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Natural therapies for cats
As more people turn to holistic medicine for healing, there is a growing interest in how natural therapies may benefit cats. Some therapies and home remedies are considered safe for cats, but there are always three rules to follow in seeking care for your beloved animal companion.
Conventional veterinary medical advice should always be sought first → This is especially important if your cat is showing symptoms of illness, including vomiting, diarrhoea, bleeding or any sign of disorientation or pain. A good veterinarian will be able to diagnose your cat’s illness far more accurately than you can. Even if the illness is serious, early medical attention often means that the treatment will be less invasive and complicated and will have a better outcome than late-stage diagnosis. If you decide to use alternative medicine as well, then you will know exactly what disease you are treating.
Always inform your veterinarian about the natural therapies you intend to use or are using on your cat → Even some seemingly innocuous therapies such as nutritional supplements could interfere with the efficacy of any medical treatments your cat is currently receiving; for example, antioxidant supplements should not be given if your cat is undergoing chemotherapy, as they may reduce the effectiveness of the medications. If your current veterinarian doesn’t support your desire to include complementary medicine in the care of your cat, you can find one who does so that they can advise you properly. That way you can work as a team to give your cat the best possible attention.
Don’t assume that what is good for you, will be good for your cat → Some therapies, such as certain essential oils and herbs (for example, St John’s wort and comfrey), can be toxic to cats.
Your cat’s health
Stress
The principle requirements of good health that apply to humans apply to cats as well. These include exercise, adequate sleep (Hah! I hear you say), quality food and fresh water. Stress can have the same detrimental, disease-causing effect on cats as it does on their guardians. As your cat doesn’t have to go to work, pay bills or deal with in-laws, you may well wonder what on earth your cat could be stressed about! But common stressors for cats include:
| a | Living with a bully cat or dog (or child for that matter). |
| a | Not enough territory of its own in your home. |
| a | The arrival of a new person or animal or the departure of a beloved human or animal companion. |
| a | Home renovations. |
| a | Strong-smelling chemicals in the home, including perfumes, cigarette smoke and heavily scented candles. |
| a | Moving to a new home. |
| a | A constantly dirty litterbox. |
| a | Arguing and tension among the humans in the house. |
Common symptoms of stress in cats
As these symptoms can also indicate a serious underlying illness, it’s best to get your cat checked by a veterinarian if it is displaying any of these signs.
| a | Eliminating outside the litterbox |
| a | Aggression towards other human or animal family members |
| a | Stomach upsets |
| a | Overgrooming, to the point of creating bald spots in the fur |
| a | Not grooming at all so that the fur becomes matted and greasy-looking |
| a | Infections: bladder, eye, skin, etc |
| a | Always hiding |
If no underlying cause can be found, you can take the following steps to reduce the stressors in your cat’s environment. The first step to reducing your cat’s anxiety is to deal with any stressors in its environment. Create safe hideaways for your cat to retreat to away from noise and other animals. Boxes with blankets in them make attractive hideaways when they are tucked under chairs, placed in quiet corners or on top of cupboards (cats often feel more secure when they can observe the world from above). You don’t have to move to a larger home to provide adequate territory in multi-cat households where the cats are showing signs of stress. (Just don’t add any more animals to the mix.) You can create more territory for your cats by providing greater vertical space in the form of cat towers, wall-mounted perches, beds on top of cupboards and designated chairs. Vertical territory is more important to cats than horizontal territory.
Make sure your cat has stress-free access to its litterbox and food, too. The rule for litterboxes in multi-cat households is one per cat plus one. If your stressed cat is being bullied by another one, put the stressed cat’s litterbox where it can access it without being ambushed. You should also feed your stressed cat away from other animals who might steal its food.
Kick the habit, not the cat
Second-hand smoke from cigarettes, cigars and marijuana is as dangerous for cats as it is for humans, not only because of the effects on their small lungs, but also because the smoke residue they lick off their fur (known as third-hand smoke) is toxic to them. The danger to their health increases with prolonged exposure. Another good reason to give up smoking!
Cats are very clean animals. A filthy litterbox is as off-putting to a cat as a disgusting public toilet is to you! If you have a single cat but spend long hours away from home, give the cat two litterboxes so a clean one is always available for it to use.
If your cat is grieving the loss of an animal companion, don’t immediately introduce it to another animal. Rather, give it more attention and kindness. Feed it food it especially likes, groom it, allow it to sleep with you if it wants. This is the same if it has lost a beloved human companion.
