Holistic Veterinary Care Shares Tips to Promote Pet Health And Reduce Likelihood of Chronic Diseases Including Cancer
Oakland, California (PRWEB) November 04, 2014 -- The Animal Cancer Foundation states that there are 65 million dogs and 32 million cats currently in the United States. Of these, there are 6 million new pet cancer diagnoses made each year. In comparison, approximately 1 million new cancer diagnoses occur in humans annually. Humans are more likely to get cancers than pets. However, dogs and cats have higher rates of certain cancers than humans.
“Nobody has all the answers when it comes to cancer. There are several factors, which affect the prevalence of cancer in pets. Environmental carcinogens like pesticides and air pollution can increase the rate of cancers in both humans and pets,” says Gary Richter, MS, DVM, medical director of Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland, California.
Genetic factors also play a role. Other contributing factors include: poor diet, over/improper vaccination, viruses, overexposure to sunlight, and obesity. Holistic Veterinary Care encourages pet owners to take a proactive approach in the care of pets.
Here are ways to promote health and reduce the likelihood of chronic diseases, including cancer:
• Nutrition: Feed pets high quality foods, as close to whole foods as possible. Avoid food and treats with processed ingredients. Avoid feeding table scraps.
• Exercise: Make sure the pet gets plenty of exercise every day. Dogs need a minimum of 20 minutes or more, depending on the dog. For indoor cats, make sure a cat has several play periods every day. Toys and cat trees are a good form of exercise.
• Spay/neuter: Spaying or neutering pets reduces or eliminates the incidence certain types of cancer.
• Holistic medicine: Holistic medicine is a safe and gentle way to address physical and emotional imbalances. Acupuncture, chiropractic care, and herbal medicine can assist pets in recovery from illness and can often reduce or eliminate the need for excessive medications that tax the liver and immune system. Click here to see how one pet owner saved her dog’s life by incorporation holistic medicine.
• Massage: Get in the habit of regularly massaging pets. The many benefits of massage include improving circulation and reducing stress. Massage also allows the pet owner to be in tune with a pet. To massage, slowly run hands through the fur, following the contours of the body. Being hands on with a pet allows the pet owner to get familiar with the pet’s body, and helps the pet owner notice changes like lumps or skin abnormalities that could be early signs of cancer. The earlier the pet owner notices imbalances, the better chance for recovery.
• Reduce chemical exposure: Reduce exposure to potential toxins like car exhaust, asbestos, and tobacco smoke. Avoid household chemicals and do not use pesticides like Round Up in outdoor spaces, including yards. Switch to natural, organic cleaners and yard treatments that are safe for kids and pets.
About Holistic Veterinary Care and Rehabilitation Center: Oakland animal rehabilitation center, Holistic Veterinary Care, aims to be the premiere center for comprehensive holistic therapy for pets through the integration of therapeutic modalities, both ancient and modern. Their mission is to enhance pets’ quality of life by providing a complementary and holistic approach to healing and well-being. Pet lovers may learn more about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and other modalities by visiting http://www.HolisticVetCare.com
Lee Richter, Richter Communications, 510-594-0828, [email protected]
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