Herbs for Pets

  Animals respond extremely well to the healing benefits of herbs because they are, in general, closely in tune with nature: they do not think about the healing process, they just do what comes naturally. Animals instinctively, know what they need to remain well, which is why, for example, dogs and cats will eat grass when their stomachs are upset. Our perceptions may conclude that grass-eating causes regurgitation, therefore ingesting grass is bad because it makes the animal sick. However, like fever, regurgitation is nature’s way of ridding the body of toxins in the system. Fever and regurgitation are ways in which the immune system rallies to defend itself against unnatural intrusions.

   Herbs work to strengthen the immune system by allowing it to heal itself. They do not suppress the symptoms of illness; instead herbs encourge good health by employing the body’s own natural defenses. Should you decide to administer herbs to your pet, keep in mind that while some improvement maybe noticed right away, most herbal remedies may take four weeks or longer to get into the system and reveal their beneficial effects. Large animals such as horses, cows, and dogs require an adult dosage of the herbs listed, below. Small pets such as cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits require half the adult dosage. Birds, rodents, fish and reptiles require two drops of a liquid formula placed in their drinking water. Be sure to replace the water daily.

  The following herbs are safe for treating these ailments among most domestic animals and common household pets.

Acrimony: Restlessness, excitability

Aspen: Unknown fears

Beech: Intolerant behavior

Burdock root: Stomach and intestinal upsets.

Caraway: Digestive problems

Centaury: Oversubmissiveness

Cerato: Distraction

Cherry Plum: Cruelty and Abuse

Red Chestnut: Repetitive mistakes, refusal to learn, stubbornness, separation Anxiety.

Chicory: Insecurity, abandonment issues

Clematis: Sluggishness, sensitivity to noise

Comfrey: Intestinal mucus, internal hemorrhaging

Crab Apple: Blood impurities

Echinacea: Fungus and yeast infections

Elm: Lack of stamina and endurance

Five flowers: All emergencies (especially good for birds)

Flax: Brittle bones, dull coat, dandruff, dry skin, sluggish blood flow, Malignant tumors

Garlic: Infectious and inflammatory condtions

Gentian: Lack of confidence, doubt, despair

Golden Seal: Infectious and inflammatory conditions

Gorse: Apathy and misery Heather: Behavioral problems

Holly: Bad temperment Honeysuckle: Homesickness

Hornbeam: Lack of energy and enthusiasm Impatiens: Impatience, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity

Larch: Inferiortiy and hesitation

Mimulus: Fearfulness

Mustard: Depression

Nettle: Poor digestion

Oak: Exhaustion, overwork, overexertion

Olive Leaf: Stress, mental and physical burnout

Pine: Nervousness, excessive preening, licking and such

Rock rose: Panic, terror, trembling, fear

Rock water: Joint problems such as arthritis, hip dysplasia

Rosemary: Obesity

Schleranthus: Mood swings, lack of concentration, restlessness, travel sickness

Slippery elm: Excessive vomiting, irritable throat

Star of Bethlehem: Birthing, shock

Stevia: Fungal and yeast infections

Sweet Chestnut: Fear of the dark, emotional anguish

Valerian: Insomnia, nervousness, panic

Vine: Intimidation tactics such as growling, snarling and snapping

Walnut: Change such as relocation, new environment

Water Violet: Loneliness, shyness

Wheat grass: Cancer, detoxification, all-purpose healer

White Chestnut: Confusion, nervous tension

Wild Oat: Fear, panic, anxiety

Wild Rose: Lack of interest or effort, lifelessness, fatigue

Willow: Antisocial behavior (due to joint pain)

Preventive Medicine: Use these common sense, preventative measures to keep your pet happy, healthy, and fit. Keep your pet’s food as organic as possible, as pets are just as susceptible to junk food ailments as we are. Give your pet purified drinking water. Check your pet’s teeth regularly. A lack of desire to eat can often indicate gum or tooth disease. Bad breath can indicate the presence of worms. Groom your pet often. I f you pet has scales, be sure to keep the habitat or aquarium clean. A regular dose of fresh air and exercise is essential to good health. Any change inhabits, moods, or behavior may indicate that the animal is unwell. Please keep a close eye on your pet, and seek veterinary advice if a problem seems to get worse. Love your pet to ensure optimum good health and longevity for all concerned.