Pets
Share Our Emotions
Animals
are sensitive creatures and often pick up on the 'vibes' around them. They
absorb our negative emotions and may manifest disease as a result. Just
as children will display behavioural difficulties when they are experiencing
problems at home or at school, animals can 
be
affected in the same way and this can lead to behavioural problems or physical
disease. Sometimes pets sense that they can diffuse a difficult situation
and become the focus of attention themselves, as if trying to heal the
rift between their human companions. The human-animal bond is a close one,
and pets are particularly vulnerable to absorbing their owners' moods and
emotions, for example, we often stroke a dog or a cat when we are stressed
or upset. Dogs and cats can experience fear, despondency, loneliness and
depression just as we do as well as picking up on our fears and frustrations.
In this case they can benefit greatly from the flower essences which help
to clear negative emotions and absorbed energies.
Depression
and Grieving in Pets may take many different forms - from
the obviously sad and lethargic animal to the pet who manifests illness
and behavioral problems associated with depression. Animals form very deep
attachments to their owners and to each other. It is therefore not surprising
when they show signs of grief and depression if their owner or a companion
pet die. Some animals experience separation anxiety when their owners go
away for a vacation, or sometimes even when they leave them for a short
time. Separation anxiety, can result in depression or, more commonly (especially
in dogs), in destructive behavior such as digging, chewing or scratching.
Pets are also very attuned to their owner’s emotional state. If you are
feeling depressed or grief-stricken, this may, in turn, impact your pet.
Certain breeds of pets also tend to worry and fret more than others. They
may be at particular risk of developing chronic depression. Symptoms of
grief and depression can include:
* Excessive barking
* Lethargy
* Anxiety/nervousness
* Excessive grooming (particularly in cats)
* Self mutilation or destructive behavior
* Weight loss/gain
* Sulking or even aggression
* Change in personality
* Increased clinginess and attachment
* Loss of appetite
Related Products:
PetCalm
Pet anxiety and excitability - supports nervous system health and soothes
common nerves in pets
Grief
and Pining Formula Supports balanced mood and well-being
Aggression
Formula Highly strung and stressed pets. Discourage routine restlessness
and promote soothed behavior
EaseSure
Support animal brain function and routine nervous system health
Energy
Tonic Support healthy energy levels in dogs and cats
Problem
Pet Solution Support good behavior and maximize training efforts
EQuine
Colic Calm
EQuine
Horse Calm
EQuine
Respiratory Relief
EQuine
Joint Relief
Do
you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance?
or use this contact
form or call 206-984-3009 or 323-389-0560
Dr. Pat Bradley, DVM,
Conway, USA - "The most common problems I see that are directly related
to vaccines on a day to day basis are ear
or skin conditions, such as chronic discharges
and
itching. I also see behaviour problems
such as fearfulness or aggression.
Often guardians will report that these begin shortly after vaccination,
and are exacerbated with every vaccine. In a more general and frightening
context, I see the overall health and longevity of animals deteriorating.
The bodies of most animals have a tremendous capacity to detoxify poisons,
but they do have a limit. I think we often exceed that limit and over-whelm
the body's immune system function with toxins from vaccines, poor
quality foods,
insecticides, environmental toxins,
etc. This is why we've seen such a dramatic increase in allergies,
organ failures, and behaviour problems." Prevaccination
Protection Dr. Falconer D.V.M. explains how to protect your animal
from vaccines damage
How
Your Absence Affects Your Pet
Settling separation anxiety and related behaviors
While many pet owners try to include their pets in all activities and
travels, there will usually come a time when they must be left in the care
of others. Whether this means putting the dog or cat in a boarding kennel
or staying with friends or family, being away from home and their familiar
surroundings can lead to anxiety, depression, and other behavioral issues
in pets.
Left
untreated or undiagnosed, these issues can develop into lasting ailments,
with cumulative negative health effects over time. While minor behavioral
changes may be noticed on a daily basis, extended summer travel can exacerbate
an already existing problem. Therefore, it is very important to recognize
the great physical and mental impact separation anxiety can have on dogs
and cats, and to take appropriate action when necessary to alleviate the
effects of the absence.
Separation
anxiety in cats and dogs can trigger behavioral problems such as sulking,
hiding, whining after the owner leaves, inappropriate urination or defecation,
chewing, scratching, vomiting, incessant following of the care taker, displaying
an overly enthusiastic greeting upon the owner’s arrival, inactivity or
hyperactivity, lethargy, changes in appetite, diarrhea, and excessive coat
licking.
These behaviors can manifest to other health problems such as dangerous
weight fluctuations, aggression, disobedience, depression, and other more
serious conditions. Identifying the origin of the anxiety is critical.
If underlying physical discomfort is suspected, consulting with a veterinarian
is a wise decision in order to rule out underlying diseases that may be
causing symptoms similar to those of separation anxiety.
Dealing with undesirable behaviors caused by separation anxiety requires
some planning guidance, beginning as soon a puppy or kitten is brought
into the home. To prevent separation anxiety, avoid situations that encourage
excessive attachment—making it easier for the pet to live independently.
This includes teaching a pet to feel comfortable alone early on, and introducing
solitary time via a crate or isolation room. If a pet feels that this time
is not punishment but rather normal behavior, it will become accepted.
If
an adult dog or cat is suffering from separation anxiety, methods to slowly
train tolerance of the absence will be necessary. A simple, effective technique
involves leaving the pet alone for a few minutes and then returning—following
by petting or rewarding positive behavior. Repeating this over time and
slowly increasing the length of time away should help to calm the anxiety
the pet was experiencing.
Most of the time, providing a ‘safety cue’ when the dog or cat is left
alone proves quite effective. A safety cue could be a specific toy to play
with, leaving the television or radio on, or repeating a phrase upon
departure. Adding elements that make a pet’s environment more stimulating
may help, as well. For instance, cats often enjoy climbing ledges, carpeted
towers, and perches. Both cats and dogs often like having access to a window
to peer out.
Sometimes, making behavioral modifications is just not quite enough
to solve emotional conflicts. While conventional medications rely upon
suppressing anxiety, they merely mask the symptoms leading to behavioral
problems, rather than addressing the animal’s health in a holistic way
to find the root of the problem. The side effects of these drugs are another
inhibiting factor, and often lead people to a search for alternate measures.
