Your dog is slowing down. Maybe they hesitate before jumping on the couch or seem stiff after walks.
You’ve probably considered pain medication, joint supplements, and even expensive surgeries. But there’s another option that sounds too alternative to actually work. Acupuncture for dogs. It feels like something only wealthy pet owners in Los Angeles would try, right? Except veterinarians are now recommending it for everything from arthritis to anxiety, and the results are making skeptics reconsider. The science behind it is surprisingly solid, and it’s often cheaper than the medications your dog might be taking long-term.
In this article, you’ll learn how acupuncture actually helps dogs, what conditions respond best to treatment, and what it really costs compared to other pain management options. You’ll also discover how to find a qualified practitioner who isn’t just jumping on a trend, plus red flags that separate legitimate therapy from overpriced gimmicks. If your dog is struggling and traditional treatments aren’t cutting it, this might be exactly what you’ve been missing.
Note: Before trying anything new with your dog or pet, always discuss the pros and cons with your current vet. Also, you may need a recommendation from your vet to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian acupuncturist.
Budget tip:
While the price of an acupuncture session may be on par with a regular vet visit, it may lessen other drugs your dog or fur kid needs. More importantly, the goal is always to improve your buddy’s overall well-being by reducing pain and related issues. That is a great win for your furry companion and your wallet!
What is acupuncture for dogs?
Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses acupuncture. This type of treatment dates back to 2500 BCE (before the common era). The idea is to align and balance the energies of the body (or Chi) for better health. A veterinary acupuncturist, which is considered Western medicine, uses small needles to move your furry buddy’s body energy and to help relieve pain and other health issues.
Does acupuncture therapy aid one type of animal over another?
No. Pet acupuncture therapy can relieve pain and lessen health issues in all animals. That means all cats, horses, donkeys, goats, bunnies, birds, medium dogs, small dogs, and large dogs to name but a few.
In fact, I used acupuncture for one of my horses with great success.
Does pet acupuncture hurt?
No. It should be painless for your furry kid.
What health issues can a veterinary pet acupuncture session aid in improving?
The issues that a vet can relieve for your best fur friend using acupuncture are wide-ranging. Most importantly, this type of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine is used for pain management. But there is more, it can help with all the following issues:
- Inflammation
- Hip dysplasia
- Joint disease, including arthritis
- Back pain, including low back pain
- Respiratory difficulties, including asthma
- Urinary and bladder issues
- Digestive problems, including constipation
- Addison’s disease
- Nerve damage
- Skin issues
- Pancreatitis
- Pain relief
- Liver disease
- Kidney problems
- Diabetes
- Dental pain
- Cushing’s disease
- Musculoskeletal issues
- Post-dog surgery pain
- Nausea
- Chronic fatigue
- Allergies (all types of dog allergies)
- Behavioral issues
- Improves immune system
- Aid overall healing
Additionally, a veterinary acupuncture treatment can assist with reducing the side effects of pets undergoing cancer treatment. This means aiding with symptoms such as:
- Pain
- Digestion
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
Overall, acupuncture for pets can improve the quality of life. Also, it’s suspected that acupuncture may make it easier for pets to handle chronic diseases.
Are there side effects associated with a canine acupuncture session?
There are a few symptoms that could seem like a side effect, but they are actually a sign that the procedure is working. Some of these side effects could include:
Worse. Some dogs can get worse, but generally, this is seen as a good indication that the procedure is working.
Sore. Your dog could be a bit sore from a session of acupuncture. Give your pup time to recover and lots of water. Overall, any soreness should resolve in a day or two with your dog feeling better.
New issue. A session can bring an issue into the light that hasn’t been diagnosed yet. Again, this is generally seen as a good thing because you can address the problem once you know about it. For example, joint pain may be revealed.
Tired. However, this again is seen as a sign that the procedure is working.
Not administered properly. Less skilled vet acupuncturists may not insert the needles at the exact proper acupuncture point for optimum benefit. This is simply a matter of doing your research to make sure the vet you see has experience with your dog’s issue.
Note: If you observe any symptoms that seem odd to you, contact your vet for advice. It may simply be an expected side effect which is a good sign of the acupuncture needles and treatment working. However, there’s a chance it could be something else. You never want to leave anything to chance when it comes to your furry best friend.
What should I expect if my dog receives acupuncture?
Your veterinarian will find points that need to be activated for your dog’s specific issues. Then a small acupuncture needle will be inserted at each of those points. The session generally lasts 20-30 minutes. However, once the needles are inserted most dogs relax. Thus, it has a calming effect, unlike a regular vet visit.
How many acupuncture sessions will my dog need?
This will depend on your dog’s health issue. Generally, your veterinary clinic can advise you on the number of possible care sessions that your buddy will require.
How much does a vet acupuncturist cost?
The amount will vary by area. However, you can expect to pay $70-120 per session. Keep in mind you should be improving your dog’s quality of life and reducing other products needed. For example, my horse Macho received one acupuncture treatment. That was all he needed to move better. Thus, I didn’t need to give him prescription medications.
Do I need a referral to see a vet acupuncturist?
You may. Check with the vet clinic when you call.
Will pet insurance cover an acupuncture procedure?
It may. You’ll need to read your policy or call your insurance. If it’s not covered, then you can use your emergency fund or your pet savings account.
How do I find a vet acupuncturist near me?
You can ask your current vet, friends, and family. Additionally, you can do a search here for a certified pet acupuncturist nearby. There are 150,000 pet acupuncturists in the US and Canada. However, there are only 945 that are certified through the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture.
How much could I save by using an animal acupuncture specialist?
The whole idea with this type of care is that you’re trying to reduce pain and health issues. Thus, you’re improving the quality of life for your best buddy. This also means you will be improving your bank account. Consider the following for a moment.
| Possible Improvement | Estimated money savings |
| Pain medication | $40 – 80 |
| Better appetite | $385+ |
| Reduced regular vet visits | $50 – 250 |
| Fewer medications for health issues are needed | $100 – 500 |
| Better quality of life | BEYOND WORDS!!! |
Related articles:
- 10 Steps to Find the Best Vet
- 8 Surprising Benefits Of Mobile Vet Services For My Dog
- Dog Chiropractors: Miracle Workers or Money Wasters?
- Affordable Holistic Dog Care Treatments
- Easy Ways to Strengthen Your Dog’s Immunity
- Emergency Dog Fund: How Much Money Should You Save?
- My Dog Loves Savings Accounts. Surprised?
Poke that pup to better health!
You may think that it’s simply not possible or even feasible to do acupuncture for dogs. But it’s most definitely possible. It can be much less expensive than everything you’re currently paying to maintain the status quo for your dog or pet. Acupuncture should move the needle (perhaps a pun intended) for your best buddy in the positive direction.
That means you can reduce the other health products as they generally won’t be needed as your buddy’s health improves. I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of animal acupuncture on my horse. While, my dog, Henry hasn’t needed this type of help, I wouldn’t hesitate to schedule it for him. It can improve your pet’s health and your bottom line. That’s a worthy poke, especially if it allows your fur kid to avoid being one of the 45 million pets with chronic pain!
