Massage therapy can improve your cat's quality of life
You have to admit, just hearing the words, “cat massage,” is kind of funny. It automatically produces images of cats in white robes walking around on their hind legs at a day spa. In reality, however, the practice can give new life to cats, especially felines in their golden years.
Katie Tontala has been practicing cat massage for the past 20 years. A nurse by trade, she also became a licensed massage therapist in the late-1990s. An animal lover at heart, when she heard of cat massage, she decided to continue her education and traveled to Circleville, Ohio (located south of Columbus) to a place called Integrated Touch Therapy to learn the craft.
“People thought I was crazy because at that time, no one knew anything about cat massage,” she says. “I was excited about it. But I found there wasn’t much of a call for this at the time.
“That’s when I went to Animal Friends to begin working with the animals there.”
Tontala, who runs a website called catbehaviordemystified.com, says there are two types of massage: wellness massage and therapeutic massage. Tontala teaches the former to cat owners and shelter volunteers in a series of classes she holds several times a year at Animal Friends, in the North Hills.
Read more: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/massage-therapy-can-improve-your-cats-quality-of-life/Content?oid=7952565
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I almost gave up the last time I tried to get him into the carrier to take him to the vet for his checkup. 
Your inadequate attempts at massage therapy are still somewhat tolerated though--provided that you keep the food dish full.
He's gotten much better, as a newly found kitten he was a bitey little thing. Now he looks for affection, he'll even curl up next to me on the couch. But if he's asking for treats, he'll still nip me in the leg. He has yet to break the skin, but it's certainly startling. The other day I jumped and spilled half of his dry food all over everything...
