Exploring Alternative Therapies for Your Beloved Pet

When your pet has a problem, it is only natural to look for solutions. Traditional veterinary treatments and medications may hold a lot of answers, but sometimes they just don’t quite cut it. Join us at Animal Care Unlimited in exploring alternative and natural pet remedies and holistic pet care practices as options for your pet. 

Essential Oils for Pets

Essential oils are naturally occurring compounds. They are often extracted from plants. Many of the smells and properties that we associate with various botanicals are due to  these oils.

Essential oils are also often the source of compounds that we use for various medications and other chemical compounds. It only makes sense that people might use them in their purest form for therapeutic benefits.

When it comes to essential oils for pets, though, you should use caution. They may be natural, but they are not always safe. 

While many homes diffuse oils without any reported ill-effects, it is important to note that essential oils are not totally benign.

Be careful using them around pets with respiratory issues, and cats—who are known to have difficulty detoxifying many compounds that are harmless in other species. Pets can inadvertently inhale oils, lick diffused droplets from their fur, or even help themselves to unsecured oils. 

Essential oil molecules are small and lipophilic and can easily absorb past the skin barrier and into the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. 

When using essential oils in or around pets, be sure to:

• Give your pet space to move away from any diffusers in the home
• Be conservative in the amount of oils you use (diluted is best) and amount of time that you diffuse (aim for no more than 30 minutes at a time)
• Avoid citrus oils, peppermint, and eucalyptus, especially around cats
• Never apply oils directly to your pet without veterinary direction
• Do not diffuse around pets with respiratory conditions like asthma
• Keep your diffuser away from items such as pet bedding, kennels, or bowls
• Keep essential oils in a secure location to prevent accidental ingestions

In general, choices like frankincense, chamomile, and lavender oils are safest for both dogs and cats.

Homeopathic Remedies for Animals

Homeopathic remedies for pets are solutions derived from various herbs, minerals, and natural substances. They are often very diluted. The basis of homeopathy is derived from exposing the patient to a substance that causes the same symptoms in a healthy individual. So if you are having a sneezing fit, exposure to dust might just cure it. 

Animal lovers often look to homeopathy for difficult and chronic problems that are not responding to mainstream treatments. There tends not to be a lot of scientific support for homeopathic pet remedies, but they typically are unlikely to harm anything. 

Although there is not yet a lot of scientific support, homeopathic pet remedies are totally safe. There are some important considerations to take into account:

• They are unlikely to “fix” anything
• There are often more effective and scientifically-founded options for most conditions
• Seeking out homeopathic solutions instead of veterinary care may delay helping your pet
• It may be difficult to know if certain ingredients are harmful to animals without veterinary training

Homeopaths tend to avoid things like pet vaccinations and parasite prevention, which have proven benefits to our patients. Avoiding this type of preventive care can have serious consequences. 

Holistic Pet Care and Natural Pet Supplements

Holistic pet care aims to treat the whole pet, mind, body, and soul as one unit. From nutritional changes to massage, addressing the whole animal makes a lot of sense on many levels. 

Utilizing natural pet supplements can be part of holistic pet care. From fish oil to turkey tail mushroom to turmeric, natural supplements can have powerful and proven benefits.

Natural supplements and holistic treatments are not without side effects, contraindications, or interactions, though. Always let our team know if you are utilizing these things for your pet. 

Valid Natural Pet Remedies

Alternative medicine options can definitely have their place in veterinary medicine. Many alternative treatments are widely accepted and even have scientific support. 

Some of our favorite natural pet remedies include:

• Acupuncture
• Traditional Chinese herbal medicine
• Chiropractic techniques
• Therapeutic massage
• Therapeutic laser 

Many alternative remedies, especially over-the-counter options, are often used by pet owners in place of traditional veterinary care. This is where things can get tricky. We don’t want to delay helping your pet feel well!

Please be sure to use any alternative techniques under the guidance of a veterinarian as a part of a comprehensive wellness care plan. Contact us right away for help.