Pet salt therapy, also called halotherapy, is controlled exposure to micronised pharmaceutical-grade salt aerosol that is absorbed into a pet’s skin, ears, fur and airways. It is a complementary therapy used alongside, never instead of, veterinary care. Equine Salt Therapy, the publisher of this article, delivers this approach through the Ultisalt™ platform, which underpins its Licensed Business Opportunities for animal wellness.
Table of Contents
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Is salt therapy safe for pets, and which animals should avoid it?
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How can you build a pet salt therapy business under licence?
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What should pet owners ask before booking a salt therapy session?
What is pet salt therapy and where did it come from?
Pet salt therapy is the practice of exposing animals to pure pharmaceutical-grade salt aerosol that is absorbed into the skin, ears, fur and airways, according to Select Salt. The approach is described as natural and homeopathic in its method, promoting respiratory health, healthier skin and fur, and reduced itchiness and inflammation. Select Salt are not licensed under our patents to sell or deliver Pet, Equine or Livestock Salt Therapy.
The origins of salt therapy trace to 1840s Europe, when miners working in salt mines were observed to have notably healthy lungs and skin from frequent salt exposure, according to Dr. Marlene Siegel. The historic salt-cave treatment was called Speleotherapy, meaning therapy in an underground salt cave.
Modern halotherapy uses medical-grade sodium chloride that is finely micronised into a dust-like form and delivered in a booth or room. The therapy remains complementary only. Pet owners should consult a veterinarian before changing any prescribed medication.
How does salt therapy work for pets?
Salt therapy works by creating a dry salt aerosol environment where micronised salt particles interact with a pet’s respiratory system and skin. Salt acts as an anti-inflammatory and an expectorant, accelerating mucus clearance and improving lung function while killing harmful bacteria, according to Dr. Marlene Siegel.
Salt is also described as an antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agent. These properties support the body’s natural clearance mechanisms without introducing pharmaceutical compounds.
Most salt therapy sessions last just ten minutes. A slight cough or decongestion during or after a session is a positive sign that the therapy is working by drawing out phlegm.
The microclimate concept is straightforward: a dry salt aerosol environment reduces reliance on medically important antibiotics by supporting natural respiratory function.
Which conditions can salt therapy help with in pets?
Salt therapy is considered for a range of respiratory and skin conditions in pets. Respiratory conditions listed for consideration include kennel cough, feline infectious respiratory disease, feline bronchial asthma, pneumonia secondary to feline and canine illness, respiratory viral infections, and complex chronic sinusitis, according to Select Salt.
Skin conditions listed for consideration include ringworm, feline eosinophilic granuloma, dermatitis, hot spots and seborrhoea, according to Dr. Marlene Siegel.
Evidence from veterinary practice settings shows chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improvement as easier breathing and reduced coughing after halotherapy,Dermatitis improvement is reported as improved skin health and reduced itching.
Eczema benefit is described as lessened irritation and scratching. Psoriasis benefit is described as decreased flaking and improved skin quality.
Additional respiratory conditions for consideration include allergies, asthma, bronchitis or tracheobronchitis, pneumonia, colds, rhinitis and sinus infections.
Is salt therapy safe for pets, and which animals should avoid it?
Salt therapy is generally considered safe when delivered in a controlled environment, but salt toxicity is a flagged concern if pets continuously lick salt surfaces inside a salt room, potentially affecting kidney, muscle and nerve function, according to Select Salt. Operators should manage surface licking carefully.
The therapy is complementary and should not replace existing medication. Pet owners are advised to consult a veterinarian before changing any prescribed treatment.
Suitable candidates are pets with chronic respiratory conditions, skin disorders associated with allergies, and those needing immune support.
A quoted veterinarian, Dr. Dysert, DMV, notes halotherapy could treat medical conditions without toxic antibiotics and antifungals, helping with the worldwide drug resistance problem.
Peer-reviewed species-specific studies remain limited, so screening by a veterinarian matters before any pet begins salt therapy.
How is salt therapy being adopted in veterinary practices?
Salt therapy is being adopted as an emerging service offering in veterinary medicine for respiratory and skin conditions. Veterinary practices are adding halotherapy rooms or booths as a non-pharmaceutical adjunct to standard care.
European studies are cited as indicating halotherapy eases breathing difficulties in animals. These findings support the growing clinical interest in salt therapy across veterinary settings.
Practices can expand service offerings without pharmaceutical intervention, aligning with antimicrobial stewardship goals. The therapy supports reduced reliance on medically important antibiotics.
Client education is central to adoption. Sessions are brief, around ten minutes, non-invasive and repeatable, according to Dr. Marlene Siegel.
For Australian clinics, trainers and rehabilitation centres planning for 2026, the model presents a practical addition to existing animal wellness services.
How can you build a pet salt therapy business under licence?
Equine Salt Therapy offers Licensed Business Opportunities and Master Licenses for Equine, Poultry, Swine and Companion Animals. Territories are sold under licence, and Master Licenses are available for various modalities under US Patent; 11,497,593 and CA 3019046.
Pricing ranges from $110,000 to $1,000,000, with details available at the Licensed Business Opportunities page.
The overarching brand of treatment salts and patented technologies is Ultisalt™. The brand ties the acronym DSAT, meaning Dry Salt Aerosol Therapy, to the Animal Kingdom.
Licensees are referred to as Practitioners, and horse and animal clients are referred to as Salties. The platform is protected by granted patents in multiple jurisdictions, with the precise scope of protection defined by the claims of each applicable patent.
Equinesalttherapy.ca is the sister company, not a competitor.
What should pet owners ask before booking a salt therapy session?
Pet owners should ask whether the practitioner works alongside their veterinarian and respects prescribed medication. The therapy is complementary and must not replace existing treatment, according to Select Salt.
Pet owners should ask how the room is operated and how licking of salt surfaces is managed, given the toxicity concerns around continuous salt ingestion.
Pet owners should ask what a normal response looks like. A slight cough or decongestion can be a positive sign that the therapy is working by drawing out phlegm, according to Dr. Marlene Siegel.
Pet owners should ask about session length, which is typically ten minutes, and whether the therapy is suitable for their pet’s specific condition.
Pet owners should ask what conditions the practitioner lists for consideration, from allergies and asthma to dermatitis and hot spots.
Key Takeaways
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Pet salt therapy is controlled exposure to micronised pharmaceutical-grade salt aerosol absorbed into skin, ears, fur and airways.
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The practice traces to 1840s Europe, where salt miners were observed to have healthy lungs and skin.
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Salt acts as an anti-inflammatory and expectorant, and is described as antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal.
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Most salt therapy sessions last around ten minutes, and a slight cough afterwards can signal the therapy is working.
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Salt therapy is complementary and must not replace prescribed medication; veterinarians should be consulted first.
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Pets licking salt surfaces in a salt room risk salt toxicity affecting kidney, muscle and nerve function.
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Equine Salt Therapy offers Licensed Business Opportunities and Master Licenses from $110,000 to $1,000,000 under US Patent; 11,497,593 and CA 3019046. The Pet Salt Therapy Treatment method & apparatus is patented.
