How to Give Herbs to Pets

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This is what I have saved about administering pills and stuff to pets.

http://www.theherbsplace.com/givetopets.html

How to Give Herbs to Pets

-- Important! This formula DOES NOT apply to the heartworm program! ---

Having used herbs and supplements since 1982, before there was a market for

" natural pet products, " we've always adapted whatever the product was to the

pet. Considering the cautions mentioned below, you can use any herbal

formula for a pet that you would use for a human, adjusting the dosages as

indicated below. With that in mind, you don't have to limit yourself to what

is available in the pet line. Since the formulas I've been using have been

working for so many years, I haven't changed even though I can now buy

products specifically made for pets.

CAUTION: Aspirin and aspirin derivatives (i.e. white willow bark and white

oak bark, salicylic acid), acetaminophen products (i.e. Tylenol), ibuprofen

products (i.e. Motrin), can be fatal to cats. Do not use them. Do not give

pets caffeine-containing herbs either, which definitely includes chocolate,

which can be dangerous for dogs even though they like it.

Administering the herbs takes some patience if you've never done it, but you

will find your own smooth process of it. It is something that you need to

learn to do if you are going to have pets. Keep in mind that if you are

nervous and frustrated, your pet will be the same. Unless you are very

fortunate, it will take several attempts to get this process down, but this

training will be of great benefit to you and your pet. Choose a product that

will be easy to use with the pet you are working with.

Pilling a Cat

Kneel on the floor and put the cat between your knees. If you have somebody

else to help, at least for the first few times, it is easier to put the cat

between their knees so you have a better angle to administer the pill. Pick

up the pill with the thumb and index finger of your other hand. Put the palm

of your hand on top of its head, and thumb and index finger on either side

of its mouth. Your cat's mouth should fall open as you tilt the head back.

If it doesn't, gently push down on the cat's lower front teeth with your

middle finger of your other hand. Drop the pill in your cat's mouth as far

back as you can. Keep its head tilted back a bit as you rub it's neck and

throat until the pill is swallowed.

If you are administering a capsule, it will slide down easier if you wet it

first. This means that you will have to be smooth in the administration

since it will be slippy in your fingers also. I preferred capsules since I

could approach the cat, put the capsule in my mouth, get the cat in

position, take the pill out of my mouth nice and slippy, and then administer

it. As cats can vomit easily, it might help to give it a cat treat or its

meal after the pill.

Pilling a Dog

Have the dog sit down and tilt the dog's head back. Lift the lips away from

his teeth, hold his upper jaw by the gums directly behind his canine teeth,

and push down on his lower jaw with your other hand to open the mouth. Place

the pill in the very back of his throat, close his mouth and keep it shut.

Stroke his throat softly until pill is swallowed.

Put It In The Food

You can also open the capsule or crush the tablet and put it into food. Use

only as much food as they will definitely finish. Make it a small serving

and make sure they are hungry. After they've finished that serving, you can

follow-up with more food. Baby foods are also an option. For dogs, you can

mix the herbs with peanut butter if he likes the flavor. Mix them together

and then stick it to the roof of the dog's mouth. He won't mind the process

if he loves the smell of peanut butter. They work well for many. As the dog

licks the peanut butter off the roof of his mouth, it will melt and he'll

swallow the herbs with it

Liquid Herbs

You can use a dropper to administer but be sure it is plastic and not glass.

You can also use a syringe (without the needle). Be careful not to stab the

back of the throat. It is recommended to insert the syringe while the mouth

is closed as far back as the opening goes. Administer the liquid slowly so

as not to choke the pet. Most pets will accept this method best. It doesn't

affect the taste of their foods and it gets the dose down the quickest. You

can also put liquids in the food or a broth.

Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the body and readily absorbs what is put on

it. That's why flea dips and other chemicals used on the skin are so toxic

to your pet. If all else fails, you can rub the liquid into the pads of the

feet or " bathe " the animal in a " tea " for absorption of nutrients. This

makes it harder to know what you actually get administered, but it's a great

option if you're using essential oils.

Tea

You can brew the herbs as a tea and administer by dropper or syringe, or use

as brewed in the water bowl in place of water. If not brewed too strong,

they will drink as usual and you can increase strength as they adjust to it.

This method may make it hard to get enough of the medicinal properties in to

effectively help the condition, but it's better than nothing and can be used

in addition to other methods. You can brew relatively a strong concoction

and add to a favorite meat broth for the water bowl. Have fresh water

available at times also.

Dosage

Consider assimilation ability, age, weight, extent of symptoms of

deficiency. Always use common sense. Build confidence in what you're doing

and work with your instincts knowing that you are doing what is best for

your pets. Respect your doubts and intuitions.

-- Important! This formula DOES NOT apply to the heartworm program! ---

Basic Formula to Follow - Take the weight of the pet and divide it by 150

lbs. (weight of average adult). This will equal the fractional amount of

adult dosage required. Adult dosages are listed on labels.

Example - Adult dose is 2 capsules, 3 times per day (or 6 capsules). A 30

pound pet would take 30 divided by 150 which equals .20 or 20%. 20% of the

adult dosage of 6 capsules would be 1.2 capsules a day.

This is a general rule to follow. Start out slow on the first day to give

the animal a chance to adjust to the taste and work up to the above amount.

Keep in mind that labeling is basically done as a maintenance dosage. If you

are in a crisis situation or chronic health problem, more herbs may be

necessary more frequently.

Assume that the pet will, given the chance, gradually learn to accept and

even enjoy the taste of herbs. Many pets actually begin to beg for their

herbs. The first time I heard this was with a hyper Rottweiler that would

race to the door to " greet " anybody that visited. With an in-home business,

this family needed some calming herbs. They began giving him Valerian Root

and in about a week, the dog knew he needed it. Anytime they would grab a

bottle of herbs, whether for themselves or him, the dog would come running

and beg for a capsule. Their instincts are still tuned in to nature.

If you have a hyper animal, you may want to give something to calm the pet

during the period of illness. Valerian Root comes in capsules and liquid.

I had a feral cat that was feeding in our back yard and she showed signs of

a respiratory infection which concerned me since these infections kills many

cats and do it so quickly. I began putting liquid herbs on just a little bit

of the food so she would still be hungry. She nibbled at it, and as time

passed, she began to eat it all up so I could get it down her every couple

of hours. In a couple of days, she was actually coming to seemingly " beg "

for the herbs.

Pam

**What I want in my life is compassion, a flow between myself and others

based on a mutual giving from the heart.**

-- Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D., A Language of Life

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