Veterinary Acupuncture for Dogs & Cats in Denver

Non-invasive, holistic pet care for pain relief, injury management, & more

At Sploot Vets, we embrace integrative therapies that work alongside modern veterinary care. Acupuncture is a time-honored, non-invasive treatment that helps relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore internal balance, promoting overall wellness in both dogs and cats.

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Open 8am-8pm, 365 days a year... same day appointments and urgent drop-offs welcome!
Primary and urgent care, under one roof.
Easily book online or text us.
Modern, warm clinics with unlimited free treats.
Open 8am-8pm, 365 days a year... same day appointments and urgent drop-offs welcome!
Primary and urgent care, under one roof.
Easily book online or text us.
Modern, warm clinics with unlimited free treats.

What Is Veterinary Acupuncture?

Veterinary acupuncture involves inserting ultra-fine, sterile needles into specific points (known as acupoints) on your pet's body. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and supported by modern research, acupuncture can :

What Is Veterinary Acupuncture?

Veterinary acupuncture involves inserting ultra-fine, sterile needles into specific points (known as acupoints) on your pet's body. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and supported by modern research, acupuncture can :

Activating & Regulating the Nervous System

Acupuncture needles stimulate sensory nerves under the skin and in muscles, which send signals to the brain and spinal cord. It also helps balance the autonomic nervous system, supporting key functions like digestion, heart rate, and immune response.

Endorphin Release (Natural Painkillers)

Veterinary acupuncture promotes the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins and enkephalins, helping manage pain in dogs and cats. These neurochemicals also contribute to your pet’s overall sense of well-being and relaxation.

Improved Blood Circulation

Acupuncture increases local blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients to any injured or damaged tissue, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.

Muscle Relaxation

Acupuncture for dogs and cats can relieve tension in muscles and fascia, improving range of motion and reducing joint stiffness.

Activating & Regulating the Nervous System

Acupuncture needles stimulate sensory nerves under the skin and in muscles, which send signals to the brain and spinal cord. It also helps balance the autonomic nervous system, supporting key functions like digestion, heart rate, and immune response.

Endorphin Release (Natural Painkillers)

Veterinary acupuncture promotes the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins and enkephalins, helping manage pain in dogs and cats. These neurochemicals also contribute to your pet’s overall sense of well-being and relaxation.

Improved Blood Circulation

Acupuncture increases local blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients to any injured or damaged tissue, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.

Muscle Relaxation

Acupuncture for dogs and cats can relieve tension in muscles and fascia, improving range of motion and reducing joint stiffness.

Discover how acupuncture can boost your pet’s overall wellness & healing!

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Why Consider Veterinary Acupuncture at Sploot Vets?

Non-Invasive & Well Tolerated Treatment

Acupuncture is a safe, drug-free therapy that’s painless and calming for pets of various ages, including senior dogs and cats. Many pets relax or even nap during their veterinary acupuncture treatment at Sploot.

A female veterinarian checking a dogs teeth while another female pets a small dog

Holistic Support for Whole-Body Pet Wellness

Using acupuncture for dogs and cats, we go beyond symptom relief. Treatments also help restore balance across internal systems, promoting better mobility, digestion, mood, and overall health.

Versatile for Various Conditions & Treatment Plans

From arthritis and nerve pain to chronic kidney disease, pet acupuncture can stand alone or work with other veterinary treatments. You can count on our experienced vets to tailor each treatment approach to your pet’s unique needs.

Trusted Expertise from Certified Sploot Vets

Our in-house veterinary acupuncturists in Denver are specially trained and certified in pet acupuncture, providing integrative care that you can count on.

Non-Invasive & Well Tolerated Treatment

Acupuncture is a safe, drug-free therapy that’s painless and calming for pets of various ages, including senior dogs and cats. Many pets relax or even nap during their veterinary acupuncture treatment at Sploot.

Holistic Support for Whole-Body Pet Wellness

Using acupuncture for dogs and cats, we go beyond symptom relief. Treatments also help restore balance across internal systems, promoting better mobility, digestion, mood, and overall health.

Versatile for Various Conditions & Treatment Plans

From arthritis and nerve pain to chronic kidney disease, pet acupuncture can stand alone or work with other veterinary treatments. You can count on our experienced vets to tailor each treatment approach to your pet’s unique needs.

Trusted Expertise from Certified Sploot Vets

Our in-house veterinary acupuncturists in Denver are specially trained and certified in pet acupuncture, providing integrative care that you can count on.

Who Can Benefit From Veterinary Acupuncture?

