Integrative Animal Care

This is a big topic; I took a deep breath as I wrote the title. There’s no way to cover it all in one article. Big pharma influences veterinary medicine just as much as human healthcare & the pet food industry contributes to a lot of animal suffering. If it's this challenging in the first world, imagine how much harder it is for animals in other parts of the world. Transitioning to natural care for your pets is a choice worth considering.

Imagine how challenging it is for those who truly walk the walk, dedicating themselves to healing animals as naturally as possible. It’s achievable, but not easy—especially in places where human life is often overlooked, and even more so for animals. While I’m not a vet, I have deep respect for the profession and the many veterinary friends I have, many of whom practice natural health care for animals. Just as with integrative human healthcare, I have seen first hand the benefits of integrative practices in animal care; I believe it is the best option for us all.

Integrative healthcare for humans can be equally applied to animals, including:

• Herbal medicine

• Homeopathy

• Acupuncture

• Osteopathy

• Chiropractic

• Massage therapy

• Natural/plant-based diet

• Hydrotherapy

• Bowen therapy

• Nutritional therapy

Today, animals face a range of challenges, often being mass-bred, overfed, poisoned, neglected, or abused. While some are fortunate, others are pampered by the wealthy to the point where the money spent on one pet could help hundreds of abandoned animals in need.

Sadly, many still view animals through a narrow lens—primarily for:

• Food

• Work

• Gambling

• Income

• Pleasure

This limited perspective continues to shape how animals are treated.

It’s heartbreaking that many animals suffer simply because they’re seen as commodities. Personally, I don’t believe you can truly love animals while eating them or using some species for purposes while ignoring the suffering of others. Billions of animals are bred and killed every year for food—completely unnecessary. Yes, some species are predators, but humans who argue this aren’t out there hunting and eating their prey raw, bones and all.

The reality is, this lifestyle is driven by bloodlust, not necessity.

The conditions in which livestock are bred and raised are often horrific, yet even animal welfare groups tend to approve these practices. Working animals, whether disability pets, showjumpers, or circus performers, are used for human benefit—but just because an animal can do something doesn’t mean it should. Most animals don’t want to work in these ways, but human domination forces them to. Would you carry another human on your back just because you could?

Then there’s gambling—those who bet often carry their own struggles, yet rarely consider the conditions in which these animals are bred, kept, or the short lives they lead. More often than not, these animals end up in abattoirs or are shipped off for meat consumption, rather than being retired or rescued. It’s a grim reality that highlights the stark divide between human indulgence and animal suffering.

Breeders often have a skewed perspective on their practices. I once argued with a friend’s mother, a breeder, who saw no issue with forcefully impregnating her dogs every year to sell them for profit. When I suggested breeders should need a license, I was met with contempt—her comfort mattered more than the dogs’. Decades later, my views haven’t changed, especially after rescuing countless animals.

As for "pleasure," it can range from the companionship of a pet to activities that cause harm—like dog fighting, hunting, or fishing. It’s hard to understand why some find joy in activities that bring suffering to another species. I once encountered a vet nurse who supported horse racing simply because her rescue horse was the best she’d owned—this contradiction seems all too common in the profession.

Most people only take their animals to the vet for emergencies or euthanasia, and even fewer consider natural healthcare options. But how were animals cared for before the rise of medicalised treatments? They thrived on natural, organic diets, herbs, homeopathy, pure water, and open air—something most of today’s mass-produced animals never experience. It’s time to reconsider how we approach animal health, returning to simpler, more natural methods.

Animals today are suffering from human diseases, and it’s largely due to diet and medication. They're being poisoned at the same rate we are—through vaccines filled with toxic ingredients, harsh parasitic treatments, and diets that aren’t suited to their needs. For instance, vegetarian livestock are often fed meat meal to fatten them up or dispose of waste. While this is a broad topic, it's one that deserves attention. With proper research and care, there’s no reason why you can’t prepare healthy, species-appropriate food for your pets. Just be mindful—some ingredients are not suitable for all animals.

Even after all these years, the journey keeps expanding. I’ve been blessed to witness some of the greatest healing miracles, especially when it comes to animals. It's a path that continually amazes me:

• I was called to help a poisoned horse that had consumed the toxic inner flesh of the balga plant. The first horse had already died by the time I arrived. The vet was unavailable, so I was permitted to try a homœopathic remedy. I administered a few doses and once the horse was conscious with pink gums, I left the remedy with the owner. By the next morning when the vet arrived, the horse was up and walking, and within days running around, fully recovered.

