CV4 Guan Yuan (关元) Cat Acupuncture Point
In cats, CV4 (Guan Yuan, 关元) is a feline acupuncture point on the Conception Vessel meridian. It is located 3 cun below the umbilicus. Traditional indications in this chart include deficiency, diarrhea, infertility.
This page is educational. It describes a point in cats as listed in traditional charts and does not give treatment advice. Points should be needled only by trained veterinary professionals, and cats are small and sensitive. See our Medical Disclaimer.
Quick facts
- Species
- Cat
- Point code
- CV4
- Pinyin
- Guan Yuan
- English name
- Gate of Origin
- Chinese name
- 关元
- Meridian
- Conception Vessel
- Element or system
- Sea of Yin meridians
- Needle depth listed (practitioners only)
- 0.5 cm
- Point category
- Front-Mu of Small Intestine; Major tonification point
Needle depths are shallow because cats are small. They are shown for reference and are not instructions for owners.
Where is CV4 Guan Yuan on a cat?
3 cun below the umbilicus.
Point locations are approximate and vary with breed and body size. A trained practitioner finds the point by feeling anatomical landmarks.
“Cun” is a proportional unit used to find points on the body, so distances scale with the size of the cat.
Traditional indications
- Deficiency
- diarrhea
- infertility
- urinary disorders
Indications are taken from traditional veterinary acupuncture charts. They describe how the point has been used and are not proof that it treats these conditions in cats.
Cat conditions that mention CV4 Guan Yuan
PetAcu cat condition guides that name this point:
Points often discussed alongside CV4 Guan Yuan
These feline acupuncture points appear in the same cat condition guides. A practitioner chooses a combination for each cat.
Safety notes
Needling should only be done by a trained veterinary professional. Cats are small and sensitive, and shallow needling and short sessions are usual. This point lies over the rib cage or abdomen, so technique takes account of the organs underneath.
Never apply pressure or heat to a painful area on a cat. If your cat suddenly cannot use the back legs, is breathing with an open mouth, or is straining to urinate, see a veterinarian immediately.
Questions about CV4 Guan Yuan
Where is CV4 Guan Yuan on a cat?
3 cun below the umbilicus. Locations are approximate and are found by palpation by a trained practitioner.
What is CV4 Guan Yuan used for in feline acupuncture?
The source chart lists deficiency, diarrhea, infertility, urinary disorders as traditional indications. This is traditional use and not proof of effect.
Can I use CV4 Guan Yuan as a cat acupressure point at home?
Needling should only be done by a trained veterinary professional. Gentle pressure is sometimes shown by veterinarians, so ask yours first, especially if your cat is unwell, in pain or has not been examined.
Learn more and next steps
Printable point cards and atlas
Acupuncture books, printable point cards, courses and learning resources.
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Other Conception Vessel acupuncture points for cats
Species: cat. Point data compiled by PetAcu from small-animal acupuncture textbooks and TCVM references (feline chapters). Back to the cat acupuncture points chart or the veterinary acupuncture points atlas.