Just like humans, our pets are affected by the health hazards of the modern world such as poor nutrition, stress, lack of exercise and exposure to toxicity, all of which can lead to illness and anxiety.

Veterinarians with a holistic outlook also attribute some conventional approaches to animal medicine as being harmful to the wellbeing of our pets and prefer to promote the benefits of alternative treatments and new age therapies.

Just as us humans are becoming more and more interested in and aware of alternative health treatments for ourselves and the medical profession is recognising the benefits of some alternative medicines too, the veterinarian field is increasingly offering alternative and new age medicinal treatments for our pets.

According to many animal doctors, pets are just like people in many ways and can suffer from anxiety, depression, compulsive behavior and other psychological disorders. These illnesses may be bought on by separation problems, strokes, seizures or chronic pain and can be treated by a veterinarian surgeon. Alternative and new age healing methods are gaining popularity as evidence of successful outcomes is becoming more common.

Veterinary herbalists may treat medical disorders such as anxiety or depression with St John’s Wort, or use ginkgo biloba to increase an circulation in animals. Nutritional supplements are also recognised as assisting in the treatment of pet disorders. For example, antioxidant vitamins such a vitamin C will help increase immunity, glucosamine can treat arthritis in animals and essential fatty acids may help with dermatitis. Some vets may suggest that your pet will benefit from avoiding processed pet food and suggest instead that you move your pet onto a diet of natural foods such as raw meat, bones, fruit and vegetables to avoid allergies or digestive problems.

Therapies such as reiki, acupuncture, aromatherapy, ayurveyda and homeopathy are well known to cure and heal certain conditions in humans but did you know that some animal clinics offer new age and alternative treatments such as this for pets? Treatments such as these are known to restore body alignment systems and energy in animals. Chiropractic therapy assists the brain’s signals to work and massage improves blood flow. Even crystal and chakra healing is being touted as effective therapy for pets by some veterinarian practitioners. Crystals are believed to restore balance, harmony and connection and therefore provide healing qualities for some illnesses. Such therapies are known to produce positive health outcomes in pets

Types of alternative therapy

• Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that involves a Reiki Master placing their hands gently on the body of the animal resulting in enhanced relaxation, energy balance and overall wellbeing.
• Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into the body. Although this sounds painful, it actually induces deep relaxation and helps treat muscular pain, allergies, arthritis and asthma.
• Massaging your pet can be very calming and help release stress and tension, promote relaxation, ease aching muscles, restore mobility and flexibility, stimulate blood flow and more.
• Ayurveyda is an ancient Indian practice that uses herbs as healing agents. An ayurveydic diet is thought to strengthen the connection between emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health.
• Homeopathy is a theory of medical practice that administers highly diluted amounts of substances that are the cause of the symptoms to treat the illness.

The health and wellbeing of your pet is something that, as a pet owner, you must take very seriously. Any medicinal treatment, whether it be traditional, alternative, new age or holistic, should be undertaken in consultation with a vet or a veterinary clinic. This will ensure that you are receiving the best advice and the most appropriate set of options when it comes to caring for your pet.