Holistic Dog Food

Holistic Dog Health and Food

Holistic Dog Health Introduction
The Basics of Holistic Health
Alternatives to Vaccines and Medicine
Holistic Dog Food
Acupuncture for Dogs
Chiropractics in Dogs
Herbal Pet Therapy
Homeopathy

Holistic dog health is an alternative method and part of a complete, holistic health care perspective that looks at the whole dog instead of isolated problems such as allergies, limping, or diseases; something common in conventional medicine.

Holistic Dog Health Introduction

Holistic dog health addresses these problems from the standpoint that a holistic form of nutrition and wellness will solve isolated instances of ill health symptoms as well as the whole self. When developing a holistic health formula, the whole dog is taken into consideration: breed, age, size, condition, activity level, emotional health and diet. Holistic vets have been known to formulate into the diet supplements, flower essences, homeopathic remedies and even physical regimens or chiropractic care.

The premise of holistic health in dogs and care begin in the late 1700’s by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. He begin investigating natural methods of curing patients and realized that symptoms are essentially expressions of underlying diseases and not the disease itself. His work investigated how to stimulate the body to heal itself through homeopathic means, rather than direct cures. His work is still the definitive source on homeopathy being used today.

Dr. Hahnemanns holistic beginnings started the basic principle called the Law of Similars, that “like cures like”. This describes the way a substance might cause symptoms of disease at one dose, but stimulate the body to fight off that same disease at a homeopathic dose, using the patients inner force – the body, heart, blood flow, immune system and mental health – a holistic picture.

Today, holistic dog foods and health care has been a growing interest as people have witnessed the benefits either by their own holistic health, or other animals. Holistic care has also grown to encompass several different disciplines, from chiropractic medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy and herbal therapy, message therapy, Sshiatsu and Reiki.

Alternative to Vaccines and Medicine

One of the recent trends in holistic health in dogs is the non-use or limited-use of vaccinations and medicines like flea controls. Natural approaches and homeopathic alternatives. It has been indicated that vaccines have a longer shelf life the previously assumed and that these vaccines that are given to help a dog with disease, can actually lead to serious health problems, diseases and cancers. Limited use of vaccines by some vets recommend at three-year intervals between vaccines following the original series of puppy shots. This also helps one to comply with the law that is likely controlled in their county or jurisdiction. For those that prefer to avoid vaccinations altogether, have the homeopathic alternative called a nosode – a combination of natural elements that help to prevent some disease.

Holistic Dog Food

Holistic dog food is follows the same method and perspective of holistic health in that food should be complete with nutrition that provides general overall wellness. Holistic dog food is usually food that has certified organic grains and vegetables, chicken, beef, lamb etc that has no added hormones and is antibiotic-free. Plants that are part of the formula are herbicide-free. Special holistic diets like the BARF diet and raw feeding diets, all natural ways of feeding, is a popular holistic approach to dog feeding. These dog food formulas are also known to contain garden ingredients like apples, carrots, peas, blueberries and cranberries, garlic, dandelion and alfalfa.

Acupuncture for Dogs

Acupuncture provides stimulation or sedation to specific points throughout the body to produce a local or whole generalized effect. Acupuncture points on the body are treated by needles and massage to spread and balance the body’s energy. Western medicine understands acupuncture to release hormones and cortisones, the body’s natural pain killers, as well as endorphins. This method also helps to increase the blood supply and response.

Chiropractics in Dogs

Chiropractic medicine has just recently been adopted for animal use. As reckless as dogs and puppies especially can be sometimes, it’s not hard to image the injury and trauma they can suffer. Problems that need chiropractic attention are attributed to vertebral subluxations that impede the balance and flow of energy through the spinal cord, nerves and the whole body. This can result in body pains, muscle spasms and organ trouble.

Herbal Pet Therapy

Herbal therapy is the most common form of non-traditional alternatives. Specialized antioxidants provide immunity boost and clear free-radicals, Chamomile can relax the body, garlic provides natural flea relief and may help to fight colds.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is what we described above, by Dr. Hahnemann,

“This describes the way a substance might cause symptoms of disease at one dose, but stimulate the body to fight off that same disease at a homeopathic dose, using the patients inner force – the body, heart, blood flow, immune system and mental health – a holistic picture.”

So the process introduces the body’s immunity with small quantities of the foreign substance to initiate the body’s natural reaction to fight and manage it. Once it has fought of the foreign material, it programs itself a learned lesson, and is ready for it the next time it finds its way back. It’s been said the Homeopathic health care is one of the most effective therapies of alternative medicine treating everything from cancer to behavioral problems.