What is Holistic Pet Care?
Posted by Rhonda Jewel on Nov 04, 2016
It is all about the way nature intended for our pets to live. Holistic Pet Care most importantly, hinges around the right species appropriate nutrition. Which sets up your pet's inner vitality and gives them optimal health and immune support for life.
The pet care movement toward more holistic and natural approaches to health and wellness seems to be growing each year, although it has been around as long as I remember, it is new to many new pet owners.
There’s so much to learn for some, that it can feel totally overwhelming.
Most likely, you have some idea what ‘Natural’ and ‘Holistic’ means when it comes to pet care, but some may not fully understand what it is all about as they are used to conventional veterinary practices which doesn’t take into account the ‘whole cat or dog’ approach.
Holistic pet care means to take a “common sense” naturopathic approach to your pet’s health care while taking into account the whole animal, as in the mind, body, and spirit. Nature is often the way in this approach for both humans and pets.
So holistic really just means being in tune to your pet’s best interest by being an activist for your pet, researching yourself, and knowing that your furry companion has an innate capability to heal by going back to nature in many instances. This is your role as a good pet parent to know and understand this and have an open mind about learning something new.
What exactly is a holistic approach?
Think ‘Whole-ism’ Holistic is about treating your pet as a “whole!”
Instead of going after a specific problem with a drug or surgery for instance, meaning treating a single health issue as allopathic medicine does - the holistic approach addresses the whole being’ to get to the cause of what is happening and creating the imbalance in the pets system. Which will in turn help to prevent further diseases, illnesses, and physical or mental pains if it is caught in time that is.
How does holistic pet care consider diet and nutrition?
Since holistic pet care is all about treating the whole pet, the cornerstone to health in the holistic approach is diet and what is going into the body. Which includes diet. kibbles, nutritional supplements, water, chews etc.
Immune building/ preventive care, daily outdoor time and play time, love and connection with their human and grooming as well are all part of holistic pet care.
A holistic approach also tends to avoid the use of vaccinations, immunizations, pesticides, toxic household chemicals and non-natural drugs and medications (unless absolutely necessary due to a pet’s age and other factors.)
We hear a lot about toxins these days. We realize this is bad, possibly damaging to our dog or cat’s delicate system and maybe even poisonous to them.
Toxins alone can create a health issue. Or fast-track many health concerns that are just on the brink of becoming a crisis in people and pets.
These everyday toxins that can deeply affect our ‘Fur Children’s’ health, as well as our own for that matter, are hidden, and we may be unwittingly contributing to the load of toxins our dogs and cats are being exposed to on a regular basis.
For instance: Everyday household cleaning products, shampoos and grooming products, certain kinds of treats and kibble, water they are drinking, pesticides, yard fertilizers, cigarette smoke and on and on.
While these kinds of toxins are bad for us, they can be even more overwhelming to our pets for many reasons.
First of all our cats and dogs are usually much smaller than we are, with smaller organs of elimination. When exposed to these kinds of toxins, their smaller bodies have to work that much more to eliminate them, than a bigger human does. Often they are much more sensitive to these things than we are all and experience a toxic reaction that we are not even aware of.
Secondly, our carnivore companions have a much shorter life span then we do. So everything is super accelerated in their body. They don't have the extra time that we have to eliminate all those toxins gradually as us longer lived human beings do. Everything is much more in the NOW for them.
Unfortunately are dogs and cats can't tell us what they are experience. They cannot talk or communicate to let us know when something in their diet that is going into their body that is making them feel bad.
They can't change it. They can’t ask to switch to a healthier diet or get rid of that household cleaner that is irritated them and causing their skin to itch.
Since we are in charge of our pets' everything, they depend on us 100% to remove toxins they are dealing with on a daily basis.
So what can you do to minimize the toxins in your pets' lives and help them eliminate the toxic load they have in their bodies?
Of course a great start is with replacing cleansers and grooming products, transitioning to a raw diet, eliminating drugs, pesticides, vaccines from their routine health care etc.
We use herbal, organic, homeopathic, colloidal silver and other natural solutions for our pets health care needs and minimize or completely avoid the use vaccinations.
Over vaccination has been proved to have harmful side effects. Even one rabies vaccine can cause irreversible damage to a pet with a compromised immune system. We need more education in this area for sure!
1) Veterinary Care is expensive. In fact, Veterinary Medicine has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, and is pricier now than ever before, one simple visit to the vet and you will be out over $100-$200, no matter what you go in for. Average Vet visits with any surgical costs involved for dog owners is around $800 and cat owners at least $500 last year. If your pet becomes seriously ill, you can easily spend thousands. The advanced allopathic Veterinary Industry can do wonderful advanced life saving procedures, but they have become a huge money making machine.
