Cats & Other Small Animals
TTouch is best known for working with dogs and
horses, but it works beautifully on any animal. Smaller
animals benefit every bit as much as large animals.
There are a great many tools in the TTouch method to
help the animals discussed in this section. The
following illustrates only a few examples of how
TTouch can improve an animal’s physical or behavioral
condition.
Caution: the smaller the animal, the more sensitive
the nervous system. Fewer minutes of TTouch should be
used. Approximately 5- 10 minutes is appropriate for
cats, but 3-5 minutes at any one time should be the
maximum for rats, mice, ferrets and birds.
Cats
Cats have an unusually sensitive nervous system, so
TTouch should be done very lightly. If a cat is
terrified of getting into or leaving his crate when he
has to travel, lift off the top of the crate, wrap the
cat in a towel, and place him in it gently. Do Ttouches
through the towel to calm him. Place the lid on while
he’s still in the towel. To remove him, lift off the top
and immediately cover him with a towel. Toning (using
soft natural voice tones) is very soothing to a cat.
Rabbits
As prey animals, rabbits have special fears around
predators (even if the “predator” is a household pet).
They are sensitive to environmental changes, loud
sounds, and anything out of the ordinary in their
environment. Circular touches can help a rabbit move
from a fight or flight mode to calm. Touches around the
hind quarters where most rabbits carry tension help to
regularize breathing and relax muscles. Certain wraps
can improve the rabbit’s digestion – always an issue
with rabbits. And rabbits love to be taught new things.
Clicker training is an excellent way to give a rabbit
something new to do.
Birds
Birds are extremely social and often suffer from
isolation and separation anxiety. Birds reveal tension
around their feet, wings, and neck. Careful observation
of a bird and how he reacts to his environment is
essential to helping him reduce stress. Often,
unfamiliar human hands are too threatening, but stroking
him with one of his own feathers or one of a similar
color, will relax him. Providing a fun and stimulating
environment is important to helping a bird de-stress.
And spending a good deal of time with an owner or
another bird is vital.
Mice, rats, ferrets and other small animals
Smaller animals have a much higher metabolism than
larger animals, so helping the animal to become calm and
unafraid can positively impact his longevity. Human
hands are often too big, bulky, and flexible for the
animal to feel secure. Holding your animal on top of a
pillow or towel will help him feel more secure. Earwork
is very good for the animal’s overall health because it
touches most of the acupressure points of his body.
Consider using a small, soft paintbrush to do circular
touches on his body. Try to do small touches around his
hips and tail end to alleviate some of the tension he
naturally carries in that area.