Synthetic cat pheromones can help relieve stress. You can spray these a couple of times a day in the spaces where your cat spends most of its time.
Provide quality food to make sure your cat is getting good nutrition and plenty of fresh water daily (cats drink more when stressed). Play with your cat using toys it enjoys (not toys that make it feel more stressed or frightened). Just as with humans, fun is great for stress relief.
One of the best ways to care for your cat’s wellbeing is to take good care of your own. Cats are highly sensitive and will pick up tension and fear from you. Have you ever noticed that neurotic animals often have neurotic owners? By practising good self-care and self-love, you will keep a clear, happy and healthy connection between you and your cat.
Natural therapies for stress
| * | Bach Flower Remedies. Rescue Remedy works for cats too, but make sure you use the one especially formulated for pets. |
| * | Music therapy. Played at a low volume, soothing music at slow tempos can help calm your cat. Research has shown that cats recover faster from surgery when classical music is played in the background. You can purchase music especially compiled for cats or try Samuel Barber’s ‘Adagio for Strings’ or Bach’s ‘Air on the G String’. |
| * | A pot of catnip. At first this will give your cat a pleasurable high. But eventually your cat will calm down and simply feel good. Catnip is harmless to your cat and is non-addictive; just don’t let your cat drive or operate machinery while under the influence! |
| * | Homeopathy. Must be prescribed by a qualified naturopathic veterinarian; the wrong treatment could harm your cat. |
Digestive issues
Digestive issues, including vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and any sign of pain or strain when eliminating, should be checked by a veterinarian first to rule out serious illness. Once your cat has been given the all clear, nutritional supplements may be helpful in maintaining your cat’s intestinal health.
Plain psyllium powder (fine) works well for both constipation and diarrhoea → Mix a quarter of a teaspoon into your cat’s wet food twice a day. Psyllium powder needs adequate liquid or there is a risk of your cat choking, so don’t sprinkle it on dry food or use more than the above amount. If your cat has been prescribed any medicine, don’t give it at the same time as psyllium powder, as it may not be absorbed properly.
Slippery elm powder can be good for the nausea that often accompanies inflammatory bowel disease or kidney disease → Using a whisk or fork, stir one teaspoon of good-quality slippery elm powder into half a cup of water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and keep stirring until the mixture thickens to a syrup. The mixture will thicken further as it cools and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Add half a teaspoon to your cat’s wet food two to three times a day. If your cat doesn’t like the taste, try a smaller amount at first and gradually build up. Don’t administer a medication at the same time as giving the syrup, as the medication may not be properly absorbed. (Tip: good-quality slippery elm should taste sweet, not bitter, so you might want to do a taste test first before giving the syrup to your kitty.)
Probiotics can be helpful for cats with digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhoea → Make sure you purchase a good-quality formulation that is suitable for cats.
Age-related issues
As with humans, elderly cats can experience a general decline in health that is not life-threatening, but can impact the quality of their life.
Omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial in treating arthritis and easing kidney disease → Sometimes diets specially formulated for these conditions will already contain omega-3 fatty acids. If you want to add supplements to your cat’s diet, consult your veterinarian for the correct dosage for your cat and its condition.
An injection of vitamin B12 from your veterinarian may give your elderly cat a new lease of life → Cats cannot produce their own B12 and an elderly cat may not be absorbing enough of the vitamin through its digestive tract. This is especially true for cats with chronic bowel disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease. A shot of B12 may stimulate the appetite of a cat suffering from kidney disease.
Walking therapy → An elderly cat may wish to sleep all day. As long as your feline companion isn’t in pain, walking an elderly cat around your garden on a lead is a great way to reduce stiffness in its joints and keep its mind and senses stimulated as it sniffs flowers and those mysterious scents carried on the breeze that only cats can detect. It’s also a nice way to spend time with a beloved companion in its later years.
Heat therapy → Frail, elderly cats may not be able to produce enough body heat. A warm, but not hot, heat pad may give them some pain relief and comfort in winter.
Fleas
Fleas are harmful to cats not only because they make them itch, but also because they carry life-threatening diseases such as heartworm.
