How To Help Your Pet and Horse Be Healthy This Spring

Each season of the year brings different challenges to our animal's health. (And opportunities too of course!)

As we enter Spring. Many cats, dogs and horses, and other animals too, will be starting to lose their winter coats.

Known as moulting, this natural process, can make your animal itchy. And of course lots of loose hair! It's completely natural. But what can you do to help?

How To Help Your Pet's Moulting Be Less Itchy!

Groom your animal often. This isn't as easy as it may seem though. For instance, choosing the right brush is essential. Different grooming brushes will be more suitable than others for your animals. For your horse, a traditional dandy brush could be perfect. But you can also buy many other types - such as the Striphair Gentle Groomer, which is more multi-purpose. My donkeys love this.

There's many types of brushes for your dog or cat. The type of coat your pet has will make a difference. A shorter coat will often need a different brush to a pet with longer hair. My dog loves the "Groomi" , although your dog may find another better.

Does your animal enjoy grooming? Not all animals like it, especially on certain parts of their body.

My top tip is to take it slow. If your animal needs to get used to the experience, then practice first of all with your hand. Stroking your animal for a few minutes each day, before adding the brush.

Then use the brush for a couple of minutes every day and build the time up slow. This may sound like it's all going to take a long time? Would it be quicker to go to a dog or pet groomer? If your animal dislikes grooming, this would be passing the 'problem' on. Sometimes though a professional may seem to get better results because they're confident.

If you're not confident, this could be for many reasons. But take the pressure off yourself! Grooming should be a chance to increase your bond with your animal.

There's different complementary therapies that you could use to help.

1. Aromatherapy. Or zoopharmacognosy as it's sometimes known. Research suggests that lavender can help to reduce stress in horses and dogs. Appropriate use of lavender as an essential oil, can be worth trying. Read more here. And it can be useful for people too in relieving your stress!
2. Homeopathy. There's dozens of different homeopathic remedies. Including some used to reduce excitability and anxiety. Your veterinary surgeon trained in homeopathy will be able to advise on the best one(s) to use.
3. Bach Flower Remedies. The 38 different remedies in this system (plus the separate Rescue Remedy combination remedy) all help with the emotions. Can be used with animals and with people! The right one(s) can be used to help relieve stress and anxiety. There are trained Bach Flower Remedy practitioners for animals you can contact. Or take a course with the Bach Centre to learn yourself more about this amazing natural system.

How To Stop Ticks Affecting Your Pet's Skin Health This Spring

Don't forget to check for ticks. These small critters, can have a significant impact on skin health. Although they can be found all year around. There sometimes can seem to be more of them about in the spring (and summer).

So don't dismiss itchiness with your pet being due to moulting. Do check for ticks, as these are best identified and sorted sooner rather than later! They not only can cause severe itching. But also skin infections and more severe ailments such as Lyme Disease (and others). Read this post to learn more about helping your pet naturally from the trauma of ticks.

3 Top Tips To Beat Your Pet's Spring Allergies

Allergies from plants as they blossom and bud can cause irritation. Not only to airways, but also laying on your animals coat can create itchiness. This itchiness can be so bad that your animal scratches or rubs so much that hair falls out. Yes really - research shows that animals are as affected as humans by pollen allergies.

Here's 3 tips to naturally help your animal.

1. Bee Pollen - this natural supplement can be used to help the immune system and so improve the immune response to allergens. Read more here.

2. Aromatherapy - different essential oils can be beneficial to alleviate allergies. Including chamomile and peppermint. Read more here.

3. Seabuckthorn - this natural plant has many potential health and wellbeing benefits for your pet or horse. Read more here.

Lastly, if you're concerned that your pet or horse (or other animal), has an allergy. Then don't delay in identifying this and speaking to your vet. Skin irritations not only can make the coat look in poor condition. But also cause distress. Delaying treatment can lead to more health issues developing.

Remember.. With any ailment it's important to get Veterinary advice before using a therapy to help. Consider too that what works with one animal may not necessarily work with another.

Find out more about dozens of natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

About the Author

Suzanne Harris is founder of this Taranet website at www.taranet.co.uk, and also provides business coaching to horse and dog care and veterinary professionals.

How Can Ashwagandha Help Your Pet's Health?

First of all what is Ashwagandha?

This is a herb used for centuries to promote health. Also sometimes known as Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry. It originates from Asia and Africa and is an evergreen shrub.

Ashwagandha is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine. In fact it's one of the most used herbs.

So what is Ayurvedic medicine?

This is a holistic system of medicine used for thousands of years. The Ayurveda system originates from India.

Ayurveda translates from the Sanskrit langauge, as “science (ved) of life (ayur)”

It's based on the principles that the mind, body and spirit are all inter-related. In fact they must be balanced to promote whole health. And so is "holistic".

Why Use Ashwagandha For My Pet or Horse's Health?

Generally it's used to help improve:

• Energy
• Health
• Longevity

Veterinary research (1) suggests that Ashwagandha root extract has several benefits. Including potent hemopoietic, antioxidant, adaptogenic, and immune-stimulant properties

Many different animals can use ashwagandha, from small animals such as your dog, to horses, chickens and others.

