The Herbal Dog: Holistic Canine Herbalism Applications and Practice

by Rita Hogan, Isla Fishburn (foreword)

• Teaches the tenets of holistic herbalism for the individual dog

• Presents safe, clinically proven, and effective protocols for common canine conditions, from acid reflux to allergies to itching, scratching, and yeast

• Lays out a comprehensive materia medica of canine-specific herbs, including what conditions they are good for, their energetics, internal and external use, safe dosages, and contraindications

In this comprehensive guide to holistic care for dogs, clinical canine herbalist Rita Hogan explains that by looking at dogs as individual ecosystems with their unique personalities, physiology, and needs, we can select effective and personalized herbal remedies to support their constitutions and provide relief from many different ailments.

Hogan, who has spent more than two decades working with canines, uses energetic principles (cool, warm, dry, damp) to reveal how herbs are not “one size fits all” and to explain how to choose herbs and herbal combinations for dogs as individuals. She moves you, step-by-step, through the tenets of holistic canine herbalism, including exploring how to find the root cause of chronic imbalances. She discusses in depth how a dog’s main organ systems work, how they are connected to each other, and why we need to understand them when choosing specific herbs and foods.

Presenting safe, clinically proven, and effective protocols for common canine conditions, from acid reflux to allergies to itching, scratching, and yeast, Hogan explores a wide variety of holistic and herbal remedies, from herbal tinctures, glycerities, and phytoembryonics to flower essences, essential oils, medicinal mushrooms, and homeopathy. She provides readers detailed options and guidance according to their dog’s energetics. Sharing a comprehensive materia medica of canine-specific herbs used in her practice, she explains what herbs are good for which conditions and why, what types of energetics are involved, safe dosage recommendations for each herbal remedy, and when to discontinue an herb.

Allowing each of us to take a hands-on approach to our canine companions’ health and longevity, this herbal guide outlines how to heal them and support them as the individuals they are and help them live their best lives by our sides.

Genres: Dogs, Health, Pets

464 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[Missi]

This book is an awesome reference! I love it! Tons of info. A lot of common conditions listed.
I have used the Diarrhea Formula with success. My older dog had high liver values last year. I did the 12 week program. I was supposed to wait on rechecking labwork so it was several months after the herbal program that it was checked again. All good! I haven't had as much luck with my other dogs. But will go back and readjust my herbal choices and try again.
I keep this book next to my couch so I can reference as needed.
I wish it included whether the herb was safe for a canine pregnancy. I did see one herbal entry that said can cause uterine contractions but thats it.
Can't wait for the kitty version!

[Staci]

I cannot say enough about this book. I read the book through, and then found myself keeping it out to reference on a regular basis. It’s concise, and organized in a way that makes it a very handy and easy-to-use reference, and it’s so beautifully written as to be inspiring. So much so, that by the time I’d read it through the first time, I found myself making plans to expand my backyard garden to include a medicinal herb garden. Even the cover art is lovely. If holistic canine herbalism is of interest to you, this is an absolute must-have.

[MK]

This book is amazing. I have a dog that has some allergies. We stopped feeding him kibble and went raw. Well it’s frozen and I thaw it. But now this book made me really-think re-think things. It’s really opened up my eyes. Every dog parent should have this book. Ms. Hogan really gives you advice. Of course she doesn’t tell you not to seek out veterinary guidance at all. It’s not all about the herbs. But I do believe in what she talks about in this book. Everything steams from within. Everything is connected. We need to make sure our dogs gut is healthy, and other things she explains to understand how things work in our dogs system. It makes sense. You will see how certain things will surface in your dog. Make sure understand what you may be feeding him or her could be causing inflammation in there system. Yup I didn’t know that, but do now. Thank you Ms. Hogan.

[Amanda]

Excellent. Easy to understand, a book that I will reference back to.