Karen Rider
- Jul 27, 2021
- 2 min read

How Can Chiropractic Care Benefit My Cat?

Has your kitty pushed the limits of her nine lives by leaping from precarious heights without a graceful landing? Or, perhaps your cat is challenged with health concerns that have not responded well enough to traditional veterinary medicine? Feline chiropractic care can be an effective preventative modality as well as an effective treatment for various feline health concerns.

Just as for humans, chiropractic care for cats utilizes spinal adjustments to restore proper alignment of the joints and spine. These adjustments support fluid movement of the joints and promote effective communication throughout the nervous system.

Inside a Veterinary Chiropractic Session for a Cat

A veterinarian with special training in chiropractic performs spinal adjustments using a variety of types of manual manipulations as well as specially designed tools to gently administer the adjustment ot the spine or a joint. Before applying an adjustment the veterinary chiropractor

Perform a health evaluation and review medical records
May take x-rays or other images
Assesses the condition/alignment of the spine and joints
Pinpoints subluxations that are associated with the cat’s presenting condition
Applies adjustments to effectively remove subluxations and alleviate the symptoms associated with the presenting condition, which encourages the body to heal, naturally.

The veterinary chiropractor may use a mechanical adjustment device such as an activator in his or her treatment process, or they may use their hands. Adjustments are focussed on moving the joint in the specific direction needed to return it, and the body areas innervated from that region, to normal function.

Does Cat Chiropractic Work?

The efficacy of chiropractic care for cats depends on the condition being treated and the specific cat. Some felines respond quite well and receive wonderful benefits from chiropractic care, while others have a very minimal response. Feline chiropractic is not a “one and done” modality. If you opt for feline chiropractic care, you should give it time to work--at least a few weeks.

Case studies and limited clinical research indicates that chiropractic care for cats can be beneficial for a variety of conditions ranging from musculoskeletal to digestive. Because every cat is unique, and many factors (age, length of time ill, previous treatments) can influence treatment, it is best that you consult with a veterinary chiropractor as to the effectiveness of treatment for your cat.

Questions to Ask a Veterinary Chiropractor

Before allowing your cat to receive treatment from a veterinary chiropractor, do your homework and ask questions in a consultation prior to treatment:

Research: Have there been any complaints raised against the animal chiropractor you plan to see? If so, keep looking.
Where did they receive their training in animal chiropractic?
How long have they been treating animals with chiropractic?
What will the initial exam and evaluation include?
Have they treated cats with symptoms similar to your cat’s and what was the outcome?
What tools do they use in their treatment approach?
What can you expect from treatment after the initial session, 3 weeks and 6 weeks out?