Alternative Medicine For Dogs
Are There Any Alternative Medicines That Can Be Effective For Treating Dogs?
While many dog ailments need to be treated with non-steroidal or steroidal drugs, more and more dog lovers are looking to alternative medicine for dogs for the relief of pain. In fact, any alternative therapy available to humans can potentially be used to treat canines. Senior dogs especially can benefit from acupuncture, massage, herbal treatment, and chiropractics.
Many veterinarians are not into alternative dog therapy because of the non-scientific approach and perhaps because of the possible loss of revenue over standard meds. Because alternative medicine for dogs treatments are not in the mainstream, it doesn’t make them any less effective and there are vets in every city and state who actively advocate alternative therapies in conjunction with conventional treatment.
All dog owners should make sure their pets are on healthy diets to begin with as alternative medicines can only offer so much help. A nutritious, whole food diet featuring raw vegetables is the way to go. Also use an all-natural shampoo when bathing.
Popular alternative dog therapy
- Acupuncture: Used in the same way in dogs as it is in humans, acupuncture is said to unblock energy lines and thus balance the flow of energy in the body. Needles are inserted into specific areas of your dog's body in an effort to control pain.
- Massage: As with humans, massage in dogs can ease pain, lower stress levels, increase circulation, and even boost the immune system.
- Chiropractic care: Specially trained chiropractors can relieve pain in dogs with spinal problems through hands-on manipulation.
- Herbal remedies: A variety of herbal plants and essential oils can be employed for treating a range of ailments and for relaxation.
- Homeopathy: Has the aim of giving the dog’s immune system a boost by introducing small amounts of the substance that is causing a given ailment.
- Nutritional supplements: Increasing vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids into the dog’s system that has a weak diet.
Useful herbal remedies for dog flea control
Herbs and essential oils are a low-impact alternative medicine for dogs. Certain essential oils, like tea tree oil and pennyroyal, can be used for controlling fleas and ticks in dogs. Simply add a few drops to a spray bottle full of water and spray over your dog’s coat. Pennyroyal and tea tree oil are nice smelling and along with keeping fleas at bay on your dog, they also benefit the entire household. A 50/50 apple cider vinegar/water mix is also effective.
You can also put tea tree oil directly onto your dog’s skin between the shoulder blades and on the end of the tail. Another good method is to douse his dog collar with it – rope-type collars work best. You could use eucalyptus, citronella, and lavender as an alternative to tea tree oil in this case.
Garlic is a beneficial alternative medicine for dogs and it can be eaten with their food for developing natural resistance to fleas. You can splash it over your dog’s food and after a time fleas will not go near your pet as the garlic excretes through the skin. Fleas can’t stand the taste of garlic, along with brewer’s yeast.
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