Alternative and complementary medicine is a booming business that is making inroads into animal medicine. Many veterinarians now offer non-traditional treatments, including acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal medicines, chiropractic care and homeopathy.

Natural remedies often sound appealing, but as anyone who’s gone on a mushroom hunt can tell you, natural does not necessarily mean risk-free.

Non-traditional treatments do not have to meet F-D-A standards for safety and efficacy, and quality varies between suppliers and practitioners. Alternative therapies can also interfere with traditional ones.

So before you send your pet down the herbal highway, talk to your veterinarian about mainstream approaches and the pros and cons of alternative ones. Like a well-placed acupuncture needle, the chat won’t hurt a bit — and may give you some peace of mind.