SpunkySB asks: “I have a sweet little dog named Spunky who is having a few health challenges. He has some lower back arthritis that has recently gotten worse. I am a big advocate for using God's gifts to treat things naturally whenever possible and was blessed to find an integrative veterinarian who has a Masters degree in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Since his arthritis is progressing, it was recommended to try acupuncture. I have recently read some articles about the benefits of acupuncture from a Western perspective. However, I know that her view of acupuncture comes from her schooling in Eastern medicine. Do you feel that I could safely have acupuncture done on my dog, without the risk of any spiritual repercussions for either of us?”
Great question!
I’m happy to report that veterinary acupuncture is morally permissible for Catholics to use on their pets provided it is administered by a licensed and certified veterinarian, and it’s being done for the sole purpose of improving the animal’s well-being.
As we read in the Catechism, “God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom He created in His own image (2417)” and that “it is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly (2418).” This gives us legitimate authority over animals for reasonable purposes, including medical and scientific procedures that genuinely contribute to their health and well-being.
Veterinary acupuncture fits this criterion because it is a recognized therapeutic modality widely used to reduce pain and improve the quality of life in animals.
However, it’s important to note that the reason why acupuncture is recognized by Western medicine is not because of the tenets attributable to acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In the latter, acupuncturists believe in the existence of chi which supposedly runs through the body through 14 meridians or channels. It is along these meridians that acupuncture needles are placed in order to manipulate the flow of chi. Because this energy force has never been proven to exist, it cannot be responsible for any kind of pain relief. But what Western medicine has discovered is that the pain relief acupuncture patients report is due to the body’s natural response to pin pricks – which is the release of pain-suppressing endorphins.
It should also be understood that just because the veterinarian is trained in TCM, which is considered to be a pantheistic belief system, does not make it morally impermissible for use in animals. The moral criterion is based on the proven effectiveness of the practice, not the philosophical or cultural origin of the medical system. As long as the veterinarian holds the proper medical credentials and is applying a real therapeutic technique that has proven beneficial for animals, it is permissible.
A competent vet trained in TCM who meets these standards would be considered trustworthy. Conversely, an unlicensed or improperly trained practitioner—regardless of their background—would not be acceptable.
Because Spunky is being treated by a competent veterinarian for the purpose of easing his arthritic pain, it is permissible to avail him of this treatment. Hope he's feeling better soon!
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