Sunday, January 6, 2013

Why Should You Consider Holistic Dog Health?

By Geraldine Dimarco


Alternative health care for dogs, such as holistic healthcare, is quickly becoming the way for owners to make sure that their beloved pets are healthy, playful, and living long, happy, full lives.

Nutritional needs are perhaps the most important aspect to consider when it comes to a dog's health, as theirs are somewhat different from ours and will require a certain balance of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to ensure everything from the digestive systems to the bones, joints, and organs as well as the skin and coat are as healthy as possible. A diet of meat, vegetables, and whole grains without any processed foods or unnecessary fillers is usually recommended when following the holistic approach to dog care.

Your Dog's Health and Herbal Remedies.

Using a variety of essential oils, plant extracts, herbs and flowering essences, people have treated numerous ailments and conditions over the past thousands of years. As more and more owners of dogs are looking for more safe and healthy ways of treating their pets, ancient healing practices have found their way into the field of pet healthcare in the recent times.

Canine herbal remedies include calendula and chamomile for treating wounds, with chamomile used to give relief for respiratory compaints as well. Flaxseed mixed with lots of water may help cure dogs who are constipated or have other bowel problems. Oats may help soothe your dog's dry, itchy skin, as they do the same thing for humans, and smelling lavender may help your pooch get some shut-eye if he is having difficulty sleeping.

Before concocting any type of herbal remedies of your own, make it a point to do plenty of research and be absolutely certain that what you're giving your dog isn't toxic or harmful in any way, as not all herbs and flowers are safe for pets, or even people for that matter. Also, ask your veterinarian for their input and recommendations when it comes to holistic dog health and using all-natural remedies for their care.

Alternative Medicine for Pets

Today there are an increasing number of veterinarians who are putting great stock in holistic dog health, making it a large part of their practice. A veterinarian who practices holistic pet care treats animals as a whole, rather than identifying a certain problem and prescribing one type of treatment related to that specific injury or illness.

For instance, if your dog has suddenly come down with some sort of rash on his skin causing irritation, redness, itching, a possible infection, and some fur loss, a "regular" vet would probably prescribe an antibiotic to treat the skin infection and then perhaps a topical ointment to address the itching.

A holistic veterinarian will be more concerned about the source of the rash and why it happened even though they may still prescribe the two remedies. Keeping holistic care in mind, the dog's indoor and outdoor environment, its daily lifestyle, eating habits and nutritional intake are all to be considered before diagnosing or treating the animal.

With pet food recalls, vaccination and immunization questions, and overmedication fears on the rise, effective ways to keep our furry friends in the best health is a top priority.




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