Coupled with behavior modification efforts, natural remedies can prove
to be very effective in solving separation anxiety-related problems, while
avoiding the side effects that accompany most drugs.
Related Products:
PetCalm
supports nervous system health and soothes common nerves in pets
Grief
and Pining Formula Supports balanced mood and well-being
Aggression
Formula Discourage routine restlessness and promote soothed behavior
EaseSure
Support animal brain function and routine nervous system health
Energy
Tonic Support healthy energy levels in dogs and cats
Problem
Pet Solution Support good behavior and maximize training efforts
Life
After Losing Your Pet
Tips to help with grieving
While society openly recognizes the hardships surrounding the death
of a human family member, rarely does the loss of a pet receive the same
consideration. However, for most pet owners, their furry friends are a
very important part of the family! When losing a pet, the daily routine
is often severely disrupted for the family they left behind-- in addition
to the missing joy, affection, and companionship that pet brought. Sometimes
pet owners must even be the initiator of this stressful event, in the case
of euthanasia following a period of prolonged suffering from a severe illness
or injury after an accident. While it may be the only humane solution for
a pet’s suffering, that notion alone often cannot provide enough solace
to alleviate the difficulty of the decision.
To properly accept and move on from this great loss, it is important
that owners acknowledge the intense emotions that they are likely to experience
either immediately or shortly after the death. Many organizations like
the ASPCA provide support programs or hotlines which can help address the
confused, frightened, angry, guilty, and/or sad emotions they may be contending
with.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to close friends and family members for
support, too. While they may not be able to empathize on the same level,
they can often guide owners through the hardest times and past the initial
intense emotional period. As with any loss, healing is a personal issue.
While it should not be trivialized, it is also important to keep emotions
as balanced as possible to avoid falling into a deep depression.
In addition, it is important to keep a watchful eye of others influenced
by the pet’s loss. Other animals in the household can be especially affected,
as they do not understand what happened to their playmate. Whereas a child
may be able to vocalize their emotion and comprehend the situation, an
animal does not have the same capability to express emotions (and has no
idea where the other pet has gone).
Depression and grieving in pets may take many different forms - from
the obviously sad and lethargic animal to the pet that manifests illness
and behavioral problems associated with depression. Remember that pets
are also much attuned to their owner's emotional state. Any feelings of
depression or grief may consequently impact pets remaining in the home.
Talk with children about the emotions they are experiencing, and allow
them to properly grieve. Without this period of natural healing, unresolved
feelings can bottle up and develop into more serious emotional problems
that can endure for years. Sometimes creating a memorial of sorts—whether
holding a private burial ceremony or establishing a place in the home or
yard to display an urn or other offering of remembrance-- can provide a
comforting reminder of your pet as well as bring closure. Also, strongly
evaluate the thought to “fill the emptiness” too soon by bringing another
pet into the home. Waiting at least a month is usually recommended before
making another long-term commitment to a pet. When fully ready, consider
adopting a needy pet from a shelter or rescue center.
However, there are many natural remedies that can provide some relief
from the roller coaster of emotions the entire family may be experiencing.
Did you know that St. John's Wort --found in Native Remedies’ MindSoothe
& MindSoothe Jr.-- is used in mood elevating remedies for both humans
and pets? Ignatia --found in Grief & Pining Formula-- is another herb
that can provide effective relief for melancholic and emotionally fragile
pets who are depressed or pining after separation or loss. While there
is no cure-all to speed up the grieving process, just remember to allow
yourself time.
Related Products:
PetCalm
Pet anxiety and excitability - supports nervous system health and soothes
common nerves in pets
Grief
and Pining Formula Supports balanced mood and well-being
The
Pet Loss Grief Support Website
Ten
Tips on Coping with Pet Loss
Welcome
to Rainbows Bridge The Rainbows Bridge is a virtual memorial
home for your departed baby. Whether furry, feathered or scaled, all are
welcome.
FLOWER ESSENCE - Bach Flower
Remedies
"Flower essences are dilute extracts of various types of flowers and
plants that are used to treat animals and people. They are similar to homeopathic
remedies in that they are diluted and potentized to make them more effective
than just using the original flower as a herbal extract. The person who
first developed the original flower remedies was Dr. Edward Bach, a famous
English physician. He developed the Bach Flower Remedies when he was working
as a homeopathic practitioner and devoted the last years of his life to
researching and developing his remedies, from 1930 onwards. He wanted to
find a simpler form of treatment that would not require anything to be
destroyed or altered.
Dr. Bach believed that diseases of the body come about as a result of
imbalances or negativity at the level of the soul, and by correcting the
problem here healing would result and the body would heal on all levels.
The flower remedies act to balance inharmonies in the emotional and spiritual
body, and bring about a gentle healing by bringing the body back in balance
with itself. They act almost a catalysts to cause healing. There were originally
thirty eight Bach Flower Remedies that at that time Dr. Bach felt would
correct all imbalances that were possible. There are remedies such as Holly
which he found would heal the state of anger, and open the heart, and remedies
that deal with a variety of other emotions from lack of confidence to over
enthusiasm and impatience.
Animals respond just as well to Bach Flower remedies as people, and
seem to have similar emotional imbalances that can be corrected with the
appropriate remedy. The flowers are gathered from nature when they are
just at the point of perfection and it is important that the flowers are
free from any toxins and preservatives. The remedies are made by leaving
the flower out in the sun and the extracted essence is then diluted in
water and preserved with alcohol to make a mother tincture. The resulting
remedy is then diluted in spring water to make a solution that can be taken
by an animal or a person. " Anna Maria
Scholey
Flower Essence
by Christina Chambreau, D.V.M.
Flower essences are a good first choice for you to try with your animals,
especially when you think there may be an emotional part to the illness.
Flower essences are a safe, effective and natural way to help your animal
companion lead a healthier and happier life. Dr. Edward Bach, an English
physician, developed the philosophy behind Flower Essences. He gave up
his busy practice to study and prepare the 38 Flower Essences now known
as the Bach Flowers or English Flower Essences. They are specially prepared
extracts of the flowering parts of certain plants.
