In the event you’re occupied with chiropractic take care of cats, but unsure of what this treatment actually entails, you then’re in the fitting place!
In this text, we discuss the possible advantages of chiropractic take care of cats, including what typical conditions or ailments it’s best suited for. And in addition the symptoms to look out for in your personal kitty, to choose whether this can be a holistic treatment you would like to try.
Before we go any further, nevertheless, we might urge you to contact a trusted veterinarian for those who’re in any respect concerned about your kitty’s health or well-being.
There’s nothing worse than seeing our fluffy guys and gals in pain, so getting one-on-one advice might be best for you in case your cat is in discomfort.
Now that’s covered, here’s an idea of what you’ll learn by the top of this text:
Chiropractic Take care of Cats
- A chiropractic alignment involves a low force, high velocity thrust motion to a particular location on a cat’s body
- The advantages of chiropractic take care of cats is basically anecdotal, but is alleged to assist cats affected by chronic conditions comparable to osteoarthritis
- Chiropractic care cannot treat disease or replace surgery for cats
- Your cat may gain advantage from chiropractic care in the event that they’re affected by stiffness, joint/neck/back pain, or general difficulty moving
- A certified cat chiropractor must be registered with the AVCA or IVCA
⚠️ Brittany, Paul, and the Fluffy Kitty team will not be veterinarians. This text is predicated on facts, research, and private experiences. We give you the perfect information we will however it is the reader’s prerogative as to what consequential motion or inaction they might take. Paul and Brittany (and Yoda) shall in no event be held answerable for any loss or other damages including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or another damages.
So, able to discover all of the ins and outs of chiropractic take care of cats? Then let’s dive in!
What Is Chiropractic Care For Cats?
Chiropractic take care of cats is an alternate holistic treatment that provides take care of a cat’s joints and spine.
It involves the movement and manipulation of the spine in a particular direction, to assist return its normal functions and restore proper alignment. This adjustment will be achieved either through a literal hands-on approach, or through the usage of a mechanical adjustment device.
So, in essence, not so dissimilar to what we humans experience at a chiropractic treatment! The truth is, the chiropractic occupation will be traced all the way in which back to the late nineteenth century. Although the practice has largely evolved since then.
(Fun fact: this treatment will also be used on dogs and horses!)
To get more technical, chiropractic care could also be required in case your cat is experiencing a misalignment of the spinal column. That is otherwise often known as a vertebral subluxation, and is alleged to cause severe disruption to the nerves.
It is usually theorized to be chargeable for causing sick health, disease, muscle tension and reduced flexibility in animals.
Chiropractic adjustments involve a low force, high velocity thrust motion, which is applied to a particular location on a cat’s body.
Which sounds a bit aggressive, right? But a chiropractic adjustment on a cat can actually be more subtle than you may expect. You possibly can watch a video of the gorgeous Venus receiving a chiropractic adjustment, to get a greater idea of what this looks like in practice.
What Are the Advantages of Chiropractic Care For Cats?
The actual advantages of a chiropractic adjustment for cats are largely debated. Most positive outcomes are noted in anecdotal reports, somewhat than from any concrete evidence being noted in any clinical studies.
Nevertheless, there are quite a lot of potential advantages in your kitty.
These reported advantages of chiropractic take care of cats include:
- Increased fitness and mobility
- Speeding up of recovery from injury or surgery
The results may largely differ, depending on what your fluffy guy or gal is being treated for. For some kitties, chiropractic care offers great advantages. But for others, the results are minimal.
For example, this treatment is alleged to help with chronic illnesses comparable to osteoarthritis, or pain related to ligaments, joints or muscles.
Yet it cannot cure disease or be used as a substitute for surgery.
Remember, chiropractic take care of cats isn’t the identical as massaging a cat and even acupuncture for cats, as those are two holistic health treatments that may profit our felines in other wonderful ways.
Chiropractic care may be used to treat your cat in the event that they’re affected by:
- Hip dysplasia — more common in large, chubby and purebred cats
- Spondylosis — involves the formation of bone spurs on the spinal bones
- Intervertebral disc disease — unusual but may cause weakness, pain and even paralysis
- Urinary incontinence — where urine leaks from a cat that has spinal damage or a neurological disease
The truth is, for those who’d wish to read more about feline chiropractic treatments, you could want to ascertain out The Well Adjusted Cat by Dr. Daniel Kamen. On this book, Dr. Kamen provides an summary of cat chiropractic methods, an important reference for any cat lover.