Pets respond better than people to herbs, homeopathy and natural treatments of all kinds- There is nothing more natural than the healing powers of the herbs and plants around us. When ill or injured, animals in the wild have a built in instinctual ability to seek out and eat plants with properties that will help them heal. Not only plants are used but in combination with other holistic methods Natural Pet Care can keep your dog or cat healthy for years to come.
3) Animals bodies actually respond negatively to most of the drugs and chemicals used in allopathic medicines, the preservatives used in pet foods and the harmful pesticides in flea sprays most commonly used which you may not be able to detect but can end up with harmful side effects for years to come.
Holistic care can improve the quality of life for you and your pet and also promote a better physical and emotional well-being. This type of care will take a little learning to understand how to implement. However, the first place to start is with a species appropriate diet.
Here are some holistic treatments that are beneficial to your pets:
Raw Diet
Nutrition is the cornerstone to our holistic pet care program. Feeding your pet a species appropriate raw diet, 
preferably the ‘Prey Model Raw Diet’ will help them maintain their perfect health, ideal weight and also keep their body at optimum working potential.
Pets that eat a raw and organic diet have a decreased risk for developing heart disease and all other problems associated with processed and unhealthy pet food. It is important to know your pet’s needs and also recognize the nutrients that they need to make sure and include them in the new diet.
Most manufactured dry dog foods contain a long list of additives, preservatives and grain products. Grains and other carbohydrates and starches make up a large percentage of the ingredients of processed, commercial dog food company food sources because they are a cheap way to fill the dog up. Yet dogs do not have the digestive enzymes or system to cope with grains. Grains and other carbs are one of the biggest sources of allergies in dogs. Many people find when they switch to a raw meat and bone diet, the allergies their dogs had disappear.
We need to get beyond the veterinary induced fear of feeding whole meaty bones to our dogs. Dogs need whole bone and raw meat and fat – they were designed to use their teeth to gnaw apart whole raw carcasses, including meaty bones and organs. It is actually “unnatural” for them to eat food that’s been reduced from its whole, unadulterated state into a soppy pile of mush then reformed into coloured nuggets. Those sharp teeth in your dog’s mouth are there for slicing, tearing and crunching through whole foods – not for gumming up ground pulp which then sticks to their teeth. Over time, a regular diet of ground food can cause plaque and tartar to build up on the teeth, and this can cause gum disease, which can lead to a myriad of health problems. Gums that are weak, inflamed and unhealthy can’t support the teeth properly, and dogs that are fed ground foods for a long period of time may risk tooth loss.
Please consider, above all else, including everything else you read here, get your dog on a raw diet, which is going to be the best immune building support you can provide for them.
Colloidal Silver
I use Colloidal Silver for so many things. It is an all around go to natural medicine to have on hand for both you and your pets. For pets it is a natural antibiotic and immune booster. Colloidal silver works to kill bacterial, fungal and viral infections in pets just as well as it does for people.
Also, because colloidal silver is mostly tasteless, odorless and non-toxic, you can use it for both dogs and cats internally and externally. If you are looking for a healthy, alternative way to take care of your pets and avoid expensive veterinary bills for the minor illnesses, colloidal silver can be just the remedy to use. My little dogs actually LOVE colloidal silver for some reason. When they see me pick up the spray bottle they come running over for me to give them some.( of course none of this is a replacement for Veterinary treatment when it is needed)
Homeopathic Medicines
Holistic health care for pets often includes natural herbs, homeopathy and using healing foods and natural substances to keep your pet as healthy as possible. A simple first aid kit for pets should include:
| Minor wounds in general | Calendala |
| Shock in general | Aconitum napellus |
| Shock from blood loss | Arnica and China |
| Deeper puncture wounds and cuts with jagged edges.Is an excellent remedy to give for any pain due to nerve damage or injuries to nerve-rich areas | Hypericum perforatum |
| Trauma including bleeding and possible bruising | Arnica montana |
| Hot, red swelling | Apis mellifica |
| Bumpy, itchy rash-for arthritis that’s better after moving around, general musculoskeletal injuries, red swollen eyes, skin infections and skin itching. | Rhus toxicodendron |
|
Stung area is swollen, bruised and painful.
