Although the benefits of alternative pet health (and the human kind too for that matter) is a very debatable topic, ancient practices of healing holistically are growing more popular by the day. But what are your options when it comes to your pets? How can you help them recover without chemical medication? Here’s a quick look at what’s on offer out there.
Types of alternative pet health options
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy allows your pet to exercise without bearing their own weight through the resistance of the water. These types of treatments help build muscle bulk to support affected areas with the support of the water. If you’re keen on learning more about Hydrotherapy for dogs, pop over to the HydroPaws website for some cool info.
Physiotherapy
Physio isn’t a new topic to the alternative pet health scene. Pet physios use physical therapy techniques to increase function and mobility of joints and muscles. Techniques used might include massage, light therapy, passive range of motion, balance and strengthening exercises.
Acupuncture
With the help of acupuncture and Tuina massage, pain is modulated by encouraging natural healing and improved functioning of the organs. This is usually done in conjunction with hydrotherapy and might help improve your pet’s posture by decreasing pain and muscle spasms.
Tellington TTouch
TTouch comprises of a system of gentle bodywork and movement exercises that impact a dog’s behaviour and wellbeing. The practice is based on co-operation and understanding and will help strengthen the bond you have with your pet. It’s especially helpful for dogs that do a lot of groundwork and furries that have some less-than-desirable behaviour.
Personal Training
Unlike the human form of personal training, this alternative pet health option focuses on behavioural issues like aggression, leash reactivity, lunging on walks and over-exuberance. Dogs that attend behaviour modification classes (yes, that’s what pet personal training is called) generally end up being much more calm, relaxed, and happy after a few classes.
Body Stress Release
Body Stress Release (BSR) is a gentle yet effective way to help your pet get rid of any stored tension within the muscles. This technique is also usually combined with other holistic treatments like hydrotherapy and can help improve posture by decreasing pain and muscle spasms.
CBD Oil
Unless you live under a rock, chances are, you’ve already heard about the miraculous new alternative medicine we call CBD. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis, and yes, that’s the plant we often associate with marijuana. But CBD is just one of over 113 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, many of which still have to be studied for their health benefits. If you’re stressed about it, please rest assured that CBD WILL NOT MAKE YOUR PET HIGH. CBD is non-psychoactive and totally safe to be used on pets. It also has no known toxicity level and can’t cause an overdose. That said, CBD has been proven to bring the following benefits to the table:
- Super powerful painkiller
- Anticonvulsant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Stress reliever
- Antiemetic
- Anti-cancer effects
We’ll let that sink in for now and follow up with a detailed article about CBD for pets in due time. In the meantime, feel free to check out our other cool articles that’ll help you ensure your pet leads the very best life!
