Some pet owners in China are incorporating acupuncture and herbal therapy into their veterinary care, particularly for ageing animals and chronic conditions.
When Mu Yun took her elderly poodle to a veterinary hospital in Beijing, she expected a routine consultation. Instead, she noticed something less familiar: dogs and cats receiving acupuncture.
“I did not realise this was an option for pets,” she said.
Mu’s visit to the China Agricultural University Veterinary Hospital highlights a trend that has become increasingly visible in recent years. Some pet owners in China are choosing traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) as part of long-term care for ageing animals and chronic conditions.
A Complementary Approach to Pet Care
TCVM applies principles similar to those used in traditional Chinese medicine for humans. In veterinary settings, this may include acupuncture, herbal prescriptions, moxibustion and manual therapy.
According to veterinary surgeons at the China Agricultural University Veterinary Hospita, such treatments are most often used alongside conventional medicine rather than as replacements. They are commonly offered during rehabilitation or in cases where animals suffer from long-term, non-acute conditions.
Mu’s poodle is 14 years old and has multiple age-related health problems affecting the liver and gallbladder. After several visits to internal medicine clinics with limited results, she decided to explore TCVM.
“Like people, pets can develop chronic illnesses as they grow older,” she said, “This seemed more focused on ongoing care.”
In one consultation room, a five-year-old corgi lay quietly while undergoing acupuncture. The dog had previously received surgery for a spinal disc condition. Its owner said conventional treatment addressed the structural problem, while follow-up traditional therapy was used to support recovery and mobility.
Another patient, a four-year-old bichon frise, was being treated for persistent skin allergies. Its owner reported fewer symptoms after several weeks of combined herbal treatment and physical therapy. She described the process as gradual rather than immediate.
Veterinary Perspectives and Growing Interest
Veterinary surgeons working in TCVM departments say interest has increased, particularly among owners of older pets.
Xiang Yadi, a veterinary surgeon at the China Agricultural University Veterinary Hospita, said the range of cases has broadened in recent years.
“Initially, many patients were treated for movement-related issues,” she said, “We now also see degenerative conditions, chronic respiratory problems and some internal disorders, often when conventional treatment has had limited effect.”
She described a case involving a cat with chronic rhinitis that showed little improvement after several months of intensive antibiotic and hormone treatment. After switching to herbal therapy, the animal’s breathing was observed to improve over the following weeks.
Wu Dianjun, a veterinary surgeon with 16 years of clinical experience and formal training in veterinary surgery, said TCVM requires detailed observation rather than standardised treatment.
“Diet, daily habits and physical signs such as the eyes, skin and coat are all considered,” he said, “Each animal receives an individual plan.”
Wu stressed that traditional and Western veterinary medicine serve different purposes.
“Western medicine is essential for surgery and acute conditions,” he said, “Traditional approaches are more often used for functional recovery and long-term management.”
An Established Practice in A Modern Setting
Veterinary medicine based on traditional Chinese theory dates back centuries and was historically used to treat livestock, particularly horses. In recent years, it has been incorporated into teaching hospitals and research institutions.
Animal hospitals affiliated with universities in Beijing, Zhejiang, Nanjing and Guangzhou now operate dedicated TCVM clinics. At the College of Veterinary Medicine, treatment fees vary depending on the procedure, with acupuncture and herbal medicine offered as optional services.
For many pet owners, the appeal lies not in rejecting modern medicine, but in expanding the range of care available.
As demand for long-term and supportive treatment grows, traditional veterinary practices are finding a role within China’s contemporary pet healthcare system—carefully positioned alongside modern clinical methods rather than in place of them.
Written by Chen Wang, additional reporting by HKCNA, CNS.
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