Dog Herbalist Reveals Natural Remedies for Typical Canine Ailments

For those interested in introducing herbs into their dogs’ care, a Western holistic herbalist specializing in canine health has provided insights into treating common health issues.

Rita Hogan, widely recognized as the Canine Herbalist, has dedicated the past two decades to assisting a multitude of dogs. She also conducts educational sessions on holistic canine herbalism, emphasizing the tendency of pet owners to seek out herbal knowledge for themselves once they witness positive outcomes with their pets.

“Herbs provide a gentle and natural approach to enhancing pets’ health, whether addressing a particular concern or aiming for long-term wellness,” she explained to The Epoch Times. “They can help restore equilibrium in the body and alleviate common issues like anxiety, arthritis, digestive problems, and recovery from antibiotics.”

She finds great joy in her work and strives to ensure that dogs not only survive but truly thrive.

Hogan also mentioned that herbs can benefit cats.

Hogan provided five common health conditions and the corresponding herbs that can assist in their treatment.

Diarrhea, Vomiting, Upset Stomach

Marshmallow root: An excellent herb for soothing the digestive system, it protects the stomach lining and assists with inflammation, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and acid reflux.

Ginger: A small amount of fresh or powdered ginger can alleviate nausea, gas, and motion sickness.

Chamomile: This herb calms nervousness and soothes upset stomachs.

Joint Pain

For older dogs or those suffering from arthritis, various herbs can help reduce inflammation and enhance mobility.

Turmeric: Known for its natural anti-inflammatory qualities due to curcumin, turmeric effectively alleviates joint pain and swelling. Pair it with a small amount of fat for better absorption.

Rose hips powder: Another excellent anti-inflammatory option to assist with arthritis and inflammation.

Skin and Allergies

Calendula: This soothing herb can be used in topical washes or salves for itchy or inflamed skin and can also benefit the inner gut.

Nettle: Acting as a natural antihistamine, nettle alleviates allergy-induced itching and inflammation and can be administered as tea, tincture, or dried herb.

Stress and Anxiety

Lemon balm: This herb calms the nervous system, helping dogs unwind without causing drowsiness.

Skullcap: This plant alleviates anxiety and restlessness by soothing the nervous system.

Immune Support

Echinacea: This herb bolsters immune system function and aids the body in combating infections.

Astragalus: Particularly beneficial for senior dogs or those susceptible to illness, this plant provides long-term immune support.

Diet

She emphasized that diet and herbal remedies work synergistically, with a balanced diet serving as the foundation of a pet’s overall health. Herbs can facilitate healing and restore balance; a poor diet is akin to merely covering a wound without addressing its source.

A nutritious and species-appropriate diet equips pets with the essential nutrients, allowing herbs to function more efficiently, according to her.

“However, herbs can assist your dog or cat in processing more refined diets—examples include milk thistle and burdock root,” she noted.

Hogan mentioned that herbs can often be used safely in conjunction with conventional medicine, creating a complementary effect in many situations.

These herbs can enhance the body’s innate healing abilities, support organ health, and even mitigate the side effects associated with certain medications.

For instance, if a dog is on long-term pain management for arthritis, incorporating an herb like milk thistle could offer liver protection from medication processing.

Nevertheless, she cautioned that pet owners should consult a veterinarian experienced in herbal medicine before mixing treatments, as herbs can interact with medications due to their potency.

How to Administer Herbs to Dogs

According to Hogan, there are several effective methods for administering herbs to your dog.

Mix herbs into meals or blend powdered or tinctured herbs with your dog’s favorite strong-smelling foods, like canned pumpkin, almond butter (without added sugar), bone broth, yogurt, and raw milk.

Prepare an herb-infused broth by steeping herbs in hot water, then cooling the mixture and combining it with bone broth or chicken broth.

Finely powdered herbs can be sprinkled directly onto your dog’s food.

Dilute tinctures in water and use a syringe to administer them directly into your dog’s mouth.

For particularly selective dogs, you can fill empty capsules (available at health stores) with powdered herbs and enclose the capsule in a tiny piece of cheese or meat.

Understanding Herbal Energetics

Hogan explained that herbal energetics describe the way herbs influence the body, focusing on their “temperature” and effects.

Warm herbs enhance body heat and circulation, making them ideal for conditions characterized by coldness, sluggishness, or stiffness. In contrast, cool herbs help lower body temperature, lessen inflammation, and calm situations that are hot, irritated, or overly active.

“Just like humans, dogs possess their unique energetics. Some may run ‘warm’ while others are ‘cool.’ Tailoring herbal treatment to align with their natural energetics can greatly contribute to their health,” she explained.

She noted signs of “warm” dogs include restlessness, excessive panting, and seeking cooler environments. These dogs may also have irritated skin or often feel overheated.

For these dogs, she recommends cooling herbs like chamomile, peppermint, nettle, and plantain to calm inflammation and soothe the skin naturally.

Dogs classified as “cool” tend to be sluggish, shivery, and may prefer warm spots, often showing stiffness and slow digestion.

To assist these pups, she suggests warming herbs such as ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and rosemary to boost energy, warmth, and circulation. These herbs improve blood flow, alleviate joint stiffness, and warm the body internally.

Background

“Each dog is unique—similar to individuals,” Hogan emphasized.

According to her, every dog possesses its distinct personality, preferences, and health requirements.

What benefits one dog may not be applicable to another, a crucial principle to remember when managing their care, particularly with herbs.

Hogan credits her father, a dedicated gardener who maintained their animals’ health through his extensive plant knowledge, for igniting her interest in the power of plants.

Inspired, she delved into herbalism in her late twenties.

At the age of 32, she established a holistic, kennel-free boarding facility on 36 acres in the Cumberland Mountains.

Shortly thereafter, Hogan recognized the interplay between behavior, diet, vaccinations, and glandular imbalance. This insight was informed by her hands-on experience with both rescue and client dogs, particularly challenging disease and behavioral cases.

Recently, she created an herbal protocol to support a dog with cancer, and that dog has been thriving for the last four years.

Additionally, she has assisted another dog with a spinal issue and limited mobility, enabling it to regain movement and run once again through herbal aid.

“Herbs have proven effective in enhancing the longevity of my clients’ pets,” she stated.

“My aim with this book is to equip pet owners with the tools, confidence, and knowledge necessary to care for their dogs in a holistic, thoughtful manner,” she explained. “It will guide you step-by-step in understanding your dog as an ecosystem and in selecting the appropriate herbs and care strategies.”

Achieving health relies on balance—be it in diet, lifestyle, or herbal support—and this balance is critical, she emphasized.

“My book aids you in observing your dog and formulating a personalized care plan,” she mentioned.

Hogan concluded that nature offers a powerful yet gentle means of healing, with herbs serving as effective resources because they complement the body’s natural processes. They can help prevent health issues, decrease reliance on harsh medications, and promote longer, healthier lives for dogs.

Furthermore, she emphasized that holistic health care fosters a stronger connection between pet and owner.

“By truly understanding and nurturing their well-being rather than just managing symptoms, you experience the profound joy of watching your dog thrive through natural means,” she shared. “My passion for this work shines through, and although I may not reach every pet, positively impacting even one dog’s life brings me immense fulfillment.”