Gentle, drug-free pain relief 🐾
In-Home Pet Acupuncture in Brisbane
A safe, gentle and drug-free way to ease arthritis, soothe sore joints and help your dog or cat move more comfortably again. Delivered in the calm of your own home by a fully qualified vet with formal training in animal acupuncture.
Not sure where to start? Email us any time at hello@vettome.com.au — we’re happy to talk through whether acupuncture could help.
Vet-led acupuncture, grounded in modern medicine
Acupuncture for dogs and cats is becoming increasingly popular across Australia as pet owners look for safe, effective and drug-free ways to support their pet's health. Veterinary acupuncture can help manage pain, improve mobility and enhance quality of life — especially for pets with chronic or age-related conditions.
At Vet To Me, acupuncture is performed by a fully qualified veterinarian with additional formal training in animal acupuncture. That means your pet receives care that is both holistic and firmly grounded in modern veterinary medicine — never one or the other.
Best of all, it happens at home. There's no car ride and no clinic waiting room, so your pet stays calm and relaxed in their own familiar surroundings — which is exactly where acupuncture works best.
What can acupuncture help with?
It's most often used to support pets with pain, inflammation or reduced mobility, but it can assist with a wide range of conditions. Every plan is tailored to your individual pet.
Pain relief & mobility
- ✓Arthritis and osteoarthritis
- ✓Hip dysplasia
- ✓Joint stiffness and reduced range of motion
- ✓Muscle injuries and soft-tissue pain
- ✓Recovery after orthopaedic surgery
Neurological conditions
- ✓Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- ✓Nerve injuries
- ✓Weakness or paralysis
- ✓Reduced coordination
Chronic medical conditions
- ✓Gastrointestinal disorders
- ✓Chronic kidney disease (supportive care)
- ✓Respiratory conditions
- ✓Allergies and chronic skin disease
Senior & palliative care
- ✓Chronic pain management
- ✓Reduced mobility in older pets
- ✓Comfort and quality-of-life support
- ✓End-of-life care
How does acupuncture actually work?
From a scientific perspective, fine needles placed at specific points trigger real, measurable responses in your pet's body:
- ✓Stimulates the release of endorphins — the body’s natural painkillers
- ✓Improves blood circulation to affected tissues
- ✓Reduces inflammation
- ✓Supports nerve healing and function
- ✓Promotes relaxation and reduces stress
- ✓Can reduce reliance on long-term medications
Because acupuncture works with your pet's own systems, it can often enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments — a genuinely complementary therapy rather than a replacement for good veterinary medicine.
What to expect during a session
- 1
A full veterinary examination
Every visit starts with a proper vet check. We assess your pet’s comfort, mobility and overall health so acupuncture is integrated safely with the rest of their care.
- 2
A chat about goals
We discuss your pet’s symptoms and what you’re hoping to achieve — whether that’s easing arthritis pain, improving mobility, or supporting recovery and comfort.
- 3
Gentle needle placement
Using extremely fine needles, your vet places 1–9 needles at carefully chosen points. It isn’t painful, and most pets settle quickly — many become relaxed or even sleepy.
- 4
Monitoring & aftercare
We monitor your pet’s response throughout the session, which usually lasts around 30–45 minutes. Some pets improve after the very first visit; others do best with a course of treatment.
Why choose vet-led acupuncture?
Not all animal acupuncture is the same. Choosing a veterinarian trained in acupuncture matters, because they understand both the traditional technique and modern medical diagnosis. Your pet benefits from:
- ✓Veterinary-level diagnosis behind every treatment
- ✓Safe integration with medications and other treatments
- ✓Individualised treatment plans for your pet
- ✓A focus on long-term comfort and wellbeing
- ✓Especially important for older or medically complex pets
- ✓The calm of being treated at home, not in a clinic
How much does pet acupuncture cost?
