Holistic veterinarians have the same licensing and education as conventional vets, but they have a much broader area of expertise and their practice is significantly different.
This page provides…
- Comprehensive comparison of conventional and holistic veterinarians
- Holistic veterinarian search by zip code & holistic vet directories
The Difference Between Conventional and Holistic Dog Vet Care
| Conventional Dog Health Vet | Holistic/Conventional Dog Health Vet | |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Licensed Veterinarian | Licensed Veterinarian, plus certification from one of the following organizations:
|
| Focus | Treat signs and symptoms one problem at a time. Views the body “in pieces.” Considers physical factors to determine dog care treatment options. | Treat signs and symptoms initially, but broader focus on prevention through establishing and maintaining a foundation of health in your dog’s body. Views symptoms as a sign of a deeper instability. Views body as a whole; if one area is out of balance it can throw off other areas. Considers emotional, mental and environmental factors in addition to physical factors when determining treatment options. Pays great attention to lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, sleep, stress reduction) and making sure they are appropriate. Evaluates natural options to help body heal itself and to build the immune system. |
| Treatment | Focus on controlling and counteracting symptoms through “quick fix” medications. Generally ignores body’s innate ability to heal itself. Body is a passive recipient of treatments that heal it. | Focus on changing lifestyle habits to promote health and healing naturally. Avoid side effects and unknown long-term effects of medication when possible. Considers natural treatments and remedies that help body heal itself before recommending medications (will still prescribe medications when necessary). Goal of holistic dog vet care is to restore physical and mental balance to alleviate symptoms. |
| Relationship between doctor and pet/owner | Short amount of time spent with each patient only when problems arise. Addresses specific problem quickly then moves to next patient. | Allocates more time per visit to get to know dog and dog owner’s lifestyle and to educate dog owner about natural dog vet care. Provides free dog health advice periodically over the phone when needed. |
| Mindset of Dog Owner | Seeks treatment when dog becomes ill or problem occurs | Seeks treatment and advice routinely to ensure correct preventive care is being practiced and appropriate choices are being made for the dog’s lifestyle (diet, exercise, sleep, stress reduction) |
| Accessibility in your area | Usually high | Can be very limited depending on your area. See below for holistic veterinarian directory links. |
| Cost & Time | Up to 3 times less expensive than a holistic dog vet care office visit. Lower cost is proportionate to additional time spent. The contacts we have made average about $35 per visit. Around 10 to 15 minutes per visit for a quick physical and to address specific problems. | Up to 3 times more expensive than conventional dog vet care for a regular office visit. Additional cost is proportionate to additional time spent. The contacts we have made average about $110 per visit.
|
Important: You should not start natural therapy until a veterinarian (conventional or holistic) examines your dog to diagnose any symptoms, determine a pattern of health problems and uncover other issues you may not be aware of. If your dog is currently taking medication, it could be dangerous to immediately stop taking it. As with any dog lifestyle change, the transition away from medication should be gradual.
Before moving on to finding a vet in your area (below), you may also want to consider insurance to help pay for the higher cost of better care. Our Pet Insurance Reviews page will help you make the decision that’s right for you and your pocketbook.
 | Taylor Tips!Be sure to notice how your dog acts around a new vet. If she doesn’t seem comfortable with the person after a couple of visits, it may be time to move on. |
Emergency Veterinary Hospitals
If you can’t get a hold of your normal veterinarian and your pet is experiencing an emergency, go to the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care’s site and enter your country and state (at the right of their web page) to find the nearest veterinary hospital.
If not enough choices come up for your area or if you’d rather search for a more specialized practice (acupuncturist, chiropractor, physical therapist, herbalist or homeopathic vet), look into the holistic veterinarian directories below.
You can also start working with your existing conventional vet to begin introducing holistic treatments.
Educate them about your research and the treatments you are interested in. Work together to develop a game plan for the new therapies and preventive measures.
You and your local vet can also find and partner with a holistic veterinarian outside of your area. To find one based on your area of interest (and to learn more about each type of alternative medicine for dogs, follow the links below.
Specialized Holistic Veterinarian Directories
Alternative Medicine for Dogs – General Practice
See our Alternative Medicine for Dogs page for general information about holistic vet care.
