What’s in the Medicine bag/Toolkit for your Dog?

As pet parents, most of us instinctively rush to the vet at the first sign of illness or injury — that’s completely normal, and often absolutely necessary. I’ve certainly been there myself. But as I’ve explored more deeply into the energetic and intuitive space, I’ve started to pause and ask: Can I handle this myself first? Is this truly urgent, or can I observe it and support my pet with my own treatments before seeking professional help?

Over time, I’ve come to rely more on my intuition when it comes to my dogs and their needs. There have even been moments when I’ve found myself mid-panic, driving to the vet, only to take a deep breath, tune in, and listen to my inner guidance. More than once, that quiet voice has told me to turn around, go home, and consult my own toolkit first. When I’ve done that, like with Monty’s recent issue, I’ve often found that things resolved naturally — teaching me the invaluable lesson of pausing, breathing, and responding from a calm, empowered place rather than reacting out of fear.

Of course, it’s vital to recognize when something is serious. In cases of real illness or injury, professional veterinary care is essential — and I’ll always advocate for that. Some situations absolutely require expert attention and conventional medication.

However, many pet parents today find themselves dealing with issues like anxiety, emotional distress, behavioural challenges, recurring skin allergies, or minor injuries and wounds. In those moments, we have an opportunity to explore complementary tools and approaches that can support our animals in a gentle, holistic way.

Perhaps your pet struggles with panic during storms or fireworks — what tools can you turn to in those situations? Every animal is unique, and what works beautifully for one may not work at all for another. The key is to stay open, adapt, and keep exploring new ways to support each individual animal in the way they most need.

So, what’s in your medicine bag? What tools do you reach for when your pet needs comfort, balance, or healing?

A Peek Inside My Medicine Bag for the Dogs

Over the years, I’ve put together a collection of natural remedies and essentials that I reach for time and time again when caring for my dogs. These are the things that I’ve personally found invaluable tools that help me support their health and wellbeing in a gentle, holistic way.

 Australian Bush Flower Essence – Emergency Essence Blend

At the very top of my list is the Australian Bush Flower Essence Emergency Essence Blend.
I’ve been using this blend for around five years now, and I truly rely on it. Both of my dogs respond beautifully to it, but it’s especially important for Milo, my 10-year-old Rottweiler.

For Milo, it’s a must-have when she’s having one of her little panic attacks, feeling heightened stress, or when her pain levels spike. (She has chronic arthritis and a few other long-term health issues that we’ve been managing holistically for years, without veterinary intervention.)

Recently, during a period of major upheaval—house renovations, strange people coming and going, and lots of noise—the Emergency Essence was a lifesaver. It helped both dogs stay grounded and calm in what could have easily been a very overwhelming time.

 Traumeel Tablets

Second on my list are Traumeel tablets—a homeopathic remedy that supports pain relief and helps reduce inflammation.
I’ve been using these with Milo for about a year now to help manage her arthritis, and I’ve noticed a clear difference. When she’s off the tablets, her pain increases, and her movement becomes more restricted. When she’s on them, she’s noticeably more comfortable and active.

 Neem Pet Soap

A few years ago, I stumbled upon Neem Pet Soap, and it’s been a total game-changer for Monty’s skin allergies. Neem is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial, which makes it excellent for supporting healing and maintaining healthy skin.

Since discovering this soap, I haven’t gone back to using any other shampoos or washes. It’s gentle, effective, and soothing—especially for dogs prone to itchy or irritated skin.

 Essential Oil Blends

Please Note: Animals can be sensitive to essential oils, so caution is to be used at all times when using topically or in a diffuser. Never use an undiluted oil on your pet as this can cause burning and extreme skin irritation as well as make them extremely ill.

Do not diffuse in a closed room make sure the animal has access to doors to leave if they want to. Dogs sense of smell is 100% more sensitive than ours so less is always best. Let them choose if they like it or not and respect what they tell you.

Avoid all essential oils with cats. Cats do not have the same ability to break down the oils in their system as dogs so therefore essential oils can be and often are deadly to cats.

If you notice your dog looking or feeling unwell when you have either used a diffuser with essential oils or if you have used topically stop the use immediately and ventilate the room. If you have used topically, wash your dog immediately to remove the oil residue from their skin.

The best way to find out if your dog likes an oil is to dilute a drop of oil in some carrier oil on the palm of your hand and then let them sniff it. They will let you know if they like it or not. Sometimes they will move closer to it and other times they may sneeze and walk away; follow their lead and know it may not be for them. Essential oils can help with anxiety and stress as well as with physical issues like fleas and many other conditions. Aromatherapy can be a valuable tool to have on your side.

My dogs love essential oils. I have been using them for many years. Milo will often put herself right under the diffuser to get the most out of it.

Monty gets a very severe flea allergy every year and I have found the best thing for him to keep him comfortable is my flea and tick blend of cedarwood, lavender, geranium and lemongrass, this is in a spray bottle mixed with water. It is sprayed on his coat and brushed through. The fleas hate the smell. I use this on both dogs. I also use lavender to spray on carpets and in their beds to keep the insects out. Lavender can also be used in the car if you have a dog that gets cars sick or has anxiety when travelling.

 For more information on learning to use essential oils for pet look in to books such as Essential oils for pets by Janet Roarke DVM or Essential Oils for Animal by Nayana Morag.

