Cat Massage Therapy at Gifford Why Would a Cat Need to Be Massaged? Be Bothered with Us
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GOOD MEWS!Issue 5 Fall 2007 A Publication of the Ellen M. Gifford Sheltering Home Issue 5 Fall 2007 Christopher Petunia Georgia Frank Ava A Loving Touch * The cats pictured above are all available for adoption! Cat Massage Therapy at Gifford Why would a cat need to be massaged? be bothered with us. She is busy What makes massage therapy different from being in charge and she has many patting a cat? What benefits could it possibly admirers. Midge likes a full body have? massage, beginning with circular When we began our internship with strokes on her head flowing to a the Gifford Shelter last year our intent was light kneading on her shoulders and to develop some of the practical skills and neck, a smooth broad stroke down techniques we had learned in the certificate her back and some kneading on her Buddha is blissful during his massage program in Small Animal Massage Therapy hips. Sometimes Midge decides she’s at Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in had enough for the moment but will Worcester. Most of our practical experience then follow us when she is ready for had been working with dogs although we more. have both always shared our lives with cats. Bo used to always just walk by, Here are some of our experiences in allowing only a quick stroke down working with the cats at Gifford. his back. One day last fall his hips and Initially Midge was not sure she could lower spine seemed to be bothering him. When massaging between In This Issue: his vertebrae there was a palpable 1 Cat Massage Therapy crackling. After some light kneading of the muscles surrounding his hips 2 Dear Midge he has become a convert to massage Midge settles in for massage therapy 3 Introducing a New Cat to and seeks it out. Of late he has even Your Dog enjoyed some light circular fingertip Sometimes with kittens, massage is a way 3 Adoption Corner massage on his belly. of acclimating them to human touch. The 4 Success Stories Willow is a gentle and fragile and wary Tellington T-touch™ technique of circular cat. She did not really care to be touched and strokes of 375% (just slightly more than a 5 Humane Education would tolerate only the very lightest touch complete circle) has been very effective with 5 Ode to Tilly for very short periods of time. Reiki, a form many of the cats. Often the lighter touch 7 In Honor and in Memory of energy healing, was much more effective of using the backs of the fingertips rather in calming her as was the use of acupressure than the full hand or fingertips on some of 7 Comings & Goings points for alleviating fear. the more (MASSAGE cont’d on pg. 5) 1 Good Mews Fall 07.indd 1 10/19/2007 11:15:22 AM GOOD MEWS Dear Midge Good Mews! Issue 5 – Fall 2007 Our Feline Advice Specialist Dear Midge, door, gradually encouraging each to paw at a toy A publication of the My five-year-old Maine underneath it. Ellen M. Gifford coon, Portland, has been 6. Familiarize the cats with each other’s scent. Sheltering Home Corp. leaving the Gifford homepage up on my computer After several days, allow each cat to sniff an item A non-profit, no-kill screen where he knows I’ll see it. I’m pretty sure that contains the other’s scent. When both cats shelter for cats he’s trying to tell me something! How should I are responding positively, extend the experiment 30 Undine Road choose the best companion for Portland and then by moving the resident cat into the safe room for Brighton, MA 02135 introduce him to his new feline friend? several hours and allowing the new cat to explore 617-787-8872 phone the rest of the house. Repeat this switch daily until Sincerely, 617-787-8870 fax both cats appear comfortable. Double the Love 7. Allow the cats to see one another. After [email protected] Dear Double, approximately 5–7 days, allow the cats to see one www.giffordcatshelter.org another by installing a child gate, propping the Your letter is a most welcome one, not least of all Visit our website for door open just a crack using door stops, or taking because it gives this dilute tortoiseshell a chance adoption information. the new cat into the main house in a carrier. to mention one of her best qualities: patience. Visiting hours are by Supervise these interactions, returning to the steps Introducing new cats is a gradual process that appointment only, above if either cat displays fearful or aggressive available seven days requires lots of time and patience. We cats, behavior for an extended period. a week. though