Indoor cats rarely contract fleas, so you can usually spare them chemical spot-on treatments unless they are going to stay at cat accommodation while you go on holiday. But fleas can still make their way into a home on people’s clothing, on untreated dogs or under doors and through windows, so you should check your cat regularly for any evidence of flea dirt. The best way to stop a flea infestation in your home is to vacuum regularly, especially in dark places such as in corners, under sofa cushions and behind furniture.
If your cat is allergic to chemical spot-on preparations for fleas, there are some natural treatments you can try.
Daily combing with a flea comb → Fleas multiply at a rapid rate, so you may have to comb three times a day to keep on top of them. Cover all the places fleas like to hide: around the neck, under the legs and the base of the tail. Drown the fleas in a bowl of soapy water. When you are done, soak a washcloth in a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar, wring it out and wipe over your cat. In winter, let your cat dry off in a warm room.
Keep your cat clean → Regularly wash your cat’s bedding and hang it in the sun to dry. If your cat will tolerate a bath, use a gentle cat shampoo. Leave the shampoo on for as long as your cat will allow, as the detergent in the shampoo will kill fleas—five minutes is ideal. Use a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar as the final rinse. Wash from the head towards the tail, so the fleas can’t take refuge on your cat’s head.
Brewer’s yeast → You can add half a teaspoon of brewer’s yeast to your cat’s wet food daily. Some enthusiasts swear that this makes their cat taste bad to fleas, plus it also provides some nutritional value to the cat. Some cats are allergic to brewer’s yeast, so proceed with caution and stop using it if your cat has a reaction.
If you have found fleas on your cat, it may have contracted worms, so the safest precaution is to treat it. Consult with your veterinarian about the best approach to worming your cat, especially if it is very young, has a health condition or is elderly. Worms can undermine your cat’s health and lead to serious illness and there are no known home remedies that are one hundred per cent effective against them.
Unfortunately there are no known, safe natural prevention treatments for the deadly Australian paralysis tick. The best protection is to keep your cat indoors. If your cat spends time free-roaming, in an outdoor enclosure or being walked by you on a lead outside in tick-prone areas, you will need to use veterinarian-recommended tick protection. If you like to garden or bushwalk during the warmer months, it’s wise to use insect repellent on yourself and clean your shoes and clothing before you enter your home to avoid inadvertently bringing ticks inside. Should you find a paralysis tick on your cat, removing it is not enough. You must seek veterinary assistance urgently, as the tick will have injected toxins into your cat’s bloodstream. The more quickly you act, the better the outcome is likely to be.
Other therapies
You may have found acupressure, reiki and other non-invasive therapies beneficial for yourself and would like to try these complementary healing modalities on your cat; however, if travelling to a practitioner is highly stressful for your cat, you may be negating any good the therapy will do. You can always ask if home visits are an option. In addition there are skills you can learn, such as therapeutic massage for your cat.
Blessings and prayers
The Divine is as interested in the welfare of your cat as you are. You can use this connection to bring healing and wellbeing to your cat.
During the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, a celebration of the Roman Catholic church’s patron saint of animals, church officials sometimes bless animals of all descriptions.
Leaders of pagan covens, Buddhist priests, other spiritual healers and even your friends can all be asked to pray or perform spells, chants or rituals for your cat. And don’t forget that you have a direct connection to the Divine too! Angelic help is available in the form of the archangel Raphael, who is said to be a powerful healer of both animals and their human guardians.
Leonor Fini
ARGENTINE ARTIST, DESIGNER AND AUTHOR (1907–1996)
Leonor Fini and her numerous Persian cats moved as a pack. Where she ate, they ate. Where she slept, they slept. When she went on summer holidays to the Loire Valley, they came with her in their own separate car. But Fini was never a loner who only desired the company of her cats. She is reported to have said that marriage never appealed to her; she wanted to live in a big house with her cats and friends. Fini and Brigitte Bardot were good friends and animal activists in France, and Fini used her fame to help draw attention to the plight of stray cats.
