Is Holistic Dog Health the Answer?

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.

In considering a dogs health,maybe nutritional needs are the most important aspects,a dogs nutritional needs are somewhat different from a humans and need a certain balance of nutrients,vitamins,and minerals to make sure everything from their digestive systems to the skeletal system, joints,and organs also the skin and coat are kept as healthy as possible. Holistic dog diets usually require proteins, veggies, and grains minus extra fillers and over-processed foods.

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.

Some of the plant life that's used for treating dogs include both calendula and chamomile for promoting the healing of wounds, and the latter is often used for the treatment of respiratory ailments as well. For dogs suffering from constipation or bowel disorders, crushed flaxseed mixed with plenty of water may do the trick. For dry, itchy skin, oats are as soothing to a dog's skin as they are to a human's, and if your pup is having trouble sleeping, smelling some lavender may help them to relax and finally fall soundly asleep.

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.

Holistic Veterinary Care.

Nowadays, many veterinarians are developing faith in a holistic dog fitness approach, and are using it as a way to augment their practices. 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.

As an example, if your dog presents with a skin rash displaying symptoms like itching, irritation, redness, and possible infection with concomitant fur loss, a presciption from a "traditional" vet would certainly include an antibiotic and maybe an ointment for the itching.

A holistic veterinarian will place more emphasis on determining the cause of the rash as the source of the infection before prescribing those two remedies. Before coming to a conclusion or offering treatment, the dog's entire lifestyle are taken into account; his living environment, nutrition, exercise and all habits.

With all the growing problems with recalls of pet food, decisions as to wether or not to vaccinate pets, possibility for excessive amounts of immunizations, or if we are giving pets too much medication - both as individuals and as a society - owners of dogs are still trying to find good ways to keep their pets healthy and content for as long as they can. - 31975

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