{
  "id": 6105249,
  "title": "More Chinese pet owners choose TCM for chronic pet illnesses using herbs, bee stings, acupuncture",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/more-chinese-pet-owners-choose-tcm-for-chronic-pet-illnesses-using",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-07T06:00:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366583/more-chinese-pet-owners-choose-tcm-chronic-pet-illnesses-using-herbs-bee-stings-acupuncture"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "A growing number of Chinese pet owners are increasingly turning to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for chronic illnesses and hospice care for their senior pets. A social media hashtag, #petTCM, has garnered over five million views, indicating a significant increase in sharing experiences with TCM treatments for pets. One Beijing pet owner sought TCM after his seven-year-old dog's gastrointestinal issues did not improve with Western veterinary care. The TCM practitioner diagnosed and prescribed Chinese patent medicine pills and dietary therapy, successfully alleviating the dog's diarrhea within three days. Another Guangzhou pet owner, whose 17-year-old Chinese native dog showed a decline in energy and functionality due to age, opted for Chinese herbal tonics mixed with his dog's favorite meat, resulting in a significant boost in his dog's energy levels and physical strength. TCM treatments for pets in China include acupuncture, bee sting therapy, massage, and moxibustion, with the popularity of TCM driven by its perceived milder approach and fewer side effects, particularly among the aging pet population.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}