One of the most common questions I see amongst pet owners is people asking if can they give their human herbal tinctures to their pets and how much should they give them.  The second most common question is which pet herbal remedies are best for x condition.

As a dog herbalist in training and someone who has given herbal tinctures to my dog, I can tell you there are many remedies that you can use with your dog. However, there are plenty of things to consider before giving your pet any product. I will go over some guidelines and suggestions for pet herbal tinctures.

Can I share my herbal tinctures with my dog?

If money is tight or you have an emergency, the answer is maybe.

First, I would say use a pet herbal remedy because that will leave out all the guesswork.

Then I suggest discussing this with your veterinarian as all your pet’s medical issues need to be taken into account.  For example, some herbs are not suggested for pregnant dogs, pets with kidney disease, or pets with allergies to certain plants.

Next, you have to know which herbs are safe depending on the pet type, such as dog, cat, or horse.

Finally, you need to do a calculation using several factors including your dog’s weight for proper dosage.

10 pet herbal remedies safe for dogs and cats

The safest way to administer herbs to your pet is to use pet-specific products such as dog herbal tinctures, or cat herbal remedies. Pet-specific remedies will allow you to give herbs that are not only safe for your pet but in safe dosages.

1. Olive leaf can help with cysts, tumors, or lipomas in dogs or cats. Also, it helps with UTIs, diabetes, and Addison’s disease. Finally, it can be used as a natural kennel cough remedy.
2. Licorice root has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with pain and according to Anthony William, it is the ultimate weapon against pathogens.
3. Passionflower can be used as a herbal remedy for dog separation anxiety. Also for dogs who run hot, it may be helpful as it will assist sensitive nerves which can be a reason for heat intolerance. Another reason for heat intolerance can be the need for a dog-safe liver cleanse.
4. Goldenseal is great for the immune system and can be diluted to use as an eye wash.
5. Astragalus can help relieve allergy symptoms, and boost your pet’s immune system. According to MM, it can reduce high blood pressure. You can also buy Astragalus for dogs or cats on Amazon.
6. Calendula can be a herbal medicine for dog wounds as it helps with first aid situations like cuts, scrapes, bee stings, and sunburn. Calendula for dogs and cats can be a natural treatment for eczema. Precaution: while it is considered one of the safest herbs, it should not be given internally to cats or pregnant pets.
7. Catnip can be a natural remedy for ear mites with dogs as it helps to control ear mites! Also, did you know it can have a different effect if it is eaten in something like a cat nip treat versus if a cat sniffs it?
8. Valerian is known for its sedative properties, which can be a great alternative to doggie tranquilizers.
9. Milk thistle and dandelion are both great liver-detoxing herbs. Dandelion leaf can help cats with renal failure. Milk thistle can be a natural treatment for parvo recovery and support the liver if your dog is taking seizure medicine. For cats, it can be a natural option to prevent crystals and stones.
10. Eyebright is great for eye problems. If your cat or dog has conjunctivitis, cataracts, or puffy eyes this may help.

Cat and Dog tinctures with multiple herbs for specific conditions

1. Dog anal gland herbal remedy can also be used with cats.
2. Pet Anti-aggression is a natural remedy for cat or dog aggression. Dogs are not the only pets that growl, cats do too!
3. Pet Allergy herbal remedy for dog allergies and cat allergies. This helps your pets with their allergies not a human allergy to their pets.
4. Pet Blood cleanser this natural remedy is a great cat or dog blood purifier.
5. Dog Cough remedy herbal medicine for a dog cough.
6. Pet Digestive support natural remedy for cat or dog digestive issues.
7. Pet Kidney support is a natural remedy for a dog or cat kidney issues.
8. Mushroom Immune is an immune booster for pets that contains several mushrooms. These mushrooms can be a natural allergy remedy for dogs and cats.
9. Nerve Relax relieves muscle tension and serves as a pet herbal remedy for anxiety.
10. Pet Parasite is a natural parasite remedy that may help with expelling parasites and worms.

How do I dose my dog using a human tincture?

There is a formula that uses your dog’s weight, the average adult weight, and the adult human dose found on the bottle. The average adult weight, for this equation, is 150 lbs.

For example, say your dog is 30 lbs and the tincture dosage is 1 ml. Divide 150 (Average Adult weight) by 30 (your dog’s weight) which comes out to 0.20. Multiply 0.20 by 1 (the dose on the supplement label) and you get= 0.20. 👈 This is the dose for your dog.

If the dropper holds 1 ml then your dog would get 1/5 of the dropper. I would suggest counting the number of drops in a dropper first and then you will know for sure how many drops will constitute 1/5 of the dropper.

For supplements in a capsule here is an example of how to dose your dog with a human supplement.

5 human herbal remedies you can share with your dog

The 5 following tinctures are alcohol-free human herbal tinctures that will need to be converted using the above formula for a proper pet dosage.

1. Mullein can help dogs with an earache or infection. If your dog is sick, it also strengthens lung sacs and is a powerful expectorant.
2. Lemon balm can help with tummy troubles.
3. Ashwagandha is great for stress but it may help with joint care since it is anti-inflammatory.
4. Chamomile I have used it on a dog’s itchy ears when I was petsitting. It did help stop her from scratching at her ears. The next day her ears were less flakey and pink.
5. Nettle can help with skin and urinary tract infections. Some veterinarians think scented litter may contribute to UTIs. Here are 7 fragrance-free cat litters.

I would love for you to comment on what you found most helpful and insightful or what you plan to use with your pet.