Herbs For Cats
Cat Health The Holistic Pet Care Way

Using herbs for cats and other pets is nothing new. In fact animals have been self administering herbs to their diets since time began and is in fact how humans first discovered which plants could be used to promote health or cure illnesses.

The rise of chronic disease and immune deficiency in our pets is on the increase and as such many owners are looking for natural safe ways to treat their pets more affectively.

This is where herbal remedies come as a tool in treating and preventing illness.

The three philosophies

When talking about herbal treatments there are three main philosophies to describe the ways herbs are used.

Ayurvedic Medicine - Remedies are chosen based on the individuals metabolic type, symptoms or disease.

Traditional Chinese Medicine - Looks at the flow of energy through the body.

Western herbalism - A mixture of both of the above where the body is viewed as a whole. Herbs are used to stimulate healing from within.

How are herbs for cats administered?

There are many ways in which herbs can be administered to your cat both internally and externally. Cats better absorb tinctures than tablets and so is the preferred administration method.

• External Tinctures - creams etc
• Internal Tinctures - These are often based with either alcohol or glycerine. The alcohol content is very small and can be evaporated off before administration if preferred by leaving in a cup for about fifteen minutes.
• Tablets/capsules - these are mainly used for herbs that cannot be formulated into a tincture.

What can herbs be used for?

Herbs can be used to treat specific illness and dysfunctions just like conventional medicine. An example of this is Milk thistle, which is used for the detoxification of the liver.

They can also be used as tonics to maintain your cat's health by stimulating their own system and restoring vitality. An example of an herbal remedy that does this is Siberian Ginseng, often administered to older cats whose system may be weakened. is a tincture of this nature.

The array of herbs for cats that can be used can be confusing and to take the guess work out of your choice of medicine it is always best to seek professional advice. This is especially true if your cat is also being treated with conventional medicine.

Guidelines for using herbs for cats

• Herbs work better if your pet is given the best possible conditions to thrive in, so it is important that your cat is also receiving good quality food for optimum nutritional benefits.

• Only introduce one herbal remedy at a time. It is important that you are sure that the herb has a benefit to your pet and that there are no intolerances. (This is different if prescribed by a holistic veterinarian).

• Dosages may have to be altered if any ill effects are seen in your pet. If vomiting or diarrhoea occurs, stop the medicine and resume at a lower dosage two days later to see if the lower dose can be tolerated.

• Herbal remedies take time to build up in the system and so immediate results should not be expected. Results should be seen between 3 days and a week depending on the illness and the cat's particular vitality.

• Never use inferior medicines for your pet, as these can be more harmful than do good. There are many reliable companies who supply good quality herbal medicines for pets. One such company of which I am very impressed with their range of holistic remedies for pets is the "Only Natural Pet Store".

Special Note: This page is not intended to replace the advice of a professional vet. If your pet is ill, you should always seek the advice of a professional.

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