Homeopathy is a gentle, natural way of treating many of the illnesses that plague cats, from allergies and Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease to cancer. But while homeopathic remedies cause none of the dangerous side effects of many conventional medications, no medical treatment is without risks. If you decide to use homeopathic medicine for your cat, seek out a skilled and experienced veterinary homeopath who can customize the treatment to your cat.
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History of Homeopathy
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German physician and chemist Samuel Hahnemann discovered homeopathy in the late 1700s. It works on the theory that "like cures like" by stimulating the body's ability to heal itself.
Natural Medicine
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Homeopathic remedies are made from plant or animal matter, which is diluted with water or alcohol and shaken, sometimes millions of times. When dilution is complete, there's almost no trace of the original substance.
One Dose
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Often, all that's needed is one dose of a remedy or repeated doses given several days or weeks apart. That makes homeopathy a good choice for cats, who can be difficult to medicate.
No Need to Swallow
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To work, homeopathic remedies just need to touch the cat's gums or tongue. The pills, or pellets, dissolve in the cat's mouth. Neither liquid remedies nor pellets need to be swallowed.
Requires Patience and Observation
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It can take several days for a homeopathic remedy to reach its full curative effect. During that time, your holistic veterinarian will ask you to note any changes you see in your cat.
Not for Everything
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Generally, conventional treatments work better than homeopathy does for such chronic diseases as diabetes and hyperthyroidism in cats.
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