system includes electrical stimulation to provide a deeper response. This method isn’t the most effective fit for aggressive, intensely nervous or agitated cats |
| Aqua-acupuncture | The cat’s own blood or Vitamin B is injected into the acupoint, to provide a longer-lasting effect. Might be a greater fit for cats that don’t tolerate well sitting with needles for long periods of time |
| Hemo-acupuncture | A small amount of blood is released from a selected spot. Mostly used for excessive heat conditions |
| Laser-acupuncture | A non-surgical laser is used to stimulate the acupoint. This can be a non-invasive technique that also can higher fit cats that don’t tolerate well sitting with needles for long periods of time |
Does Acupuncture For Cats Work? What Are the Risks?
For some, the very first acupuncture session can produce wonderful results. Nonetheless, depending in your kitty’s source of pain or whether you’re coping with a chronic condition, it could take a handful of sessions before advantages are more obviously felt.
Acupuncture alone may not fully heal your kitty. As an alternative, it’s a treatment that may be administered together with an excellent food plan and nutrition, herbal medicines and supplements, other western medicines, and potentially surgery or other treatments.
Regardless, some conditions have been reversed through a single acupuncture treatment! So it very much depends upon the severity of your kitty’s condition.
Bear in mind that after a treatment, some kitties may experience a level of lethargy, stiffness or soreness. This is normally minimal and lasts just for a brief duration. Special aftercare is often not required after acupuncture.
Many reports suggest that acupuncture is definitely one among the safest types of treatment, because it’s minimally invasive.
Nonetheless, as is typical with needles, there’s a risk that infection could occur at the positioning where the needle is inserted. Sources suggest that that is presupposed to be very rare, and may be treated with antibiotics if obligatory.
In case your kitty has any tumors, acupuncture should likewise not be performed in these areas, because it may lead to further growth.
Should My Cat Have Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is taken into account as a highly helpful treatment for many kitties. It’s believed to support the healing of bodies, in addition to support pain and appetite management.
When you’re frightened by the thought of needles being inserted into your kitty, anecdotal evidence suggests that almost all cats tolerate acupuncture quite well. (Some even go to sleep during their treatments!)
Nonetheless, you understand your cat’s temperament best to evaluate whether or not they’ll tolerate (and even enjoy) this treatment.
If possible, try to search out a certified veterinarian who has trained and ample experience in acupuncture. As this can mean the treatment will not be uncomfortable or painful on your cat.
It’s not strictly obligatory, but some veterinarians train to turn into certified as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) or join the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. So you’ll be able to keep an eye fixed out for these credentials too.
Qualified veterinarians will thoroughly assess your kitty before administering acupuncture. They might even take blood samples, test urine or take an x-ray of your cat, to help their diagnosis and map a transparent medical history.
Before acupuncture, it’s essential to inform your vet about:
- any conditions your cat is currently experiencing (or has previously experienced)
- any current medications your cat is on
- any surgery or trauma your cat has experienced
- any allergies your cat suffers from
As all cat lovers are aware, each fluffy kitty is totally unique. Meaning the variety of treatments or duration of acupuncture on your cat may vary.
The price of cat acupuncture treatment also can vary, depending in your qualified veterinarian’s rates and your location. Sessions can range anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes, and typically cost between $25 to roughly $125.
Sometimes one session is enough, other times your kitty might have several weeks of treatment.
Final Thoughts
There you will have it — an outline of acupuncture for cats. Did you learn anything latest? Did the potential advantages surprise you?
In case your cat has had acupuncture, we’d love to listen to from you and learn more about how the experience was for you and your kitty.
If there’s one thing we’d love so that you can take away from this text, it’s that there are heaps of potential advantages from exploring alternative holistic therapies — along with western medicine.
It’s super essential that you are feeling educated about your options relating to caring on your kitty’s health. And empowered to make a choice that feels protected and best for you.
Remember, we’re all the time here to support you. Please don’t hesitate to succeed in out with any questions or comments!
