HERBS FOR PETS
Bao-Liu, John, & Hei-Long
I take Herbs and I share them with my pets. Most Herbs are as good for pets as they are for you.
You can sprinkle herbs on your pet’s food or make a “tea” with them and pour them over your pet food if it is usually served moist.
General guidelines for Herb portions look something like this:
Cat: 1/8 to ¼ the human dose.
Dog: Same as for adults per weight.
Horse: 8 to 16 times the human dose.
Cow: 12 to 24 times the human dose.
Goats and Sheep: 1 ½ to 2 ½ times human dose.
Swine: 1 to 3 times the human dose.
Cats like to eat greens and are especially fond of grasses. Oat grass is soothing to your cats nerves- just like oatmeal soothes us in the morning! You can alternate plantings; giving one to the cat while growing another out in the sun.
Many veterinarians are supportive of utilizing Herbs, especially for chronic problems.
You should check with your veterinarian, when you are considering the use of Herbs for your pets.
Most of these herbs (dried, in tincture or tea form) can be sprinkled over your pet’s food.
You can sprinkle herbs on your pet’s food or make a “tea” with them and pour them over your pet food if it is usually served moist.
General guidelines for Herb portions look something like this:
Cat: 1/8 to ¼ the human dose.
Dog: Same as for adults per weight.
Horse: 8 to 16 times the human dose.
Cow: 12 to 24 times the human dose.
Goats and Sheep: 1 ½ to 2 ½ times human dose.
Swine: 1 to 3 times the human dose.
Cats like to eat greens and are especially fond of grasses. Oat grass is soothing to your cats nerves- just like oatmeal soothes us in the morning! You can alternate plantings; giving one to the cat while growing another out in the sun.
Many veterinarians are supportive of utilizing Herbs, especially for chronic problems.
You should check with your veterinarian, when you are considering the use of Herbs for your pets.
Most of these herbs (dried, in tincture or tea form) can be sprinkled over your pet’s food.
- Burdock is a blood purifier – it is included as an important ingredient in many toxin-eliminating, bowel- cleansing and lymph-cleansing formulas.
- Calendula is for skin problems. This topical herb is useful for cuts, scrapes, abrasions, burns and skin conditions. Make a “tea” and apply to the wound with a soft cloth compress.
- Catnip is used for its calming effects. Although it seems to first stimulate many pets, the overall effect is sedative.
- Chamomile is a gentle sedative that is safe for young animals. It is relaxing and can be used for mild anxiety, insomnia, and indigestion. On the skin, it speeds healing and can be used as an eyewash.
- Culinary Herbs like Oregano and Thyme are good options to enhance the taste of bland food of special diets. Just sprinkle over food.
- Dandelion is for Urinary health. It is a strong diuretic. It also has a direct effect on the liver and is a good “spring tonic.”
- Echinacea is for strong immunity and is well know to balance the immune system. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and has been used to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Goldenseal and Oregon Grape Root are great for wound healing. They both contain berberine (which is also found in Yellow Root) and is used as an anti-inflammatory. Goldenseal is unpleasant-tasting, though pets will accept Oregon Grape Root.
- Hawthorn fruits are the world’s best heart tonic. Hawthorn improves the metabolism of the heart muscle, which improves the general function of the heart.
- Lavender Essential Oil is very healing to the skin. It can be added to sterile water, shaken, and sprayed on “hot spots,” to soothe and heal.
- Sage, and Thyme are both antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic for fighting infections on the skin.
- Slippery Elm Bark contains a mucilaginous substance that coats mucous membranes. Because of this, it is a great remedy for “nervous stomach.” No traveler with a pet should be without it.