This post is sponsored by Assisi Animal Health*
Play is vitally important to a cat’s mental and physical health, and it’s especially important for indoor cats. Even though cats may sleep up to 16 hours a day, when they’re awake, they need stimulation and exercise, and the best way to accomplish this is with play. While some cat parents are taking their cats outside for leash walks, the average indoor cat doesn’t get much exercise, and we know that exercise is an important component of vibrant health.
Recognizing feline pain
Through close observation, you may notice slight changes in your cat’s mobility. Maybe he is more hesitant to jump up or down formerly favorite places. Maybe she is reluctant to use the stairs. Maybe he is less playful. Cats are masters at hiding pain, so the signs may not be obvious at first. The earlier you can identify any issues, the easier it will be to manage your cats’ health as they age. For assistance, check out The Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI), a quick survey that can help you figure out if your cat is in pain.
The benefits of play therapy
The benefits of regular exercise are well-known. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, which is especially important because of the role extra weight plays in developing arthritis, a debilitating condition that affects as many as 3 in 10 cats. And yet, only 7% of cats with arthritis receive treatment.
Taking time each day to keep your cat’s body and mind active not only helps to improve her physical and mental health, but also reduces the risk of future issues. From running to jumping to problem solving, play therapy is a key preventative and rehabilitative tool.
Plan regular play therapy sessions every day. Spend 10 to 15 minutes, at least twice a day, and really play with your cat. In addition to providing exercise for your cat, play also provides mental stimulation. It is a key preventative and rehabilitative tool.
The Assisi Loop pairs perfectly with play therapy
However, play therapy may not be enough to keep cats pain-free. Enter the Assisi Loop. A staple in feline pain management, the drug-free and FDA-cleared Assisi Loop utilizes targeted pulsed electromagnetic field (tPEMF) therapy in order to gently reduce pain and inflammation. One of the most popular uses of the Loop is for osteoarthritis, the number one cause of chronic pain in veterinary patients.
How to Use the Loop
The Loop is easy to use and doesn’t cause any discomfort. Just like athletes ice their sore muscles, the Loop can be used after playtime to ensure that cats are free of pain and inflammation. Simply place the Loop on your cat when she is resting, especially near the hip joints, and press the button for 15 minutes of therapy. Two to four treatments are recommended each day. You can start tapering back once you see improvement.
You can also place the Loop underneath your cat’s favorite bed or blanket, as the treatment field extends ten inches on either side of the device. If you’re looking for full-body treatment, you can purchase the Loop Lounge instead, which offers nose-to-tail treatments.
Cabo’s success story
For geriatric cats like Cabo, the Loop has been a lifesaver. His human, veterinarian Elena Contreras, DVM, PhD, told Assisi Animal Health “ the Loop Lounge has been a total life changer – for Cabo and for myself…His appetite is fantastic and he is still playful and active, thus his arthritis is very well managed! Every night, he scampers around the house, chasing toys, following me, and running at full speed toward the most enticing venue. He behaves as if he’s a youthful adolescent!”
For more information about how the Assisi Loop or the Assisi Loop Lounge could help your cat, visit http://www.assisianimalhealth.com or contact Assisi Animal Health at info@assisianimalhealth.com, 866-830-7342.
*FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, which means that I was compensated to feature this content. Regardless of payment received, you will only see products or services featured on this site that I believe are of interest to our readers.