Maximize Your Dog’s Health And Spend Less – Part 1 of 3
By Christina Chambreau, DVM.
Is it possible to spend less and have a healthier, happier dog? Absolutely! And simultaneously you will be helping the planet. Can it begin right now? Possibly. Many of the steps you need to take may take some time to put into place and then you will keep learning for the rest of your life. Part 1 is an overview of the different areas to improve health and save money. Part 2 will have more details.
First, some facts about dog care in general, some of which you may have experienced.1
The cost of veterinary care continues to rise. In 2023 and 2024, practice revenue increased by 2.9%, yet most of that increase was from fewer clients (2.6% fewer visits). The forecast for 2030 is that spending per pet will increase by 39%. When costs go up, many stop going to the clinic. 52% of pet owners in the US skipped necessary care in 2024, with most (even with high household earnings) citing financial barriers. And few have pet insurance, which has been available for 40 years. About 3% of US pets are enrolled, where 30% to 90% in European countries. With the knowledge you are gaining in these wonderful articles, you will still benefit from insurance that would cover emergency and surgical care and diagnostics.
Cost is often related to suggested vaccines, flea/tick/heartworm medications, special diets, diagnostic testing – some of which may not be necessary for true health. Some dogs are actually more ill for the recommendations I made when still practicing in conventional practices. Conventional is more of a “fix the problem” rather than “rebalance the whole body so it fixes itself”. Lives are certainly saved with amazing conventional care and you will always be able to choose which form of integrative treatment is needed at any moment.
In 45 years I have heard repeatedly – “I wish I had known”. Now you know there are many different options for health. As with any profession, each individual veterinarian, dog trainer, groomer, dog walker with the same training will be more skilled, or more personable, more available and yet we do not see that up front. Our neighbor recommends their beloved veterinarian, yet we have major issues with them. And the cost is still rising. And your dogs often continue to suffer with recurring problems, often serious.
What is the answer? How can you improve happiness, health, behavior and longevity while spending much less money, or spending the same with better results? You are the answer. With many study opportunities now available you can learn to be your dog’s best advocate and often prevent expensive problems with proactive care. Here are some steps you can take:
- Trust that love is a very powerful healing and prevention. Listen to Dr. Bernie Siegle.
- Since dogs pick up on our fears and worries, learn to approach any problem with curiosity and only rush to the veterinarian when absolutely needed. Patience resolves many symptoms.
- Learn enough about symptoms to see them as lovely clues rather than panic provoking events. You will be confident when you regularly do a physical exam (that your dog loves) so can tell when something changed and needs addressing.
- Create a happiness and health care team, including trainers, PT, energy workers, animals communicators. Create your special community – local and virtual teachers, your dog breed or activity people, other fresh feeders and more.
- Remember that there is no one right answer and no one expert who knows what works for your dog. Do not allow yourself to accept what others suggest as absolute – try things, evaluate how they work for your family and your dogs.
- Learn totally free ways to heal your dog (physical or behavioral problems), or to at least ease the symptoms while you seek professional advice. Once trained (some need no training) these 100% safe methods can actually prevent problems and often can relieve Breathing; praying; Happiness Protocol; Laughter yoga; Reiki; HTA (healing touch for animals); EFT (emotion freedom technique); Bengston Method; Eden energy medicine; Tellington TTouch; Acupressure; Chi Gong; Tui Na; Tong Ren; WEBB; Animal communication; Quantum Touch; Hands on intention; Theta healing; Scalar Wave; Emotion /Body code; Perelandra medical assistance; Holographic Repatterning and more.
- Learn healing approaches that need a bit more training and purchases – western herbs, Chinese herbs (is Yunnan Baio in your first aid kit?), homeopathy, Ayurveda, lasers, pantry and garden healers, BEMER, EMF, home lasers, etc.
- Use your common sense for the basics of good health: food (a variety of fresh is best), toxins (avoid flea, tick, bedding, paint, new furniture, house, yard, vaccines, your thoughts), appropriate mental and physical stimulation. Ask me for classes you want on these.
- Keep a journal to evaluate responses to any treatments and changes and to record the wonderful memories in lovely colors.
- Start at day one listening and observing so you know who this unique being is. What spiritual path are they on? How can you support them? Accept the journey rather than being fearful or worried. Read a lot of holistic books and articles for new ways of evaluating health and happiness, remembering there is no one right way.
A member of Holistic Actions shares the success of the Happiness Protocol. Her dog had some lumps that were being treated by her homeopathic veterinarian on this. Over time Jiggs just seemed to be less and less engaging with her and the other dogs. He seemed to be withdrawing, was eating less and more sedentary. Did he need more tests, or a different veterinarian, or different treatments? Had the lumps gone internally? Before moving into the more invasive (and expensive) next steps, she remembered the Happiness Protocol.
She committed, when time allowed, to paying more attention. When Jiggs followed her, she would stop and ask what he wanted. When walking through a room where Jiggs was lying, she would take a few seconds to go over, give a pat and tell him how much he was, and had been, appreciated. Doing this increased the owners good feelings about Jiggs and their journey together. AND – there was a huge change in Jiggs. He started playing with abandon, ate with gusto, was more affectionate and happy. The lumps didn’t go away. The entire family was happier and much money was saved.
In the next 2 articles we will delve into some of these keys to improving health and happiness while lowering costs.
Dr. Christina Chambreau graduated from veterinary college in 1980 and has been helping families be healthy since the late eighties. She now is faculty at the Holistic Actions Academy and offers Virtual Pet Health Advising, including matching you with the best choice holistic veterinarians for current problems. Take her up-coming courses on these topics.
References:
1. Today’s Veterinary Business magazine, June/July 2025 – various articles
