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Alternative Medicine for Dogs
Alternative medicine for dogs is gaining popularity. As people seek out natural healing for themselves, they consider natural remedies for dogs and cats. But, holistic options include more than medicines...
Acupuncture for dogs.
Photo courtesy of markhillary
Natural remedies for dogs look very much like their counterparts for people. You might find a veterinarian in your area who practices: - Acupuncture - shown in the photo above. Special needles are inserted into specific places on the body. Acupuncture for dogs is used to relieve pain from arthritis, hip dysplasia, spinal disk disease and also for conditions like
dog skin allergies
, chronic bowel disease and canine epilepsy.
- Chiropractic care - Just like you, your dog might have an adjustment to her spine. This form of holistic medicine for dogs is often used after trauma (like an accident) or to relieve pain from conditions like arthritis.
- Dog massage
- Did you know that you can easily calm a hyperactive dog with massage? Or, if you have a dog with arthritis, you can use massage to give her relief?
- Flower essences or Aromatherapy
- Pleasant flower smells are used to relieve conditions like stress and to calm dogs after stressful situations. - Glandular therapy - Small amounts of ground up animal glands are given to dogs to stimulate their own glands to make hormones. This natural remedy for dogs might be used for conditions like hypothyroid or hyperthyroid.
- Herbalism - Herbs have been used for thousands of years to heal people and keep them healthy. Herbs can be mixed into your dog's food, included in
home made dog treats
that you make, or given in supplement form. They can also be used externally, to help with skin problems.
With herbs, you must be careful, as there are some herbs that can be harmful to dogs, just as there are some
foods toxic to dogs
. An herb that is safe for you, might be poisonous to your dog. - Homeopathy - Homeopathy for people has been around for years. Very small particles of a substance (that would normally cause symptoms) are given to a patient. This small amount stimulates the patient's immune system to overcome the illness.
For example, if you suffer from hay fever, you might be given very small amounts of ragweed. Your body would then be able to overcome your allergy to ragweed. In recent years, this form of alternative medicine for dogs has become increasingly more popular. It's safe and easy - two reasons for its popularity. - Magnetic field therapy - Just as effective as medicine for dogs, magnetic field therapy increases circulation and decreases inflammation. With dogs it is used for bone fractures, arthritis, epilepsy and after surgery.
Magnetic therapy speeds up healing from fractures by 40-50% and has been found to give relief to dogs with arthritis in 60-70% of cases. Magnetic field therapy should NOT be used with pregnant dogs, dogs with cancer, or dogs who have cardiac pacemakers. - Naturopathy
- This form of alternative medicine for dogs assumes that disease is caused by a build-up of toxins in the body. Treatment consists of good nutrition, exercise, dog massage, bathing and getting vitamin D from sunshine.
- Reiki - To give a Reiki treatment to a dog, a practitioner puts his hands lightly on or near a dog's body. Depending on the condition that is being treated, the hand positions are varied. During a treatment, a dog may enter a state of deep relaxation and it may even fall asleep.
Reiki is used to help dogs relax, and it is sometimes used with dying dogs. If you would like to learn how to use Reiki, you should find a Reiki Master in your area.
So, as you can see, there are many forms of alternative medicine for dogs at your disposal. It is no longer necessary to rely on strong drugs and medicines for dogs. If you educate yourself on these methods, you will be in a better position to ask questions and find a veterinarian who will use natural remedies with your dog.
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