Stung area is very inflamed and appears blistered Allergic reaction to the sting Stung area is red, feels hot and swollen |
Arnica montana followed by:Ledum-Cantharis
Carbolic acid Apis mellifica |
| Eyes- helps in treating allergy symptoms like watering of eyes and bland discharges. It even provides instant relief from burning sensation in eyes and helps in having a clear vision. | Eupharisia |
| is wonderful to treat painful abscesses anywhere on the body and painful infected anal glands. | Hepar sulphur |
| The first choice for any type of puncture wound, including those from insect bites. Insect bites that require Apis will be hot and red whereas bites that require Ledum will be cool and appears bruised. | Ledum |
Herbal Treatments:
Glycerin Extracts and tinctures, and powders are the best way to give herbs to pets due to the sweetness of the glycerin which makes them easier to swallow for your furry friend than alcohol tinctures. I use the powder hears as well in there food as a nutritive. These are some great ones to have one hand:
Goldenseal
This herb has antibiotic qualities and can help to prevent bacteria from growing. It can be used as a tincture, tea, or wash for dogs with eye infections or weepy eyes. It’s also useful in treating stomach and bowel ailments.
Ginger
Ginger is helpful for the digestive system, including upset tummy’s and nausea. However, it is also effective to relieve arthritis pain. It helps the immune system to quit creating leukotrienes, which is what causes inflammation. Ginger can also help with mobility and circulation for older dogs.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle can help the liver and protect against damage as well as improves the liver function. Milk thistle an important extract to use if your dog has been on any medicine that may affect the liver, which is most pharmaceutical medicines.
Licorice an excellent anti-inflammatory for joint and allergy issues. Unlike veterinary corticosteroids, licorice enhances the body’s own natural anti-inflammatory abilities without compromising the immune system as steroids can. The glycyrrhizin found in licorice also makes it a useful adjunct to hydrocortisone therapy, often allowing for lower drug dosages. Since steroids often have debilitating side effects, licorice is the go-to herb for dogs taking corticosteroids and can even be used to wean dogs off steroids safely.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera can bring a wonderful cooling relief to fleabites and other irritations, reducing itching and scratching, minor burns and rashes. Mack sure to watch your pet and prevent them from licking it off for as long as possible to keep the aloe on the wound or itchy spot so it can be most effective
Cranberry Extract
If your pet has been diagnosed with recurrent bladder infections then cranberry extract is a great holistic way to help prevent them. Cranberry extract helps humans as well and will show great improvement in the frequency of your pet’s bladder infections. You can add the cranberry powder straight to food, or cranberry juice to the water, or give your pet a cranberry capsule. Ask your vet about proper dosages.
Comfrey
Comfrey has been know as a wonderful healing herb for a wide range of ailments – from pain to digestive issues to cancer. Its main healing effects come from allantoin, a natural substance that helps with cell reproduction. these healing properties in comfrey can assist in delivering the anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties that make it very helpful in managing joint pain.
Slippery Elm
This is a natural substance that is great if your pet is experiencing diarrhea or loose stools. It will even help for a stomach ache. You can easily incorporate this into your pet’s meal and it will give them the relief that they need and also want. It is also considered safe to use.
Valerian
Valerian along with Poppy, skullcap, oat flower and passionflower, combined together or even any one of them singularly is a useful combination remedy for pets to help relax them during stressful events like thunderstorms or trips to the vet.
Neem Oil
Fleas and ticks also hate Neem Oil. It’s a natural insect repellent and it’s great for your pet’s itchy skin as well . I use this for my skin too! just use 3 or 4 drops on the skin every 2 weeks. Neem oil for pets can help with fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites and mange mites.
It promotes a strong immune system, healthy skin, a shiny, problem free coat, strong healthy teeth, all the signs of a radiantly healthy dog.
Pet owners who tried neem oil and neem products rave about the immediate, impressive effects of using neem on the health of their pets. Use it as a shampoo or make a dilution spray with the pure neem oil.
Chamomile
Chamomile tea works wonders for minor skin irritations. Make a strong tea, put it in a spray bottle in the refrigerator, and apply it to your dog or cats raw skin irritation. This should help to bring quick relief!
Alfalfa
Alfalfa contains high amounts of protein and is considered a nutritive herb. Alfalfa is a very rich source of vitamins and trace minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, betacarotene, vitamins A, B12, C, D, E and K.
It is also high in chlorophyll. Its nutritional value makes alfalfa a commonly used dietary herb for pets.
Glucosamine
Even though Glucosamine is not an herb it is a natural treatment that helps arthritis in cats and also dogs. This supplement will help them feel better and help give some fluid to their achy joints. Once you start your pet on this natural supplement, you will notice a difference. Also raw bones and especially chicken feet are a good source of glucosamine.