Colloidal Silver

This one is a more recent addition to my toolkit, and it’s quickly become a favourite.
I started using colloidal silver for Monty’s seasonal skin flare-ups. Every summer, like clockwork, he breaks out in itchy, hive-like sores—usually around his tail, hindquarters, and sometimes along his belly.

This year, it started earlier than usual. While picking up a few things at the health food shop, I spotted a colloidal silver cream. My intuition told me to buy it, even though I already had other creams at home. That same afternoon, Monty had a major flare-up—painful, inflamed welts that appeared almost instantly.

After washing him with the neem soap and trimming the fur around the affected area, I applied the colloidal silver cream. Within just a few hours, the itching had stopped, and he was visibly more comfortable. Since then, I’ve also been using a diluted colloidal silver rinse during summer when his skin is particularly irritated.

Rottweilers are prone to hotspots and bacterial skin infections, especially in warm, humid weather. I used to deal with them every summer—until I switched both dogs to a raw food diet. Since then, we haven’t had a single hotspot.

Food as Medicine

Diet is one of the most powerful tools in any wellness toolkit. The right foods can support everything from skin health to emotional balance.

Books like Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs by Judy Morgan DVM and Hue Grant are fantastic resources if you want to understand how food energetics influence your dog’s wellbeing.

During summer, I like to focus on cooling foods—like cucumber, mung beans, and cooler meats such as duck or turkey—to help balance internal heat and reduce inflammation. These ideas are drawn from traditional Chinese medicine principles and can make a noticeable difference in how your dog feels.

Red light Laser

Milo has chronic arthritis and is often very sore especially when getting up off the floor. I purchased this handheld red light about 3 years ago and use it on her regularly to help ease her pain and to keep her moving. It is easy to use and helps with inflammation and pain in the joints and can be pretty much used on any part of the body.  

The only issue with this is that dogs with black fur like Milo, you need to keep moving the laser as it does get hot and can overheat the area if you leave it in one spot for too long.  Milo loves it the heat it creates as it is soothing for her sore joints.

Energy Work and Calming Techniques in the toolkit

Simple practices—like sitting quietly with your dog, tuning in to your own energy, and setting the intention to clear stagnant energy from the chakras or areas of heat in the body—can be incredibly calming for both you and your animal. These techniques not only help settle their energy but also strengthen your bond.

One of Monty’s favourite things is when I work on him energetically, especially if he’s feeling unwell or has an injury. He’ll often position his body to show me exactly where he wants me to touch and focus. He loves craniosacral work in particular but is happy any time I place my hands on him to help clear energy.

Milo, on the other hand, prefers things on her own terms. She doesn’t enjoy hands-on energy work. She’s happy to be patted or touched when she chooses, but if I approach her with the intention of doing energy work, she’ll get up and walk away—or gently nibble at me to let me know she’s not interested.

Every animal is unique, and it’s important to work with them in whatever way feels right for them. You’ll usually know quite quickly what they’re comfortable with and what they’re not. Always keep your safety in mind when working hands-on with any animal and stay aware of their signals. If they relax, lean in, or stay still, you can continue. If they move away or seem agitated, that’s their way of saying “enough.” Listen to them and respect their boundaries.

Calming Through Touch

Another simple and effective way to bond with and calm your pet is through long, firm strokes that run from the top of the head down to the tip of the tail. Use the palm of your hand with gentle, consistent pressure, moving slowly and rhythmically.

Many pets love this kind of touch—it helps them relax and release tension. If your dog or cat seems unsure at first, start with short strokes and build up gradually as they become more comfortable. Let your pet guide you.

Clearing Chakras

Clearing chakras is simple and becomes more intuitive with time and practice. As you get used to sensing energy, you’ll learn what your pet enjoys and how to support them when they’re feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed.

Start by sitting calmly with your pet, ensuring you’re both comfortable. Take a moment to tune into your centre—your heart space. If you like, rub your hands together to activate and feel the energy between them.

Using the chakra guide (Monty is our chakra model 😊), place the palm of your hand just above the location of a chakra point. At first, you may not feel much—give yourself time to connect. You might notice swirling energy, warmth, stillness, or even colours or images. Don’t force anything; simply observe what comes to you.

Your pet may react in different ways—they might lean into your hand, shift position, or even become a little restless. If you feel drawn to place your hand directly on the spot, you can do so gently. Trust your intuition and follow your pet’s cues.

To clear energy, you might gently pulse your hand up and down, make slow circular movements, or sweep your hand upward and away from the body. You can even imagine the back of your hand opening like a window to release any built-up heat or stagnant energy.

Your intention is the most important part—focus on calming and clearing your pet’s energy. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Trust that your intention and care are what matter most, and your pet will let you know how they feel

Chakra Points on a Dog

 Trial and error are all part of the journey when building your toolkit. If something works, keep it as part of your regular routine. If it doesn’t bring the improvement you’re hoping for, let it go and see it as a valuable learning experience.

You might find it helpful to keep a journal of what works well for you and what doesn’t. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns and gain a deeper understanding of what truly supports your animals.

The items I’ve listed above are the staples that consistently work for my dogs, but my toolkit is always evolving. Every dog is unique, so what works for one may not necessarily work for another. It’s worth exploring different options to discover what best supports each individual animal.

 As you continue to learn, try new products and practices, and refine your approach, you’ll not only build your own expertise but may also find valuable insights to share with others.

Most important just remember to pause and breath and then trust yourself and your pet. They will let you know what it is that you need to do. All you have you have to do is listen.

Enjoy the journey, it is such a rewarding space. 😊