Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Acupuncture and Physiotherapy Welfare

Complementary therapies including acupuncture and physiotherapy are increasingly used in feline medicine with emerging evidence of benefit.

Key Facts

Feline physiotherapy is used for post-operative rehabilitation and chronic pain management
Acupuncture has some evidence for pain management in cats particularly for musculoskeletal conditions
Hydrotherapy including underwater treadmill is used for rehabilitation in cats
Laser therapy provides non-invasive pain relief for arthritic cats
Owner acceptance of complementary therapies for cats is increasing with veterinary guidance

Welfare Considerations

Complementary therapies offer additional welfare benefits for cats with chronic pain and mobility problems when evidence supports their use and they are applied by qualified practitioners. They extend rather than replace conventional veterinary care in providing welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Discuss evidence-based complementary therapy options with your vet for cats with chronic pain
Ensure any complementary practitioners treating your cat have appropriate qualifications and work with your vet
Monitor and report response to complementary therapies to your vet for integrated care