Pets:
Emotional Stability
In our animal companions, Flower Essences have their greatest benefit
in the treatment of emotional or behavioral problems, such as:
- Fearfulness
- Excessive vocalization
- Separation anxiety
- Hyperactivity
- Elimination problems
- Recovery from injury, or surgery
- Excessive grooming, licking, chewing, or feather-picking
- Failure to adjust to environmental changes
- Jealousy and aggression
- Stress from boarding or confinement
- Grief from loss of human or animal companion
- Travel anxiety
- Training difficulties
- Dealing with chronic illness
- Performance (in show, working or racing animals)...and many others!
Bach
Flower Remedies for Pets: Emotional Stability
They can also help with some physical issues such as skin problems.
Dr. Bach was a deeply religious man whose spirituality was reflected
in his work. He believed that each of us has a divine mission on earth
that can be discerned through listening to our own instincts, wishes, thoughts,
and desires. He also believed that all disease is the result of disharmony
between the soul and the mind. This occurs through allowing other people
to interfere with the true course of our lives. It is not that such interferences
are in themselves evil or bad, but it is our response to them, the "permission"
we give them to disturb us that causes the problem.
In terms of Dr. Bach's philosophy, it is easy to see how animals are
similarly diverted from their "true course." Animals are forcibly weaned,
taken from their families, and trained to exist with their human companions
by altering or suppressing natural behaviors. Certainly, though, we are
not being mean or arbitrary when we insist that our animal companion use
the litter box or refrain from biting, scratching, bucking, or flying out
the window. However, we often vaccinate them or feed food that is far from
their natural diet. These are necessary accommodations that our animal
companions must make in order to share our lives.
We know that mental and emotional upsets in humans can have deep and
lasting physical effects, far beyond what used to be referred to as "psychosomatic
illness." Animals too, have an active mental and emotional life. and can
manifest behavioral and physical problems that have their roots in emotional
trauma. The Flower Essences basically correct underlying negative emotional
states by "flooding" the patient with the opposite, positive quality that
is the essence of that flower. For example, the essence of Holly is love.
You could use Holly in any situation where there is a lack of love, such
as anger, jealousy or rage. Similarly, the essence of Rock Rose is courage:
it is used in cases of deep fears, panic, and terror.
The
flower essences are safe and compatible with any other treatment. They
cannot be overused or misused; and you can give more than one at a time.
Even if you give the wrong remedy, it will not have any negative effects,
but simply no effect. This allows us to use Flower Essences in food and
water bowls, even when several animals share them. Flower Essences are
very easy to use! They can be given by mouth, added to food or water, applied
topically, or used in a spray bottle to infuse a problem area (carrier,
car, room, cage, trailer or stall).
In most cases, one course of treatment of up to 6 weeks (rarely for
life) will be needed. The more frequently you give the essences in a day,
the better the action. Usually improvement is seen within the first two
weeks of treatment.
The flower essences are not treating a specific behavior, but rather
addressing the underlying emotional imbalance. Flower Essences are not
drugs. They do not have a physical effect on the body, nor will they directly
alter or eliminate a particular behavior. What they will do is gently change
the animal by encouraging positive emotions and responses, which in turn
results in beneficial effects on behavior.
Flower
essences are readily available from health food stores, and with a
little study from one of the many excellent books on the subject, it is
a fairly simple matter to create your own formulas. Many people have followed
Dr. Bach’s lead and made flower essences from different sources. Try one
that intuitively suits your animals. Often you need to be taking the same
essences as your animals.
The Bach Flower Remedies, Step by Step book is very good and you can
easily use it to choose the first 2-3 essences to try. The following are
a few animal problems and the Bach remedies to try. "The Rescue Remedy
is administered just after a shock or fright and takes effect very quickly.
Where I used to have a shivering dog hiding under my bed, I now have a
dog that lies quietly listening to the thunder, gunshots, fireworks or
whatever. She still isn't completely indifferent like the rest of my gang
who just lie on their backs on my sofa and couldn't care less. But it is
a vast improvement. She no longer goes to pieces, and this is achieved
without filling her body up with drugs." Nanna
Holt Kjær
Bach
Flower Remedies for Pets: Emotional Stability
Dr. Hawks uses flower
remedies in her practice: In her practice Dr.
Hawks has good results with Flower Essences.
She uses the Bach
Flowers and California Essences.
Rescue Remedy:
Remedy is good for many fearful, traumatized, anxious or ill animals. She
often adds the Rescue Remedy to other Bach Flower mixtures. Fear and panic
caused by travel, noises, new home, new people, trip to veterinarian, storms,
epilepsy, injury and for any reason.
She will use both Aspen
and Mimulus for fear. Aspen is for fear when you do not know what
you are afraid of and Mimulus is for when you know what scares you. Since
we cannot always make this distinction with animals, she uses both. She
does use Mimulus when she can tell what the animal is skittish about. Since
from the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view kidney problems
are related to the emotion of fear, she often uses Mimulus in those cats
with early kidney disease (drinking more, even when not eating dry food),
as well as more advanced kidney disease where she is also using other modalities.
For animals that are very fearful, for no apparent reason, and are very
sensitive to anxiety and apprehension. Aspen: Fear of riding in
the car. They may even tremble. Often it is hard to tell if the reason
for fear in known or not, so Aspen is often combined with Mimulus.
Mimulus: Fear of known
things, such as thunderstorms, other animals or people. For example trembling
every time the gas stove is turned on or the fire started. Again it is
often combined with Aspen.
Crab Apple: Skin problems
can sometimes be helped due to the cleansing of the body and getting rid
of toxins done by this remedy. It acts more on the physical body than any
of the other Bach essences. Fussy animals often need it. It can be diluted
and applied to the skin as well as given internally.
Chestnut Bud: Dr. Hawks
uses ChestnutBud when she is ready to instill a new behavior pattern in
an animal, or for beginning training. It can also help break an old habit.
It has been used in cats that are not using their litter boxes. Failure
to learn from past mistakes is the key to this remedy. Dogs who can’t seem
to be house trained, cats who often go outside their box, apparent stubbornness
in repeating “bad” actions. Animals that keep up a bad behavior – licking
the owner, licking the floors, eating stool, eating paper or plastic, even
chewing or itching on the skin.
Chicory: is good for
jealous or needy animals. She uses it in dogs that are clingy, but for
clingy cats she is more likely to use Water Violet, and clingy kitten and
puppies are started on Chicory. Possessive and selfish are keywords here.
