Reiki for Cats & the People Who Love Them
As told to Pamela Miles by Carole Wilbourn, a pioneer of cat therapy, whose practice is based in New York City.
Eighteen years old, with diabetes, borderline renal failure and arthritic hind legs, Winni had his paws full. Connie, his guardian, also felt emotionally and physically drained, and scheduled a home visit so I could give them both a lift. First I gave Connie some behavioral tips that would help her maintain their well-being after I left. Then I began a modified Reiki chair treatment.
As soon as I placed my hands on Connie’s head, Winni wobbled onto her lap, purring steadily. Connie was delighted. “Winni wants to be part of the action, and my Winni has discerning taste,” said Connie.
A cat’s actions reflect a cat’s feelings. That’s obvious.
But I’ve been a cat therapist since 1970, and working with thousands of feline-guardian duos has shown me what’s not so obvious: how often a cat’s feelings and behavior express the angst of the guardian. You can call it Whole Cat Therapy if you want, but it became clear to be that in order to help a cat, I needed to help the guardian as well.
Learning to practice Reiki in May 2009 made that so much easier to do, and my Reiki hands have become a featured—and favorite—part of my service. I also nurture myself with daily Reiki self-treatment, and I’ve come to appreciate that my daily self-treatment is part of what I bring to my human and feline clients.
I recently treated cats at a fund-raising event. One was recovering from pelvic surgery for a fracture. An attendee who watched me give Reiki treatment commented, “What a relieved expression on that cat’s face as you treated her. We watched her face soften as you placed your hands on her body.” Another attendee noticed the guardian’s shoulders relax and his breath deepen during the treatment—the one I gave his cat! You should have seen how well he responded when I placed my hands on him.
Do you have a question for Carole? Click here to ask it, or tell us about how your cats respond to Reiki treatment.
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Hi Carole-
When I began Reiki 15 years ago, I worked for a vet’s office. The cats are tricky, but they always loved it. They, more than dogs, semmed to make use of it to transcend to the next level. At first, that was scary for me- but then I realized that if the tell you that geriatric people may do that, there’s really not much difference. And that’s the beauty of Reiki- it works how it’s needed, not how you feel it should.
Blessings to you, keep up the wonderful works!
Tracy Wilson
Pooler, GA
Hi Carol,
Thank you for the work that you do and allowing me to ask a question. Pamela I love your blog and I am a frequent visitor.
I am a recent Reiki II practitioner. When I started my journey with Reiki it was with the intention of providing Reiki to the cats in shelters to give them some relief from the stress of life there. I had already been volunteering as care staff at a shelter for feral cats.
My journey with Reiki over the past two years has taken some interesting and gratifying turns. However my connection to Cats with Reiki has been complicated. It has often felt that instead of offering a gift and letting them take what they need. I am a annoyance and threat. I have been very careful to prepare, and stay hands off unless invited. However the connection and inner knowing I have been experiencing with people does not happen with cats.
I was wondering if there were steps you took to prepare that you would be willing to share? Also have you had this difference experience with cats then humans and other animals?
My two cat companions have become great teachers in my life and I do wonder if it is because my relationship to cats have become so valuable to me that I have set myself up to not enjoy the connection with other cats.
Thank you so much for your time and again for the wonderful work you do on behalf of cats.
Cheri Linehan
Beautiful story about Winni and Connie, thank you for sharing. I have to say, however, when I saw Winni’s photo, I accused my Siamese of “stepping out on me” with another human!
Winni looks exactly like my wonderful, sweet male Siamese named “Pipes the Cat.”
My partner (currently working toward her Master) and I (Reiki I) share Reiki treatments for each other, and Pipes almost always wants to participate. He is very aware of the energy and usually places himself in a seemingly strategic area. It’s beautiful, and I looooove him being part of my treatments. It always seems enhanced when he is part of it.
He likewise tried once to be part of an in-home acupuncture treatment, which was a little unnerving! He actually moved carefully to each of the 28 needles and sniffed them individually. He also managed to find an open area on my torso between two sets of needles and laye there. It was interesting.
Hi Cheri,
You are certainly a sensitive and caring practitioner. When I do Reiki with cats, I give what I have, they take what they want, and I let go. The more I relax (my daily treatments really help), the easier it is. Cats and other animals have always been my greatest teachers, and I’ve learned, but slowly, that I can accept what may be mysterious to me, is not to them– and that’s a coup. Thanks Cheri for your insight.
Hi Martha,
The cat in the photo with me is my cat Orion 2. Your Pipes really is a cat on the go.
Martha, thanks for your colorful input.
Hi Carole,
It’s remarkable how well cats respond to reiki. My Sam was hours away from death when he was admitted to the hospital for renal failure. Less than a week later (and with daily reiki treatments) he was released with normal kidney values. The vet said she had never seen a cat so deep into kidney failure rebound so well. She estimated he had 6 months with daily fluid treatments. Reiki helped keep Sam’s kidney values normal and over time I was able to reduce his fluids to once a week. The 6 months she gave him turned out to be over 5 happy, healthy years.
My vet called Sam a miracle and me The Cat Whisperer. From one cat whisperer to another, keep up the beautiful work.
I’ve found that cats often prefer Reiki at a slight distance. In my Reiki practice, I only have a handful of cat clients who like hands-on sessions. I’ve also found that most cats prefer shorter sessions than even dogs, and definitely shorter sessions than humans. I’ve always felt that was due to the fact that because cats are so sensitive to energy in general, they’re able to utilize the energy very quickly.
Hi Lisa,
What a beautiful Sam story. My late cat Orion, was my catalyst for becoming a Reiki practitioner. We were only together 28 months — renal failure was his demise. I was in the midst of making tributes when Reiki stepped in on the net. Orion was my
catalyst. Now I can give myself and others what I couldn’t give Orion (l). Thank you Lisa
for a healing Sam moment.
Hi Ingrid,
Oh yes, I agree. A cat is so exquisitely sensitive to all that comes his or her way. Less
is more.
Hi Lisa,
What a beautiful Sam story. My late cat Orion, was my catalyst for becoming a Reiki practitioner. We were only together 28 months — renal failure was his demise. I was in the midst of making tributes when Reiki stepped in on the net. Orion was my
catalyst. Now I can give myself and others what I couldn’t give Orion (l). Thank you Lisa
for a healing Sam moment.
Hi Ingrid,
Yes, Ingrid, I agree. Less can be more with most cat.