Are you looking for ways to improve the overall well-being of your cat or dog? Then you might be interested in the broad spectrum of holistic services that are available to complement regular treatment plans.
The services have become more popular over the last couple of years, although they often require a pet to see a practitioner on a regular basis and can be expensive.
If your feline or canine family member has arthritis, they might benefit from acupuncture, or if a senior pet has difficulty getting around the house, a regular physical therapy session can help relieve stiff or sore joints.
In general, complementary and alternative therapies should be discussed with a veterinary practitioner prior to the first session. Your vet will also be able to guide you on which holistic treatments might be needed and offer a referral.
You can also search for a holistic veterinarian in the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association's database.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy for pets encompasses a variety of treatments and can be used to increase mobility, strength and endurance.
Practitioners might flex, extend and rotate your pet's joints; have your dog walk on an underwater treadmill; or encourage swimming. In other sessions, there might be balance exercises such as standing on specially designed therapy equipment, or walking on ramps or stairs.
Every appointment should be designed according to the individual pet's needs.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used by humans to relieve pain and to improve the function of organ systems for thousands of years, but it can be beneficial for dogs and cats, too. The nervous system gets stimulated by applying small needles, pressure or a therapeutic laser to certain points of the body, the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association explains.
Treatment can help muscles relax, increase blood flow to affected areas and is unlikely to interact with your pet's medications and supplements, according to PetMD.
Nutritional consultations
Understanding your pet's diet goes beyond opening a can of food or setting up an automatic feeder.
Board-certified veterinary nutritionists provide nutritional counseling, recommend diets and suggest weight loss plans for dogs and cats. Obesity in pets is a growing issue and should be taken seriously as it can lead to other health problems.
If you would like to learn more about home-cooked diets and what it takes to keep your pet healthy with supplements, nutritionists are a good place to start. Veterinary nutritionists can be found in many specialty practices.
Laser therapy
The American Animal Hospital Association calls laser therapy a promising trend in veterinary medicine.
Laser therapy is often used to address musculoskeletal pain issues, but it can also help with wound healing, to reduce scar tissue and to improve nerve function. And your pets get to wear cool goggles to protect their eyes.
