Choosing a holistic lifestyle for any member of your family comes with decisions and responsibilities. However, if you prefer a holistic approach for yourself, it makes sense to take the same approach for your dog. Because holistic medicine is not the norm, some family and friends will find the decision to be unusual. This opens a door for discussion and may even open minds for those who’ve never considered there are options to conventional western medicine.
In selecting an holistic approach, you commit to getting to the cause of your dog’s health issues, not just treating the symptoms. This commitment involves both the dog owner and the holistic vet – a commitment to keep working to get to the root of the problem. Sometimes there is a simple solution for your dog’s health issue, sometimes the problem is deep rooted and takes some investigating and patience.
Quality-of-life is one of the primary reasons dog owners seek holistic health care; holistic medicine offers a wonderful array of options that improve quality of life. These options don’t start when the dog is old – providing quality of life starts at a young age and may be as simple as not over medicating your dog.
Holistic medicine is neither less expensive than conventional medicine, nor is it more expensive. It is simply different. If cost is a concern, then open discussions with your holistic vet – do what fits in your budget.
Clues you might want to look for holistic health care: being told there are no other options, personal values not being met, conventional medication doesn’t agree with your dog.
There are more clues and more considerations for holistic health care for your dog – the above material is just a beginning. Questions? Ask you holistic vet? Need an holistic vet? Go to AHVMA.org, or contact us for a phone consult.
Dr. Cathy Alinovi DVM
As a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Cathy treated 80% of what walked in the door — not with expensive prescriptions — but with adequate nutrition. Now retired from private practice, her commitment to pets hasn’t waned and she looks forward to impacting many more pet parents through her books, research, speaking and consulting work. Learn more at drcathyvet.com
Rita
August 10, 2015 at 9:53 am
Dr. Alinovi – Do you treat dogs only? I am wondering why you only mention a holistic approach for dogs. I think cats can benefit from holistic care just as much as dogs and don’t understand why cats are excluded from your article.
Dr Cathy
August 12, 2015 at 6:46 am
This week’s post discusses cats.
Nina Wolf
August 10, 2015 at 10:51 am
Hats off to Dr. Alinovi! Yup, treating symptoms instead of getting to the cause means our animals go for years sometimes with underlying conditions. Why not work toward true health, instead of the absence of symptoms? Thanks for all the work you do.