As any self respecting pet owner will attest; it’s furry friends through thick and thin. That said, it’s fine to admit that being responsible for an animal 24/7, 365 can be hard. What makes it harder, unless you’re Dr. Doolittle, of course, is that your pet can’t articulate what they’re going through.
As such, if your pet is experiencing something that can’t be cured by conventional methods, it might be worth giving alternative treatments and therapy a shot. Yes, you read that right; alternative medicine for pets exists, and it’s more popular than ever. With that in a very open mind, here are 5 IDEAL alternative treatments and tools for your furry friends.
ACUPUNCTURE & ACUPRESSURE
As dogs get older, they develop joint inflammation and arthritis. Acupuncture is often used to manage a range of health issues including those just mentioned. The process involves inserting fine needles in specific points, in order to alleviate pain and improve the range of motion. In recent scientific research, it has shown great promise for senior dogs. What’s more, acupuncture can also serve as a complementary treatment for medical conditions such as lick granulomas and spinal cord misalignment.
Acupressure involves applying gentle pressure on specific acupressure points, with the impact of acupressure being quite similar to that of acupuncture. It’s especially beneficial for dogs suffering from chronic pains, spinal cord conditions and arthritis. It also induces relaxation and alleviates stress in animals.
MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage therapy for pets isn’t anything new. Indeed, an animal massage therapist determining the needs of a pet and using hands-on massage techniques to improve their health has been a part of veterinary care for a long time.
And it’s easy to see why; not only does massage therapy promote physical wellbeing, but it also improves emotional health. It’s particularly useful for rescue animals, who are prone to being anxious, aggressive, fearful and/or shy because of their mistreatment in the past. Massage therapy can help with such issues.
MAGNETIC COLLARS
Magnetic collars claim to improve animals’ natural ability to heal. From horses to cats, magnetic therapy is being used increasingly to help all kinds of animals. A tool to boost your pet’s immunity against illnesses such as common cold, joint problems, kidney issues and more, it’s said to improve blood circulation and restore damaged tissues. Apart from being an affordable option, magnetic collars offer largely unintrusive treatment.
HOMOEOPATHY
Homoeopathy involves natural and holistic treatments for a wide range of medical conditions, including diarrhoea, allergies and musculoskeletal injuries, in part to avoid the risk of side effects often associated with modern medicine. This is a low-risk treatment option, but one which must be treated with caution, as finding the right treatment for your pet can take time. If the condition is time-sensitive, then it’s better to stick to conventional treatments.
AROMATHERAPY
Just like it does for humans, aromatherapy has a soothing effect on animals. Again, if your pets are suffering from any behavioural issues such as anxiety, and aggressiveness, aromatherapy can be helpful. However, it’s important to note that not every essential oil is safe or suitable for animals, so do your due diligence as a responsible pet owner prior to use.