Animals who guard their food bowl or toys and are over possessive. Sometimes
it can help those animals who will not stop licking their owners or using
the wrong scratching post (similar to Chestnut Bud). Separation anxiety,
talkative, jealous, needy are all traits of Chicory.
Holly: is good in her
experience for animals that are acting angry out of feeling a lack of love.
It sometimes helps jealous animals. When an animal with liver problems
is being treated and she or the guardian think anger could be a part of
the problem or started the problem, she would consider Holly, even in a
very nice, sweet animal. When cats urinate in front of you, she checks
for a bladder infection, but sometimes it is anger at the guardian for
working too hard and Holly could be useful. Anger, jealousy, suspicion,
crabbiness, irritability and even viciousness without a need for attention
is a match for Holly, even if it only shows up some of the time or in certain
places (at the groomers?).
Honeysuckle: is good
for wanting things the way they used to be. This could be a cat that can
no longer go outdoors, or vice versa; when a family or couple splits up;
when a child goes to college; when puppies leave their mom. Animals who
are sad after a change in their life – weaning, going to a new home or
handler, owner going back to work, being kenneled or taken to a different
house for a while may need Honeysuckle. The Key is “lives in the past”.
Vervain: Those super
enthusiastic animals that are over-bearing and “wired” may benefit from
Vervain. Tenseness and hyperanxiety are the keys here. They “run a thing
to death”. Often needed when the people are worn out by the hyperactivity
and excess energy of their animals.
Vine: is good for cats
that rule the household, causing problems for themselves (stress), and
others in the household. Domineering and inflexibility are the keys to
Vine. These dominant animals want to be the boss of animals and the people
in their life. They can even be bullies to smaller animals and use their
power to resist discipline. They can be cruel.
Walnut: Dr. Hawks says
that Walnut is so much deeper than how it is often used. Walnut implies
an element of staying with your own beliefs during times of radical transition
and remaining strong and clear in your convictions and path rather than
giving in to outside influences. So it is probably not the first choice
for puppies leaving their mom and going to a new home. Rescue Remedy would
probably be her first choice for the stress, trauma and anxiety associated
with weaning. Walnut is frequently used for other transition times such
as impending death. It is good when the animal’s housing is moved or the
animal is introduced into a new circumstance. Wonderful to use before there
are changes such as teething, breeding, weaning, moving, adjusting to new
animals or people, or dying. Walnut helps the animal decide to actually
make the changes or to be at peace with changes decided upon by you, the
guardian.
Bach
Flower Remedies for Pets: Emotional Stability
Pooping all over the house
"We've had terrible problems with all our animals (three cats and a
dog) peeing and pooping where they aren't supposed to, on our hardwood
floors under the table, on chair legs, on beds and in closets, etc. I started
giving all four of them the AFA products, especially
supplementing with enzymes,
probiotics, Super Sprout & Algae and CoQ10, based on what I had
read and heard from our great holistic vets and on the chat list. It has
helped tremendously. I started all this AFTER we took them to the vet and
they couldn't find anything wrong with them, and couldn't even suggest
anything to try! According to the vet, our 10-year-old schnauzer, Walter,
was simply experiencing "doggy Alzheimer's" for instance, and had "forgotten"
that he was housebroken! The CoQ10 seems to have helped him the most, so
maybe he was right. Anyway, it's such a relief and so fantastic to have
something that works!." Sharon
Wenger Los Angeles, CA
Witness
to the dangers of pharmaceutical treatment
To illustrate the potential danger of prescribing pharmaceuticals to
animals, Kathy cites, “A client of mine recently attended an agility trial
with her Australian shepherd, where she overheard a person telling another
to put her dog on Ace Promazine to calm the dog down. My client went on
to tell me how she was appalled that trainers are recommending using a
sedative on dogs that are high energy in agility. This is one sport that
you absolutely don’t want to sedate an animal. It can be downright dangerous!
There are several pieces of equipment where the dogs could get severely
injured if in a sedated state and attempted to do those particular agility
obstacles.
“I have personally witnessed the bad side effects a Black Labrador experienced
while receiving Ace Promazine; his condition worsened. The dog became unaware
of his surroundings, still acted out in fear during storms and walked around
like he was drunk. This is a very common effect.”
Freedom from pharmaceuticals – flower essence therapy
as a solution
Animal
practitioners have found flower essence therapy to be effective for a wide
variety of behavioral difficulties. By addressing the internal emotional
condition of the animal, outward behavior can be restored to a state of
balance and appropriateness.
Richard Katz of the Flower Essence Society notes that “Flower essences
are a non-invasive, longer-lasting alternative to pharmaceutical drugs
as a support for behavior therapy in that they address underlying patterns
and are a catalyst for changing animal emotions (fear, anxiety, etc.) that
can lead to behavioral change. This is a further step from the drug/behavior
modification approach; flower essence therapy is natural and non-invasive
and is more than behavior modification in that it addresses underlying
emotional states.
“In other words, if a dog who is afraid of thunderstorms is treated
by behavior modification desensitizing techniques, the dog might be exposed
to tape recordings of thunder at ever increasing levels until it is habituated
to the sound. With the use of flower essences, the dog’s basic emotional
stance towards life is changed such that it is no longer prone to anxiety
attacks. The difference might be that a “desensitized” dog would then get
jumpy at the sound of firecrackers [or another similar loud noise] until
desensitized to that sound as well, whereas the dog treated with flower
essences would react less to all stimuli.” more
THE
BENEFITS OF USING FLOWER ESSENCES FOR YOUR DOG
Dogs learn from, and react to, the way people behave. I had a client
who was quite active with dog showing. She could not figure out why the
dog did so well in the agility ring, but would do poorly in the obedience
ring. I suggested on numerous occasions that she take flower essences right
along with her canine companion, but she refused. She kept telling me that
she didn't have a problem in the show ring. After several months, she contacted
me and 
requested
that I make a combination for her to take prior to going to dog shows.
My client took the flower essences as I recommended, and within six weeks,
she noticed a major change in her dog's behavior. She realized that she
was nervous going into the ring, because she anticipated that her dog was
going to fail. Her dog picked up on that emotion and in turn reacted anxiously
in the ring. He could sense her tenseness and that only exacerbated his
anxiety.
