Herbs for dogs - catnip not just for cats

[JES72]

I've jus spent an hour having coffee with a dog trainer who is going to help me with Homer. We are going to have some sessions but thats another story.

He sent me this out of interest.

Catnip: not just for cats! This has relaxation properties and stimulates playfulness in dogs

Chamomile: dogs suffering from anxiety or skin/stomach upsets will be attracted to this plant’s scent

Clary sage: good for highly strung animals and those with hormonal imbalance

Hops: a calming plant often selected by hyperactive and stressed dogs

Lavender: helps to reduce anxiety and other nervous conditions

Marigolds: dogs experiencing grief or emotional distress will often sniff out this plant

Marshmallow: known to help animals with delicate stomachs

Meadowsweet: often selected by dogs with digestive problems, arthritis and rheumatic conditions

Mimulus: used as a remedy for animals that are nervous, timid and shy

Mint: good for cooling properties and will often be selected by dogs who suffer from skin irritations

Plantain: helps gastric irritation and inflammation

Thyme: chosen by animals with bacterial infections, skin irritations and diarrhoea

Valerian: often selected by anxious dogs for its calming effect

Vervain: valuable for treating and nourishing nervous system disorders such as depression

Violets: Nervous dogs or those who have recently changed home may enjoy sniffing this plant

Yarrow: offered to animals with inflammation, urinary problems and internal and external wounds.

 

[Charlie]

How interesting, sounds like an open minded trainer. Are you going to try any on Homer? Please tell us about the training you are going to do, I would love to hear about it x

 

[JES72]

He is very open minded and very honest about trying out different ideas to see what works. Definitely not a one size fits all kind of guy. He's setting up his own centre and intends to plant these herbs around the field when the weather is more suitable for gardening.

My cousin gave Homer a bottle of calming lavender dog shampoo which I used once on Homer - (because we don't bath him often unless its really stinky fox poo) but instead of our usual fun and games chasing each other around with the hose he was really calm and rather quite placid.

 

[Selina27]

This sounds all very interesting, I'll look forward to hearing more. I'm a big believer in these things .

 

[Boogie]

Interesting indeed

 

[Shamas mom]

He is very open minded and very honest about trying out different ideas to see what works. Definitely not a one size fits all kind of guy. He's setting up his own centre and intends to plant these herbs around the field when the weather is more suitable for gardening.

My cousin gave Homer a bottle of calming lavender dog shampoo which I used once on Homer - (because we don't bath him often unless its really stinky fox poo) but instead of our usual fun and games chasing each other around with the hose he was really calm and rather quite placid.

Shamas has had anxiety and anxiety based aggression since we got him. For about a month and a half now we've been spritzing the bedroom with essential oil in water. Mild mixture.Under his bedding and around baseboards. And two weeks its been in the washing machine during the rinse cycle when I do bedding and towels. I don't know if its the lavender or not but he's been much more balanced recently

 

[Atemas]

This is so weird that this has come up today. My lovely step daughter is doing her PhD in neutraceuticals in animals. She is doing a study which my two are taking part. I don’t know the purpose (although I can guess). Anyway we have just started. Lasts 5 weeks. Each dog has a Pit Pat monitor. I had to take poo ? samples during the first (control) week and then poo ? samples in the 5th week. After this week for 4 weeks I add herbs to their food. Each day I have to synch the Pit Pats. I don’t know what’s in the herbs but I will find out at the end. Watch this space......

 

[Atemas]

Should add - the poo samples will be tested for - hormone levels present for comparison between using and not using the herbal supplement. I took the first samples today and they are stored in the freezer - this is essential so there is no hormonal degradation. DH was a bit shocked when I said we are storing dog poo ? in the freezer but I have put the sample pots in a lidded plastic box!! ?

 

[Jacqui-S]

DH was a bit shocked when I said we are storing dog poo ? in the freezer

I can imagine!

I used loads of lavender oil when I was pregnant. Along with raspberry leaf tea. Your girls get why I hope without further explanation.
Can't stand the smell of lavender now.

An interesting study Alison.....does your daughter have other recruits who are doing poop freezing?

 

[Atemas]

does your daughter have other recruits who are doing poop freezing?

Oh yes. There are many dogs taking part in this study. Some have already finished it. She had to go on a trip around the country collecting the frozen samples ?. I suspect we will have to make the trip to Yorkshire where she lives to take ours at the end of the trial.

 

[JES72]

That will be very interesting.
I've put a few drops of lavender and camomile essential oil on a piece of vet bed. Homer chooses to lie on the vet bed sometimes, not always but more often than before. I'm not sure yet if its having an effect on him being any calmer.

 

[Selina27]

Very interesting --- @Atemas what marvelous work you are doing in the name of research!

I used to put Lavender oil in the bath for my son when he was about 8 or 9 , he sometimes had trouble going to sleep, he seemed to be born with the inbuilt belief that he is responsible for everyone and would be worrying. We were only talking about it recently as something is bugging him now. He finds it helpful.
I intended to give Raspberry Leaf to Cassie to hopefully avoid another phantom pregnancy but I left it too late as you are supposed to start at the beginning of their season, so she had Evening Primrose instead. She didn't have another one, thank goodness, but to what that was attribrutal to of course I'll never know.

 

[Xena Dog Princess]

Oh that's a very interesting study @Atemas I can't wait to hear the results!