Just like people, cats have their own unique personalities. Some cats are certainly more aggressive than others. What can you do when you have a cat that simply won't get along with other people or animals?

Cats often become aggressive for a number of reasons, ranging from territorial feelings to simply being anxious beings. Thankfully, there are ways to treat your cat for aggression. Could acupuncture be one of them?

What Is Acupuncture?

For thousands of years, acupuncture has been used as part of ancient Chinese medicine. Today, animals may also be able to benefit from its use. This form of traditional Chinese medicine may view aggression as a type of imbalance in the body. In order to treat said imbalance, the acupuncturist will use small needles inserted into the skin at certain points. Each point on the body is linked to a certain type of reaction.

The Process of Pet Acupuncture

The first thing pet acupuncture services will do is assess your pet's health. He or she will determine if acupuncture is the right method of treatment. The veterinarian will then insert the needles into the skin and allow them to sit for a period of time. Most pets react well to acupuncture and barely feel the prick of the needle.

Many practitioners believe that pet acupuncture works at least in part because it relaxes the pet. Aggression is considered a type of disturbance in the pet's body. This disturbance is also associated with other behavioral issues like fear, shyness, depression, and anxiety. Many people do not realize that pets can suffer from many of the same illnesses as people.

In pets, acupuncture often works after one session if you the issue is fairly recent. For long-term problems, your pet may need several session. Follow-up appointments may be helpful for any pet, but your veterinarian will provide you with all the information you need about future visits.

Other Ways Cats May Benefit from Acupuncture

Apart from aggression, acupuncture may be useful for other conditions, including arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, weak immune system, cardiac issues, and asthma.

If you are concerned about your cat's constant aggression, there may be a way to get to the root cause. Speaking with your cat's veterinarian may be the first step to finding the solution. Ultimately, it is important that you take your pet to a certified veterinarian and acupuncturist with experience in this type of medicine.