Alternative Medicine for Pets
Safe Use of Aromatherapy, Homeopathy, Herbs & Energy Work on Animals
Apr 9, 2007
People who practice alternative medicine for themselves and their families are often curious about how to apply the same healing techniques to their pets and other animals. Questions arise like: Can I use these essential oils on my budgie? My dog has an infection - is there a natural remedy that can help? Is it true that essential oils can kill cats?
Success Stories
Stories about animals who were successfully treated with natural remedies abound:
- Birds dosed with homeopathic remedies who survived debilitating viruses;
- Dogs who bounce back from digestive injuries after energy work and liver cleansing;
- Horses with colic or broken bones that a vet said would have to be put down, but who pulled through after intensive treatment with essential oils
Alternative medicine can be just as effective for animals as for humans. However, it’s important to remember that natural treatments are potent medicine. We must exercise due caution in using essential oils, herbs, homeopathic remedies, and other natural treatments on our pets, just as we would on ourselves or other people.
In fact, it’s advisable to take even more caution when using remedies on pets, for two reasons: an animal can’t tell you how it feels or what hurts; and most animals’ sense of smell is very acute.
What Hurts?
Because a dog or cat can’t communicate what hurts or what makes them feel better the way a human can, it can be difficult to diagnose an illness or apply treatment to the right place. For this reason, anyone eager to treat their pet with a natural remedy should always have the animal seen by a veterinarian first, so that you ensure that you're using a natural treatment for the right problem.
A vet can also run tests to establish what may be counterindicated on a particular animal. For instance, an older pet with a low thyroid will not do well with wintergreen or willow for pain relief; other herbs and oils should be used instead that won’t suppress the thyroid.
Sensitive to Smells – and to Energy
Animals like dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rats, mice, birds, and horses all have an acute sense of smell. This means they may react especially strongly to remedies like essential oils that have a potent aroma. Don’t let this discourage you from using your preferred healing techniques on your pets – but do be aware that you should use less of an essential oil or herb on a cat or dog than you would on a human.
Treat them as you would a small, sensitive child. Do not apply essential oils or scented lotions or salves on an animal’s face unless absolutely necessary. As with a small child, the bottoms of the feet are the safest place to apply essential oils (pets have reflexology points, too!).
This sensitivity often extends to hands-on healing and energy work. Animals can be highly attuned to energies. Be gentle with them, and explain what you’re doing and that your intent is only to help. If they react negatively to reiki or energy work, pay attention and back off. Most animals will respond very positively to energy work if we pay attention to their reactions.
The stories about cats dying from exposure to essential oils are a myth
Anecdotal evidence and personal experience have shown that if you use oils from pure, organic sources that have been distilled at only low temperatures, without solvents, they are safe to use on cats in small measure. Please use extreme caution if you are uncertain of the source of an essential oil or how they have been pressed. Adulterated oils are not safe.
Tips and Suggestions
Everyday pet problems tend to respond well to simple natural remedies.
Even a beginner can use homeopathic “Rescue Remedy” cream to treat skin issue on their pets, or use essential oils like Thieves to clean up pet odors in the home.
Some of the best natural medicines are preventative:
- Use natural pet shampoo instead of exposing your pet to toxic chemicals;
- Give them a garlic supplement instead of poisonous flea treatment (which have been known to kill cats);
- Feeds them all-natural pet food instead of the usual store-bought junk
Treating pets with non-invasive natural remedies can be a great way to respect their health and everyday wellness as we do our own.