Does Chiropractic Care Work For Cats?
As I discussed above, chiropractic care alone might not be totally effective in your cat. Especially not from a single session. As a rule, if the case is severe several sessions might be needed before your kitty experiences any notable advantages.
There are also said to be quite a lot of common negative effects from chiropractic care, although these are frequently mild and last between 24 to 48 hours.
These uncomfortable side effects include:
- Discomfort
- Stiffness
- Tiredness
(Severe uncomfortable side effects are unusual, but you need to be aware that they will occur – as with every treatment. Especially if an adjustment is made on the improper angle/with excessive force/on the improper time.)
Chiropractic adjustments also shouldn’t be made on cats who’ve experienced recent trauma. This includes:
- Fractures
- Tumors
- Bone infections
- Herniated discs
Your kitty will profit from chiropractic care if used alongside other holistic therapies comparable to acupuncture for cats. Likewise, this treatment can produce higher results when paired with conventional western medicine, physical therapy and continued exercises at home.
Should My Cat Have Chiropractic Care?
In the event you’re wondering ‘Should my cat have chiropractic care?’ there are quite a lot of aspects you must consider before rushing to book an appointment.
For instance, is your cat experiencing any or a mixture of the next symptoms?
- Stiffness
- Walking with a limp/hopping motion or abnormal gait
- Difficulty running, jumping or with general flexibility
- Not moving around as much and/or slowness of movement after rest
- Difficulty turning head
- Sitting or standing in an unusual or abnormal position
- Hunchback or neck/back pain
- Pain when pressure is applied to the spine or general sensitivity to the touch
- Lack of coordination (e.g. toileting outside their litter box)
- Muscle weakness, tension, atrophy or asymmetry
- Reduced appetite
- Reduced or excessive grooming
- Change in temperament and general behavior
- Vocalizing
In that case, then it might be worthwhile booking an appointment with a trusted, qualified vet.
They are going to offer an initial consultation and possible diagnosis of your kitty’s symptoms, often through a physical examination or an x-ray to raised pinpoint the situation of the issue. They’ll also have the opportunity to discover whether there’s one other underlying health issue which is causing these symptoms.
It is best to also weigh up the next aspects, before booking an appointment with a cat chiropractor:
- Your cat’s temperament — will it stress them out? Will they tolerate being handled?
- Your cat’s condition — does your vet imagine it’s an appropriate treatment?
- The potential advantages and negatives in your cat — is it price it, in the larger picture?
The right way to Discover a Cat Chiropractor
In the event you’re convinced that your kitty may gain advantage from chiropractic treatment and also you’re now on the seek for a chiropractor for cats, keep an eye fixed out for American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) certified animal doctors.
Your vet may have the opportunity to refer you on to a certified cat chiropractor. But when not, it’s price doing all your research and checking a cat chiropractor’s qualifications and experience in chiropractic adjustments.
Cat chiropractors registered with the AVCA or the International Veterinary Chiropractor Association (IVCA) must:
- Complete approved veterinary chiropractic training
- Follow membership regulations
- Ensure their practice meets set standards
(Top tip: you may seek for a neighborhood cat chiropractor here and tailor the search to your location.)
Cat chiropractors operate independently and every practitioner can charge different rates for his or her treatments, depending on the age of your cat, your location and the variety of sessions required. To present you a ballpark estimate, an initial consultation could cost between $100-$150, with sessions starting from $50 to $75 after this primary session.
My personal advice could be to search for client testimonials in your potential cat chiropractor’s website. This’ll provide you with an idea of how other cat mothers and dads found the experience and (most significantly) in the event that they imagine the treatment produced actual advantages for their very own fluffy kitties.
Chiropractic Care For Cats — The Wrap-Up
So there you’ve gotten it, the 101 on chiropractic take care of cats. The potential advantages and risks involved, what typical conditions it’s best suited for, and how one can discover a cat chiropractor in your local area (for those who imagine your fluffy guy or gal may gain advantage from this holistic treatment.)
I’d once more recommend talking to a trusted veterinarian about your kitty’s symptoms, for those who’re frightened a couple of change of their behavior or imagine they’re in pain. In the event you’d wish to read more about holistic veterinarians, try our article on this topic.
(Don’t forget to also check a cat chiropractor’s credentials, ensuring they’re registered with the AVCA or IVCA.)
Has your cat received a chiropractic alignment? Would you recommend it to other kitty parents? Reach out and tell us, as we’d love to listen to about your experience!
