Few owners of furry pets know how to properly massage a cat with constipation. Usually this problem is treated with medications or folk remedies, the simplest of which are the use of petroleum jelly or linseed oil. It is worth knowing that massaging the abdominal area provides quick relief. But to get the best results, you need to be able to do it correctly.
General information
Constipation is considered a serious deviation for cats, in which it is difficult to pass feces or their absolute absence. Massaging a kitten's belly is only allowed if there are no contraindications. In an adult, constipation is considered the inability to go to the toilet for more than 3 days, while the feces become hard and dry, which causes pain when pushing. The following reasons cause a similar problem in cats:
- fatty and poor quality diet;
- tumors and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract;
- disorders of the kidneys and liver;
- prostatitis in a special male;
- narrowed anus;
- foreign body in the body;
- disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
- inguinal hernias;
- taking medications.
Constipation cannot be called an independent disease; it is rather a symptom of various pathologies. For this reason, in order to completely eliminate defecation difficulties, it is recommended to initially eliminate the causes of the occurrence.
Causes of constipation
The most common cause, depending on the owner, is an unbalanced diet. For normal digestion and bowel movements, the cat must receive foods with hard fibers. Inexperienced owners often believe that if they feed their pet only meat, it will be healthier. In fact, exclusively protein foods quickly lead to stagnation in the intestines.
Cats are nocturnal hunters, feeding in the wild only on what they catch. The cat eats its prey along with its fur, intestines and its contents. With a natural diet, the ratio of protein to fiber is approximately 10:1–10:2.
Important! If a cat receives an unbalanced diet, in which carbohydrate foods predominate over protein foods, it may also develop constipation.
Constipation can occur due to blockage of the small or large intestine. Due to the cat's curiosity, it may eat something inedible , for example, a piece of rope, Christmas tree decorations, wrapping paper or cellophane. An equally common cause of constipation is excess weight. If an animal is obese, metabolic processes are disrupted, which can lead to the formation of dry feces.
Preparation
For massage, it is recommended to choose a neutral time: give the kitten a rest after eating and do not distract him from playing.
Before the massage, kittens are recommended to prepare, for which you will need:
- Find the right time. You can do any manipulations with your pet only when the cat is not busy with anything. You should not touch her immediately after feeding, when licking her fur, or when playing.
- Pet the cat. It is advisable to pet, talk to the animal, and calm it down.
- Choose a place for a massage. It is recommended to do the procedure on the owner’s lap; options for a sofa or chair are possible.
Benefits of massage
The therapy will not take much time - a maximum of 20 minutes. But the effect of the procedure can improve the health of your mustachioed friend. The positive aspects include the following:
- Regular massaging of the tummy or back reduces the need for laxatives by forty percent. This is convenient if the animal is already old, peristalsis is reduced and the tailed animal cannot cope with bowel movements on its own.
- Works as a prevention of flatulence.
- Helps eliminate or prevent other digestive problems. But only if massaging is carried out regularly.
This is an affordable method that does not harm the cat, especially in comparison with medications.
How to do?
After establishing contact with the cat, when she is relaxed and happy, you need to begin the massage procedure. Using gentle, gentle touches, first massage the abdomen for 5 minutes. This is necessary to normalize intestinal motility. The correct massage technique is as follows:
- Initially, the procedure begins with areas such as the chin and ears in order to gain trust in the pet and avoid negative emotions.
- Then they move to the stomach, lightly pressing it with the palm of their hand, it should be stroked.
- Gradually the pressing force should increase.
- After completely relaxing the abdominal muscles, you can begin clockwise circular movements.
- You need to make sure that the cat is not scared and relaxed, otherwise there will be little benefit from the procedure.
- The end of the massage should end with light stroking.
A little about cat physiology and the reasons for this behavior
Why does a cat lick a person: the main reasons and what it means
Cat massage attracts a lot of interest among pet owners. From a physiological point of view, there is a rational explanation why a pet tramples its beloved owner with its paws.
So, as mentioned earlier, stomping is a way of marking territory. The paws contain a large number of ducts and sweat glands that produce and secrete a special secretion. In addition, the paws of all types of cats are sensitive due to the large number of receptors and nerve endings. It is inherent in nature that animals receive a large flow of information about the world around them in this way.
The results of numerous scientific studies have also shown that during diligent pawing and trampling, the pets’ body begins to actively produce endorphin - the hormone of happiness, which allows you to relieve stress, calm down and, of course, relax.
Ancient Egyptian painting featuring cats
Read also: Is it possible to eat chalk during pregnancy?
Contraindications
Contraindications to the procedure are pregnancy of the cat, as well as the presence of injuries.