Once my client began taking the essences, she noticed how much calmer
she became and when she stepped into the show ring with her dog, he picked
up on that calmness and reacted in a calm and focused manner. She and her
dog received their American Kennel Club "Companion Dog Excellent" title,
and she was elated. She told me she hadn't realized that she was setting
her dog up to fail because of her negative thoughts. Many people don't
realize how intuitive animals are. This is why I often recommend that dog
owners take flower essences right along with their pet. If the person is
calmer, the dog usually calms down too. more
Flower
Essence Repertory The Repertory is actually three books in one:
1) a comprehensive overview of flower essence theory and practice; 2) a
listing of essences and their qualities arranged by a wide range of categories;
and 3) profiles of the 142 English and North American flower essences.
The Repertory has received praised from experienced practitioners as well
as beginning students of flower essence therapy, as the clearest, more
informative guide to flower essence selection and use.
Bach
Flower Remedies for Horses and Riders by Martin Scott, Gael Mariani
Foreword by Dr Trevor M Cook, Co-founder of the British Association
of Homoeopathic Veterinary Surgeons. In simplest terms, the Bach system
comprises thirty-eight different liquid remedies, devoted to healing problems
that stem from imbalances within the mind and emotions. Between them they
encompass the entire range of human and equine emotional experience, allowing
us to treat, for example, states of fear, doubt, worry, anger and gloom.
Simple to use and completely free of side-effects, the Bach flower remedies
can make a real difference. This book shows how.
Bach
Flower Remedies for Pets: Emotional Stability Animals respond just
as well to Bach Flower remedies as people, and seem to have similar emotional
imbalances that can be corrected with the appropriate remedy. We know that
mental and emotional upsets in humans can have deep and lasting physical
effects, far beyond what used to be referred to as "psychosomatic illness."
Animals too, have an active mental and emotional life. and can manifest
behavioral and physical problems that have their roots in emotional trauma.
Flower Essence for Animals
(article)
Flower essences are a safe, effective and natural way to help your
animal companion lead a healthier and happier life.
Bach
Flower Remedies The Bach® Flower Remedies are 38 plant and
flower based remedies, each one specially devised to treat a different
feeling. They help you to manage the emotional demands of everyday life,
the kind of feelings that affect everyday life in the 90s. The Bach Flower
Remedies work by stimulating the body’s own capacity to heal itself, by
balancing negative feelings, helping you to take control, feel good about
yourself, and get more out of life.
Bach
Flower Remedies for Animals
Treating
Animal Illnesses and Emotional States with Flower Essense Remedies
Treating
Animals and People with Flower Essence Therapy and Homeopathy
Kim successfully utilizes both homeopathy
and flower essences (along with supplements and herbs) with her clients,
both animal and human. She takes each case into consideration before determining
whether she’ll prescribe homeopathics, flower essences, or a combination
of the two. Often her decision is based on the severity of the symptoms,
both physical and emotional, as well as whether she is able to ascertain
whether the health problems are manifesting as a result of underlying emotions.
At times she will start with a homeopathic remedy, evaluate the result,
and then incorporate flower essences into the therapy. Self-Heal essence
is one Kim uses often, almost as a foundational component of the therapy.
For instance, when treating animals for cancer, she will often have the
owner rub Self-Heal directly onto the cancerous area. more
Bach
Flower Remedies for Animals by Helen Graham
Millions of family pets as well as farm animals, often physically fit
and healthy, are destroyed, killed or put to death every year to give human
companions peace and rest from incontinence, unruliness, excessive noisiness,
aggression, possessiveness, destructiveness or other problems. A behavior
problem often becomes a 'terminal disease'. Indeed euthanasia for behavior
problems is the main cause of death in young animals, and many people regard
it as a treatment. The high cost of veterinary attention also means that
many animals are discarded or neglected by their owners. The price of animal
and human suffering and the cost of welfare services are incalculable.
They are also avoidable. Correcting the behavior problem often saves an
animal's life as effectively as surgery or other medical procedures, and
greatly reduces the suffering of all concerned. This does not require expensive
behavior therapy or extensive behavior modification on the part of the
owner. It can be brought about in many cases quite simply and inexpensively
through the use of flower essences. This books offers descriptions of each
of the 38 Bach Flower Remedies, with their application in the treatment
of a range of domestic animals, including horses. It also describes diagnostic
symptoms, animal by animal, together with appropriate treatment regimes,
illustrated with case material obtained from veterinarians animal behavior
specialist, psychologist and health practitioners. Other important and
helpful areas discussed are: • emotions in animals and their influence
on behavior • the emotional bond between animals and humans • the pros
and cons of considering animals in human terms • the principles of flower
remedies and their suitability for use in the treatment of animals. The
book also includes a list of systems of healing with flower essences other
than Bach Flower Remedies and a list of sources of flower remedies.
Learn
more about Bach Flower Therapy for Animals and Testimonials
SICK OF DRUGGING YOUR PET?
Dr Charles E Loops DVM - "After
10 years of traditional veterinary practice I became tired of having no
treatment for chronic disease, incurable conditions, and a plethora of
allergic maladies which seem to plague all veterinary practices. I was
frustrated with giving animals cortisone because
I had no other solutions, or using antibiotics
for infections which I knew were of viral origin. There is so much that
can be done for an animal, bird, or reptile that is ailing by utilizing
homeopathic medicine."
For years dog health supplies have included toxic
materials to artificially maintain dog health as a temporary measure.
The time has come to change to a more natural approach toward animal health.
Natural remedies have been shown to achieve more immediate, more complete
and longer lasting health, vitality, quality and longevity of animal lives.
Learn
about herbal remedies and other safe alternatives to drugs, chemo, radiation
and surgery
Michael Dym, VMD - "Over the past 40 years and 17 generations
of dogs and, cats we are seeing tremendous increases in chronic ill health
in our pets that was rare back in the early 1960's. Most of these illnesses
revolve around breakdown in our pets' immune systems, and include chronic
skin/ear allergies, digestive upset, thyroid/adrenal/pancreatic disorders,
seizures, gum/ teeth problems, degenerative arthritis, kidney/liver failure,
and cancer across all ages and breeds. We are also seeing a record number
of behavioral and emotional disorders including alarming and unexplained
fears/aggression., as well as difficulty focusing/training and paying attention.
