Holistic Treatments for Pets involve a holistic approach to their health and well-being, like the principles applied to human holistic medicine. The goal is to address the overall health of the animal by considering physical, mental, emotional, and environmental factors.
Animals in general are far more intuitively inclined and sensitive to energies than most humans. This is because animals rely heavily on their intuition for survival in their natural environments. With this in mind, it makes sense for pet owners to care for their beloved pets with a more holistic approach and for the animal to respond well to it. Dogs and cats have especially good intuition as they are very in tune with their surroundings. Have you ever felt understood by your fluffy friend or seen their ears prick up before you even realised somebody had arrived at the door?
On 30th August 2023, it was National Holistic Pet Day which was started by Colleen Paige from the Animal Miracle Foundation to encourage owners to look at all the issues that could impact the welfare of their pets. Colleen set up this day to bring more publicity to the idea that holistic treatments where a pet’s lifestyle, diet and environment are fully considered are more beneficial for not only their temporary health but also their long-term impact.
Some holistic pet tips include optimising their diet specifically by taking good care of the gut biome and boosting the immune system. This can be done carefully by selecting the pet food that is recommended by a holistic veterinarian. Probiotics are another great way to boost healthy bacteria that live in a pet’s intestine. Good oral care is another important factor as well as getting plenty of exercise and fresh air. Not only is fresh air and exercise good for a pet’s physical health but also their mental health too – mental stimulation and encouraging them to use all their senses can lift their mood, engage their attention, and avoid premature ageing.
Reiki can be a very effective holistic treatment for pets too. Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing where the practitioner channels the universal life force energy which can help unblock, clear, and open any chakras or parts of the body that need help healing.
For animals, a shorter Reiki session is only needed as they are more sensitive to energy and there is nothing blocking them from receiving it, unlike humans where the sessions are generally longer because it can take some time to connect to the recipient and get in the zone.
I am qualified in Reiki Levels 1 and 2 and I carry out Reiki sessions with my three cats and two tortoises. I have noticed that Reiki is especially great for my cats when they are in pain or suffering from anxiety or low mood.The sessions I usually do vary from 20 to 30 minutes depending on the behaviour they show. I have also discovered certain crystals that each of my cats likes and are a comfort for them. For example, my eldest cat who is female loves rose quartz and finds it very supportive whilst another one of my cats who is male really doesn’t like rose quartz but prefers amethyst and bloodstone. I feel very connected to my pets when I carry out these sessions as paying close attention to them is very important – As I said earlier, animals are very sensitive to energies so if they don’t like something or want to do something they will let you know.
A session I did recently on my cat was to help him with his kidney issues and injured leg that plays up every now and then as well as heightened anxiety because there was change going on in the house. I selected some crystals I thought would be helpful for him and that related to his main issues. Once he was in a comfortable position, lying down, I could tell he knew what was about to happen because he noticed the crystals lined up and was very affectionate. I stroked him for a while until he settled. I felt I needed to work on his kidneys first and I selected a few stones that could help with this area, but bloodstone was the one I picked up. I placed this stone gently on his sacral chakra and immediately he slowly closed his eyes which to me looked like a sign of relief and was ready to be worked on. Throughout the session, as I moved my hands around his body and chakras, there were some areas that he didn’t want me near, so I followed his lead and did what I was told. Something that I found interesting was when I placed a piece of rose quartz on his heart chakra, he raised his head and used his nose to nudge it away – he clearly did not want this energy near him, so I removed it and carried on with what he was guiding me to do.
Even though animals cannot communicate like humans can, if you find a connection to your pet and learn to intuitively listen to them you can discover so many things about them and find out what they need and want as well as their likes and dislikes on a much deeper level.
There are so many other holistic treatments for pets out there such as acupuncture, acupressure, sound, massage, herbal remedies, crystal therapy, chiropractic treatments, aromatherapy, nutrition, herbs, hydrotherapy, magnetic therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, low-level laser therapy, homoeopathy…the list goes on and there’s much more waiting to be discovered.
The relationships we form with our pets represent what we most want from human relationships which is connection, attunement and presence. Pets provide us with simple love that we crave and appreciate. Our pets deserve to be understood and taken care of in the best possible way. Perhaps next time you find yourself at a vet appointment or are researching different treatment methods, try taking a more holistic approach or even ask your pet what they want! I am sure they will give you a straight answer.
Millennium Milli
It’s important to note that while holistic treatments can complement conventional veterinary care, they should not be used as a replacement for necessary medical treatment or in emergency situations. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian, preferably one who is knowledgeable about holistic approaches, to ensure the best care for your pet’s specific needs.