The Benefits of Acupuncture for Senior Pets
After years of adventure and play, our senior pets can start to slow down, and their bodies can feel the effects of older age. This can mean that your senior pal may struggle with more aches, pains and health issues. To keep your ageing pet as healthy, comfortable and happy for as long as possible, it can be worth looking into alternative therapies that, alongside the support of their regular vet, can improve your pet’s quality of life even into their final years.
Acupuncture is a popular example of an alternative, or holistic treatment, that may be a great option for your senior pet. Acupuncture has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine, tracing back many centuries. It involves fine, thin needles being inserted into specific parts of the body to stimulate the nervous system, activate the body’s natural healing properties and give physical and emotional comfort.
You may be familiar with acupuncture for humans, however, don’t discount the benefits that it can have for our furry family members too - from arthritis and digestive issues, or simply for stress and anxiety relief.
Of course, before starting any treatment, make sure to chat to your vet, and always do your research to find a qualified specialist that can perform acupuncture.
So, what are some of the benefits of acupuncture for senior pets?
Helps with pain management
One of the most common uses of acupuncture is to help in relieving aches and pains that your senior pet may be feeling more and more as they age. Acupuncture can be particularly helpful for conditions that affect your pet’s musculoskeletal system - like arthritis, hip dysplasia and spinal disease. The acupuncture needles, when placed in the skin, can help relax muscle, improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation - all things that can do wonders for pain relief from chronic issues, and speeding up recoveries from injury.
If your furry family member is undergoing stronger medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, it may also be worth considering combining these more painful treatments with acupuncture to help bring your pet some relief and comfort throughout their treatment.
Eases gastrointestinal problems
For older pets who are experiencing digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or bloating, acupuncture can be a great source of relief. Acupuncture needles in the stomach can help restore and balance muscles in the gut and stomach to improve digestion
Relieves respiratory issues
While it may sound odd, your pet’s allergies and asthma can also be helped by acupuncture. With the treatment activating the immune system to help in fighting inflammation, this can ease symptoms and discomfort from respiratory problems.
Tackles skin sensitivities
As your pet becomes older, their skin can become more sensitive and prone to irritation. This can be massively uncomfortable for your pet, and a headache to navigate treatments to give them relief. Did you know that skin problems like dermatitis, granulomas or hot spots can also be relieved through acupuncture? This is because blood circulation is stimulated, which can help with healing and also reduce pain so your pet may be less likely to itch or irritate the area themselves. If your pet has a wound that needs healing, acupuncture can also help speed up the healing process.
Reduces anxiety
As they age, you may find that your pet becomes more anxious or moody. This can sometimes be because their body or mind is going through changes that are making them feel uneasy, and can lead to changes in mood and temperament. Acupuncture can be a good way to help alleviate anxiety in pets by lowering cortisol levels and relaxing muscles to give calming effects. This can be ideal for any pets that are known for, or are becoming more, skittish, fearful or aggressive. What’s more, if your pet is on medication to help with their anxiety, acupuncture can be a complementary treatment that reduces the need for higher dosages of medication.
Complements Existing Treatment
One of the best things about acupuncture being a more natural treatment is that it can often be easily and safely used with no changes to existing medications or treatment plans. Of course, always chat to a professional to know what’s right for your pet, but, there can be instances where acupuncture can provide enough relief to help decrease the amount of pain medication your pet may be taking. What a win for your senior pet!
What to expect when you’re starting out?
So if this is making you think that acupuncture could be a good option for your pet, what can you expect? Typically, it is said that it takes at least three sessions of acupuncture to start to see the effectiveness of the treatment. But some pets can see signs of relief straight away after one session - it can be different from pet to pet.
Acupuncture is virtually painless for animals, and many owners find their pets become relaxed or even sleepy when the needles are in place. However, some animals may show small amounts of discomfort from the new sensation of the needles, so keep an eye out and reassure them during the treatment if you notice them reacting to the feeling.
Sometimes after the first session, some pets experience stiffening or tiredness which usually disappears after a couple of days - so don’t be too alarmed! It’s also worth noting that acupuncture works best when your pet is nice and still so it’s important to comfort your pet during the appointment, or even have a visit with the specialist before starting the treatment so your pet can become familiar with the specialist and the space. This might help keep them calmer on the day of treatment.
Acupuncture is generally considered to be a safe and effective therapy for pets at all stages of life, but particularly when they’re older. It can give long-lasting relief from pain and discomfort because of injury and illness. Of course, as with any medical treatment, there are some risks and potential side effects to consider so always chat to a qualified professional before giving it a go with your pet to make sure it’s right for them.