by (Livin' La Vida) Mocha
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English Translation:
Since humans cannot speak fluent meow, the best way to
communicate with cats is through touch. And the best way
to touch is through massage. (Petting is too passe!)
Animal behaviorists, veterinarians, breeders, and shelter
workers agree that when properly performed, the power of
touch delivers many therapeutic benefits. Daily massage
enables owners to detect fleas or ticks for early
treatment, or to find cuts or suspicious lumps that may
be early signs of cancer. Early detection leads to a
faster diagnosis, and hopefully a better prognosis. In
addition to preventative measures, massage plays a role
in helping to alleviate the symptoms of chronic
conditions such as arthrits. Massage also strengthens the
human-animal bond, helps curb aggression, and improves a
cat's sociability with people and animals.
Regularly massaged cats become accustomed to being
handled. It can take the stress out of combing &
brushing, nail trimming, car trips, vet visits, and breed
shows for both the cat and the owner.
Experts advise cat owners to learn the correct techniques
before attempting to massage their cats. Newcomers should
start with a basic massage stroke known as
"effluerage". It's a french word that means
"to flow or glide" or "skim the
surface." Direction is vital in this technique.
Effluerage is always performed toward the heart in the
direction of the venous blood flow. For example, on a
cat's legs you would want to work from the toes toward
the knees and hips.
Performed properly massages can trigger eye winking
and/or purring pleasure. Improperly, it can startle and
possible even harm your cat. Here are some tips for
newcomers:
Do's:
Approach kitty slowly and speak in a soothing tone
Avoid "s" sounding words and speak softly.
Hissing sounds seem threatening to a cat
Let kitty pick the time and place
Bring your hand up toward kitty's chin and give it time
to smell and accept it
Use clean hands
Make slow motions with your hands and never use your feet
Pay attention to kitty's feedback signs
Repeat a technique kitty likes
Look for fleas, ticks, scratches, swellings, or lumps and
alert your vet right away if cetain conditions continue
Dont's:
Press too deeply, you could harm kitty
Massage your cat when you feel stressed or hurried. Kitty
reads your body's cues
Force a massage on a cat
Try to substitute message for a medical treatment for
conditions such as arthritis. Let it compliment the care
plan devised by your vet.
Here
are the 6 basic hand massage positions that work most
effectively on cats:
1) Palms up: Your palm faces toward the ceiling
2) Palms down: Your palm faces the ground
3) Horizontal: Your palm faces sideways along your cat
with fingertips pointing towards its spine
4) Vertical: Your palm faces lengthwise along your cat
with fingertips pointing towards kitty's head
5) Cupping: Your palm faces up and your linked fingers
form a curved position that rests naturally on kitty's
head or chin
6) Horseshoe: Curve your four linked fingers with thumb
apart to form a C horizontally or a U vertically
Before
starting, first practice these 6 motions on a pillow or
stuffed toy cat:
1) Go with the glide: A straight, flowing, continuous
motion. It usually moves from the top of the head, down
the back, to the tail.
2) Create circles: Move your fingertips in clockwise (or
counterclockwise) motions that are the diameters of half
dollars.
3) Do the wave: Make side-to-side rocking strokes with an
open palm and flat fingers. Mimic windshield wiper
movements.
4) Focus on flicking: Pretend you are lightly brushing
imaginary crumbs off a table and you've got the idea
behind this motion. You can flick with one, two, or three
fingers.
5) Here's the real-rub: Move along kitty's body slowly,
exerting featherlight, light, and mild pressures.
6) Heed the knead: A gentle caress using the flicking
motion of your palm and all five fingers. Ideal motion to
work the spine area.
Here
are some good resources you may wish to purchase:
Books:
Cat Massage: A Whiskers-To-Tail Guide to Your Cat's
Ultimate PettingExperience, by Maryjean Ballner (1997;
St. Martin's Press; $10.95)
How To Massage Your Cat, by Alice May Brock
(1992; Chronicle Books; $8.95)
Massage Your Cat, by Jane Buckle,
illustrated by Ron Young (1996; IDG Books; $9.95).
Video:
Your Cat Wants A Massage, hosted by Maryjean Ballner and
Champion (1999; tape Worm Studios; $29.95)
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