The analogy of these compared with escalating immune/behavioral diseases
in children is quite disturbing. The two biggest factors in our pets' population
health decline over these generations has been the severe overuse
of multiple vaccines and nutrient poor and toxin
filled commercial pet foods. We have also failed to address the underlying
cause of disease by only sup pressing symptoms with antibiotics,
cortisone
and related drugs, so the disease progresses and goes deeper. Homeopathy
offers a viable alternative in truly curing pets and making their bodies
healthier."
Dr. Pat Bradley, DVM, Conway, USA - "The most common problems
I see that are directly related to vaccines
on a day to day basis are ear or skin
conditions, such as chronic discharges and
itching.
I also see behaviour problems such as fearfulness
or aggression. Often guardians will report
that these begin shortly after vaccination, and are exacerbated with every
vaccine. In a more general and frightening context, I see the overall health
and longevity of animals deteriorating. The bodies of most animals have
a tremendous capacity to detoxify poisons, but they do have a limit. I
think we often exceed that limit and over-whelm the body's immune system
function with toxins from vaccines, poor quality foods,
insecticides,
environmental toxins, etc. This is why we've seen such a dramatic increase
in allergies,
organ failures, and behaviour problems." (NOTE:
a growing number of holistic veterinarians use
Transfer Factor before and after vaccination to minimize the side effects
and help the animal recover)
Dr. Blanco, D.V.M - "You take healthy animals
and often very quickly after you vaccinate, you
can see simple things like itching of the
skin or
excessive
licking of the paws, sometimes even with no
eruptions. We see a lot of epilepsy,
often after a rabies vaccination. Or dogs or cats can become aggressive
for several days. Frequently, you'll see urinary
tract infections in cats, often within three months after their
[annual] vaccination. If you step back, open your mind and heart, you'll
start to see patterns of illness post-vaccination." more
about vaccinosis
Will Falconer, DVM - "Most of the chronic diseases we commonly
see in animals (and humans) have an immune basis, e.g. diabetes, allergies,
asthma, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, repeated ear infections,
cancer, etc. While they can be cured through the careful use of homeopathy,
the road to cure can be a long one -- often years if the animal has had
years of disease. Transfer factors can significantly shorten the course,
by giving a much needed balancing effect to the immune system. If the immune
system is overactive as in allergies, ear infections, asthma, diabetes,
or hypothyroidism, Transfer Factor can balance this overactivity so the
system is not attacking its own organs, overreacting to things that shouldn’t
be perceived as a threat. If, conversely, the immune system is under-active
as in mange, parasites, viral infections, or cancer, Transfer
Factor Plus can clearly stimulate it to better meet the challenges
it needs to be alert to." Prevaccination
Protection Dr. Falconer D.V.M. explains how to protect your animal
from vaccines damage
Sam Jones, DVM - "Two cats, both about 8 years old, had severe
diabetes. It was impossible to get the insulin requirements adjusted. They
had lost weight to a point that they were skin and bones. Both cats had
no quality of life left. The cats were given Transfer
Factor along with a healthy diet to help support their immune system.
A week later, we were able to get their insulin requirements adjusted.
It is now 6 months and they have regained their weight and have a great
quality of life and health."
Our
pets are prone to suffer from minerals and trace mineral deficiency. For
optimum health, I supplement my animal's diet (and my diet too) with the
following: fulvic minerals , marine
phytoplankton (consist of an immense arsenal and array of naturally
occuring powerful phytochemicals, biochemicals, supercharged antioxidants,
free-radical scavengers, super oxide dismutases, nutrients, enzymes, hormones,
amino acids, antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals), bee
pollen (rich in naturally occuring vitamins),
kelp(marine
plants),
the right kind of salt
(not
common table salt); magnesium
oil,(a miracle mineral in its healing effect on a wide range of diseases
as well as in its ability to rejuvenate the aging body). and therapeutic clay (to
promote healing and to detoxify) and with omega 3
oils. Shasta does not drink
tap water. I give her only
energized,
alkaline microwater which is free from toxic chlorine and fluoride.
I support my animals' immune system with Transfer Factor.
I never cook or warm up food in a microwave
oven. Please read about the Hidden Hazards of
Microwave Cooking. Shirley
Just like humans, domesticated animals like dogs and cats are affected
by the health hazards of modern living. Pollution, poor nutrition, stress
and unhealthy lifestyles can lead to a variety of illnesses and conditions
that are very similar to those experienced by humans. These days, emotional
and psychological problems like depression, anxiety, ADHD and behavioral
problems are just as prevalent in pets as they are in their owners. Similarly,
physical ailments such as diabetes,
arthritis, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, cystitis, kidney and liver
disease, skin disorders, obesity, thyroid dysfunction and other problems
are becoming more and more common in domesticated animals. Many, if not
most of these conditions can be prevented by helping your pets to live
a healthier lifestyle. For pets already suffering from existing conditions,
a combination of lifestyle changes and natural medicine can work wonders!
Dr. Jerry Tennant, M.D.
says that marine phytoplankton contains
almost everything one needs to sustain life and to restore health by providing
the raw materials to make new cells that function normally. Learn
how phytoplankton saved a dog's Life
CHLORINATED
and FLUORIDATED WATER.... A BIG NO-NO !!! There
is a perception among many people that bottled water is somehow more healthy
or pure than water from their tap. This is simply an illusion of marketing.
A four-year study by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), released
in 1999, found that one-fifth of the sampled bottled waters contained known
neurotoxins and carcinogens such as styrene, toluene and xylene. Another
NRDC study found that, out of 103 brands of bottled water, one-third contained
traces of arsenic and E. coli. This means that out of a sample of 1,000
bottles sold in the U.S., at least 300 would have some level of chemical
contamination. It is well known that the average city water today contains
over 500 chemicals that do not belong in it. Part of this is due to the
fact that most delivery systems in the U.S. include cement, asbestos pipes,
cast iron, PVC (porous to certain solvents, herbicides and pesticides)
and that lead, cadmium and other toxic metals leach out of valves and couplings
of pipes between a water treatment plant and a faucet in the home. Why
Purified and Distilled Bottled Water are Bad For You and Your Animals
Safe, toxin-free,
Ionized,
Energized, Drinking Water helps to naturally flush toxins and acidic
waste from the body and is a powerful antioxidant. Ionized Water makes
more oxygen available to our cells than distilled, reverse osmosis, filtered
only, bottled or tap water and is the best possible drinking water. "Disease
and early death is more likely to be seen with the long term drinking of
purified water. Avoid it except in special circumstances." Zoltan P.
Rona M.D
Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Veterinary
Medicine
Do
you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance?
or use this contact
form or call 206-984-3009 or 323-389-0560
Most Popular Natural Pet Products...
Bach
Flower Therapy for Animals
The Bach Flower Remedies are 38 plant and flower based remedies, each
one specially devised to treat a different feeling. They help you to manage
the emotional demands of everyday life, the kind of feelings that affect
everyday life in the 90s. They are the original flower remedies made according
to the exact homeopathic traditions of Dr. Edward Bach. The Bach Flower
Remedies work by stimulating the body’s own capacity to heal itself, by
balancing negative feelings, helping you to take control, feel good about
yourself, and get more out of life. The Bach Flower Remedies are unique,
simple to use, suitable for the entire family
Learn
more about Bach Flowers
Condition Usage Guide
How to Choose for Yourself
Examples of Use
Instructions for Taking
Questions and Answers
Available Bach Supplements
Bach
Flower Remedies for Pets
The
Bach Flower Remedies : Including Heal Thyself, the Twelve Healers, the
Bach Remedies Repertory
Dr. Edward Bach (1886 – 1936) A British origin Doctor - discovered
flower therapy between 1930-1936, which is called Bach flower therapy later
on. He was a renowned physician and bacteriologist. While practicing as
an allopathic doctor he realized the meaning of old dictum that "There
are no diseases, only sick people". When he was treating the factory laborers
prone to various diseases, he observed that the workers were working under
some unknown fear - the fear that they would be jobless. Thus when the
mind is under constant pressure of fear, terror, uncertainty, despondency
and despair, it is obvious that the harmony between mind and body gets
imbalanced. The vital force of life gets disturbed resulting into illness.
This also makes the immunity of body frail and the physical body gets easily
susceptible to the diseases or conditions. Therefore the patient is more
important than the diseases. His mental make up is vital in determining
the correct line of treatment and every ailment is the result or expression
of mental disturbances due to accumulated various mind obstructions originating
either itself from mind or surrounding environment.
Bach
Flower Remedies for Animals
Treating
Animal Illnesses and Emotional States with Flower Essense Remedies
Bach
Flower Remedies products for pets
excerpt
Flower
Essence by Anna Maria Gardner
Flower remedies can help a lot with behavioral problems, such as biting
and aggression. It is important to combine the remedy with training and
behavior modification, and both these approaches are enhanced by the use
of flower remedies. Fear, which is a common problem in animals, also can
be helped by suitable remedies, and a combination of Rescue Remedy and
the fear remedies mentioned above will often help in situations such as
fear of thunderstorms, or general lack of confidence. Animals that have
been rescued or abused in the past often benefit wonderfully from the use
of appropriate flower essences, and they can help to restore their confidence
and build trust.
Rescue Remedy, combined with the homeopathic remedy Aconite makes a
wonderful calming essence that can be used on wild animals, and for rehabilitation,
as mentioned above it works well on any kind of stress or fear situation
and definitely helps with survival rate in these situations. A few drops
of the combined essence on the gums or even onto the ear of the rescued
animal will calm them down and make them easier to handle. It can even
be sprayed onto the skin or ears with a spray bottle and will still have
a beneficial effect. A dropper of the combination can be put in the daily
water for rescued animals to help them withstand the stress of captivity,
and make them more manageable.
Other problem pets such as animals that tend to wander away from home,
cats that urinate and defecate all over the house, animals that suffer
from separation anxiety can all benefit from flower remedies, and their
problems can be improved. It depends on the situation, often if the change
will be permanent, some problems are related to other animals in the household,
such as territorial behavior, and this may persist as long as another cat
is present. Nevertheless appropriate flower essences can help alleviate
and resolve many of these situations, again combined most effectively with
behavior modification and possible changes to the living environment.
Anna Maria Gardner: Holistic Veterinarian, Certified in Veterinary
Acupuncture(IVAS) and Certified in Veterinary Homeopathy(AVH)
details and contact information
Testimonials:
Bach's Rescue Remedy - A Natural Remedy to Alleviate Stress, Fear
and Shock
by Nanna Holt Kjær
I have used Bach's Rescue Remedy for about a year. I have also corresponded
with other users in Scandinavia and in the U.S. I find the remedy a big
help and would therefore like to share my experiences with others. My initial
interest was sparked by one of my dog's fear of fireworks. The problem
was, and is, that the use of fireworks is now no longer limited to New
Year's Eve. Nowadays shooting off fireworks seems a natural event at parties
and get-togethers all the year round, and practically every night throughout
December. Most sedatives and other calming agents need a couple of hours
to take effect, which makes them practically useless when the noise can
occur unpredictably at any time. I mean who wants to keep their dog sedated
all through December. It is a bad enough decision to have to make for just
one night a year.
Then I heard about Bach's Rescue Remedy, a mixture of flower essences.
This remedy is administered just after a shock or fright and takes effect
very quickly. Where I used to have a shivering dog hiding under my bed,
I now have a dog that lies quietly listening to the thunder, gunshots,
fireworks or whatever. She still isn't completely indifferent like the
rest of my gang who just lie on their backs on my sofa and couldn't care
less. But it is a vast improvement. She no longer goes to pieces, and this
is achieved without filling her body up with drugs.
DOSE: 3-4 drops directly into the dog's mouth. If the desired result
is not achieved within 10 minutes, repeat the dose. Bach's Rescue Remedy
does not cause drowsiness.
“I am just thrilled. I am in Agility and I found that my dog
Bo and I were just not connecting on any level. He was distracted
and disengaged in the ring, as well as being aloof at home. The Essences
have worked miracles on him. He and I are now a team when we run
and he has become so engaged at home sometimes I can't get him to leave
me alone! At a recent Agility meet, I was so pleased when I
overheard another member telling two others that Bo was just not the same
dog. During our consultation, Kris had the ability to take my words
about Bo and translate them in a manner that led us to the Essences that
would best suit him. I can't believe the change!"-
K. Levine, Contact Zonies Agility Club, Phoenix, AZ -
“When dealing with emotional/behavioral problems in pets, I believe
that Bach Flower Essences are the safest and most effective treatment modality.
Most other behavior drugs, like Prozac, have many potential side effects,
and are expensive. To be used safely, they have to be accompanied
by blood tests to detect side effects before they become serious, which
adds more costs. The key to utilizing Bach Flowers is to match the
proper essence with the proper emotional issue. Kris has the unique
ability to sort through all the issues to get to the core problem and then
match the correct essences. I have experienced her skill both personally
and with our two cats. Cost is reasonable and best of all, there
are no side effects. Kris and Bach Flowers Essences are my first
choice for treating emotional/behavior problems in pets.”- Thomas
I. Leininger, VMD, CVCP -Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary
Chiropractitioner, Fountain Hills, AZ
"I want to let you know how thankful I am for your help! I was
interested in Bach Flowers before meeting you but didn't have the time
to do the research to find the specific combinations to help my group.
After our initial interview, I felt confident that you made an accurate
evaluation of the situations at hand. I appreciate how quickly you
arrived at a combination of flower essences and that you got them all right
on the first attempt! Emili has totally become the sweet dog I used to
know! Even family members have commented that she doesn't have that
'evil look' anymore. Last week, I took her back to Petsmart (after a long
absence) and she was excellent. She exhibited none of the old behaviors.
No fuss, no pulling, no aggression, even with other dogs right next to
her on the checkout line. We had a dog visit the other day and Emili
actually initiated play with him. She's getting along better with
all of the dogs. And now, when I prepare their food, I no longer
have to keep her outside. She sits patiently by the cupboard and
waits calmly for me to finish. She is a totally different dog. I
can't tell you how much easier it is living in this house. We're having
fun again!"- Becci Scott -Petcare
Consultant and Pet Sitter, Phoenix, AZ
Kris Lecakes-Haley is a certified
Bach Flower Practitioner and Animal Wellness Consultant who works almost
exclusively with animals. Phone: 480-460 1801
UK: Directory
of Practitioners offering Bach Flower Remedies in the UK
How to use Bach Flower remedies
HERBS and FLOWER ESSENCES – DEFINITIONS and USES
Darren Hawks is a veterinarian trained
in Chiropractic, Homeopathy, Chinese Herbs, Reiki
and Flower Essences. Conventional veterinarians in
her area have been referring a lot of animals that have cancer for her
help. Although she is not always able to cure them of the cancer, her use
of holistic techniques keeps most of the animals feeling good as long as
possible. .
Animals’ Apawthecary Detox Blend – Dr Hawks says,
“I love it.” She uses it, often along with more curative treatments, for
skin diseases. Some of her itchy cases can be maintained on it for a long
time, or mild seasonal itchiness can be gently palliated when it flares
up. She has even had improvements with atopic dogs (a more severe allergic
skin problem.)
Animals with early or mild inflammatory bowel diseases have improved
with just diet changes and Detox Blend. Some have stayed on it for several
months, but she would not expect a dog or cat to use it longer than a few
months. Animals with mild hepatitis have also responded. With all herbs,
Dr. Hawks recommends giving the herbs 5 of 7 days. From her own use of
herbs, she explains, “My body needs a rest from the herbs.” Greg and Mary
Tilford (*Herbal Remedies for Cats and Dogs) agree
that the body sometimes needs a few days of rest from herbs. She has also
used Detox Blend when hyperthyroid cats are having a bad spell. It makes
them feel better. (Ed: Dr. Hawks is, of course, trying to find the modality
that will complete heal the hyperthyroid condition in addition to helping
with other treatments.)
Dr. Hawks has had Animals’ Apawthecary
Tinkle
Tonic be 50% successful for soothing the inflammation of bladder inflammations
(cystitis). She also uses flower essences with most bladder problems since
this problem is often stress related.
Animal Apawthecary’s Senior Blend is a tonic herb
combination (tonics help support natural body functions) and made of herbs
that are gentle on the body so can be used for long periods of time.
If your cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism
and is already on Tapazole, or if you are trying to avoid using Tapazole,
it would be best to find a holistic veterinarian
to deeply treat your cat. Dr. Hawks frequently uses Herbs for Pets Clinical
Hyper-Thyrin Formula. Many cats need lower doses of Tapazole, so your conventional
veterinarian needs to help you decide what levels of Tapazole to use.
Dr. Hawks also uses a special blend of Hoxsey,
or Hoxsey with boneset, from D’Arcy Naturals to help treat animals with
cancer. (Hoxey
Formula To help dissolve tumors in the body Harry Hoxsey's successful
herbal formulas for the treatment of cancer)
In her practice Dr. Hawks has good results with Flower
Essences. She uses the Bach
Flowers and California Essences.
Herbal
Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-Resistant Bacteria
(also antiseptics, antivirals,
antipyretics, anti-inflammatories, and antifungals)
Some of the most powerful natural antibiotics you can purchase without
a prescription!
Officials from the National Institutes
of Health and the Centers for Disease Control have reported that the overuse
of antibiotics in medicine has created an epidemic of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria. Doctors fear that if antibiotic use is not curtailed, we may
soon approach the day when untreatable infections are rampant. "After
40 years of pushing antibiotics for any ailment, physicians are now confronting
bacteria that have built defenses against those same drugs. Some infectious
bacteria that were once treatable are stronger and often deadly. The reappearance
of highly infectious bacteria is caused in part by the overuse of antibiotics.
Do
you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance?
or use this contact
form or call 206-984-3009 or 323-389-0560
Most Popular Natural Pet Products...
Herbal
Remedies for animals
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Dr.
Jones DVM - "The Truth Behind The Pet Food Recall"
WHAT
VETS DON'T TELL YOU ABOUT VACCINES Read the comments of veterinarians
who believe that vaccines are damaging our pets. This information will
make you cry and aware of the scam that is the mainstay of the veterinary
field. Learn the truth about the terrible suffering of pets and their
owners and what can be done to protect your animals from the drug companies
and ignorant vets. 'Shock
to the System' covers the latest information on the vaccine issue,
and puts the other pieces of the puzzle into the picture. Diet, environmental
toxins, pharmaceuticals and stress all play a part in the health of companion
animals.
Natural
Health for Women:
Advanced
Daily Supplement with Phytonutrient Power for 
