Acupressure can really help when it comes to calming cats! Cats are, by their very nature, territorial and they thoroughly appreciate routine. Taking them away from their home and disrupting daily activities is usually stressful for our beloved felines. Their first reaction is to comment on your audacity with a deep guttural utterance – “how could you so unceremoniously remove me from my territory!”
For the necessary trips to the vet, a brief acupressure session can help soothe the sense of horror at being taken elsewhere and not being able to get in all of his naps that day. Prior to heading to the vet sit quietly and commune with your cat while touching each of the following acupressure points lightly but with intent. Remember to breathe deeply and evenly while sitting with your cat. The goal is to bring down the level of stress your cat is going to be experiencing.
Acupressure for Calming Cats
Heart 7 (Ht 7) and Pericardium 7 (Pe 7) are both found on the front legs and can be held simultaneously. They are located just above the cats “wrist” toward the back of the paw. Place your thumb on the inside (medial) and your index finger on the outside (lateral) of the front leg. Hold the points gently for a slow count to 30 or when your cat says that is enough. Go to the other front leg and do the same.
Bai Hui Point is located between the two hip sockets where you can’t feel the vertical bones along the spine. A good way to stimulate this point is to scratch it gently with your index and middle fingers. Continue to scratch as long as your cat is enjoying it.
The last area is specifically for cats: using the back of your hand, slowly stroke along the underside of the cat’s jaw and down his neck. It is not an actual acupressure point, but it is very relaxing, and a great help for calming cats. Repeat this three to four times then move to the other side of his face.
Offering this short acupressure session can make for a less mortified, more relaxed cat. The trip to the vet should be less stressful both for you, your cat, and your veterinarian.
Learn how to use acupressure to treat a variety of conditions in Amy and Nancy’s articles here on Animal Wellness Guide, in their hands-on and online courses, and in their books on canine, feline and equine acupressure:
