Should you’re all in favour of chiropractic look after cats, but unsure of what this treatment actually entails, then you definitely’re in the correct place!
In this text, we discuss the possible advantages of chiropractic look after cats, including what typical conditions or ailments it’s most fitted for. And in addition the symptoms to look out for in your individual kitty, to choose whether it is a holistic treatment you need to try.
Before we go any further, nevertheless, we’d urge you to contact a trusted veterinarian when you’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 shall 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 tip of this text:
Chiropractic Take care of Cats
- A chiropractic alignment involves a low force, high velocity thrust motion to a selected location on a cat’s body
- The advantages of chiropractic look after cats is basically anecdotal, but is alleged to assist cats affected by chronic conditions corresponding 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 professional cat chiropractor must be registered with the AVCA or IVCA
⚠️ Brittany, Paul, and the Fluffy Kitty team will not be veterinarians. This text relies on facts, research, and private experiences. We give you one of the best information we will but it surely 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 responsible for any loss or other damages including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or every other damages.
So, able to discover all of the ins and outs of chiropractic look after cats? Then let’s dive in!
What Is Chiropractic Care For Cats?
Chiropractic look after cats is another holistic treatment that provides look after a cat’s joints and spine.
It involves the movement and manipulation of the spine in a selected direction, to assist return its normal functions and restore proper alignment. This adjustment could 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! In truth, the chiropractic career could 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 may 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 called a vertebral subluxation, and is alleged to cause severe disruption to the nerves.
It’s also theorized to be answerable for causing in poor health health, disease, muscle tension and reduced flexibility in animals.
Chiropractic adjustments involve a low force, high velocity thrust motion, which is applied to a selected 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 would possibly 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, fairly than from any concrete evidence being noted in any clinical studies.
Nevertheless, there are a lot of potential advantages in your kitty.
These reported advantages of chiropractic look after cats include:
- Increased fitness and mobility
- Speeding up of recovery from injury or surgery
The results can even 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.
As an example, this treatment is alleged to help with chronic illnesses corresponding to osteoarthritis, or pain related to ligaments, joints or muscles.
Yet it cannot cure disease or be used as a alternative for surgery.
Remember, chiropractic look after 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 additionally be used to treat your cat in the event that they’re affected by:
- Hip dysplasia — more common in large, obese and purebred cats
- Spondylosis — involves the formation of bone spurs on the spinal bones
- Intervertebral disc disease — unusual but could cause weakness, pain and even paralysis
- Urinary incontinence — where urine leaks from a cat that has spinal damage or a neurological disease
In truth, when you’d prefer to read more about feline chiropractic treatments, chances are you’ll want to envision out The Well Adjusted Cat by Dr. Daniel Kamen. On this book, Dr. Kamen provides an outline 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 shall be needed before your kitty experiences any notable advantages.
There are also said to be a lot of common negative effects from chiropractic care, although these are frequently mild and last between 24 to 48 hours.
These unintended effects include:
- Discomfort
- Stiffness
- Tiredness
(Severe unintended effects are unusual, but try to be aware that they’ll occur – as with all 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 corresponding 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?
Should you’re wondering ‘Should my cat have chiropractic care?’ there are a lot of aspects it’s best to consider before rushing to book an appointment.
For instance, is your cat experiencing any or a mix 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 could be worthwhile booking an appointment with a trusted, qualified vet.
They’ll 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 placement of the issue. They’ll also give you the chance to discover whether there’s one other underlying health issue which is causing these symptoms.
You must 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 consider it’s an appropriate treatment?
- The potential advantages and negatives in your cat — is it value it, in the larger picture?
The best way to Discover a Cat Chiropractor
Should 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 give you the chance to refer you on to a professional cat chiropractor. But when not, it’s value 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 possibly can 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 provide 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 suggestion could be to search for client testimonials in your potential cat chiropractor’s website. This’ll offer you an idea of how other cat mothers and dads found the experience and (most significantly) in the event that they consider the treatment produced actual advantages for their very own fluffy kitties.
Chiropractic Care For Cats — The Wrap-Up
So there you could have it, the 101 on chiropractic look after cats. The potential advantages and risks involved, what typical conditions it’s most fitted for, and the best way to discover a cat chiropractor in your local area (when you consider 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, when you’re frightened a couple of change of their behavior or consider they’re in pain. Should you’d prefer 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!