Each in-home session includes a veterinary examination and a treatment plan tailored to your pet. Because many conditions respond best to a course of treatment, our 6-visit pack makes ongoing care more affordable.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Single sessionOne in-home acupuncture session (1–9 needles) | $160 |
| 6-visit packA discounted course of six sessions — ideal for arthritis and chronic conditions | from $499 |
A single session is a great way to see how your pet responds. If a course of treatment is recommended, the 6-visit pack works out far cheaper per session.
We'll always be clear about costs up front — no surprises.
Is acupuncture right for my dog or cat?
Acupuncture may be a good option if your pet:
- ✓Has ongoing pain or arthritis
- ✓Can’t tolerate certain medications
- ✓Hasn’t responded fully to conventional treatments
- ✓Is a senior pet needing mobility or comfort support
If you're unsure whether it's suitable, an initial consultation can help us work out whether it's the right fit for your pet's needs. You may also find our guide, Acupuncture for Dogs and Cats: Benefits, Uses and What Pet Owners Should Know, a helpful read.
Questions pet owners often ask
What is veterinary acupuncture?
Veterinary acupuncture is a therapeutic technique where very fine needles are placed at specific points on your dog or cat’s body. These points stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue, prompting the body’s own natural healing responses. While acupuncture has traditional roots, modern veterinary acupuncture is supported by scientific research and is commonly used alongside conventional treatments such as medication, physiotherapy and surgery.
What conditions can acupuncture help with in dogs and cats?
It is most commonly used for pain, inflammation and reduced mobility — including arthritis, hip dysplasia, joint stiffness, muscle and soft-tissue injuries, and recovery after orthopaedic surgery. It can also support neurological conditions such as IVDD and nerve injuries, some chronic medical conditions, and senior or palliative pets needing comfort and quality-of-life support. Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual pet.
Does acupuncture hurt my pet?
No. The needles used are extremely fine and acupuncture is not painful. Most dogs and cats tolerate it extremely well, and many become relaxed or even sleepy during a session. Side effects are rare and usually mild, such as feeling a little tired afterwards.
Is acupuncture safe for dogs and cats?
Yes. When performed by a registered veterinarian with formal acupuncture training, it is very safe. Before starting, your vet assesses your pet’s medical history, current medications, comfort with handling and any underlying health concerns, so treatment is integrated safely with the rest of their care.
What happens during an acupuncture session?
A typical appointment includes a full veterinary examination, a discussion of your pet’s symptoms and treatment goals, gentle placement of the acupuncture needles, and monitoring of your pet’s response throughout. Sessions usually last around 30–45 minutes. We do this in the calm of your own home, so your pet stays relaxed in familiar surroundings.
How many sessions will my pet need?
It varies. Some pets show improvement after the very first session, while others benefit from a series of treatments over several weeks. Because of this, many owners choose our 6-visit pack — it makes a course of treatment more affordable and gives chronic conditions like arthritis the best chance to respond. Your vet will recommend a plan based on your pet’s response.
How much does pet acupuncture cost?
A single in-home acupuncture session (1–9 needles) is $160 and includes a veterinary examination and a tailored treatment plan. If your pet is likely to need a course of treatment, our 6-visit pack starts from $499, which works out far cheaper per session. We’ll always be clear about costs up front.
Is acupuncture right for my dog or cat?
It may be a good option if your pet has ongoing pain or arthritis, can’t tolerate certain medications, hasn’t responded fully to conventional treatment, or is a senior pet needing mobility and comfort support. If you’re unsure, an initial consultation will help us determine whether it’s the right fit for your pet’s needs.
Which areas do you cover?
We provide in-home pet acupuncture across bayside, eastern and southern Brisbane, the Redlands and surrounding suburbs. If you’re unsure whether we reach you, just ask — we add new suburbs regularly.
Help your pet feel more comfortable
If arthritis, stiffness or chronic pain is slowing your dog or cat down, in-home acupuncture could help them move and feel better. Book a session, or get in touch and we'll talk it through with you.