Integrative Veterinary Care
Cat Acupuncture
Healing through Acupuncture: Natural Pain Relief for Your Cat
Cat acupuncture utilizes very fine needles inserted into specific points (acupoints) on the body to stimulate the nervous system and promote healing.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Cats
Pain relief for Arthritis and Joint problems.
Mobility Issues
Recovery from Surgery or Injuries.
Support for Neurological disorders (e.g., IVDD, paralysis).
Help with Digestive issues.
Stress and Anxiety reduction.
Reduce Hyperesthesia symptoms
Palliative Care
Is Acupuncture Safe for Cats?
Yes, acupuncture is safe for Cats with little to no side effects.
After receiving treatment, your cat may feel a little sore or feel tired in the next 24-48hours.
If your cat has any lump, bumps or suspected cancer areas, be sure to notify us when making an appointment.
Will Acupuncture hurt my Cat?
Rest assured, acupuncture is a safe and gentle treatment for your cat.
At Integrative Veterinary Care, we practice acupuncture with the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in mind, carefully selecting acupoints to stimulate your cat’s natural pain-relief mechanisms and promote overall balance.
Just like humans, some cats may be more sensitive to acupuncture than others. In some cases, they may experience a mild tingling sensation, especially with electro-acupuncture. To an untrained eye, this may appear as discomfort, but it’s actually a natural response called “De-Qi”—a sign that the treatment is effectively targeting the right points.
Highly sensitive cats may only tolerate the needles for 5-10minutes and this is completely normal. Treatment will still carry on with Tui Na implemented.
What is Tui Na?
Tui Na (pronounced “twee-nah”) is a form of therapeutic massage used in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to promote healing and balance in the body. Often described as a combination of acupressure, massage, and gentle stretching, Tui Na helps improve circulation, relieve tension, and support your cat’s overall well-being.
This hands-on therapy stimulates specific acupoints along the body to encourage the natural flow of energy (Qi) and enhance the body’s ability to heal itself. Tui Na can be especially beneficial for cats with mobility issues, arthritis, stress, or digestive problems.
Because it is non-invasive and relaxing, many cats enjoy Tui Na, making it a great complement to other holistic treatments like acupuncture and herbal medicine.
How Can You Prepare For the Visit?
- Email through your cat’s history and any clinical test results prior to consultation.
- Prepare a clean & quiet area, with a table for the consultation and treatment.
- Any children and/or other pets must not be in the immediate treatment area and should be monitored by yourself or someone else at all times if present in the same room for safety reasons.
- You will need to be able to hold your pet throughout the whole treatment (15-30minutes). If you are unable to do so, you can get someone to help you. If your cat is not held appropriately during the treatment and poses a risk to people in the vicinity, we may not be able to proceed with the treatment.
- You may use calming medications from your regular GP vet 2 hours prior consultation if you feel that your pet may not be comfortable with a stranger in your house. However, this may slightly alter the diagnosis of your pet’s condition, as they would be less responsive to trigger points.
- Let us know if anyone is allergic to essential oils.
If you have any more questions or are ready to start your healing journey with your pet, feel free to send us an email to book your appointment!
We’re excited to help you both on this path to wellness.