Canine Alternative Medicine - Dog Massage Techniques, Acupuncture, and Chiropractic

Sometimes a traditional medication is not the way to go, especially if harmful or uncomfortable side effects come along with it. Let’s take a look at some of the alternative therapies that exist and work well for pets to soothe and help with typical problems you furry pal might run into.

There has been a noticeable increase in the use of alternative treatments in the human medical community over the last few years as people begin to seek more natural remedies for their ailments. This movement has spread and is steadily branching out into the care and treatment of our animal pals as well.

Massage Therapy

Dogs are prone to develop joint or bone conditions as they age, much in the same way that their human counterparts do. Therapeutic dog massage techniques can help ease this discomfort and we all know dogs love to be rubbed all over as it is.

There are a few methods one can use to massage your pet. The most popular includes a combination of rolling and kneading your dog’s skin. Another incorporates a “hard petting” with prolonged strokes that can help calm and soothe pain. You can easily adapt most human massage routines to work for your pet pal.

Not only can dog massage techniques help to ease joint and muscle pain but they also increase flexibility by regularly stretching and working your pet’s body. It also has been known to promote and strengthen the relationship between pet and owner. Another advantage is that when massaging your pet you are more likely to find irregular masses or lumps that can alert you quickly to a potential issue.

Canine Chiropractors

Chiropractic procedures for dogs are based on the same principles that are used on humans. The goal is to use adjustment to align the vertebrae in the spine into their correct positions. This therapy has positive results in restoring range of motion in problem areas and increasing agility and flexibility.

Chiropractic regimens should be performed by a certified veterinary chiropractor or trained veterinarian only. This is not an alternative treatment that can be administered in the home setting. You can search for a qualified individual through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, a trusted source on the matter.

Common scenarios that chiropractic care can help with include problems with standing up or laying down, pain associated with jumping up or down, recovery from a serious injury, or keeping in top agility shape for competitions.

Ancient Acupuncture

Acupuncture is centered around the Chinese theory of energy flow or Qi (pronounced “Chi”) through the body and into or through internal organs.

It is used to help reduce pain and inflammation in dogs by stimulating the energy within their bodies to help jump-start the healing process. Modern veterinary acupuncture actually uses a number of systems to help treat your dog’s problems, including standard acupuncture needles, needles and electric stimulation or lasers as a source of stimulation.

This ancient process is implemented to reduce inflammation and discomfort in canines by manipulating the energy flow in their bodies to increase the speed if healing. There are various different kinds of acupuncture used on dogs currently including small acupuncture needles, electric stimulation, and lasers. All are painless and promote harmony within.

Alternative treatments can be a great way to help your dog overcome problems and ailments without subjecting them to too many medications. Dog massage techniques, chiropractic care and acupuncture can be a useful tool to increase your pet's wellness. However, if you think your pet might have a very serious issue it is always important to get them to their vet so everything can be checked out from a professional standpoint. There are very serious conditions or health issues that alternative treatments will not be able to cure and that require traditional medicines or treatments. Always ask you vet’s advice before starting any of these alternate methods of healing.

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Russ Barker is always on the look out healthy tips like dog massage techniques that can make life better for pet's of all varities. He is a master of words and a blogger at DogTagArt.com, an establishment that produces the most beautiful high-quality pet ID tags available on the market today. They believe in a world where all pets are protected with proper identification to ensure safe returns when lost. Custom dog tags are a great way to keep your pet safe and stylish.

Dog and Cats Living Together in Harmony - Tips for New Pet Integration

It is always an exciting time when it comes to bringing home a new pet. Searching for that fur ball that puts a special smile on your face and makes your heart sing is an event that can be emotinal and memorable for years to come.  If pets are already living at your home then it is certainly crucial that you bring in this new addition carefully and have some sort of game plan. This is especially valid if it will be dogs and cats living together in your house.

So how do you get two rival animals who are territorial to live together in harmony? With a little dedication and perseverance, dog and cats living together can certainly be a reality in your home. The most important thing to remember is that this will have to be a gradual process. If the proper steps are followed and stress and tension are kept at a minimum, a cat and a dog can co-exist happily for the rest of their lives.

These guidelines will help you introduce your new cat to your dog, or your new dog to your cat with only a minimal amount of tension for all involved… that includes you.

What to look for in a new pet
When looking for a new pet try to find one that has previously grown-up with or been socialized with other pets. A dog breeder who has cats or a cat that has been around dogs and is already somewhat comfortable with them is ideal.

Move the litter box
We might find it gross and disgusting but dogs seem to find it delicious. The tendency for dogs to make a buffet out of the cat’s litter box is off putting for humans, and cats aren’t really amused either. The best thing you can do in this situation is to put the litter box where the dog can’t get to it, but the cat still can. You can keep the litter box on a higher shelf or counter or in a room that is only accessible to the cat.

Make sure your dog is fairly obedient
If you are bringing home a new cat or kitten, be sure to work on your current dog’s obedience skills. To make the integration work it is usually necessary to have control over the canine part of the equation. Your dog should respond to commands like “stay” and “sit” as well as be trained on a leash.

Create a safe spot
Providing cats with a refuge room, like a bedroom or bathroom with cat-centric amenities, will go a long way for reducing stress. Your cat will feel safe in this room and you will easily be able to separate the two animals when you are out of the house as newly introduced pets really need constant supervision when they are together.

It is easier when they are young
The best time to make this new acquaintance is when both pets are fairly young. When pets grow up together they can easily learn the social codes of a different species. A puppy is much easier to train to co-exist with a cat then an older dog. The same is true of a kitten who will learn early how to deal with a dog’s traits.

Introduce your pets gradually
A tested method that works well is to keep your dog on a lease and command them to sit and stay when being introduced to a feline. Never let the dog engage the cat in a chase and do not “force” the pets to interact. It is important to just let them occupy the same space for a few minutes while remaining peaceful. If everything goes well then reward both bets with praise or a small treat. This should be done in increasingly longer intervals on a daily basis and can take a few weeks depending on how stubborn your pets generally are. Eventually you will be able to remove the leash as the dog learns it is not acceptable to chase the cat and the cat is no longer afraid of or avoiding the dog.

The trick is to reduce stress for the animals and be extremely patient. If correctly executed with the proper planning even pets that normally “fight like cats and dogs” can live together in peace.

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Russ Barker is a firm subscriber to the concept that dogs and cats living together is not just a prophecy of the end of days. He is a superstar blogger at DogTagArt.com, a group that is on the move to create fun and colorful pet ID tags. The goal is to protect as many animals as possible with proper identification. A custom dog tag is the ideal method of adding style to any pet while keeping them safe and making them look spectacular.