Pet Acupuncture for Musculoskeletal Issues 

For dogs and cats with musculoskeletal issues and injuries, acupuncture is a non-invasive and drug-free way to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and promote tissue healing. This holistic treatment can complement physical therapy and/or medications, helping enhance your pet’s comfort and quality of life

Musculoskeletal issues that can benefit from veterinary acupuncture:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Arthritis in dogs and cats 
  • General mobility issues in senior pets
  • Back pain or neck pain
  • Limping or lameness
  • Cruciate ligament injuries (pre- or post-surgical)
  • Muscle tension or spasms
  • Post-surgical orthopedic recovery

Nerve Injuries & Neurological Issues

Pet acupuncture can play a vital role in managing nerve injuries and certain neurological issues. Veterinarians may use acupuncture alongside rehabilitation techniques to improve coordination, reduce nerve pain, and support nerve regeneration in both dogs and cats.

Nerve injuries & neurological issues that can benefit from veterinary acupuncture:

  • Spinal trauma
  • Post-surgical nerve trauma or weakness
  • Feline hyperesthesia syndrome
  • Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
  • Degenerative myelopathy (supportive care)
  • Facial nerve paralysis (Bell’s Palsy)
  • Radial nerve paralysis

Pet Acupuncture for Chronic Medical Issues 

For pets living with chronic illnesses, which can impact various organs of the body, acupuncture can help restore internal balance. At the same time, this treatment regulates inflammation and promotes overall wellness. Veterinary acupuncture can be used along with conventional treatment methods, especially for older pets and pets with drug sensitivities.

Chronic medical issues that can benefit from pet acupuncture:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Chronic gastrointestinal issues (e.g., IBD, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite)
  • Respiratory conditions (e.g,. asthma, bronchitis)
  • Endocrine disorders (e.g,. Cushing’s disease, diabetes support)

Pain Relief for Pets with Cancer

While acupuncture is not a cure for cancer, it is often used as a supportive therapy to ease side effects like nausea, fatigue, and pain from tumors and chemotherapy. Acupuncture can also improve appetite and energy levels for pets with cancer.

Ready to explore holistic pet care to boost your pet’s comfort & wellness?

What to Expect

Pre-Acupuncture Consult in Denver

Our vets do a careful evaluation of your pet to determine if they can benefit from veterinary acupuncture. The vet will take the following steps:

  1. Perform a physical exam and evaluate your pet’s pain
  2. Perform a myofascial palpation – this is a manual assessment of the musculoskeletal system (as needed)
  3. Review the current treatment plan
  4. Perform veterinary diagnostics and/or imaging tests (as needed)
  5. Discuss a multimodal treatment plan – this can include acupuncture along with medications, supplements, herbals, rehabilitation, lifestyle changes, and so on, depending on the case.
  6. Assess your pet’s temperament for acupuncture. – While a majority can receive this treatment without issues, some dispositions might not tolerate it.
  7. Discuss acupuncture for dogs and cats – how it works and how it will benefit your pet’s case.
  8. Recommend a schedule – this can vary from weekly to as-needed, and it can taper later on.

Acupuncture Proper

  • Same-day session – Your pre-treatment consult can conclude with the first session of pet acupuncture, depending on your availability.
  • Starting gradually – The first acupuncture session for first-timers will be on "friendly" points that are unlikely to cause significant sensation. This helps your pet get used to acupuncture and be more comfortable the next time around.
  • Sensations – The needles are very thin and rarely ever hurt. Sensations can vary; inserting the needles can feel like nothing, a mild ache, or a tingling sensation. 
  • Duration – acupuncture sessions for dogs and cats can last 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Monitoring – Our veterinarians will assess your pet's response and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

Which Sploot Vet Clinics Offer Acupuncture for Dogs & Cats?

We’re working to make acupuncture available at all Sploot Vets clinics. Currently, this service is offered only at Sploot Veterinary Care - RiNo (Denver)

Vaccinations

Recommended schedule: young and adult pets - yearly; older pets - bi-yearly

Ensure that your pet is at their healthiest and happiest with routine check-ups! Routine check-ups for pets are also known as dog wellness checks or cat wellness exams.

These exams generally include:

  • A comprehensive snout-to-tail physical exam
  • A discussion about the dog’s or cat’s nutrition, behaviors, exercise, and any existing health conditions
  • Lab work: blood work, urinalysis, fecalysis, x-ray (done at Sploot’s in-house lab)

After getting a cat or dog wellness check, you will get a comprehensive understanding of your pet’s overall health and needs.

Routine Check-Ups

Recommended schedule: following the cat or dog vaccine schedule for initial vaccination (puppies & kittens); can be incorporated into wellness exams for vaccine updates (adult pets)

Strengthen your pet’s immune system and abide by regional ordinances by maintaining updated pet vaccinations. 

