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Feline Gentling.jpg)
Introduction
Gentling exercises teach cats
that hands are good things and
to accept positive human
leadership. It is very important
for cats to understand and trust
humans and human hands.
Establishing a daily routine of
doing gentling exercises helps
build the cat's trust and
compliance with being handled.
How to
begin
Choose a time when the cat is
sleepy and relaxed. Begin by gently rubbing the
cat's back and sides by sliding the skin back and
forth over the body. Couple the massage with praise.
Use treats if needed to create a positive experience
for the cat. Over time, increase the areas you
massage. The goal is for the cat to allow and enjoy
you touching every square inch of his or her body
every day. Body massage not only teaches the cat
that hands are good things, it also teaches the cat
to allow people to take charge and control any part
of his or her body during routine grooming, exams,
treatments, lifting or moving the cat.
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This positive association
with people and being
touched also helps to
prevent aggression towards
people. |
 Practical
reasons to massage your cat
Teaching your
cat to accept handling and body
manipulation allows us the
flexibility to clean muddy paws.
If also allows us to inspect the
cat's body for any lumps, sores,
scabs or fleas. Daily routine
massage helps the cat comply
and accept the application of
medication to any part of the
body throughout life.
Starting the
massage early in life, and
continuing on a daily, weekly,
or monthly basis, communicates
to the cat that he or she has
nothing to fear, should not try
to prevent humans from gently
touching him or her anywhere,
and makes it easier for the cat
to accept massage as quality
time with people.
Range of motion
When the cat readily accepts the
massage, the next exercise is
called, "range of motion."
Range of motion means moving or
rotating each extremity of the cat
as far as possible within its normal
range of motion. For example, take
each leg, push it close to the body,
then pull it far away, pull it
forward as far as it will
comfortably go and then back as far
as it will comfortably go. Move the
head up and down, and back and forth
and in a circle. Over time, move the
other extremities including the
head, the tail, the ears, and even
the nose. With range of motion, the
goal is to move every part of the
body gently but somewhat against the
cat's resistance, to desensitize the
cat to this somewhat unnatural type
of human handling.
Positive leadership
In some
cases, the cat might become
tense, move away, act frightened
or aggressive, or even
mouth your hand. These are signs
that the cat is stressed by the
handling. The best response to
these signs of stress is to do
less at one time, and couple
each exercise with treats and
praise. Do exercises daily
adding more time as the cat
shows acceptance. A little
stress is not only okay but can
be considered a positive as we
want the cat to learn how to
tolerate small doses of stress
without acting fearful or
aggressive.
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Another benefit to this type
of handling is that it
reinforces to the cat that
you are a powerful, yet kind
and trustworthy leader.
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 Positive
restraint
A gentle short
hug is an extension of the
gentle, loving massage and body
manipulations. Hug your cat a
little longer each time. If the
cat becomes upset and struggles,
you lose points. Once the cat
can be hugged easily, try
cradling the cat like a baby.
When the cat accepts this
exercise, the next step is to
hold the cat on your lap on his
or her side for a few seconds.
For some cats, these exercises
may need to be done daily and
extended very gradually.
It is best to start all gentling
exercises with puppies at 2
month of age.
Positive
restraint is one of the more
difficult gentling exercises.
Therefore, it is important to
go slowly. Use food
treats during the process to
reassure the cat that nothing is
wrong. Praise the cat for
acceptance of any restraint.
As soon as the cat begins to
relax, let the cat up.
When you give back his or her
freedom with praise and a
cookie, you show the cat that
you are NOT trying to hurt the
cat.
Positive Pet Parenting
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