HOMEOPATHY FOR DOGS

Dogs are our best companions and they give us so much love and loyalty!

My Frenchie Nico is a very important part of our family and as a homeopath, I treat Nico as any other member of my family with homeopathy.

They deserve the best treatment we can give them and homeopathy is the perfect natural treatment for dogs as it is easy to administer, safe, and gentle but very effective.

Whether you are a total beginner or someone that has a bit of knowledge of homeopathy, I am sure that you will be able to help your dog in acute conditions working with homeopathy.

You may not be aware that homeopathy is very rich in methodologies and there are many ways of prescribing and dosing remedies. You may have read online quite a few different versions of how to work with homeopathic remedies but I teach homeopathy in a much easier way if you follow my methodology.

Using homeopathy for dogs should not be daunting!

I use a combination of Banerji Protocols, Narayani Remedies and Single remedies. This is a more practical way of working avoiding the guessing work of trying to understand the reason why they got ill in the first place, which can be so difficult to achieve for obvious reasons!

The Banerji Protocols have been gathered through 4 generations of homeopaths that span 150 years through careful observation, analysis and experience in their practice of many diseases. These are remedies that work systematically in different systems of the body and are highly effective in the majority of the population.

The Narayani combinations are tried and tested combinations that work extremely well. 

How would you ask your dog if they are angry or sad? If they feeling nauseus or they have acidity? Have you tried to use that approach? You don't need to, there is another easier way of doing it, and it is more diseased based which is perfect for working with animals.

​Let's start from the beginning and I will show you how to start working with homeopathy on your dog.

HOW TO ADMINISTER THE REMEDIES

​Homeopathic remedies are completely different from traditional medicines and you do not need to worry about giving the correct amount relative body weight. One pill = one dose regardless of the age, gender or type of dog.

You may have read on several different sources that there are some rules when taking homeopathic remedies. But let me make it simple here for you- I have been practising homeopathy for years with a busy practice and I have never found those rules to be true. 

My dog takes remedies in this way and the remedies work just as well. 

1- you can touch the remedy with your hands
2- you can put the remedy into their mouth with your fingers
3- your dog can eat before or after taking the remedy (it is best if you can wait 5-10 minutes, though not essential )
3- you can repeat the remedies as suggested every few hours with my methodology
4- you can make liquid remedies to administer in water if you prefer or find it easier

With my method of prescribing, you do not need to worry about how often to repeat, the repetition is set, avoiding any guesswork and making it ideal for a beginner or in situations where asking your patients is not possible!! 

These are some of the gentlest methods of prescribing in homeopathy.

So let's start with some of the most common acute problems and how to manage them with homeopathy!

If you would like to learn how to convert dry dosing to liquid doses if your dog prefers read the instructions here.
​

HOMEOPATHY FOR GASTRIC ISSUES SUCH AS VOMITING AND DIARRHEA IN DOGS

1- GASTROENTERITIS
One of the most common problems with dogs is acute gastroenteritis.

Dogs have a fairly strong digestive system but due to their scavenger nature, they can suffer frequently from inflammation or infection of their digestive tract.

One of the best remedies to soothe the stomach, if there is pain and acidity,
is:

• Arsenicum Album 3c used in liquid, one dose every 3 hours if very bad or twice a day as general support for a longer period.
• If the dog has a lot of flatulence, you can give Lycopodium 200 twice daily.
• For bouts of vomiting Nux vomica 30 if there is a lot of cramping and vomiting  
• Ipecac 30 if nausea is more persistent.

Use these remedies according to the severity of the vomiting, it can be used hourly or every 3 hours and then twice daily as the symptoms improve until gone.
​

2-DIARRHOEA
If your dog has eaten some spoiled food or has a gastric bug and is suffering from diarrhoea

• Arsenicum Album 30c every 3 hours can help to form the stool, clear diarrhoea and the infection or inflammation of the bowels.

If the diarrhoea comes with mucus and undigested food

• Ipecac30+ Mercurius Sol 6c every 3 hours can be more helpful.

​

​There is also a fantastic Narayani combination that you can use if any of the remedies above fail or simply, you just want to start with it. It is called

•   Narayani Gastro Mix 80

and it is really helpful for any acute inflammation of the gastric tract regarding the symptoms.

