Have you tried traditional medicine to cure your cat’s illness, but find it doesn’t seem to be working? Holistic pet care may be the answer. What does holistic mean and how does holistic pet care differ from traditional methods?
In Anitra Frazier’s book The Natural Cat, she defines the following goals of holistic pet care:
Holistic Pet Care Treats Cause of Disease Rather Than Just Symptoms
Traditional veterinarians look at the symptoms and treat accordingly with medication or surgery. A holistic vet will look deeper to find the root cause of the disease. Holistic medicine encourages the body to heal and build resistance to the disease.
Do No Harm
Holistic veterinarians do not believe in steroids, antibiotics and chemotherapy. They do not believe treatment that harms the patient will help cure the condition.
Holistic Pet Care Treats Pet’s Mind, Body and Spirit
Holistic pet care practitioners believe in working with the mind, body and spirit. The mind and spirit may be treated using stress reduction techniques such as essential oils and homeopathy. The body may be treated with herbs, acupuncture, nutrition and massage. Surgery and antibiotics are rare.
An increasing number of veterinarians have education in both traditional veterinary medicine and holistic practices. This is referred to as integrative veterinary medicine.
Some veterinary practices have doctors on staff who specialize in holistic pet care practices. Either of these options combine traditional and holistic practices to provide the best treatment for your pet.
Resources
For more detailed information, check with health food stores in your area or specialized pet supply stores that offer natural pet foods. Many of these stores offer seminars on various pet health topics.
To locate a holistic veterinarian in your area, to go the holistic veterinarian listing at American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association’s website, ahvma.org
For integrative veterinarians in your area, check the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies directory.
Not locating a holistic vet in your area? Some AHVMA members may do a phone consultation in partnership with your normal veterinarian.
Have you tried holistic treatments for your cat? If so, please leave us a comment and let us know about your experience. We’d love to hear from you!
Written by Karen
I have several cat blogging friends who use holistic vets for their cats. I’ve never taken the girls to a holistic vet and I’m not even sure where the closest vet is located. I may consider this option if I needed more options for one of the girls and they had a condition we couldn’t take care of with “traditional” vet care.