He used his fingers to assess the condition of their coats, skin, muscle-tone and abdomen. Sometimes he checked a joint by manipulating it and seeing if he could feel the joint 'clicking'. He ran his hands over the cat's fur feeling for fur condition and to see how prominent the bones were - an old or sick cat may lose weight, equally if the ribs can't be detected at all the cat is overweight. In fact I could assess their condition and check for abnormalities at the same time as reinforcing the cat-owner bond. Then I applied this to my cats.
Massage can reduce stress and blood pressure levels in both cat and owner.
It stimulates the cat's circulation and can aid convalescence. Massage is especially beneficial to geriatric and arthritic cats and, as human athletes know, it eases stiff joints and rubs out muscle knots at the end of a hard day's activity. Both cat and owner should find the sessions relaxing - if you or the cat falls asleep, then at least one aspect of massage is working, but you'll need to stay awake a bit longer if you are to use it as a way of checking your cat's wellbeing. Massage in later life can improve socialisation in cats which are often aloof. While you pet your cat, it will show its pleasure by massaging you in return using its front paws.