Episode 27: Homeopathy for your Animals

Animals cannot tell us exactly where something hurts or how a symptom feels, so how do you begin choosing a homeopathic remedy for them? In this solo episode of the Homeopathy247 Podcast, Mary Greensmith shares how animals first introduced her to homeopathy and explains the observations she uses when considering remedies for dogs, cats, horses, farm animals and other pets. From behaviour and energy to appetite, posture and changes in routine, Mary shows why knowing what is normal for your animal can provide valuable information when something changes. How Mary Discovered Homeopathy Mary's introduction to homeopathy began when she was living on a small farm in Scotland with cows, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and horses. After experiencing health problems within her herd, she began exploring homeopathic resources for animals. Those early experiences encouraged her to learn more and eventually led her towards studying homeopathy more deeply. Animals Cannot Tell Us Their Symptoms When prescribing for people, a homeopath can ask detailed questions. With animals, we have to observe. Mary recommends looking carefully at: Changes in appetite Energy levels Behaviour Posture and sleeping position Social behaviour Coat condition Digestive changes Reactions to people or other animals Anything unusual that happened before the symptoms appeared The important question is often simply: what is different today? Emotional Changes Matter Too Mary also discusses how changes in routine can affect animals emotionally. Travelling, being left alone, moving home, loud noises or the absence of someone familiar may all change behaviour. She shares examples from her own dog, Lily, to show why looking at what happened before a problem appeared can sometimes provide useful clues. Looking at the Individual Animal Just as people have different personalities, animals do too. Mary discusses considering breed, temperament, confidence and normal energy levels alongside physical symptoms. A naturally active dog may need to be assessed differently from an animal that is normally quiet and relaxed. This is another example of individualized medicine rather than assuming every animal with the same complaint needs the same remedy. Keeping a Remedy Notebook One of Mary's practical recommendations is to keep notes for each animal. Write down: What happened The symptoms you observed The remedy you chose When you gave it What changed afterwards It can be surprisingly difficult to remember which remedy was used months later. Keeping records can make future home prescribing much easier. Knowing When Veterinary Help Is Needed Mary also shares experiences involving wounds, seizures and other more serious problems. These situations are important reminders that home prescribing has limits. Seizures, deep wounds, suspected infections, poisoning, breathing problems, severe pain or significant changes in an animal's condition should be assessed promptly by a veterinarian. Homeopathy should not delay necessary veterinary diagnosis or emergency treatment. Key Takeaways Observation is especially important when prescribing for animals. Look for anything that is different from your pet's normal behaviour. Appetite, energy, posture and emotional reactions can provide useful information. Consider what happened immediately before the problem appeared. Breed and individual temperament can influence the overall picture. A remedy should be chosen from several matching characteristics rather than one symptom alone. Keep written records of remedies and responses. Serious or unexplained symptoms require appropriate veterinary assessment. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be updated with our latest episodes. You can also subscribe to our podcast channels available on your favourite podcast listening app below: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeopathy247-podcast/id1628767810 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39rjXAReQ33hGceW1E50dk Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/homeopathy247-podcast Follow us on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeopathy247/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeopathy247/ You can also visit our website at https://homeopathy247.com/