Chinese Herbal Medicine

Do you have an herb garden? Whether you have a plot or a few plants on a windowsill, it's nice to have fresh herbs for cooking. There are definitely some do's and don'ts when it comes to giving your pet herbs, however. Wise and Wonderful, a Santa Rosa, CA veterinary clinic, offers a few pointers on Chinese Herbal Medicine for your pet.

Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is rapidly gaining popularity in the world of veterinary medicine. This ancient practice can be very helpful at treating pets with a variety of medical issues, including gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, and behavioral issues, to name a few. Of course, you’d need to consult your vet before starting your pet on any of these products. 

Basic Herbs

Some of the herbs we use in cooking, such as basil, parsley, and cinnamon, are fine for pets. However, many others are poisonous to our furry pals. These include chamomile, chives, garlic, hops, leeks, onions. You can find more information at the ASPCA site here. Never give your pet any herbs without checking first.

Essential Oils

Essential oils can be very beneficial. However, because these are so highly concentrated, they can actually be toxic to Fluffy and Fido. Cats tend to be more susceptible to essential oils than dogs. This may be in part because they are smaller, but also because of how they groom themselves. Some of the ones that are dangerous to pets include cinnamon, pennyroyal, clove, sweet birch, citrus, pine, Ylang Ylang, eucalyptus, anise, juniper, yarrow, and tea tree. There are also herbs that are generally considered safe in their natural form, such as rose and thyme, but become dangerous when concentrated. 

You'll also need to take precautions when using diffusers. Don't use these in small spaces, and keep them in areas your furry friend can't reach.

Aromatherapy

You may have heard of aromatherapy for pets. Pet-calming sprays, which mimic the 'happy pheromones' pets exude when calm and content, are one example of this. There is some evidence that aromatherapy can be beneficial to dogs. For instance, a 2006 study by the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association reported that lavender oil did have a calming effect on dogs that were nervous on car rides. Just err on the side of caution. Ask your vet for specific recommendations. 

Do you think Chinese herbal medicine may benefit your furry friend? Contact us, your Sonoma County veterinary clinic, today!