7 Precautions to Take with Holistic Dog Remedies

Holistic dog care addresses the dog as a whole and doesn't limit treatment to specific body parts or specific ailments. Pet owners who adopt the holistic approach aim to maintain a balance of the physical and emotional state of mind of the dog. Although they feed their pet's nutritious food that's natural or raw, they often use a combination of natural and complementary therapies to treat individual dog health concerns. Although holistic remedies benefit certain pets, they may not be effective for all dogs and cannot replace conventional treatment procedures for life threatening situations.

7 Precautions Include:

• Pet owners should be aware of all potentially toxic herbs, dangerous for use in dogs. Certain plants, flowers or extracts may not be suited to dogs due to their effect on the pet's gastrointestinal tract. It's important to read the list of poisonous or toxic herbs listed by the animal poison control center.
• Pet owners that adopt the holistic approach often avoid vaccinating pet's due to vaccine associated sarcomas and the risks of certain vaccines. Instead, they administer nosodes to protect dogs from contagious illness. However, it's necessary to understand that the risk involved with not vaccinating dogs is far greater that the risk associated with the vaccine. Research studies haven't established definite evidence that nosodes prevent disease. In addition, some controlled studies also verify the inefficacy of nosodes against certain viruses.
• Pet owners should be well informed before choosing a holistic vet for the dog. It's best to verify if the vet is licensed and trained in methodologies of holistic care.
• Pet owners should avoid the use of herbal or natural remedies along with other prescribed medications as several herbal formulations also cause drug interactions which could lead to serious side effects.
• Dogs fed raw food diets should be examined for parasite infections routinely. Raw food handlers should also wash their hands and surfaces thoroughly to prevent bacterial contamination.
• Pets suffering from chronic conditions benefit from herbal or natural remedies that don't cause side effects. However, pets that don't respond favorably to acupuncture or homoeopathy should be treated with conventional medication to prevent severe or permanent body damage.
• Home prepared diets can be beneficial only if they're prepared correctly. The meals should contain various components of food suited to the dog's age, breed and activity level. It's best to discuss with the vet, nutrition that's appropriate for individual pets.

Dog Treatment Options

There are newer techniques used to treat pets suffering from chronic conditions such as arthritis and other health concerns like lethargy or depression. Acupuncture is one such technique that involves the insertion of fine needles at specific points on the dog's body to stimulate blood flow. Acupuncture is beneficial to dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. Homoeopathic remedies along with massage techniques also work effectively in few pets. In addition, the vet may recommend certain supplements like glucosamine or chondroitin, derived from natural sources to maintain joint mobility and reduce cartilage deterioration.

It's important to know that not all commercial diets are unhealthy for dogs. Foods that contain good sources of protein and carbohydrates are more nutritious. It's best to check the label for preservatives, by products, additives and added flavors.