FAQs About Acupuncture In Cats

Acupuncture has been used in humans for thousands of years. More recently, though, veterinarians have begun using and recommending acupuncture for use in animals, including cats. If you are thinking of having your cat treated by an acupuncturist, you may have a few questions — like those below.

What conditions can acupuncture treat?

Most vets won't recommend using acupuncture as a sole treatment for a diagnosed disease. Rather, they will recommend is as a supplemental treatment to help keep symptoms at bay. It's great for pain relief, stress relief, and the management of ongoing digestive trouble. Acupuncture is often recommended for cats with arthritis, diabetes, dental disease, nervous system disorders, and kidney disorders. 

How does the acupuncturist get your cat to relax for the treatment?

Many cats are a little on the nervous or skittish side. You may have a hard time imagining your cat sitting still long enough for a practitioner to insert needles in their skin. This is why many practitioners prefer to treat cats in the owner's home, rather than in their office. Cats tend to be far more relaxed and receptive to treatment in their own space. Acupuncturists tend to be very calm, quiet, and connected people who have a knack for relating to cats and calming them down. They'll spend a few minutes with your cat before the treatment and only start inserting the needles once the cat is calm and collected.

If your cat truly is skittish and shy about the needles, even in your home, then the acupuncturist may do something called acupressure therapy instead. This is similar to acupuncture, but instead of using needles, the practitioner simply applies pressure to the trigger points with their fingers. After a few acupressure sessions, most cats get used to the therapy, realize it feels good, and are able to tolerate needles.

Are there any risks involved with acupuncture in cats?

Acupuncture is generally very safe. However, cats with tumors should not have this treatment because it can increase blood flow to the tumor and cause it to grow faster. If you tell your vet that you're considering acupuncture, they can look over your cat and make sure they don't have any tumors or other conditions that make the treatment unsafe.

Acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment for cats suffering from a range of conditions. Talk to your vet about pet acupuncture, and ask them to recommend an acupuncturist in your area.