There are many different holistic approaches you can take to help your pet feel better. Their health is just as important as yours. Holistic pet care is considered to be safe and provides an alternative to medicine in pets. Your pet will live a happy and healthy life if you follow a holistic plan.
Essential Oils
Essential Oils are another wonderful holistic remedy for many conditions on pets. Essential oils are a perfect solution for humans as well as our pets. Use essential oils for cats, dogs, horses and any other living creature. There are certain oils that we can not use on certain animals, cats included, so please do be careful and learn the ins and outs. When a dog breathes in an essential oil the aroma goes into his olfactory system to the limbic area of the brain, the part that is connected to emotion, instinct and regulation of the bodies systems, for instance the anti-inflammatory response. In the area of holistic medicine it is known that mind and body are one unit and the mind has a large influence on the health of the body. These oils are a strong and powerful medicine so use them carefully.
For cats is a highly controversial topic but it really is an argument that comes down to the quality of the oils and purity factor. Tea Tree should not be used on cats, but there are many other essential oils that are fine for cats, but if you are not sure then avoid them on cats.
Essential Oils Properties & Uses
German Chamomile: Anti-inflammatory, non-toxic, gentle and safe to use.
Good for skin irritations, allergic reactions, burns.
Roman Chamomile: Antispasmodic, analgesic, nerve-calming.
Good for soothing the central nervous system.
Effective for relief of muscle pains, cramps, teething pain.
A “must-have” oil for dogs!
Cedarwood : Antiseptic, tonifying, circulation-stimulating, good for flea infestations as well.
Good for skin and coat conditioning and dermatitis of all types.
Eucalyptus: Radiata Antiviral, anti-inflammatory, an expectorant.
Good for relief of chest congestion.
Effective in repelling flea.
Geranium:
Gentle and safe, antifungal.
Good for skin irritations, fungal ear infections.
Effective in repelling ticks.
Ginger: Non-toxic, non-irritating and safe to use in small amounts, properly diluted.
Good for motion sickness, aids digestion.
Effective for pain relief caused by arthritis, dysplasia, strains and sprains.
Helichrysum: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, regenerative effects; extremely therapeutic.
Excellent for skin conditions and irritations (e.g. eczema).
Effective for healing of scars and bruises.
Effective for pain relief.
Lavender: Very safe and gentle, antibacterial, anti-itch, nerve-calming.
Good for many common animal ailments, e.g. skin irritations, first aid.
A “must-have” oil for your dog!
Peppermint: Antispamodic, stimulates circulation, insect-repelling.
Good for arthritis, dysplasia, sprains and strains.
Works well with ginger to treat motion sickness.
Another “must-have” for dogs!
Valerian: Nerve-calming
Good for treating dog anxiety such as separation and noise anxiety.
Exercise
Last but not least of a Holistic program for pets is of course a good exercise routine. Exercise is necessary for every human and also for pets, and is part of healthy pet care. It is essential that your pet get enough exercise throughout the day to help maintain their weight and also prevent arthritis. Talking your dog on a simple walk with you will help get them and also you the exercise that you both need.
Pure Water
Please give your pets the same water you yourself would drink. I recommend distilled water and they add minerals to the water that are more useful for your pet. Whatever water you give make sure it is chlorine and fluoride free. Get a water filter for your outside faucet if you give them water from the outside hose. Our pets need pure water!
Minimal Vaccinations
Please do not over vaccinate your pets! Vaccines can cause serious side-effects that are often not noticed or recognized by conventional Veterinarians. A holistic Pet Care protocol suggests giving only the core vaccines if any at all. Please consult with your Holistic Vet for more information on this topic.
No one can give you 100% guarantee that your puppy or kitten will not get infected with or without vaccines.
Healthy food, fresh water, natural raw food diet, the right amount of exercise and low stress level is the best disease prevention.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a great holistic method for your pet and will help to relax them. Acupuncture is known to help pets walk better and also recover after surgery. Regular acupuncture treatment for different chronic problems will benefit your pet in the long run.
How To Get Started on Holistic Pet Care?
Please stop using unnatural chemicals on your pets! If you feel you need flea control or other products use holistic, natural products.
The easiest and fastest way to start your new puppy or kitten on a Holistic Health regimen is to follow a simple holistic health program, and change a little at a time. Here at Holistic Pet Care we provide options for people who want to learn more about changing the paradigm around the why we are conditioned by the pet industry and modern Veterinarian practices to care for our pets.
