Neither toxic nor habit-forming, and widely available over-the-counter at your neighborhood health food or Whole Foods store, homeopathic medicines have been used to treat pets for more than 150 years. According to the web site of the international company Boiron, one tenth of all French veterinarians currently use homeopathy to treat their animal patients.
"I used to have to tranquilize my Keeshond, Lickety Split, with the strong sedative Ace promazine," recalls Dr. Jill Elliot, a New York-based veterinary homeopath who routinely uses these medicine on her patients and herself. "But he was cured of his fear of thunderstorms with just a few doses of Phosphorus. I thought, If I do nothing else but relieve dogs of being afraid of storms, it's worth it. That really was the turning point that convinced me of homeopathy's effectiveness."
Below, Dr. Elliot lists the top 7 homeopathic remedies for dogs and the people who love them.
Nux vomica: "A great remedy for diarrhea, especially the kind caused by overeating, whether a dog gorges himself at Thanksgiving or gets into the garbage and ingests spoiled food."
Apis melifica: "Works instantaneously to relieve any allergic reaction, whether it's caused by a bee sting, eating shellfish, or contact with animals. It helps pet-allergic people tolerate hanging out with pets."
Arnica: "For any trauma to the body or the mind, such as shock or bruising. If a dog injures himself while rough-housing with other dogs, Arnica stops the bruising and swelling."
Aconitum napellus: "Used to treat shock or fright, such as a phobia of thunder or fireworks."
Phosphorus: "Also helpful in calming dogs who are fearful of thunder or fireworks."
Ipecacuanha: "Helps cure nausea and vomiting, and migraine headaches accompanied by nausea and vomiting."
Mercurius: "Good for treating ulcers in the mouth, or on the eye (corneal ulcers)."
