How To Give A Homeopathic Remedy to Pets

Methods of Administering 

the Dose

Homeopathy is one of the most versatile forms of medicine when it comes to treatment options in animal healthcare.

It is also one of the easiest medicines to give as well as receive. Especially in emergency situations. 

Homeopathic Acute Dosing Guidlines

Choose the remedy that best matches the pet’s state. Use only one remedy at a time. DO NOT mix different remedies together.

Preparing the Acute Remedy

1. Bottle of Spring Water – 8 oz.

2. Dissolve 1 or 2 remedy pilluels or tablets in the 8 ounces of water in the bottle.

3. Label the bottle with the remedy’s name.

Note: You can use any brand of purified water. We use 'Aquafina'. It is purified using a 'reverse osmosis' system and their water tests almost as pure as distilled water. If you can't find small 8 oz. size bottles just empty the size bottle you have into a measuring cup and measure back 8 oz. of water into the bottle.

Acute Dosing:

SUCCUSS - Succuss the remedy bottle 2 times BEFORE GIVING EACH DOSE; this means, strike the bottom of the bottle hard, against a padded surface or a phone book.  Succussing slightly increases the potency of each dose that you give, and makes the remedy gradually work faster and deeper, but with a more gentle effect. 

DOSE - For dogs, cats, horses, etc. Give 1 teaspoon as a dose, DIRECTLY FROM THE REMEDY BOTTLE. The weight of the animal — or the species of animal — is irrelivant, to the dose. EXCEPT when treating birds, rodents or a tiny newborn, that may be too small to receive a full teaspoon dose. In this instance adjust the amount to what the animal can comfortably take into their mouth by syringe. You can use a disposable plastic spoon or syringe to give each dose, but only use this spoon/syringe with the chosen remedy, not for food or other remedies. Administer the liquid remedy slowly, going into the side of the mouth, across the tongue, so the animal does not choke on the liquid.  

WAIT AND WATCH - After giving the first dose, wait and observe whether or not the animal experiences any changes in its energy level or disposition, its physical symptoms, resting patterns, eating, drinking or skin irritations. Even if some symptoms persist, if the pet’s energy level and disposition improve, then the remedy is working.

REPEATING THE DOSE - Dose ONLY, as needed and NO MORE than once every 2 -hours. Give another dose only if the animal's condition HAS IMPROVED (remedy is working) AND THEN BEGINS TO WORSEN (the remedy’s effects are wearing off) - This is a sign that your remedy was correct and that another dose is needed. Even if some of the original symptoms persist, as long as the animal's symptoms do not worsen and its energy level is good, then do not repeat a remedy dose - The remedy is still at work. Giving too much remedy can temporarily intensify the symptoms. Every animal is different, and dosing can vary considerably between pets. Some patients only need one or two doses, and their problem is alleviated. Others may need to be dosed at 2 hour intervals for several doses. Your ultimate goal is to give as FEW doses of the remedy as possible to achieve results. There is no set schedule for dosing. It is simply calculated by observing the individual being treated. 

ACUTE EMERGENCIES: Dose as needed - as often as every 15 to 30 minutes in severe cases such as high fever, poisoning and serious accidents. Don’t overdo it, be sure to slow down to one dose every hour or two as the symptoms improve, then stop the remedy. 

Will the liquid remedy expire? If a preservative (a few teaspoons of food grade glycerin) was added to the liquid remedy when it was made, then the bottle of remedy can remain active for several weeks, if properly stored away from direct heat, light and strong odors (best to refrigerate). A liquid remedy that has been made without adding any preservative will remain active for just 24 hours and should be made fresh daily. 

What if there is no response to the remedy – Symptoms, energy level and mood remain unchanged. Either the remedy dose was too WEAK in potency or a different remedy is needed. First, boost the potency of your remedy (add 2 more succussions) and RE-DOSE. If still no response, change to a different remedy. 

DRY DOSING: In acute situations, give a remedy dry only if it is impractical to put it in water. In that case the dose would be one globule or one tablet for any size animal, crushed to a powder. The instructions for how often and when to give a dry remedy are the same as the dosing instructions above.

Handleing the remedies: To avoid negating (causing it not to work) a homeopathic remedy, you should not touch it with your hands. Use a plastic disposable spoon or the cap of the container to dispense the pills. If you accidently touch or drop one just throw it away and dispense a new one. 

• It is best to give the homeopathic remedy into a neutral mouth. This means that before or after giving a remedy, the animal's mouth should be free of food or drink for 20 to 30 minutes. This does not apply in emergency situations when the remedy is needed immediately. 

Homeopathic remedies come in many forms. Hylands brand, makes a soft dissolve tablet. Boiron's brand, comes as hard pillules that are slow to dissolve (shown in picture). If the brand you are using is hard and will not readily dissolve, put the pills in a small folded piece of white paper and crush the remedy on a hard surface with a flat kitchen knife. Then sprinkle the powdered remedy into the water bottle. 

For detailed guidance in selecting the appropriate remedy across a wide range of illnesses and dry and wet dosing, the potency to give and how often to repeat the remedy, we suggest using "Pet Remedy Charts", Homeopathy to the Rescue. The charts are a treasure trove of advice for the newcomer as well as a reliable quick reference for the homeopathic practitioner.

Recommended Reading: For professionals or anyone wanting to learn how to use homeopathy for for pets - This is the gold standard in books for Veterinary Homeopathy. 'Fast Forward to the Cure', is a digital publication in PDF format that you can download and start using now. Learn advanced veterinary homeopathy, LM dosing techniques and the methods of 'Dynamic Dosing' for dogs, cats, horses and birds, which can speed a pets healing time by 1/4 to 1/2 or more! Veterinary Materia Medica, Therapeutic Repertories, printable Case Taking Forms, Observation Sheets and full color illustrations for dogs, cats horses and birds, included in 14 Chapters and over 1,000 pages. To see complete details and excerpts from the book CLICK HERE.