ZHENGZHOU, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The waiting room appears like any other veterinary clinic, until the chart on the wall mapping canine acupoints resembling a human meridian diagram comes into view, along with the faint scent of moxa drifting from a treatment cubicle.

A caramel-coloured Corgi named Langlang sprawled contentedly on the floor as Wang Xuefei, a veterinarian at the affiliated pet hospital of Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, carried out a follow-up examination during the dog's recovery from acute pancreatitis.

After a week of herbal decoctions, the inflammation had significantly reduced. The day's session involved a thorough traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis, namely "looking, smelling, asking and feeling the pulse," to ensure the dog's continued recovery. This holistic approach is becoming increasingly common as more pet owners seek TCM treatments for their beloved pets.

"Looking" involves observing the animal's condition and coat, "smelling" checks for any unusual odors, "asking" involves inquiring about the pet's recent behavior and health from the owner, and "feeling the pulse" involves checking the femoral artery in small animals.

Instead of listening to the patient's complaints as doctors would with humans in TCM treatment, the veterinarians rely on their sense of smell to detect any unusual odors that might indicate a health issue, according to Wang.

"Animals cannot speak, and their diseases are different from those in humans," Wang explained. "A TCM veterinarian must have excellent observational skills and extensive clinical experience to diagnose and treat pets effectively."

According to the 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper, the country is now home to roughly 124 million dogs and cats. Nearly a quarter of its canines are already seven or older, a significant milestone in a dog's life, marking the transition from young adulthood to middle age. The number of middle-aged or senior cats and dogs is projected to surpass 30 million within the next three years.

Owners who once resigned themselves to an ageing pet's stiff gait or wheezy lungs now look to extend their companions' healthy years, turning to therapies rooted in the ancient Chinese wisdom of TCM.

Traditional acupuncture therapy, herbal formulas, moxibustion, massage, dietary therapy and differentiated post-operative rehabilitation are increasingly being applied to treat pets.

Xiaofu, a Pekingese, was suffering from a chronic back injury that made walking difficult and its owner was advised to consider surgery. However, concerned about the risks for her old pet, she turned to TCM. After several sessions of acupuncture, Xiaofu is now able to walk again. "My Xiaofu was cured by TCM acupuncture," said the owner, a resident of Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, beaming with joy.

"One of TCM's key strengths is its ability to manage age-related disorders, especially the chronic conditions that creep in as animals grow older. With people living longer themselves, owners increasingly want their pets to stay healthy and by their side for more years," Wang said, adding that, notably, a dog's acupoints mirror those of humans, which makes acupuncture especially effective in such veterinary care.

Wang Yanzhen, executive head of the Beilin branch of the pet hospital, said that most of their patients are elderly pets with chronic diseases or mobility issues. The clinic conducts dozens of face-to-face consultations and online inquiries daily, reflecting the growing demand for TCM in pet care.

The concept of TCM for pets is not new. In the United States and Japan, TCM for pets has been practiced for decades, complete with acupuncture charts designed for cats and dogs. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) was established in the United States to promote and standardize these practices.

In China, TCM for animals has a history of thousands of years. Ancient texts provide detailed treatments for various animal ailments using herbs, acupuncture and moxibustion.

What has changed is the status of the patients themselves. Once kept as courtyard guards, pets have become indispensable sources of emotional support, and China's pet market reached 300 billion yuan (about 42 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024.

As more young people turn to TCM clinics for their pets, the growing popularity of traditional therapies in animal care has become increasingly evident. "This is a positive signal for the development of TCM in veterinary practice," Wang said.