Abdominal massage for constipation is considered one of the most useful. Before carrying out it, it is recommended to make sure that the cat has no indications for prohibiting this procedure. For this reason, you should first consult with your attending physician at a veterinary clinic or hospital. The main contraindications include the following:
- injuries;
- intervertebral hernia;
- tumors in the gastrointestinal tract;
- bearing a fetus;
- urolithiasis;
- volvulus.
Massage technique
The technique is quite simple:
- Stroke the top of the tummy a couple of times.
- Continue gentle stroking down to the groin area.
- Massage your belly with circular movements.
- Using kneading movements, go from the edge of the ribs to the bottom of the belly, but act gently, do not overdo it.
- Gently move from the bottom of the tummy to the top using pulling movements three times.
- Repeat steps 4 and 5.
- Strokes left and right, moving from top to bottom.
- Finish the massage with light pats on the belly.
It is not necessary to strictly follow all the points in a row; they can be swapped. The main goal is to stimulate peristalsis.
Check with the doctor
Common mistakes
The cat may not like the owner’s touch in the abdominal area, it may be out of mood, growl, bite, or scratch. In such cases, it is definitely recommended to postpone the massage. If you force the procedure, it can cause harm to the animal, both physically and emotionally, and aggravate the constipation situation.
Massaging should be avoided during constipation and if it causes discomfort and pain to the cat.
Using hand cream will not bring any benefit, but will only ruin your pet’s fur.
Sometimes inexperienced owners think that the massage procedure should be done with force and put excessive pressure on the animal’s abdominal area. Doing this is prohibited, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the internal organs of your furry pet. It is not recommended to use oil and hand cream; they will not bring any benefit and will only damage the cat’s coat.
Why do cats knead blankets with their paws?
It’s not uncommon for owners to notice how their pets actively trample the blanket with their paws before falling soundly asleep on it. This legitimately raises the question of why cats knead blankets with their paws. This behavior is not accidental and is caused by instincts that are inherent in the animal by nature. There are several explanations for this feature that the cat demonstrates. Knowing them, the owner will better understand his four-legged pet and will be able to establish especially close contact with him. Furry pets crumple things for various reasons.
How do you know if there is an effect?
To understand whether massage is effective for constipation, its duration should be at least 2 weeks. Veterinary studies have proven that the effectiveness of this procedure is equal to the effect of laxative medications. In order to get the maximum effect, it is recommended to massage the cat’s belly, adhering to all the rules, 2 times a day, in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before bed. If the cat is already aging, then massage should be performed 3-5 times a day. After two weeks, intestinal motility improves and the animal can easily go to the toilet.
Why do you need massage for constipation?
The pet should empty its intestines at least once every 1-2 days. If there is no bowel movement for 3 days or more, the animal has problems with the digestive tract.
Males and older individuals are more likely to suffer from constipation.
With frequent and prolonged constipation, the load on the heart increases, and malfunctions of the liver and kidneys occur. Intoxication begins—poisoning with decay products. Knowing how to massage a cat with constipation, the owner is able to restore the animal’s gastrointestinal tract function. Mechanical action on the intestine improves its peristalsis. Massaging helps relieve stress and normalize digestion.
What to do if it doesn't help?
If massage does not solve the problem of constipation in a cat, and it is not possible to contact a veterinarian, then at home it is allowed to use drugs with a mild laxative effect. One of the harmless remedies is flaxseed oil; due to its consistency and taste, the animal itself will refuse to drink it, so it will be necessary to force this liquid down the throat. For an adult animal you will need 1 tsp, after taking which it is recommended to wait 2-3 hours to monitor the body's reaction to the oil.
If the animal does not go to the toilet after a while, then it is recommended to use a laxative. All drugs of this type have contraindications and are prohibited if bleeding is present, colitis develops in the body or a stomach ulcer occurs. During periods of problems with peristalsis, the body is susceptible to intoxication, but the use of special sorbents is not always necessary. In such a situation, it is recommended to give the cat Enterosgel or Phosphalugel diluted in proportions with water. But in most situations, massage by kittens is well tolerated and solves the problem of constipation.
Signs of constipation in a cat
How to determine constipation in a cat if you do not have deep knowledge of veterinary medicine? The most reliable method in this case is observation. During constipation, you may notice that your pet behaves restlessly, often coming to the litter box, but not entering it. It is important to show maximum attention at the early stage of development of the disease.
Note! When constipated, a cat may move into a defecation position, but instead of stool, a clear fluid may be released from the anus. Inexperienced owners often confuse this phenomenon with diarrhea; in fact, it is constipation.
When defining constipation, it is important to understand that passing too much dense, fatty stool is also not considered diarrhea. This condition may be the result of an unbalanced diet and too high a percentage of fat in food.
