Holistic pet care is becoming more and more popular as pet owners spend more and more on their fur babies year after year. Some see holistic care as an alternative (and perhaps a more preventative option) to western medicine.
If you’re curious about holistic health for your pet, keep reading for more information on what this type of alternative care entails.
What is Holistic Health?
The holistic approach to health isn’t just for humans, it’s for animals too. With holistic pet care, we can look at our pets as a whole and address the full picture of their health instead of just treating their symptoms.
Holistic health comes from the concept of holism, the idea that the sum is greater than its individual parts. Holistic health extends beyond what you do at the doctor’s office. The emphasis is not just on the physical body, but also on the mind and the spirit.
The eastern healing traditions of Ayurveda and Chinese medicine have long honored the principles of holism, and now the U.S. is starting to recognize this approach to human health and our pet’s health, too.
Dr. Deva Khalsa is a holistic veterinarian who has pioneered many of the methods used by veterinarians today. She suggests you look at your pet’s nutrition, exercise routine, and health care to establish a holistic healthcare approach.
Wholesome Pet Nutrition
Part of holistic pet care is having wholesome nutrition for your dog or cat. Feeding time is a daily opportunity to address your pet’s health. Make sure your pet is receiving adequate nutrition to support their digestion, teeth, energy, and mental health.
A well-balanced diet should include an appropriate amount of minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. Some pet owners might even consider switching from dry food to wet food if that makes sense for their pets.
How Can I Feed My Pet A Holistic Diet?
For a deeper dive into understanding the nutrients your pet needs, be sure to ask your veterinarian about your cat or dog’s nutrient requirements.
Some dogs and cats may require a supplement to get adequate nutrition due to an underlying condition. As with many changes in your dog’s health routine, it’s a good idea to consult a holistic vet before adding a supplement to their diet.
If your vet prescribes a supplement to treat a covered condition, you could be eligible for reimbursement for that supplement with a Spot pet insurance plan.*
Balance Your Pet’s Energy
Another component of holistic pet care is balancing your pet’s energy. Think about the anxiety and stress that can build up in your body when you aren’t active enough. This type of unspent energy can lead to physical and mental manifestations that hurt your health, and the same can happen to our pets. Maintaining a daily exercise routine with your dog or cat is key to maintaining holistic pet care for their mental and physical health.
Walking your dog or puppy for 30-minutes up to an hour a day supports your dogs’ whole well-being: body, mind, and spirit.
As with exercise, your pet needs adequate rest and relaxation to stay balanced. It’s important to make sure your home is an environment where pets feel safe enough to relax, sleep, and heal. To achieve this, be mindful of creating a calm energy and a designated spot where your pet can go and be undisturbed.
Holistic Vets and Alternative Treatments
Sometimes mainstream medications and practices can be replaced or supplemented by other treatments. Alternative therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, and hydrotherapy are becoming more commonplace in humans, but many health insurances still don’t cover them. With a Spot Pet Insurance plan, you can submit a claim if your pet gets alternative treatments performed by a licensed vet for covered conditions.
Where do I find a holistic vet near me?
If you’re seeking holistic pet care, there are holistic and natural vets that specialize in alternative treatments and herbal medicines, but it may be tricky to find one near you. If you’re interested in this type of pet healthcare, you may consider calling into a holistic practice.
As long as your appointment is with a licensed vet and used to treat a covered condition, mobile visits and digital visits are eligible for coverage with Spot Pet Insurance plans, too.
Can holistic pet care work alongside conventional pet care?
Taking a holistic pet care approach doesn’t mean you have to ditch your conventional vet, though. In fact, conventional medicine has its own role to play within the holistic health picture. Surgeries and x-rays may be needed to help an injured pet, and then nutrition, lifestyle, and alternative therapies can help them on their road to recovery. As with energy, it’s all about finding the right balance.
Pet Wellness Insurance
Spot’s Preventive Care packages, which are available at a low additional cost each month, can help pet parents take a proactive rather than reactive approach to pet health, too. Taking pets in for annual upkeep (and getting insurance for dental cleanings, deworming, etc.) is another way to spend more time supporting health and less time treating symptoms. With an add-on preventive care package, you can get reimbursed for some of those routine treatments, making regular visits to the vet an easier decision.