​You should dose every 15 minutes if very severe or every 3 hours if less severe. As a general tonic when the intensity has gone down, use twice daily.
​

​HOMEOPATHY FOR A DOG'S ANXIETY

No matter how calm and easy-going your dog is, at some point, he is going to encounter some kind of stress along his life.

​Anxiety can have a big impact on a dog's health and sometimes, this needs to be treated first or alongside any physical symptoms.

1- GRIEF AND LOW MOOD
This is a very common emotion that your dog will experience at some point and there are several triggers for this

• you have gone on holiday without him
• another pet in the house has died
• one of the owners is severally ill, has left or passed away
• you have introduced another pet or a newborn child into the household
• if he is often left alone for long periods

These are all situations that can produce sadness in your dog and the best homeopathic remedy to meet that is 

• Ignatia 200 twice daily until better. 

​
If the low mood is caused after having a litter and the mum feels overwhelmed and distant from the puppies,

• Sepia 200 twice daily for a couple of weeks will be helpful to bring back some balance to her hormones and improve her mood.

Separation anxiety or sadness when bringing a new puppy home tends to respond well to Pulsatilla. 

• Pulsatilla 200c twice weekly for a couple of months or 30c 3 times per day for a week to settle the puppy.

2- FEAR
This emotion can stem from situations such as 

• fireworks
• a fight with another dog
• a visit to the vet or groomer
• a stressful event
• an unfamiliar sound​
• overwhelming of the senses in a new environment

If your dog has been in one of these situations and has become quite fearful in the next few days, you can give him: 

• Aconite 200c or 1M depending on what you have available.

You can dose the remedy 3-4 times a day and twice daily if you are using the 1M. Use for 2-3 days only and assess. Repeat if needed.

If your dog is expecting an anxious event, like a visit to the vets, for instance entering the shop and realising what is going to happen

• Argentum Nitriticum 200c twice per day can be helpful.

You can dose on the day morning and 1/2 hour before the appointment.

If your dog has been in a fight and after using Aconite still feeling anxious and displays fear aggression

• Strammonium 200 twice daily for a couple of weeks should help to reduce the intensity while you work with retraining with this issue.

For another alternative, or if you are unsure which remedy to choose, you can use this Narayani Combination

• Shock Mix 26 3 times per day and then once daily when improvement sets in until not needed.

This remedy for any condition resulting from fear or shock. It has all of the remedies frequently indicated in this situation and they work beautifully in harmony.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES AFTER SURGERY FOR DOGS

​​In the unfortunate event that your dog needs surgery, homeopathic remedies can be of great help to aid recovery. Not only this but they can help with pain and discomfort and can be used along with any other conventional medications.

1-PAIN REMEDIES

• Hypericum 200c this is one of the most important remedies for nerve injury and most likely needed with incisive wounds that reach nerves. An important remedy to consider in limb amputations as well and in spinal operations. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PAIN REMEDY AFTER SURGERY.

• Magnesium Phosphoricum 200c the great antispasmodic remedy, for neuralgic pains and colic, therefore, a good remedy after abdominal surgery.

• Colocynthis 200c+ Nux vomica 30:  is very helpful for any abdominal pain after an operation on the digestive system and colicky in nature. Colocynthis follows Staphysagria very nicely in abdominal operations.

• ​Staphysagria 200c: specially indicated in abdominal operations. This remedy given twice daily for a week or two helps with the pain of the incision and helps to avoid adhesions.

•  Bellis Perennis 200  acts within deeper tissue, better than Arnica after major abdominal surgical work, and can be helpful if Arnica has not been very effective or if there is still a lump in the area of the incision.

• ​Ruta 200c is very helpful for any operation involving cartilage or periosteum and this remedy is likely to be needed at some stage. This is a great remedy to consider for operations of the extremities and in any orthopaedic surgery or even tooth extractions.

• Symphytum 200c+Hypericum 200 twice daily is indicated for wounds penetrating the bone, so it is also a good pain remedy for any orthopedic surgery.

​​​

2-HEALING REMEDIES
​
For inflammation, use

• Belladonna 30c use every 2-3 hours until much better and decrease the frequency as it improves. 

if the wound is red and angry, it will help with swelling and inflammation.

For discomfort after the anaesthesia, especially with nausea or if your dog refuses to eat, two remedies are important to keep in mind: 

• Phosphorus 30 and
• Nux vomica 30

try each remedy individually 3 times a day for 3 days.