Core vaccinations are recommended for all dogs or cats while non-core vaccinations are recommended by veterinarians based on lifestyle, travel plans, area of residence, and other specific factors.

Important Note: Certain feline diseases that are preventable with vaccines are lifelong if the kitten contracts them. Furthermore, puppies and kittens have developing immune systems, making them vulnerable to various pathogens. We encourage timely initial vaccination for all pets.

Parasite Prevention in Pets

Recommended schedule: as needed or incorporated into the dog or cat wellness exam

Parasites, whether internal or external, burden a pet’s health — the good news is that preventive veterinary medicine keeps parasites at bay!

Our vets will provide preventive measures that will keep your pet free of external parasites like ticks and fleas which can cause itching, tick-borne diseases (e.g. Lyme disease), flea-borne tapeworm, and flea allergies.

Our pet wellness clinic also gives guidance on internal parasite prevention, matching your dog or cat to the best-suited preventative for intestinal worms and mosquito-borne heartworms.

Dental Care

Recommended schedule: yearly for young and adult pets; bi-yearly for older pets; OR as needed

Ensure your pet's well-being and quality of life with regular pet dental care. This procedure offers more than just bright smiles and fresher breath, it also helps prevent dental issues in dogs and cats that can cause pain, discomfort, or loss of teeth.

Why Pet Parents Love Sploot’s Veterinary Acupuncture

Erica N.

"What a great experience! We were floored with our first visit. A refreshingly modern and pup-first approach to pet care. Dr Jake was a dog whisperer in getting our sometimes (okay always) ornery Bernedoodle to relax for a shot...The digital scheduling and billing makes logistics a cinch- will be recommending Sploot to all of our pup Scout’s friends!"

Adam K.

"The most friendly staff, beautiful facilities, I know that my labradoodle is in the best hands!"

Samantha M.

My pup Theo had a great experience at Sploot!  Dr. Alexa and Dr. Jake were super nice and put Theo at ease right away (he doesn't love vets).  Their convenient hours made it incredibly easy for me to go after work - and plus, the beautifully designed clinic made going to the vet a totally different experience for me and Theo!  He really enjoyed choosing from the treat / toy / sunglasses bar and walked away a happy pup.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is veterinary acupuncture for pets?

Veterinary acupuncture is a drug-free treatment that uses tiny needles to stimulate nerves, reduce pain, improve circulation, and restore balance in the body. It’s a holistic, drug-free therapy often used to treat conditions like:

  • Arthritis and joint pain
  • Nerve or spinal injuries
  • Gastrointestinal and kidney issues
  • Chronic illness management in dogs and cats
Is acupuncture safe and comfortable for dogs and cats?

Yes. Most pets tolerate acupuncture very well. The needles are ultra-fine and typically cause no pain—many pets relax or even nap during treatment.

What conditions can acupuncture treat in pets?

Pet acupuncture can help with:

  • Arthritis and joint pain
  • Nerve and spinal injuries, as well as back pain
  • Gastrointestinal and kidney disease
  • Respiratory or neurologic conditions
  • Cancer-related discomfort
How soon will my pet improve with acupuncture?

Some pets improve within 24–48 hours of the first treatment, especially for pain or mobility issues. Others may need 2–4 sessions before noticeable changes appear. Early improvements may be subtle, like better energy, appetite, or movement.

How many acupuncture sessions will my pet need?

Pets with joint or orthopedic pain often show improvement within 1–3 sessions, while those with systemic illnesses such as kidney, gastrointestinal, or neurologic conditions may require 3–6 or more sessions to see significant results. The response time varies by pet and condition, and your veterinarian will tailor the treatment plan accordingly.

How does acupuncture differ for joint pain versus systemic illnesses?

Treatment frequency depends on your pet’s condition. The initial phase usually involves 1–2 treatments per week for 2–4 weeks, followed by maintenance sessions every 2–4 weeks or as needed. Chronic conditions often benefit from ongoing periodic treatments for the best long-term results.

Can acupuncture be combined with other treatments?

Absolutely. Acupuncture works best as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include medications, rehabilitation, supplements, and post-surgical care. It’s especially helpful for senior pets or those with drug sensitivities. Results vary by pet, and your Sploot veterinarian will customize the approach to their specific needs.

A cute dog illustration in the splooting position

Tap the power of integrative veterinary medicine to reclaim your pet’s wellness & joy!

Whether your pet needs pain relief, healing, or an overall health boost, veterinary acupuncture is a gentle, effective way to support their well-being.

Book a consult today or ask our team about pet acupuncture!

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