National Holistic Pet Day
Created by Colleen Paige, who made a number of other pet holidays, National Holistic Pet Day raises awareness for and celebrates holistic pet health. This integrative approach focuses on the whole health of pets. Holistic means treating the mind, body, and spirit. It means preventative health. It means improving the diet, environment, and lifestyle of pets.
How to Observe National Holistic Pet Day
Celebrate the day by practicing holistic health with your pets and letting other pet owners know about its benefits and how to practice it. Some ways to implement holistic health—depending on the type of pet you have—include:
- Focus on diet and nutrition. Provide your pet with a natural diet. Avoid additives that can cause digestive issues and allergies. Avoid foods with chemicals like BHT, BHA, and ethoxyquin. Talk to your veterinarian about the best food for your pet.
- Focus on consistent good health instead of waiting for your pet to become ill or for diseases to arrive. Have your pet get a physical examination every 6 to 12 months. Make sure they have blood and urine tests.
- Make sure your pet is up-to-date with vaccines and boosters. Get a vaccine antibody titer to determine when boosters are needed.
- Take your pet on lots of walks. Walks promote weight loss and muscle and joint health, prevent future health problems, provide bonding time, and increase socialization for your pet.
- Try to avoid giving your pet medications. Supplements are safer, less expensive, and work as well or better than conventional medications.
- Play with your pet, such as playing fetch with your dog.
- Give your pet something to use, such as a cat tree and perch to your cat.
- Offer your pet massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care.
- Keep your pet's teeth clean. Brush your dog's teeth and give your dog some bones to chew.
- Regularly groom your pet. Brush them to remove loose and dead hair and tangles.