Physiotherapy for cats - are you mad?

I get asked this a lot - and evidently... yes!

Ok, so physiotherapy for cats is not something that’s at the forefront of our minds, even for people who work in the animal therapy industry.

BUT it is something I am passionate about. Why shouldn’t our feline friends have access to services that can help with their pain, movement and enjoyment of life?

They are no less members of our family than our dogs or horses.

My princess Elphie - she looks like a cartoon!

So why do we not think of cats when we think of physio?

Maybe it’s something to do with their sharp claws… or the fact that many cats just don’t like being handled and prodded, especially by people they don’t know. Cats are notorious for responding to perceived threats with claws, teeth and by running away. All tricky things to overcome in a physio session.

Luckily, I’m up for the challenge!

How I work with animals

The important thing to know about physiotherapy for animals is that it’s all about working 'with' the animal, as opposed to 'on' them. What I mean by this is that I will never forcibly hold an animal or keep trying to treat them if they simply don’t want it. This is where it becomes more difficult than with humans. I can’t tell an animal to lay down on the massage couch and stay there for half an hour. Therefore, it’s vital to work with them to build trust, build up sessions and treatments gradually depending on how they respond, keeping a close watch for signs of discomfort, boredom and fear. For dogs, this often where treats come in – a little bit of bribery goes a long way in a physio session.

Cat-specific techniques

For cats, the approach needs to be even more low-key, using what I like to call an occupational therapy approach, using the cat’s natural instincts and behaviours, plus their home environment. Cats generally like to hunt and play. This in-built desire can diminish as they age, but it’s still there, just waiting to be unleashed. In many cases, the cat doesn’t like to play because it hurts. So, we have to find ways to overcome this.

Using natural instincts, we can devise hands-off approaches to physio - ways to make their bodies move, stretch, build muscle, condition, and maintain healthy joints – without needing them to sit still or tolerate lots of physical interaction.

How can physiotherapy help cats?

Some common conditions that physiotherapy can help with:

Osteoarthritis, obesity, muscle tears, broken bones, age-related slowing down, amputation, post-surgery, neurological conditions.

If you’re not sure whether your cat would benefit from physiotherapy or you’re unsure if they’re in pain, here are some signs to look out for.

As always, if you think your cat (or any other pet) is in pain or struggling, please seek Veterinary guidance as soon as possible.

If you think physiotherapy might help your cat, please get in touch to talk about how I may be able to help them live their best life.

My beautiful girl Treacle, 2009-2021

Caroline Kendal

Veterinary Physiotherapist

PgDip VetPhys MIRVAP(VP)

Important note

Physiotherapy for animals requires Vet referral and I will work with your Vet and any other parties (Vet nurse / behaviourist / farrier etc) as part of a multi-disciplinary team to act in the best interests of your pet.

This blog post is not intended to provide advice on Veterinary care.