Canine Health Trends: Exploring Holistic Approaches to Dog Wellness

More than ever, German shepherd owners are turning to holistic approaches to keep their dogs healthy and happy. This trend has been growing for many years and there is no shortage of information, influencers, and practitioners offering their advice and products.

With all the countless products and services available, all promising to help your dog live their best life, choosing who to trust is very important. To find reliable information, be sure to research sources, ask questions, talk to your vet, and search for an integrative veterinarian locally or at the American Holistic Veterinary Association.

What is holistic wellness?

Holistic wellness or healthcare is focused on caring for the whole dog, mind, body, and spirit, to prevent disease and emphasize overall well-being.

According to Tricia Stimac, a veterinarian on the board of the AHVMA, “People often turn to alternative therapies when their pet doesn’t respond to traditional medications and procedures. And, for some people who have made nutrition, clean eating, and other holistic lifestyle choices a priority, it’s only natural (pun intended) they would make the same choices for beloved pets.”

Food and healthcare trends for pets often follow those for humans. Since Americans spend more than $30 billion a year on alternative treatments, it should come as no surprise that pets are often included in those costs.

There are many holistic practices that may benefit your dog. Some are provided by professionals, and some are delivered through services and supplements. Today, many veterinarians combine traditional vet care with holistic therapies, which can be very important for dogs suffering from health problems. Some of these trends include:

Canine Nutrition Counseling

A healthy diet is very important to the health of dogs. But did you know that anyone can call themselves a canine nutritionist? When looking for help or a custom diet, be sure to do your homework. There are numerous so-called experts formulating diets that are far from balanced and can contribute to health problems.

According to Tufts Clinical Nutrition Services, “Even knowing who to talk to about your pet’s nutrition can be confusing.  Some pet owners tell me that a “nutritionist” selected or formulated their pet’s diet.  I always ask for more information because, unfortunately, “nutritionist” is not a regulated term.  For someone to say they’re a “nutritionist” can mean anything from taking a class to having a degree in a related field to being a veterinarian who has completed advanced residency training in nutrition.  Or it can just be a person who calls themselves a nutritionist with no qualifications!  Unfortunately, most pet owners take these titles at face value, rather than understanding the differences.”

“To become board certified in a veterinary specialty (Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist), a veterinarian must complete four years of veterinary school, a one-year internship or equivalent, and then complete a two to three-year residency program that meets the standards of a recognized specialty college or board.  During the residency, there are strict training requirements, and then, finally, to become a specialist, the veterinarian must pass one or more rigorous examinations before becoming board certified.” 

Chiropractic Care for Dogs

Chiropractors care for animals by manipulating the spine and other bones in the body to improve mobility, reduce pain, and relieve joint, muscular, and skeletal problems. Veterinary chiropractors use gentle force to ‘make adjustments.’ They often recommend supplements and don’t prescribe medication. While popular, you should always talk to your vet before making an appointment. To find a chiropractor certified in animal chiropractic, contact the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.

Massage Therapy

Just like people, dogs can benefit from the art of massage therapy, and it is very popular in veterinary rehab. Popular techniques include trigger-point massage, craniosacral therapy, acupressure, friction massage, and passive range of motion therapy. According to VCA Animal Hospital, massage helps the patient “improve muscle and joint function by relieving tension, spasm, or other restrictions to proper motion.” Massage can be used to warm up muscles, help relax or stimulate muscles to prevent injury, or for rehabilitation of a patient after an injury has occurred. Massage is also used to compensate for impaired circulation by augmenting the normal flow of blood and lymphatic fluid.

Acupressure/Acupuncture

Acupuncture uses fine needles that are inserted into pressure points to help rehabilitate injuries, relieve pain, and reduce stress. Acupuncture works by modulating the nerve pathways by physically interacting with nerve fibers in the skin and underlying tissues. This results in the release of beneficial chemicals that encourage blood flow to an area which interrupts pain signaling.

Unlike acupuncture, acupressure doesn’t utilize needles. Rather, pressure is applied to acupressure points, which restores the balance of blood flow to help the body heal itself. It’s a noninvasive and gentle method for healing injuries and reducing stress and anxiety. 

Exercise

While you may not think of exercise as a therapy, the benefits are numerous. Exercise improves the quality of life, reduces inflammation, is good for cardiovascular health, reduces muscle wasting, increases strength and flexibility, helps keep pets at a healthy weight, and much more.

Hydrotherapy/Swimming

Hydrotherapy or water therapy allows dogs to walk in water for recreation or rehabilitation.   Hydrotherapy can heal and treat many health problems and allows dogs to move while building strength with less stress on the body. Swimming is also an activity that allows dogs to exercise in the water without placing stress on joints.  

Herbs and Supplements

There are tons of herbal remedies and supplements available to treat a host of health concerns in dogs. Some are very beneficial and science-based, and some are not. Some contraindicate with medications and not all are harmless. It is always important to do your homework when adding herbs and supplements to your dog’s diet.

Many supplements and herbs can support joint health, reduce inflammation, support the immune system, reduce allergies, decrease anxiety, help improve sleep, reduce gastrointestinal problems, and much more.

These are just a few of the holistic wellness trends used for dogs. We hope you found the information here helpful. Please share it with your friends.

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