• A dog living in a remote area was poisoned with an unknown substance. I began homœopathic detox treatment every 15 minutes as he showed early signs of seizing, dilated pupils, and was unable to stand. After a long drive to the vet, the poison had already passed through. He was observed overnight at the veterinary hospital and was discharged the following morning.

• I make a weekly superfood/parasite tonic for our horses, combining vitamin powd grated carrot and apple, molasses, bran, seeds, herbs, and warm water. This multi-purpose tonic keeps them free from parasites, giving them a shiny coat, and helps them stay strong and healthy, even through the harshest winter cold and summer heat.

• A cat was bitten by a tiger snake, and the vet was closed. Fearing the worst, I administered a homeopathic detox. Within half an hour, the cat stopped shaking and was back to normal by the next day. A tiger snake bite is often fatal in cats, but this one made a full recovery.

• I make dogfood each week, usually on Sundays - this homemade dog food has helped restore the health of ageing dogs while keeping young dogs vibrant and vital. The wet food is made with red lentils, chickpea flour, mixed vegetables, seaweed, organic tofu, spirulina/supergreen powder, vegetable stock, yeast, herbs and spices like turmeric, coconut, and seeds. The dry biscuits are made from a dough of chickpea flour, organic durum wheat flour, ground mixed vegetables, sweet potato, tahini, flax, sunflower seeds, pepitas, coconut oil, peanut butter, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar.

  This is just a glimpse into the possibilities. Animals can thrive on natural care, whether as the primary approach or alongside traditional veterinary medicine.

Never ignore your animal’s health. Just like humans, animals can benefit from improvements in their overall well-being in many ways. Start with the basics: ensure their water is filtered, just as it should be for you. Avoid toxic shampoos, drenches, and treatments, and choose personal care products that are safe. Their food should be organic, clean, fresh, and genuinely nutritious—not filled with unnecessary fillers.

I hurt for the billions of animals left to survive around the world without a second thought on their health or suffering. Surely as caretakers of these animals, it is up to us to ensure they have the best?

There are many animal supplements available. Likewise, there are remedies and kits available to keep them thriving rather than barely surviving.

To access homœopathics for animals, head to this website for more information.

To access supplements, grooming care, healthy snacks and treatments, head to this website and do a site-search for what you need or send a request via health@chrysalisoriginal.com with queries.

📚 Top Integrative Healing Books for Pets

1. The Spirit of Animal Healing by Dr. Marty Goldstein

A follow-up to his bestseller The Nature of Animal Healing, this book delves into the latest integrative medical knowledge, combining conventional therapies with complementary and alternative medicine. Dr. Goldstein shares his extensive experience to guide pet owners in achieving a higher state of well-being for their animals.

2. The Nature of Animal Healing by Dr. Marty Goldstein

This foundational text introduces readers to holistic veterinary medicine, emphasizing the importance of treating the root causes of illness rather than just the symptoms. It covers topics like nutrition, supplements, and alternative therapies.

3. Keeping Your Pets Naturally Healthy by Dr. Judy Morgan

Dr. Morgan combines her expertise in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine with holistic approaches to provide practical advice on nutrition, natural therapies, and preventive care for dogs and cats.

4. Practical Handbook of Veterinary Homeopathy by Dr. Wendy Jensen

This guide offers insights into homeopathic treatments for animals, teaching pet owners how to observe and report symptoms effectively to support their pets' healing processes.

5. Integrative Veterinary Medicine by Dr. Mushtaq A. Memon and Dr. Huisheng Xie

A comprehensive resource that bridges conventional veterinary practices with complementary therapies, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and physical rehabilitation. It serves as a valuable reference for practitioners and pet owners alike.

6. Healing Pets with Nature's Miracle Cures by Henry Pasternak

This book explores natural remedies for various pet ailments, integrating holistic approaches with traditional veterinary care to address chronic and acute conditions.

7. Zoobiquity by Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers

While not exclusively about pet care, this book examines the connections between human and animal health, offering insights into how understanding animal illnesses can inform human medicine and vice versa.

These books provide a wealth of knowledge for those interested in holistic and integrative approaches to pet health.Whether you're a pet owner seeking alternative therapies or a practitioner aiming to expand your understanding, these resources offer valuable perspectives on nurturing animal well-being through combined medical philosophies.

If you have specific areas of interest or particular conditions you'd like to explore further, feel free to let me know, and I can provide more targeted recommendations.

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