among the sweetest of all creatures, do 8. Allow a face-to-face meeting. When both form powerful and sometimes long-lasting first cats are reacting calmly to the interactions impressions. It is essential, then, that interactions described above, supervise a face-to-face meeting. Staff between new cats are gradual so as to minimize Ignore initial hissing or growling, but do separate Susie Aisner fearful or aggressive responses. Try these tips: the cats if one is especially aggressive or fearful. Claudia Bruno When interactions are positive, reward the cats Melissa Saporetti 1. Rely on the expertise of the shelter staff. They with praise, petting, playing, and treats. Brenda Weinstein know the cats’ histories and how they interact. 9. Gradually increase face-to-face time. They are pros at matching your cat’s characteristics Board of Directors Continue to supervise all interactions until you Lisa Sacchetti, president with potential shelter cat matches. are sure the cats are safe in each other’s company. Ann Gurka, vice president 2. Be open-minded. If, for example, you are 10. Ask for help from the shelter staff. Mary Elle Nelson, treasurer thinking “kitten” but the shelter staff suggests a Remember, no question or concern is too small to slightly older animal once you are at the shelter, be ask about. You and your cats are not alone! willing to change your mind. Practicing patience isn’t as easy as I make it look, Newsletter Editorial Staff: 3. Consider gender. Spay or neuter your of course, but it is the secret to a long and happy Ann Gurka animals and be aware that some cats prefer one life together with all of your feline companions. Claudia Bruno gender over another. See you at the shelter! Lisa Wehrle 4. Once home, place the new cat in a safe room. Do you have a question for Midge? Keep the new cat in a separate closed-door room Photographer: Address letters to Dear Midge, Gifford Sheltering containing a litter box, food and water dishes, Carly Goteiner Home, 30 Undine Rd., Brighton, MA 02135, bedding, a scratching post, and toys. [email protected]. Layout & design 5. Engage both animals in pleasurable activities courtesy of near the closed door. Feed both animals near the Niki Crawford door (but not so close as to make either cat too Midge would like to thank Lisa Wehrle for anxious to eat). Also, play with each cat near the transcribing her response to this question. 2 Good Mews Fall 07.indd 2 10/19/2007 11:15:23 AM Issue 5 Fall 2007 Introducing a New Cat to animals. Later that day repeat the process, and over the next several days increase the amount of time the door is open, as long as the a Home with a Dog reactions are positive. If your dog is responding to your commands and remaining calm, you can try the introduction without your dog What are some ways to successfully introduce a new cat into a on a leash, but you are the best judge. home with a dog? Most likely the cat will remain in the safe room as opposed to The selection process is paramount when adopting a cat to jumping over the gate towards your dog. Eventually, especially when join a dog in your home. The Gifford staff doesn’t always know the it’s quiet or at night, the cat will jump over the gate and start to explore. background of our cats and cannot predict with certainty which cat Being familiar with the room and having its food and litter still in the will co-exist peacefully with a dog. In addition, the reaction of your room, the cat will probably jump back into the room after exploring. dog and its background are not always known. Therefore careful If the cat is scared and hides somewhere in your home, put the dog consideration has to be taken and ultimately a “leap of faith” will outside or in another room away from the cat, and when you are con- finalize the selection process. fident the cat has relaxed enough to be picked up, return him to the Once home, separate the new cat in a “safe room” with its litter safe room. Another suggestion is to send your dog to doggie daycare box, food, a scratching post, some toys, and most importantly, lots or to a friend’s house while your cat explores its surroundings. of love and attention! Keep the cat secluded for several days or With time, patience and encouragement, your new cat and your longer, or until the cat seems well adjusted and relaxed in its new dog will co-exist peacefully. The cat will learn how to avoid the dog environment. Cats might growl and hiss, especially at the door jam, if necessary and the dog will come to see the cat as another fam- as the dog sniffs, barks, and cries on the other side.