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When it comes to your pets' health, you don't want to take any chances. Yet, there are two schools of thought when it comes to pet health: alternative Treatments can help prevent more serious medical issues, and modern medicine is vital for more serious accidents, injuries and diseases.

While both of these statements are true, it's important to know when to use alternative medicine and when modern medicine is more effective.

Modern Medical Treatments

Medical treatments are defined as, "The Science of Healing; the practice of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, and the promotion of health. Medications, drugs, substances used to treat and cure diseases, and to promote health," by Medical News Today. Essentially, it is the use of using modern techniques and medicines to heal the body and ease symptoms.

Pros

Many pets need certain modern medical treatments, such as medicines and surgery to ease issues and live full and happy lives. Pets (like humans) need surgery to heal broken bones, pills to ease the pain of arthritis and chemotherapy to help battle cancer.

Cons

It's sometimes easier to put a band-aid on a problem than find the root of the problem. Many pet owners simply want to cure their pets and be done with it. Yet, modern medicine should always be used in conjunction with alternative medicine when it comes to your pets' health.

Alternative Treatments

Many pet owners have been turning to Alternative Treatments to help prevent disease. Such treatments can be cost-effective and are used as preventative treatment, which means they might help you save money by avoiding more expensive treatments down the line.

Pros

Alternative treatments could help you and your pets avoid expensive surgeries, medication and pain in the future. They are also relatively inexpensive compared to many medical treatments.

Cons

It's not as easy to find vets that specialize in alternative treatments as it is to find vets that specialize in alternative treatments. Some treatments could be quite costly, and not all treatments are covered by pet insurance.

Types of Alternative Treatments

It's hard to imagine your dog sitting still long enough to get groomed--never mind for an acupuncturist to place hair-thin needles underneath the surface of her skin. Yet, many pets can benefit from acupuncture, and if you can get your pup to stay still for a few minutes, the health benefits (which include relief from muscle and joint pain) are numerous.

The downside is that it's not cheap. A session could cost around $100. Compare that to the price of an anti-inflammatory like Carprofen caplets, and you're better off going with modern medicine.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is one of the best alternative medicines for pets because it's relatively inexpensive and you can perform music therapy yourself right in your own home. Pets that suffer from stress, anxiety and depression are perfect candidates for music therapy.

Homepathy

Unfortunately, many pets aren't good candidates for some medical treatments, such as epilepsy treatments. This is where homeopathic treatments can benefit your pets.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to your pets' health, it's important to use a combination of preventive, traditional and alternative medicines. Many alternative treatments are perfect for pets that are not good candidates for certain medications, but incorporating preventative alternative treatments into your pets' daily lives can help prevent more expensive medical treatments further down the line.

Lannie is a writer for Allivet.  Allivet provides affordable pet supplies and pet medications, all of which can be purchased online.