Your holistic veterinary surgeon will consider whether ashwagandha herb maybe helpful for your animal.

Where Can I Buy Ashwagandha For My Pet or Horse?

Several holistic animal health supplements contain Ashwagandha. Including those from the international company Hilton Herbs. You'll find it as an ingredient alongside other herbs as it's known as an adaptogenic.

Why is an adaptogenic useful?

An adaptogenic herb is one that helps the body counteract stress. Also strengthening the immune system.

Veterinary Research Demonstrating Benefits of Ashwagandha

1. Adaptogenic and Immunomodulatory Activity of Ashwagandha Root Extract: An Experimental Study in an Equine Model. (Journal - Frontiers in Veterinary Science , Volume 7, 2020, https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fvets.2020.541112

2. Nabi, Showkat & Wani, A.R. & Dey, Sahadeb. (2014). Therapeutic effect of ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera L.) in liver dysfunction of old dogs. Applied Biological Research. 16. 232. 10.5958/0974-4517.2014.00015.9.

3. Effect Of Feeding Ashwagandha And Enzyme Alone Andin Combination On The Carcass Traits Of Broiler Chicks (2015)

In Conclusion

Ashwagandha is a herb that's been used to help a variety of animals for many years. And can potentially have many benefits. Especially if used as part of a holistic approach to maintaining good health.


Like help finding a holistic veterinary surgeon or complementary therapist for your animal?
Please email me at info at taranet . co. uk

Please remember that if your horse, dog or other animal is unwell. Or on any kind of medication or other supplement. Then always speak to your Veterinary Surgeon first before using any supplement or therapy. Even natural ones. To avoid any possible issues.

And do you know someone who'd find this helpful? Please share, the more we can spread awareness of the benefits of natural therapies the better! :)

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

About the Author

Suzanne Harris is founder of this Taranet website at www.taranet.co.uk, and also provides business coaching to horse and dog care and veterinary professionals.

Can light make a difference to your pet's health?

The short answer is yes, it can! In this post find out more about one type of light therapy. Red Light Therapy is a non-invasive way to help animal health.

I discovered the benefits of Red Light when my own horse had a lameness. This prompted me to learn more about how it can help animal health. And I'm now a professionally trained practitioner using red light therapy to help pets and horses.

There's a couple of methods of this therapy often used to help animals.

1. Torches (PBM for Pets)

When using Torches, the process is called Photobiomodulation (PBM). PBM means moculating the biological processes of the body with Light energy(photons)

The application can help:

• Reduce pain and inflammation
• Increase circulation
• Stimulate cellular repair.

Unlike medical laser procedures, PBM is not a surgical or thermal mechanism, but rather a photochemical effect. This means that the light is absorbed and exerts a chemical change.

Photopuncture, this is known as this because torches activate the acupoints in the body, similar to acupuncture.

To activate a point, it takes as little as 5 seconds per point.

There are several signs of releases of energy shifts in animals

• Blinking
• Licking
• Short spasms
• Stance changes
• Yawning
• Purring
• Passing gas
• Stretching

2. Light Pads For Animal Health

These products help animals as well as humans. Light therapy pads can be placed onto your pet to soothe.

I love working with animals because they are very responsive and you see a change when you are working on them. Each session runs about 30 minutes in time.

How Many Sessions Are Needed To Help My Animal's Health with Light Therapy?

Depending on the issue, some need regular sessions, once per week to once every four weeks.

For other issues, you can do a couple sessions and the animal is great for months.

You can use lights for pretty well everything from skin issues to internal issues. Your veterinary surgeon can advise, and be sure to use a professionally qualified practitioner for your pet or horse.

Is There Any Research Evidencing Benefits of Red Light Therapy For Pets?

Yes there is! Check out these links below

• Looney AL, Huntingford JL, Blaeser LL, Mann S. A randomized blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on canine elbow osteoarthritis. Can Vet J. 2018 Sep;59(9):959-966. PMID: 30197438; PMCID: PMC6091142.
• Photobiomodulation (PBM) – laser therapy and veterinary first aid (IVC Journal, 2021)
• Lisa A. Miller, Debbie (Gross) Torraca, and Luis De Taboada.Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery.Apr 2020.195-205.
• Hoisang S, Kampa N, Seesupa S, Jitpean S. Assessment of wound area reduction on chronic wounds in dogs with photobiomodulation therapy: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Vet World. 2021;14(8):2251-2259. doi:10.14202/vetworld.2021.2251-2259

Please remember…..
that if your horse, dog or other animal is unwell. Or on any kind of medication or other supplement. Then always speak to your Veterinary Surgeon first before using any supplement or therapy. Even natural ones. To avoid any possible issues.

And do you know someone who'd find this helpful? Please share, the more we can spread awareness of the benefits of natural therapies the better! :)

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

About The Authors

This is a guest post by Shelley Leach, professionally qualified light therapy for animals practitioner, who is owner of "Shell's Light 4 Life" based in Alberta, Canada.

And edited by Suzanne Harris who is founder of this Taranet website at www.taranet.co.uk, and also provides business coaching to horse and dog care and veterinary professionals.