Holistic pet medicine has gained increased popularity in recent decades, earning the support of many veterinarians and pet owners. On the other hand, the most ardent supporters of traditional Western medicine doubt its utility and deny its effectiveness in the treatment or prevention of pet diseases. However, radical and extreme positions are rarely helpful, especially when the subject of the argument is health—whether animal or human. So, finding a middle-ground approach that takes into account the advantages and disadvantages of both types of medicine is perhaps the best and most reasonable way to approach the debate and provide the best care for our pets.
Defining the Holistic Approach
Before diving into the specifics of holistic pet care, it’s useful to define what the holistic approach means. The term “holistic” refers to a philosophy rather than a scientific medical method. This philosophy is based on three principles. The first principle is viewing the organism as a whole, where body and mind are not separate, and all parts work together and interact to produce health or disease. According to this principle, it’s not the dysfunction of a single body system, organ, tissue, cell, or even molecule that causes an imbalance in the whole organism and leads to disease (as traditional Western medicine states). Instead, it is an imbalance of the whole organism that affects the functioning of one or more of its parts, leading to disease symptoms.
This distinction may seem formal or merely conceptual, but it has important practical implications. The target of holistic treatment is the whole organism, while the target of conventional medicine is the specific body part involved in the development of symptoms. In simpler terms, holistic medicine treats the organism as a whole to prevent dysfunction in single or multiple organs, while conventional medicine treats individual organs to prevent imbalances in the whole organism. It is clear, therefore, that from a health perspective, these different curative approaches can complement each other.
The other two principles upon which holistic healthcare is based are closely related to each other. They are the concepts of “primum, non nocere” (literally: “first, do no harm”) and “self-healing.” In practical terms, these concepts translate into using non-harmful complementary therapies, such as nutrition, phytotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care, to stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms. “Primum, non nocere” and “self-healing” are major strengths claimed by holistic medicine. However, it should not be forgotten that conventional medicine is also aligned with these concepts. Physicians and veterinarians always start by prescribing the most conservative and less aggressive treatments for their patients, never prescribing drugs or medical treatments when the potentially harmful effects outweigh the benefits—unless the patient is at imminent risk of death or there are no other effective treatments available.
As for “self-healing,” even traditional Western medicine applies this where possible. A clear example is the relatively recent development of active immunotherapy, which uses specific drugs to stimulate the body’s own immune system to fight diseases like cancer, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.
Both holistic and conventional medicine share the same goal: curing or preventing disease while minimizing harm to the patient’s health and, when possible, stimulating the body’s self-healing mechanisms. The difference between these two types of medicine lies in the means and methods by which this goal is achieved, which influences their different fields of medical application.
In many cases, holistic pet therapies can complement conventional medical treatments. This is particularly true in the treatment of certain chronic diseases, which often require prolonged use of potentially harmful drugs, sometimes at increasing doses over time. For example, chronic painful conditions such as cancer and osteoarthritis can benefit from acupuncture as a valuable addition to conventional pain treatment, offering pain relief and reducing the required dose of analgesics. Many chronic diseases can also cause severe physical and emotional stress in pets. In such cases, a well-balanced diet with healthy food and proper supplements, along with stress-fighting herbal remedies and massage therapy, can be incredibly helpful. These holistic treatments are also beneficial for the complementary treatment of weakness and debilitation resulting from old age or recovery from surgery or illness.
Since self-healing is a gradual process, the effects of these treatments, as well as other holistic methods, take time to become apparent. However, due to their safe and gentle nature, holistic therapies usually do not add additional stress to the body; rather, they help alleviate stress and restore the body’s natural balance.
Complementary and Effective Holistic Therapies
In certain cases, holistic pet treatments can counteract the side effects of conventional drugs. For example, alterations in intestinal flora caused by prolonged antibiotic use can be effectively reversed by probiotics, while liver overload from many medications can be relieved using hepatoprotective herbs such as Silybum marianum.
There are also conditions where a holistic approach may be more effective than conventional medicine. Stress and certain types of alopecia (such as the so-called ‘psychogenic alopecia’ in cats, caused by excessive grooming from stress) are examples. In such cases, where the body is involved as a whole and there is no clear specific cause for the symptoms, holistic treatments that restore the body’s overall balance may provide better, longer-lasting results than conventional medicine.
However, holistic pet care does have some limitations. First, it is not effective for acute conditions that require a targeted and aggressive medical approach, such as acute infections, shock, or heart attack. Second, holistic therapy lacks a strong scientific foundation, so it’s difficult to say whether its effectiveness is due to the therapies themselves or simply the body’s natural healing process over time (many conditions resolve on their own with or without treatment). That being said, some holistic techniques (particularly nutrition) have proven benefits in terms of general health and well-being, helping to prevent many common medical issues such as obesity, diabetes, intestinal disorders, cancer, and immune system dysfunctions.
Third, the concept of “primum, non nocere” is not always applicable. Many herbal remedies can be toxic if not prescribed or dosed properly. Similarly, holistic techniques such as acupuncture and massage therapy can cause harm if not performed by qualified professionals.
Lastly, it’s important to note that holistic care requires time, patience, and commitment from the pet owner. Results are not immediate and can be more difficult to achieve compared to the quick fixes offered by conventional medicine. The holistic approach often involves changes to all aspects of the pet’s life (diet, physical activity, living environment, and human-animal relationships), which can require long-term lifestyle changes for both the pet and its owner. While this may seem daunting, holistic pet care can promote long-lasting health, help prevent or alleviate many health issues, and restore balance to the pet’s body after years of living with humans.
These are strong reasons to consider integrating holistic treatments alongside conventional therapy to provide the most successful care for your pet.
