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What is Holistic Health Care for Pets? A Guide for Pet Parents

Pet Care Tips 5 min read
A cat rubs up against a small dog.

The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association defines holistic health care for pets as “a form of healing that considers the whole patient–body, mind, and spirit–in its approach to achieving optimum health and eliminating the root causes of disease.”

Holistic medicine is characterized by using a gentle and minimally invasive approach

The same association states that holistic medicine is characterized by using a gentle and minimally invasive approach, which considers the pet’s emotions and well-being, placing love, empathy, and respect as central values.

Some of the main principles of holistic medicine are:

  • Perceiving illness as the reflection of the whole animal condition, not as an isolated event.
  • Striving to understand and treat the underlying causes of diseases.
  • Prioritizing prevention over treatment.
  • Taking advantage of a variety of safe and effective options in the diagnosis and treatment process, including conventional medicine, alternative medicine, and lifestyle adjustments.
  • Unconditional love is life’s most powerful medicine.
  • Optimal health is not only about the absence of sickness, but also about aspiring to reach high-quality standards in the physical, environmental, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects of our furry friends.

Benefits of Holistic Health Care

Giving your pet the opportunity to benefit from a holistic approach can make a valuable, positive contribution to their well-being. Thanks to its comprehensive and compassionate approach, the holistic veterinarian will not only address the specific health condition and prescribe a therapy but will also design a holistic and personalized regimen tailored to their unique needs. This holistic regimen takes into consideration an appropriate diet, as well as behavioral, environmental, and lifestyle modifications, always referring to the pet’s specific context.

Another positive aspect of holistic veterinary medicine is that it prioritizes preventative care. We know how hard it is to see our furry friends going through health challenges, it is not only physically but also emotionally hard and the best way to avoid these tough situations is by implementing preventative actions in their routine.

Guidance for Pet Parents

We know you must be wondering how you can start including holistic practices in your pet’s daily care routine. Here you can find some good and easy options to start:

Food is medicine

One of the most important aspects of your pet’s health is nutrition. Providing a personalized diet, specially tailored to their needs and free of additives, preservatives, and flavorings is a great way to start your pets’ holistic journey.



Always provide abundant fresh water

Hydration is key. It is recommended to have more than 1 water bowl available in the house. If you have more than one pet, the minimum recommended is one bowl per pet plus 1.

Stimulate their natural behavior through play

Allowing our pets to manifest their natural behavior is important for their mental and emotional well-being. How this looks can vary from one pet to the other. Usually, dogs enjoy playing fetch, finding tree sticks, chewing toys, and swimming. This also includes outdoor walks. The minimum recommended for dogs is a 30-minute walk every day. On the other hand, cats like prey hunting, moving and jumping across different height surfaces, and scratching.

Socializing is also important

If your pet feels comfortable socializing with other animals and/or humans, allow them to interact with them regularly. This is particularly important for puppies and kittens to develop healthy social behavior.


Daily exposure to natural light

Our pets love to lie under the sun’s rays. This is an easy way to promote their well-being and is also very important to maintain appropriate vitamin D levels, even on cloudy days. Just be aware that pets without fur cannot spend as much time under direct sunlight as their furry counterparts.

Access to nature and sensory stimulation

Different from humans, dogs have millions of smell receptors and love to spend time sniffing the air, ground, and plants. Give them enough time to do this on every walk. For cats, this could be a bit more difficult, and it depends on their habits and the environment. If you have a strictly indoor cat, you can allow them to breathe fresh air while opening the windows and have edible plants safe for cats dotted around the home, including wheatgrass and catnip.

Stick to products with natural ingredients

Every time you’re thinking about getting treats, toys, or any other pet supplies, stick to those made with natural and organic ingredients, avoiding unnecessary additives, preservatives, and flavorings.

Choose safe cleaning products

When buying cleaning products for your home, choose those that are hypoallergenic and free from potentially harmful ingredients and strong scents, especially for floor cleaning products.


Avoid uncovered laminate or slippery flooring

Dogs may become unsteady and slip on this kind of flooring, leading to physical instability, uncertainty, and lack of confidence. If you have this type of flooring, placing rugs can be an easy fix.

Invest in a good quality bed

When our pets begin to grow older, having an adequate bed can make a difference for their joints and muscles. Similarly, pets with stiff joints, hip dysplasia, or arthritis can considerably benefit from using a ramp in certain locations where they pass by regularly.

Play relaxing music

Many pets can experience relaxation while listening to relaxing music. You can find pet-specific playlists on many online music platforms.

NHV’s Commitment to Holistic Health

At NHV we have an integrative wellness philosophy. We believe in the use of supplements, diet, and other therapeutics to support the body alongside medication when needed.

Your pet’s health is our utmost priority. NHV supplements are 100% natural


Your pet’s health is our utmost priority. NHV supplements are 100% natural herbal supplements, free of any added preservatives, additives, flavorings, or artificial colors, made with organically grown or ethically harvested (or ethically sourced) herbs and non-GMO vegetable glycerin. These are human-grade quality products formulated by a holistic veterinarian and master herbalist with a combined 50+ years of experience.

How NHV Can Help

We are happy to support hundreds of pet parents through our services. We offer a Personalized Veterinary Nutrition Plan for Pets service where our in-house veterinarian Dr. Amanda will formulate a diet tailored to your little one’s needs. Also, our Pet Experts will guide you on the best supplement regimen for your pet based on the information you give them, whether to address a specific health condition or for proactive care.

Your pet’s holistic care journey is one step away, you just need to contact us, and we will happily assist you.

Dr. Carla Moran, DVM

Dr. Carla Moran, DVM

Dr. Carla Moran graduated from the University of Chile in Veterinary Medicine and later obtained a Diploma in Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases from the same university. She has had the opportunity to learn from diverse areas of the veterinary profession through her professional training, like small animal medicine, wildlife conservation, and public health. Dr. Moran loves being able to support animals and their guardians through natural medicine, and she strongly believes that nature can provide us with what every being needs to be happy and healthy, mentally, and physically.

Published: November 14, 2024

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