Massage for cats
If your cat likes being touched, then massaging your cat can be beneficial for both you and your cat. Massage helps stimulate your cat’s circulation and lymphatic system. Touching your cat in a way that gives it pleasure will make it more trusting of you for those occasions when your touch doesn’t mean pleasure; for example, when you have to administer a pill, trim your cat’s nails or apply a spot-on treatment. As an extra bonus, massaging your cat can reduce stress hormones in your own body and help protect against heart disease by lowering your blood pressure and reducing your heart rate. (Tip: don’t massage your cat if it has very recently undergone surgery. Wait until your veterinarian gives you the go-ahead before doing so.)
| a | Pick a time when your cat is relaxed: dozing is fine, but not fast asleep. Nobody enjoys being woken up! |
| a | Make the environment around you as peaceful as possible. |
| a | You can brush your cat before massaging it. This will stop you breathing in a lot of fur as you work. |
| a | Take a few deep breaths and get yourself into a positive state of mind by thinking of all the reasons why you are grateful for your cat. This will allow you to channel healing, loving energy towards your cat. |
| a | Get your cat ready for your touch by rubbing the parts of its body where you know it likes to be touched: under the chin, around the neck, etc. |
| a | Start with very short sessions and gradually build up to longer ones as your cat gets used to being massaged. Even if your cat only accepts a back massage for a few days, that is still a great start. |
| a | Don’t be offended if your cat gets up and walks off. Try again later. |
How to give your cat a massage
Pat your cat with light, slow strokes that move in the direction of its fur as a preparation for the massage. This will allow your cat to become accustomed to your touch. You can also speak softly to your cat at this point and tell it how much you love it and that you want to give it a lovely massage.
The more you rub a cat on the rump, the higher she sets her tail.
Proverb (mid-seventeenth century)
Start the massage on your cat’s back, moving from the nape of the neck down the column of the spine to the base of the tail. Don’t massage the spine itself—that could hurt your cat—rather run your thumb and index finger down the muscles on either side of the spine. If your cat likes this, repeat this move several times gradually increasing your pressure. Note that some cats like being touched at the base of the tail and others hate it. If your cat doesn’t like it, decrease the pressure in this spot.
Now move your massage to the cat’s head, neck and chest. Hold your index and middle fingers together and gently press small sections at a time with tiny circular motions. You should feel the cat’s skin move easily over the muscles underneath. If your cat doesn’t like too much pressure around its face and head, use long strokes in those areas instead of circular motions. Don’t put pressure at all on the throat, but use gentle stroking motions.
Massage your cat’s shoulders and forelegs. Use only gentle pressure around joints and stop if your cat shows any sign of pain. When massaging the limbs, you can use your thumb on one side of the limb and your index and middle fingers on the other; this will allow you to hold the limb steady. Some cats do not like their paws or paw pads touched, as they are very sensitive. If this is the case, leave your cat’s paws alone or lightly touch them and slowly build up to touching them for longer with each successive massage.
‘Don’t let anyone steal your sparkle . . . or your cat toy!’
* * *
Continue with circular motions along your cat’s sides and use long strokes along its abdomen. Be careful not to press too hard on its internal organs. Make note of any signs of pain or lumps.
Massage your cat’s hips and hind legs the same way you massaged its shoulders and forelimbs.
Most cats don’t like having their tails touched, so leave that part alone.
Finish the massage with long strokes from the head down the back, from the shoulders down the front limbs to the paws, down the chest, from the hips down the legs to the paws, and from the front of the face towards the back. You can use your flat palm for the larger areas and your closed fingers for smaller areas. Use slow, firm strokes.
Thank your cat for the time you have spent together. Wish it health, happiness and wellbeing. If your cat wants to sleep, let it. And if you need a nap too, go right ahead!
At the florist
Never send lilies to a friend with a cat. If someone gives you lilies, thank them, but pass them on to someone without a cat. These flowers look and smell beautiful, but they are deadly to cats. Every part of this flower, from the pollen to the petals, is dangerous and can cause acute kidney failure if even very small amounts are ingested. The cat doesn’t have to eat the flower or its parts to suffer. If it were to brush against the pollen or get some on its fur or paw and then lick itself, it could become dangerously ill within hours. When sending flowers, always let your florist know that the receiver has a cat (or other companion animal) and to not send anything toxic to them. (Peace lilies as house plants are safe, as they are not true lilies.)
Toxic
| + | Hyacinths |
| + | Hydrangeas |
| + | Poinsettia (watch out at Christmas!) |
| + | Tulips (the bulbs) |
| + | Cyclamen |
| + | Daffodils |
| + | Chrysanthemums |
Safe
| ✓ | Roses |
| ✓ | Sunflowers |
| ✓ | Carnations |
| ✓ | Snapdragons |
| ✓ | Gerberas |
| ✓ | Zinnias |
| ✓ | Asters |
| ✓ | Orchids |