Holistic Dog Care Simplified
The best holistic dog care starts at home and from a full body approach
Holistic dog care is treatment that considers the entire individual [or, in this case, dog] through mind, body, and spirit. According to the AKC, Americans are spending increasingly more money on such treatments for not only themselves, but for their dogs as well. This shift tends to be observed in two main scenarios: 1. when traditional medicine doesn’t yield the desired response within a pet OR 2. when pet owners have a more holistic lifestyle for themselves, so, in turn, make similar adjustments and choices for their pets. Studies have shown that many holistic practices may benefit your dog, but you may still be questioning “What do holistic dog care practices look like or entail?”. Doggie Herbs is here to outline a variety of different holistic dog care practices that you can consider introducing to your dog’s life:
Acupuncture/Acupressure/Chiropractic/Massage Treatments
Chances are you have heard most of these terms in relation to human health and well-being, but did you know that your dog can benefit from these treatments as well!
Acupuncture
This practice involves the insertion of thin needles into nerves and blood vessels that connect at acupuncture points. The pulsing of the needle corrects energy imbalances, which, in turn, promote healing. Known benefits of acupuncture for your dog include:
Pain Relief
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Improved Blood Circulation
Reduced Anxiety
Acupressure
Similar to acupuncture, acupressure applies pressure to certain points in the body to aid the body in its healing process. Acupressure is known to:
Reduce Anxiety
Improve Overall Well-Being and Health
Rebalance Blood Flow
Chiropractic
Chiropractic care manuvres the spine and or other bones throughout the body in order to:
Relieve Joint, Muscular, and/or Skeletal Pain
Regain Agility Abilities
Massage
The benefits of massage go beyond relaxing sore muscles, they also:
Calm
Improve Blood Flow and Oxygenation
Heal Sprains/Strains
Reduce Pain
Strengthen Immune Health
Aid Digestion and the Removal of Toxins
Decrease Blood Pressure
Better yet, most dogs enjoy this treatment, so don’t get all wiggly or squirmy during treatment. Massage can be a pricey treatment, but good news is that you can learn to give your dog massages from the comfort at home, which can also strengthen your bond.
Any of these treatments can be received through holistic veterinary service providers that specialize in holistic care for dogs. Locate a holistic vet in your area with VetFinder.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of scents to treat the body. Consider the abilities of the canine nose, it’s for this reason alone that aromatherapy is even more powerful with our dogs than ourselves. President of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Barbara Royal, stresses the importance of smell in a dog’s life and how it has the ability to change the ways in which their brains function during times of alarm or discomfort. However, this heightened sense of smell that our dogs have needs to be considered in the ways we administer and dilute these scents for them. Additionally, it is critical to consult your vet before attempting aromatherapy, as some essential oils can be toxic to dogs.
Foods & Nutrition
A healthy, balanced, diet that meets the nutritional needs of your unique dog is critical in contributing to their overall health. Considering not only nutrients, minerals, and protein, but also allergies and digestive needs, can help you build and adjust a diet that best supports your dog’s personal health.
Sound
Psychology Today has found that, similar to humans, music holds the ability to impact the nervous and cardiovascular systems in dogs. More specifically, there’s been increased evidence to suggest classical music decreases stress, anxiety, and barking habits in dogs, while simultaneously increasing their daily resting time. On the other hand, heavier music, such as metal, has been observed to increase agitation in dogs. Being mindful of the sounds we expose our dog to, or the station we leave on when they are home alone, is important as it can impact their overall well-being.
Supplements & Herbs for Dogs
Supplements are a combination of concentrated ingredients that get added to one’s diet for either nutritional or therapeutic benefits. Therapeutic supplements provide the health benefits of preventing and treating diseases. Some of the most beneficial supplements of this kind come in the form of mushrooms and herbs, and products that include these mushrooms and herbs.
Medicinal herbs for dogs can be used to treat and prevent diseases, while simultaneously promoting better general health as well. It is important to be aware and knowledgeable about these substances as some can be toxic and even deadly to dogs. Wondering which types of supplements and herbs are safe and healthy for your dog? Doggie Herbs has you covered with a variety of articles that shine light on different health complications your dog may struggle with and suggested matches for supplement and herb care, as well as general immune boosting practices for your dog. Better yet, Doggie Herbs offers a variety of easy-to-mix/add supplements that are a simple way to add additional and important health components to your dog’s life and diet without a hassle. Whether you begin feeding your dog medicinal supplements and herbs as a treatment, or to promote better overall health, there are inevitable benefits!
If you have utilized traditional medicine practices to help your dog with any medical or behavioral struggles they have and you are not seeing the success you had hoped for, it may be time to try out a holistic approach. In fact, many veterinarians today will offer a combined approach between holistic therapies and traditional veterinary care. You may find that there is some combination of holistic dog care methods and conventional medicine that will work best for your dog. However, if you are seeking a complete holistic approach for your dog’s care, it is important to remember that you may need to be open to and rely on multiple holistic treatment methods, in combination with one another, to yield the most success. Regardless of the care avenues you consider, be sure to always consult with your vet before embarking on any new treatment to ensure your dogs safety.