Herbal Alternative Medicine for Cats

Herbal and alternative medicines are becoming increasingly popular in both the human world and the pet world. Those wary of the side effects posed by conventional medications are seeking more natural remedies for their pet's medical problems. These remedies can often help. Just be sure to keep your veterinarian abreast of what alternative treatments you have tried or are currently using on your pet.

  1. Vitamin and Nutritional Supplements

    • One method of using alternative medicine is to provide proper nutrition and a balanced diet. This can be done by feeding a homemade, all natural diet and by using nutritional supplements. Supplements improve your cat's immune system and help treat allergies, arthritis, skin disease, kidney disease, infections and more. Some of these supplements include vitamin E, C, and A, as well as glucosamine and Coenzyme Q10.

    Herbal Medicine

    • Herbal medicines have been used to treat many conditions in animals including heart conditions, bone and musle condtions, even respiratory conditions. The problems with herbal medicine for cats are many, however. You need to use the best quality herbal ingredients, and those aren't always easy to find. There is also no definitive dosage of herbal medicine for cats. Some herbs are actually toxic for cats, and some cats have negative reactions to medications that other animals tolerate very well. Veterinary advice is highly recommended for herbal medicine usage in cats.

    Other Alternative Medicines

    • While herbal alternative medicine is an option for cats, feline alternative medicine does not stop at herbs. Other alternative health practices are widely used on cats, including acupuncture, chiropractics, massage therapy, magnetic therapy, and even kinisiology. Veterinarians practicing these alternative techniques are beginning to become more widely available and even your own veterinarian may have some experience using these practices.