Wound healing is greatly helped by this Banerji Protocol combination of 

• Arsenicum200+Hypericum200 that target pain and avoid infection.

I prescribe it every 3 hours until the wound is dry, then reduce to twice daily until completely healed.

Useful Narayani Combinations for Surgery:

Narayani Combination for pain: Injury mix 20. For helping muscles, nerves, ligaments, cartilage and wounds after surgery or injury. Use acutely every 3 hours or for more chronic cases twice per day.

Narayani Combination for infection: War Mix 35. This is a fantastic combination for infection and inflammation anywhere in the body. Use 3 times per day for active infection and decrease gradually as improvement sets in.

HOMEOPATHY FOR DOG EAR INFECTIONS

​External ear infections are one of the most common problems in dogs and are of the most common visits to the vet. You can help your dog with these homeopathic remedies and most probably avoid antibiotics.

Trying to find a homeopathic remedy individually that suits your dog for pain can be difficult for obvious reasons.

But there is no reason why you cannot use this combination that covers pain and inflammation from all angles, 

•  Aconite200+Belladona200+Chamomilla200.

Use every hour for intense pain and discomfort for the first 3 doses and then decrease frequency to every 3 hours and continue until not needed.
This combination is especially good for the first stages of inflammation.

If you feel that the problem is more in the inner ear, I suggest to also use

• Hepar Sulph 200 in alternation with Belladonna 30  every 3 hours.

This is a Banerji Protocol that is most helpful to combat inflammation, pain and infection.​
​

​If your dog is fighting an infection with ear discharge, I would advise adding the following combination mix and once the pain is gone, discontinue the first combination and continue with Hepar Sulph 200 and Bell30

Alternatively or if the previous combination is not working well use

• Narayani Combination for infection: War Mix 35.

This is a fantastic combination for infection and inflammation anywhere in the body. Use 3 times per day for active infection and decrease gradually as improvement sets in.

AURAL HEMATOMA
Sometimes, your dog will scratch so hard that it can create an Aural haematoma. If this is the case, use

• Hamamelis200+ Arnica 3c twice daily until gone.

​​

​HOMEOPATHY FOR A DOG'S ITCHY SKIN 

​Allergies are the most common reason of itchy skin in dogs. However, there can be hundreds of other reasons why your dog has itchy skin.

Homeopathy can be very helpful for dogs allergies.
​
For any form of atopic dermatitis, these two remedies can be very helpful to clear the problem.

• Hepar Sulph 200 every other day and Arsenicum album 6c twice daily am/pm.

Assess for 2 months and continue if the condition has improved.

This is another option if the first one fails.

• Antimonium crudum 6c twice daily for two months

This is especially helpful if there is discharge but it can be helpful even when there is no discharge.
This remedy is also very helpful for allergic itching.
​

For insect bites such as bee stings that are swollen, itchy and painful:

• Apis 200 one dose every 15 minutes for an hour and then when required can work wonders.

You can watch the swelling decrease and your dog will seem more comfortable.

Ringworm tends to respond well to these Banerji Protocol remedies:

• Graphities 200 one dose every 3rd day and Kali Sulph 6x twice daily for a couple of months or longer. 

​ANAL GLAND ISSUES

For some reason, it seems that anal glands are becoming more of a problem with our dogs. I suspect the type of food that we give them has a direct impact on their digestive tract and in terms of the consistency of the stool they produce.

If your dog has developed anal gland inflammation,

• Hepar 6c and Belladona 30c in alternation every 2-3 hours can be one of the best first remedies to consider.

If the gland has burst and is suppurating, you will need to add

• Hypericum 200+ Arsenicum 200 for pain and infection 3 times per day.

These remedies are most useful to dry the infection and subside the inflammation and pain.

Alternatively, you could also use:

Narayani Combination for infection:

• War Mix 35.

This is a fantastic combination for infection and inflammation anywhere in the body. Use 3 times per day for active infection and decrease gradually as improvement sets in.

I hope that this gives you a taste into what you can do by having a bit of knowledge about homeopathic remedies and having the confidence to use different methodologies in homeopathy.

 If you are looking to treat your dog naturally, try these remedies and combinations to help your dog and improve his health naturally. You will not look back!