In recent years there has been an amazing rise in the number of dog owners interested in holistic dog care. They share a concern about the amount of chemicals used in conventional treatments. Many believe that an over-dependence on conventional medicine can even be harmful, leading to different types of dog allergy and nasty conditions

'Holistic dog care' is a term that we hear often, but many people admit to being unsure about what it really means.

Okay, let's put that right!

'Holistic' comes from the Greek-based word 'holism', and when applied to medicine (for animals as well as humans!) it means treating the whole 'entity' (body and mind) and not just the symptoms of disease.

Your dog - like you! - has an amazing ability to heal itself. The only problem is that over the years this ability can be dampened down by an over-reliance on chemical 'cures'. Wouldn't it be better to help your pet re-activate his natural dog health, and enable him to ward off harmful diseases and conditions before they take hold?

I became interested in holistic dog care over ten years ago when our Border Collie pup, Ben, contracted a near fatal condition, Demodectic Mange. Conventional medicine actually prolonged the illness and several types of unpleasant treatments had to be tried.

Since we moved to a more holistic and natural approach Ben has never looked back!

Let me stress again, all humans and animals have a natural tendency to heal and cure themselves of most illnesses, so the secret lies in boosting the immune system which our modern ways have encouraged to become slack or 'lazy'.

Once it's stimulated and functioning well, a healthy immune system can help your dog remain fit and active for longer than you might expect. Now, that's great news, isn't it?

Yes, but I'm sure it's all very complicated.

Relax, it's not. In fact it's simple. Nature's ways often are, since they're the best.

So what do I have to do?

First of all, seek out a vet who either practices or is interested in holistic or natural treatments. If such a vet isn't close at hand, you can register online with many holistic veterinary practices and receive advice and counseling - and often this will cost nothing. Then, if you have to go to a conventional vet, you can be forearmed and say what type of treatment you'd prefer for your dog's health.

There are many outlets supplying natural dog foods, and again if you can't find one in your area there are excellent online suppliers. Even if this does cost slightly more (and it won't always!) you'll save time and money by not having to drive to the store.

Online you'll also find lots of advice on natural health supplements to maintain peak health, or to combat illness and boost fitness if and when necessary.

However, we've found that with a regular combination of healthy food and exercise, Ben never needs anything other than a check-up at the vet.

Apart from giving natural dog food and supplements, the other requisites for holistic dog care are so obvious they are no-brainers!

Normal cleanliness is one. Groom your dog regularly and check his coat for unwanted guests. Grooming will also promote a healthy skin. Take care of basic things, such as cleaning and drying his ears after a swim. See that he gets exercise every day and interact with him as much as possible by playing with him, stroking him and so on. Holistic dog care, remember, deals with the mind as well as the body. Interaction has enormous psychological and emotional benefits for both dog and human companion. Learn basic first-aid for dogs, just in case you have to act in an emergency: the least suffering involved, the less depleted your dog's natural resources will be.

So let's sum up:

* Give your dog exercise and companionship

* Feed him a healthy diet of natural dog food

* Give him natural supplements

* See to basic hygiene

* Learn some first-aid

* Take him to a vet who is in sympathy with your requirements

. . . and you will be pleasantly surprised to find your dog avoids lots of common ailments and conditions. This is because his immune system will have been strengthened and he will have regained the natural immunity Nature intended him to have.

Easy, isn't it? And isn't your dog worth it?

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