Acupuncture Dog Treatment
Our Acupuncture Dog Treatment page will give you the ins and outs about why this is an option you may want to consider.
If you’re interested in finding a dog acupuncturist near you, the IVAS is where you should start.
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) is a non-profit organization “dedicated to promoting excellence in the practice of veterinary acupuncture, as an integral part of the total veterinary health care delivery system.”
Click here to search the IVAS database for a certified veterinary acupuncturist in your area.
The Chi Institute is the leading veterinary continuing education provider of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). Their mission is to train licensed veterinarians to become cutting edge animal health care providers capable of practicing veterinary acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and other TCVM skills.
Click Here to search the Chi Institute’s directory of TCVM practitioners in the United States and around the world. Both searches can be found in the left margin of their web site.
Dog Chiropractic Therapy
See our Dog Chiropractic Therapy page to learn more about chiropractic care in general and whether it could be an option for your dog. If you would like to speak directly with a veterinary chiropractor…
The Animal Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) was formed in large part to “provide the public with unhampered access to ethical doctors trained in chiropractic.”
Click here to search for a AVCA doctor in your area
Herbal Medicine for Dog Care
Our Herbal Medicine for Dog Care page will get you primed for your initial discussions with a veterinary herbalist. After you review it, find a local herbalist using the VBMA’s directory.
The Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (VBMA) is a “group of veterinarians and herbalists dedicated to developing responsible herbal practice by encouraging research and education, strengthening industry relations, keeping herbal tradition alive as a valid information source, and increasing professional acceptance of herbal medicine for animals.”
Homeopathy for Dog Care
According to their web site, the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy (AVH) is comprised of veterinarians who share the common desire to restore true health to their patients through the use of homeopathic treatment. Members of the Academy are dedicated to understanding and preserving the principles of Classical Homeopathy.
See our Dog Homeopathy page to learn more about the benefits of homeopathic remedies, then click here for the AVH’s directory of certified veterinarians across the United States.
Animal Physical Therapy for Dogs
Before you move forward with your search for a dog physical therapist, review our Animal Physical Therapy for Dogs page, then ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. This is a relatively new field, so it may take some searching to find a qualified fit for you and your dog.
The University of Tennessee maintains a comprehensive list of facilities throughout the world. Click here to search by state or country.
Holistic Vets Recommended by Other Visitors
Click below to see Holistic Dog Vet Care recommendations from other visitors to this page…
FLORIDA-COCOA–Cocoa Village Animal Wellness Center-Dr. Donna Ragona 
Cocoa Village Animal Wellness Center Dr Donna Ragona 224 Forrest Avenue Cocoa, FL 32922 321-684-7060 Acupuncture Herbal Therapy Spinal Manipulation …
Dr Janice Huntingford, Essex Animal Hospital
355 Talbot St N Essex, Ontario N8M2W3 Certified in Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Food Therapy, Tui-na, Chinese Herbal Therapy and Rehabilitation Therapy …
Dr. Sasan Haghighat
905-830-1030 North East Newmarket Veterinary Services Cert. Vet Acupuncture *encourages raw feeding *homeopathy
TX – Dr. Jody Kincaid
901 E. Franklin Anthony, Tx 79821 915-886-4558
NV – Carol Jean Tillman, DVM
Holistic Veterinarian Las Vegas, NV & Walnut Creek, CA Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hospital 1325 Vegas Valley Drive Las Vegas, NV 89169 (702) …
Polly Yamamoto, DVM
Polly Yamamoto, DVM Honolulu, Hawaii, USA Naturopathy Holistic Veterinarian (as well as Western Vet.) (808)375.0405 Call anytime. She is …
WISCONSIN-MADISON–Holistic Veterinary Options, LLC – Michelle Krusing, DVM. Not rated yet
(608) 280-1836 13 Oxford Pl, Madison, WI 53704 [email protected] Offering * equine dentistry * veterinary acupuncture * veterinary chiropractic …
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Also see…
- 25 Most Common Dog Health Problems & Natural Treatments for condition-specific education and treatments
- Pet Insurance Reviews
- My Online Vet Ask-a-Veterinarian Libarary for hundreds of questions & holistic veterinarian responses