According to historical philosophy, animals are sensitive souls! Sensitive souls have great emotional passion, intensity, depth, and heightened perceptive skills, which may explain why our little fur babies can be super sensitive and get stressed or anxious easily.

The good news is we have stumbled across a great way to help make them feel relaxed, PET REFLEXOLOGY – yep you read correctly!

Just like human reflexology, pet reflexology is a holistic approach, combining acupressure and massage to help your pet restore balance and health by using gentle pressure, specific movements, and circles on the paws, ankles, wrists, and legs.

Reflexology is basically foot manipulation and pressure point work designed to help soothe your pooch and leave them refreshed. The massage doesn’t even have to take up too much of your time, a 10-minute session provides both relaxation benefits and a fantastic opportunity to bond with your furry friend.

Reflexology may benefit dogs by:

  • Improving blood circulation
  • Improving lymph circulation
  • Dispersing pain in tensed muscles
  • Reducing stress and tension
  • Restoring proper mobility and flexibility
  • Aiding behavioural problems
  • Building trust and bonding
  • Restoring homeostasis

Now that we know what it could do for dogs. You might wonder whether it works for cats?

Absolutely, the main benefits of reflexology for cats are:

  • It lessens the impact that modern living has on a cat’s health and longevity. Animals have a lower tolerance to the chemicals and toxins in our environment, yet they inhale or absorb them daily. Together with a healthy diet, it is a great way to detoxify and tonify organs through improved circulation.
  • Cats have a lower stress threshold than humans do. Stress contributes to 85% of all major illnesses and plays a crucial part in nearly every condition a veterinarian treats. Healing tends to slow down or become impossible when we or our animals are under stress. Reflexology is a fantastic way to reduce unwanted tension in the nervous system.

Start slowly and for short periods. Try it on pets that you already have a good rapport with.  Start with initiating interaction with touching parts of their body they are already accustomed to, then move slowly to the. face and ears before attempting the paws. Be patient, your cat might not take to it the first time round. Bear in mind that not all cats and dogs will enjoy reflexology, as some of our fur babies may be more sensitive around the reflexology points.

  • Stroke behind the ears if your cat is stressed. Stroke the tips of the ears if your cat is in shock, it releases endorphins which will be useful in certain situations, for instance, moving house.
  • Stroke the area between the eyes in an upwards direction, it promotes hormonal regulation and left and right brain balance.
  • If you want to try paw reflexology start with the inside lower leg and paw which correspond to the spine. It is good for lower back and hip discomfort.

Reflexology can be great for both you and your furry friend. It’s said to strengthen the bond between you and gives a feeling of unconditional love and fulfillment – what’s not to love?

 

References:

https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/reflexology-cats/

http://www.reflexologyresearch.net/

https://www.friendsofthedog.co.za/what-pet-reflexology-does.html

https://www.thecatniptimes.com/learn/cat-behavior/reflexology-for-cats/

https://animalmedicalnc.com/project/acupressure-for-pets/