Trip to the Vet: Calming with Acupressure

By Amy Snow & Nancy Zidonis, Authors of Acu-Cat: A Guide to Feline Acupressure

Cats are, by their very nature, territorial and the thoroughly appreciate routine.  Taking them away from their home and disrupting daily activities is usually stressful for our beloved felines. Their first reaction is to comment on your audacity with a deep guttural utterance – "how could you so unceremoniously remove me from my territory!"

To help with the necessary trips to the vet, a brief acupressure session can help soothe the sense of horror at being taken elsewhere and not being able to get in all of his naps that day.  Prior to heading to the vet sit quietly and commune with your cat while touching each of the following acupressure points lightly but with intent. Remember to breathe deeply and evenly while sitting with your cat. The goal is to bring down the level of stress your cat is going to be experiencing.

Heart 7 (Ht 7) and Pericardium 7 (Pe 7) are both on the front legs and can be held simultaneously. They are both located just above the cats "wrist" toward the back of the paw. Place your thumb on the inside (medial) and your index finger on the outside (lateral). Hold the points gently for a slow count to 30 or when your cat says that is enough. Go to the other front leg and do the same.

Bai Hui Point is located between the two hip sockets where you can't feel the vertical bones along the spine. The best way to stimulate this point is to scratch it gently with your index and middle fingers.  Continue to scratch as long as your cat is enjoying it.

The last area is specifically for cats. Using the back of your hand, slowly stoke along the underside of the cats jaw and down his neck. It is not an actual acupressure point, but it is very relaxing for cats. Repeat this three to four times then move to the other side.

Offering this short acupressure session can make for a less mortified, more relaxed cat. This should be less stressful for you and your veterinarian, too.