4 Benefits Of Acupuncture For Your Dog

Posted on: 8 March 2017

More and more dog owners are becoming interested in alternative medicine for their beloved fur babies, as a way to provide natural treatment for a variety of conditions without medication that often comes with harsh side effects. One form of alternative veterinary medicine that is particularly worth looking into is dog acupuncture. Here are four ways acupuncture may be able to help your dog:

Reduce Joint Pain

One of the most popular reasons to try veterinary acupuncture is to reduce joint pain and help mobility issues. Acupuncture can help increase circulation while also releasing your dog's natural pain killer hormones, including endorphins, as well as a natural anti-inflammatory response. This combination of benefits can make a visible difference in dogs experiencing joint pain, whether as the result of an injury, arthritis, or a common condition in certain dog breeds like hip dysplasia.

Reduce Anxiety

Whether your dog suffers from frequent separation anxiety, or experiences anxiety in specific situations such as air travel, thunderstorms, or nail trimming, acupuncture may be able to help without the need for sedatives or anti-anxiety medication. Acupuncture is usually performed in a soothing, calming manner, and can help your dog's body release "feel good" hormones like dopamine and endorphins. This provides your dog with a burst of natural anxiety relief.  

Beneficial for Cancer Sufferers

When used in conjunction with conventional treatments, acupuncture can help make your dog's cancer more manageable. If your dog is undergoing radiation or chemotherapy, acupuncture can help relieve his nausea, stimulate his appetite, and settle digestive upsets that are common reactions to cancer treatments. In addition, some acupuncture practitioners believe acupuncture stimulates the body's natural healing mechanisms, which can help your dog gain strength and heal during his cancer treatments.

Soothe Allergies

Because it can help reduce inflammation and help improve circulation, acupuncture can be very effective at reducing symptoms from allergies for your dog. If your dog experiences skin irritation, difficulty breathing, and congestion as a result of seasonal or food allergies, acupuncture is definitely worth a try as a way to provide natural relief without the need for drugs.

As you can see, acupuncture has the potential to help your dog in a variety of ways. By exploring natural medicine options like acupuncture for your dog, you can help him feel his best without a prescription. Just be sure to consult with your regular vet before adding any alternative medicine to your dog's health routine.  

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