10 Steps to greater wellbeing for your dog
Barbara Fougere
BSc BVMS (Hons) BHSc (Comp med) MODT MHSc (Herb Med) CVA CVCP CVBM CMAVA NHAA
1. Reduce stress
Chronic stress, we know, can harm health. So consider life from your dog’s point of
view. Is there tension in the household? Are you stressed? Are they left alone all
day? How do they cope with other animals around? Is there harmony between the
animals in the household? Stress can be difficult to see. But behaviour changes
like anxiety can indicate a lack of balance in an animal’s life. Seek the help of your
vet or animal behaviour therapist who can put you on the right path!
2. Improve the environment
Is your dog exposed to cigarette smoke? Are there grasses and pollens that
aggravate your dog’s skin? Has your home been renovated in the last 6 months?
What floor cleaners do you use? Do you have new carpet or furniture? Put yourself
in your dog’s paws and think about what they might come into contact with on a
regular basis. They live close to the floor and their coats are washed by their
tongues! So environmental chemicals and poisons are ingested easily. If you walk
your dog through traffic bear in mind your pet’s nose is going to pick up exhaust
fumes. Verges can be sprayed with chemicals. Find a different path if necessary.
3. Reduce chemical load
Your dog has monthly worming for heart worm, monthly or three monthly for
intestinal worms, de-fleeing, regular shampooing, tick control, medicines, think
about everything you are giving your dog and you can quickly see how much of a
load all these things are. All of these chemicals are strangers to the body and need
to be processed by the liver and other organs. Talk to your vet or holistic
practitioner to see if you can down size the chemical load and strategically manage
parasites and drugs. Our practice does not recommend annual heartworm
vaccination.
4. Reduce vaccination frequency
Annual vaccination is unnecessary and at worst potentially dangerous. Protocols
are changing in light of research that shows that vaccination protection lasts longer
than 12 months. Instead of vaccinating, talk to your vet about testing for antibody
titers. These tests tell you the status of your pet and whether vaccination is
needed. Vet Path in WA (available via Symbion in Sydney) provides the only
testing that is validated and tested in Australia.
5. Improve the diet
Nutrition is one of the most important foundations for supporting good health. Many
pets are overweight and obesity is the most common nutritional disease in
Australian pets. Natural diets offer a potent means to address health issues and to
help lose weight and gain vitality. If you take just one step this month, then this is
the most important to take! Talk to use about a tailored nutritional plan that suits
you and your dog.
6. Seek out options for health
If your pet does have a health issue, then make sure you have all your options
before deciding on what’s best for your pet. Taking a natural path is an amazing
way of working with the body’s own healing capacity to restore normal functioning
and wellness. A natural approach to health care can also go a long way towards
preventing common diseases.
7. Grooming
Just about all animals love to be groomed. Brushing stimulates the skin and glands
in the skin. It helps remove surface allergens, dust and pollution that lands on your
pet daily. Grooming also affords an opportunity to connect with your dog, spend
some quality time together and enhance the bond. Consider using natural products
that have been tested for safety on your pet. Remember that just about anything
you put on can be absorbed through the skin.
8. Dental health
Raw meaty bones, toothbrushes, raw hides, special veterinary chews, prescription
biscuits, and prophylactic cleaning at the vets are all ways of improving dental
health. What suits your dog best will depend on a number of things so your
veterinarian is the best person to advise you. It’s most important though to
recognize dental problems sooner rather than later and keep the mouth and teeth
as healthy as you can. Bad breath, red gums and stained teeth are late signs! So
get them checked at least 6 monthly.
9. Increase exercise and play
Exercise is vital for health. For dogs, it stimulates circulation, improves heart
function and oxygenation and it’s the time to check out the pee-mails and other
scents. Exercise is important especially for elderly dogs. Even a short trip around
the block can be therapeutic. If walking is not an option, consider swimming. Even
animals that are convalescing can benefit from short walks. Remember if you don’t
use it, you lose it! And that goes for the two legged animals as well!
10. Connect with your pet on a daily basis
In our busy days it’s sometimes hard to find our own balance let alone time for our
animals. Walks, play, grooming and feeding times are opportunities to spend time
together. But sometimes a quiet ten minutes together to appreciate your
connection can do wonders for your pet, but also for yourself. Communicating with
animals doesn’t require special psychic powers. It requires quiet time, some space
and simply listening with your heart to what comes through from your pet. Most
times your intuition will guide you. When your pet looks at you and you feel love, be
assured that’s what is being said! One of the most underrated opportunities for our
own health is spending time with our four legged friends.
Dr Barbara Fougere is the Past President of the Australian Veterinary Acupuncture
Association and Past President of the International Veterinary Botanical Medical
Association. Author of healthy Dogs, a Manual of Natural Therapies and Pet lovers
Guide to Natural Therapies and two veterinary texts Veterinary Herbal Medicine
and Integrating Complementary Medicine into Veterinary Practice.
To discuss further please call us on 02 9712 5844 or make an appointment to start you loved ones wellness journey
