We gain this parental intuition about our animal’s wellbeing which is exactly what is needed in zoopharmacognosy. We need to be able to recognize when our animals are saying yay or nay to the remedies we are suggesting to them. Not only that, we need to be mindful of what is going on with them so we have an idea of what to offer for the specific issue they appear to be experiencing. Being able to do this goes a long way in your animal’s wellness. Your dog will appreciate what you are doing for them and it’s a fun way for them to bond with you.
A practitioner’s intent during a zoopharmacognosy session is to create a relaxing and calming experience for the dog. Doing these sessions in a room that makes them feel safe, that isn’t too small that the dog will become overwhelmed by the scents of remedies, and leaving the window open are all important. Having their bed in the room may also help them feel more relaxed and happy!
Another neat thing that you can do on walks is to pick any herbs which grow wild and pesticide free that your dog enjoys exploring. This allows them to practice self-medication on their daily walks!
Selecting A Self-Selection Garden
It’s great to lay out a self-selecting garden for your dog to approach and sniff, which includes:
- Herbs
- Hydrosols
- Carrier Oils
- Infused Carrier Oils
- Clays
Keep in mind, when it comes to essential oils, introducing them one at a time is best as they are extremely potent. Only use pure essential oils, synthetic additives can be harmful to your animal. I use Young Living essential oils.
Give your dog time to give you a positive or negative response to the remedies. It can take them some time to respond during their investigating, so be patient with them.
Here are some signs of positive responses in dogs:
- Standing still by the remedy or following contact with it.
- Yawning.
- Puffing Their Cheeks.
- Licking Their Lips.
- Change In Breathing Pattern.
- Agitated Or Excited Behaviour, Followed By A Rush Of Calm.
- Alerting To A Particular Area On Their Body By Looking, Licking, Gnawing Or Scratching At It.
When your dog has selected an essential oil, be sure to allow them to inhale it at a distance, due to their enhanced sense of smell. Once they have had enough they will stop sniffing the air and lose interest. It is important not to take away the essential oil too soon, they may just be taking breaks between inhalations.
Unlike cats, dogs may like a topical application of essential oils but must be diluted first. Rub the diluted mixture on your hands, then stroke or massage your dog. The best absorption is over the dog’s femoral artery, under the hind leg.
Always observe your dog’s response after their session with the oil. Knowing which oils calm them can help when this is needed. When it comes to dogs it’s best to interact with them during the initial exposure to the volatile oil. Adding to your hands, or clothing first, for cuddling and comfort, then leaving the presence of the scent in the room is the best way.
External Applications Of Herbs
You may find that your dog may love remedies that they are able to lick, like herbal powders and carrier oils. You can apply a bit of the remedy on your finger tip then allowing the dog to lick it off. You can offer the pure herbal powder or they might prefer a diluted version (herbal powders blended down in water, milk or as a herbal tea). This might be the better option if the dog doesn’t want the pure herbal powder. It can all depend on how they are feeling or if they are experiencing health issues. This preference is based on the dosage the dog needs at this time. It’s good to note that when dogs choose a carrier oil to ingest, they may be wanting a purgative effect, seeking repeated doses. Another reason they may want to ingest carrier oils is to help with arthritis or other joint conditions which they would want less to consume.
Applying remedies they have chosen for external issues may not be as appreciated as you would wish. If they are having skin discomfort they may feel apprehensive to topical treatments. It is very important that you have a safe dilution of essential oils to herbal and carrier oil remedies. This way it helps the dog become more tolerant with application. It’s a good idea to add an essential oil you know they already love! Another option is to grind herbs into a powder and sprinkle them on the affected areas if they don’t want an oil or water base on their skin or coat. I use Nature’s Sunshine herbs which come in capsules that you can open up. You may also have more luck with a herbal balm to apply on them. Dogs often self-select clays for external use which you can blend with powdered herbs and sprinkle on skin conditions.
These are some ideas of how you can offer your pup lovely remedies that they can experience in a healthy, natural and toxic free way.
If you are interested holistic services from Maria for your animal feel free to learn more here.
