Animal Chiropractic
How do I know if my animal could use an adjustment?
Chiropractic adjustments can support your pet’s comfort, mobility, and overall well-being. You may notice your animal could benefit from an adjustment if they:
Have trouble getting up, lying down, or using stairs
Struggle to jump into vehicles or onto furniture
Show signs of limping, lameness, or a wobbly gait
Carry their head or tail to one side or move stiffly
Seem unable to lift their head comfortably or look up
Have had surgery involving anesthesia
Have been diagnosed with disc issues or internal disorders
Strain or struggle to posture when using the bathroom
Drop food while eating or have difficulty chewing
Experience seizures or other neurological changes
Show new behavioral or mood shifts
Have recurring issues like vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or frequent urination
Are aging or slowing down with age
Compete in athletic events, shows, or breed competitions
Spend time being hauled, trailered, or tied
If any of these sound familiar, an adjustment may help restore your animal’s natural balance and improve their quality of life.
What does it mean to be
AVCA Certified?
Certification by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) indicates that a course with a minimum of 217 hours dedicated to animal chiropractic and the national AVCA examination have both been completed and passed. The AVCA is the primary national source of animal chiropractic credentialing for veterinarians and chiropractors in the United States.
FAQs
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tenderness or pain in the neck, back, leg, rump, tail, or other joints
spinal degeneration
arthritis
weakness
difficulty with mobility
back soreness
limping
muscle strains or sprains
muscle spasms
nerve problems
disc issues
joint problems
traumatic injuries
injuries from accidents
internal disorders
jaw pain
difficulty or pain when chewing
sport or event-related injuries
slip and fall injuries
post-surgery recovery
bowel or bladder disorders
joint and spine health maintenance
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No. Animal chiropractic is meant to be used in addition to veterinary care. As a chiropractor, Dr. Smith cannot prescribe medications, perform surgeries, administer vaccines, or provide other services that are important to your animal’s health.
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From furry and fuzzy to scaly or feathery, any animal with a spine can be adjusted! From hamsters or snakes to giraffes or manatees, chiropractic can help improve the mind-body connection and overall wellness of nearly any vertebrate (spine-having) animal.
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Animal chiropractic care is rather gentle, and complications are rare. Most pets tolerate adjustments well and may simply feel a bit tired or sore afterward—much like humans after a massage or workout. As with any hands-on therapy, there is a small chance of minor muscle or joint strain, temporary soreness, or an aggravation of an existing condition. Significant complications are very rare when care is provided by a qualified practitioner.
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Some benefits of animal chiropractic can include:
improved joint health,
decreased inflammation
reduced pain
better long term health
increased range of motion and mobility
boosted energy
accelerated recovery
optimized nervous system function
increased reactivity
increased comfort and vitality
improved appetite and digestion
increased circulation
improved disposition
enhanced breeding outcomes
improved athletic performance
better performance in show
improved gait
Research and Around The Web
Hover over each title to access the link to the article being referenced
Chiropractic treatment may help prevent the occurrence of spondylosis in boxers
This randomized control study of 87 boxers followed 17 litters of puppies (44 receiving monthly chiropractic treatment and 43 acting as controls, receiving no treatment) from the age of 8 weeks to one-year old. Researchers stated, “Our results showed that the odds of obtaining a score of 1 or higher with the Norwegian grading system was significantly lower in the treated dogs than in the control group” (6). On the Norwegian grading system, a score of “0” indicates no signs of spondylosis, “1” indicates the presence of bone spurs, “2” indicates the presence of more developed bone spurs, and “3” indicates the development of fully formed boney bridges. Therefore, the shared findings imply that the group of boxers that received chiropractic treatment were less likely to develop signs of spondylosis at the one year mark.
Halle and Granhus. (2021), Veterinary Sciences.
Urinary incontinence and retention may have links to low back (lumbar) findings
In this 2015 study, twenty-two cases of urinary problems in dogs were reviewed. These studies found that “All patients [with urinary issues] had chiropractic findings in the lumbar region that differed from non-urinary [patients].” The patients with urinary issues were more likely to have issues in the lumbar vertebra L3, L4, and L5 and less likely to have issues in the ilium. This is the first published study to expose an association between chiropractic findings in the low back and urinary issues in dogs.
Thude. (2015), Journal of Small Animal Practice, 56, p 693–697.
Chiropractic helps with Cauda Equine Syndrome
This 2020 case study followed a 7-year-old dachshund with a variety of issues, including an L1/L2 disc herniation, as it underwent chiropractic treatment. Findings suggested that chiropractic care was of significant benefit to this animal, including “return of hind leg reflexes, appetite, bladder and bowel control and full body shake” (26).
Stone-McCoy and Friedrich. (2020), Vertebral Subluxation Research, p 26-32.
Adjustments help improve quality and quantity of motion in horses
This 2008, ten horse study aimed to determine if chiropractic adjustments impacted back and limb kinematics. This study stated “…the treatment changed pelvic motion making it more symmetrical. This effect lasted at least 3 weeks” (100). Additionally, “It can be concluded that the chiropractic manipulations had a subtle but statistically significant effect on several variables describing vertebral, pelvic and limb motion” (101). While subtle, chiropractic manipulation or adjustments had a significant impact on the horses’ ability to move and the quality of their movements.
Alvarez, et al. (2008), Equine Veterinary Journal.
Chiropractic can quickly help provide relief for dairy cattle with back pain and lameness
This 2024 case report looked at five different cases of dairy cows with musculoskeletal disorders, specifically lameness and back pain, that were treated with chiropractic. The report stated, “Chiropractic treatment can relieve pain without the waiting period required by many medications. It can promote healing and improve performance parameters and cow comfort” (11). While more research is needed, this indicates the ability of chiropractic treatment to help improve the lives and comfort and decrease the pain experienced by cattle.
Wagner, et al. (2024), Veterinary Sciences.