Should Your Cat Go to the Chiropractor?
Will Your be Helped by a Visit to the Chiropractor?
A trip to the Chiropractor can bring welcome relief for soreness and general body pain. Many people rely on regular adjustments and treatments from their chiropractor in order to simply get through the day. Should your cat go to the chiropractor?
Actually, a better question would be "Should you take your cat to the chiropractor?" Since most kitties can't access public transportation and while it is true that chiropractor offices and chiropractic websites are seemingly on every street corner, it will be up to you as the cat owner to transport your pet to the chiropractor's office. Your pregnant cats might benefit greatly from a day of pampering at the doctor's office.
Chiropractor schools and chiropractor colleges may be ramping up degree programs to meet the demand for trained cat chiropractors. Almost no self-respecting cat enthusiast would take his cat to an untrained cat chiropractor.
Signs that Your Cat Should Go to the Chiropractor
Every cat is different, but if your cat is cranky and lethargic in the morning, perhaps it's time to make her an appointment with a cat chiropractor. Is she slow-moving? Take special care to observe her behavior when you first see her at the start of the day. Look for possible disorientation, delayed response time, and stiff movement in the joints. Unfortunately you can't simply ask her how she's feeling, but you should be aware how she behaves. When you see something out of the ordinary, you may want to think "OK, this could be time for the cat chiropractor."
When Fluffy wakes up, does she stretch excessively? Carefully watch her as she awakens from her afternoon nap; one or two stretches are probably normal but 10-15 minutes of stretching just might indicate a need for adjustment at the cat chiropractor, or a cat massage, which is decidedly not the topic of this article.
When you pick her up, does she writhe in pain and violently try to escape? You might be holding her upside down, but you might also be exacerbating the effects of her sore joints and muscles. A cat chiropractor could perhaps maybe possibly provide much needed therapy to address the problems.
Services Offered by the Cat Chiropractor
If you can find one, a neighborhood cat chiropractor probably offers numerous services designed to make your cat feel years younger, assuming it's already at least two years old.
Most cats love to visit the warm pillows at the cat chiropractor. Trained cat chiropractor technicians gently heat pillows filled with sand or rice, then expertly apply them to sore joints and muscles. This procedure truly relaxes most cats, although they seem to tense up again when they have to share the treatment room with dogs who are visiting the dog chiropractor. In most cases this works out to be counter-productive for the cat; you may wish to consider a cat-specific chiropractor when choosing your provider.
Manipulation of the skeletal system is performed by highly skilled cat chiropractors, if you can find one. Look for a chiropractor who has has extensive training in the cat skeletal system, as it's really different from humans. Almost all cats who experience manipulation are happy when it's over.
Nutrition services may also be offered at some cat chiropractor offices. A detailed analysis of your cats eating habits can offer clues into why you had to bring her to the cat chiropractor in the first place. Your cat chiropractor can offer valuable insight into why Fluffy insists on eating breakfast, then throwing up on the furniture shortly thereafter. Your cat may have psychological issues stemming from not being able to watch daytime TV talk shows, but usually it's simply a fungus or bacterial infection.
Cat-to-Chiropractor Carriers
What If Your Cat Doesn't Want to Go?
Cats rarely want to go anywhere fun. You could take them to a playland of catnip and Little Friskies and they'd still fight you all the way. Experts in cat transportation technology suggest a sturdy cat carrier, a pair of leather gloves, adequate eye protection, and mild sedation. Sedate the cat, not yourself. Hopefully when the little kitty regains consciousness at the cat chiropractor's office she won't recall the titanic struggle leading up to the trip. Oddly enough, the trip home is rarely any more soothing.
Experts in cat transportation psychiatry agree that no useful purpose might be served by arguing with your cat. As surprising as it seems, there are experts in cat transportation psychiatry. You can follow Fluffy around the house with the cat carrier until your back starts to hurt, but this is one debate you absolutely cannot control.
How Many Times Should Your Cat Go to the Chiropractor?
Assuming you have found a cat chiropractor with whom you are comfortable, and your insurance somehow covers the office visits, don't be shocked to learn that you will be asked to bring Fluffy back to the office for numerous follow-up visits. You'll be asked by the chiropractor, not by your cat. Actually, your cat may be in total agreement, but getting her to admit it can be problematic.
Insurance may or may not finance multiple visits to the cat chiropractor. Try to keep a straight face when you inquire.
Be prepared to commit to at least a month of weekly visits. Typical cats don't exhibit typical improvements until you've spent at least $400 on treatments.
