Feline Physical Therapy: Improving Mobility and Quality of Life for Cats
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Physical therapy and rehabilitation tailored specifically for cats can make a important difference in the wellbeing of these felines. Cats recovering from surgery, as well as those who have osteoarthritis, are overweight, or are healing from non-surgical injuries may see improved mobility, faster recovery, and an overall improved quality of life, according to Michael H. Jaffe, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS, an associate professor of small animal surgery at Mississippi State University College of veterinary Medicine, who led a Fetch dvm360 Conference lecture on the topic this past weekend in Kansas City, Missouri.1
Other benefits of rehabilitation therapy include1:
Promoting early weight-bearing and return to function
Supporting weight loss
Improving proprioception and movement
Promoting tissue healing
Providing positive psychological effects
Increasing strength and endurance
Improving versatility
Reducing pain, inflammation, and swelling
Offering a non-invasive approach
Carrying minimal risk of complications
Preventing compensatory injuries
Engaging owners in their pet’s care
“I always say that with surgery, we put the pieces together, but physical therapy and rehab gets the parts moving again. And I think there’s a lot of truth to that,” said Jaffe during his presentation.1
Massage therapy
Pet owners and practice owners who may not have specialized rehabilitation equipment can perform massage therapy on cats, explained jaffe. This type of therapy promotes blood flow to the muscles, improves connective tissue strength and tendon elasticity, reduces some muscle spasms, and lowers stress and anxiety. According to Jaffe, massage therapy is also beneficial for breaking down adhesions.”As far as lymphatic flow,that’s crucial,because any edema that may form in the tissue,or certainly distal to the tissue,can be mobilized pretty quickly in terms of promoting that blood flow and improving the lymphatics to help drain some of that edema that’s forming in the interstitial space,” he added.
In patients that have undergone surgery, Jaffe explained this therapy should be started within the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Some patients may even receive massage therapy prior to undergoing more intensive rehabilitation protocols, noted Jaffe.Additionally, clients can be taught to perform massage therapy on their pets at home.When it comes to the massage technique, Jaffe said he likes to isolate one joint at a time rather than doing a bicycle movement.
Heat and Cold Therapy for cats: A Guide to Promoting Healing and recovery
Heat and cold therapy can be valuable tools in feline physical rehabilitation and pain management, but understanding when and how to use them is crucial. According to Michael Jaffe, DVM, both modalities offer distinct benefits and carry specific contraindications.
Heat Therapy: Boosting Blood Flow and Reducing Muscle Tension
Heat therapy utilizes warmth to increase blood flow to tissues, promoting healing and reducing muscle tightness. Jaffe explains he frequently incorporates heat therapy as part of a warm-up before massage, passive range of motion exercises, or other rehabilitation activities. “I like to use it to help decrease some of the muscle tightness prior to when we do our stretches and help decrease any muscle spasms as we work our muscles and take them through range of motion.” Warm compresses are particularly useful for chronic conditions and can aid in recovery.
However,Jaffe cautions against using heat therapy in certain situations. Specifically, it should not be used on areas with suspected tumors, as increased blood flow could potentially promote metastasis.Other contraindications include open wounds, cats with severe cardiac insufficiency, and acute inflammation – in these cases, cold therapy is the preferred initial approach.Pet owners and veterinary professionals must also exercise caution when applying heat, ensuring the temperature isn’t too high to avoid burns, and being mindful of areas with decreased or absent sensation where the cat may not be able to indicate if the compress is too hot.
Cold Therapy: Reducing Inflammation and managing acute Injuries
In contrast to heat, cold therapy causes vasoconstriction – a narrowing of blood vessels. This reduces edema (swelling), inflammation, and the formation of hematomas following an acute injury. Jaffe notes that cold therapy is often employed after a vigorous rehabilitation session. “We’re going to use our cold compresses to decrease any pain or muscle spasms or muscle injury that may have occurred during our rehab session.”
When using cold therapy, such as ice packs, it’s vital to protect the cat’s skin. Ice packs should always be wrapped in a towel to prevent cold shock or skin injury. Treatment sessions should be limited to 10-15 minutes and can be repeated approximately every 4 hours as needed.
Reference:
Jaffe MH. Feline physical therapy and rehabilitation. Presented at: Fetch dvm360 Conference; August 25-26, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri.