Bach Flower Remedies for dogs can ease some of the more complicated emotional issues surrounding your dog. However, they should not take the place of a veterinarian’s counsel in emergencies. Here is a list of some of the more commonly used remedies and their intended purposes. The first five on the list are ingredients of Bach’s Rescue Remedy—a favorite of people and dogs alike.

Bach Flower Remedies for dogs can ease some of the more complicated emotional issues surrounding your dog. However, they should not take the place of a veterinarian’s counsel in emergencies. Here is a list of some of the more commonly used remedies and their intended purposes. The first five on the list are ingredients of Bach’s Rescue Remedy—a favorite of people and dogs alike.

Contained in Bach’s Rescue Remedy

1. Clematis

• purported to increase attention span
• if the dog is unconscious, it may revive him/her
• increase of recovery time after surgical procedure

2. Impatiens

• also said to increase focus and attention span
  

• helps to calm an anxious dog

3. Rock Rose

• good for anxiety due to a traumatic event in the dog’s life—accident, etc.
• may increase courage of the dog or accentuate already present ability
  

4. Cherry Plum

• for a high strung dog that loses control easily
• for travel anxiety
• works with animals that may suffer from anxiety attacks
• helps to prevent anxious chewing/tail chasing
  

5. Star of Bethlehem

• for calming a dog after all forms of trauma
• gives comfort to dog in illness or loneliness

Other Bach Flower Remedies for dogs:

Agrimony

• aids a dog who never complains of pain
• skin irritations, ticks, fleas, etc
• for those dogs that have stitches
• restlessness
• nervous and anxious animals

Aspen

• for animals that spook easily
• for animals in anxious situations—storms, kennels, etc.

Beech

• helps picky eaters
• helps to settle a talkative dog
• helps with temperature sensitivity
• aids in relating to other animals and people

Centaury

• for animals that tend to be on the receiving end of fighting
• for over-pleasing dog that wants to please master constantly
• increase spirit in dog

Cerato

• for ‘flighty’ dog
• helps with focus in training

Chestnut Bud

• helps dog to break bad habits
• helps in learning and training, remembering new things
• said to increase awareness

Chicory

• for overly needy or possessive animal
• congestion

Crab Apple

• cleansing—helps with odors, parasites, poisons ingested, open wounds/rashes
• aids in cleansing emotions as well
• helps increase confidence

Elm

• good for anxious dogs

Gentian

• works to encourage a dog after a mistake or trauma

Gorse

• for a depressed or lethargic dog
• can help to relieve any despair

Heather

• this is for a dog who thinks that he/she should be getting attention all the time

Holly

• for an aggressive dog that bites or nips
• also good for dogs that have territorial issues with other dogs

Honeysuckle

• for dogs that are having trouble readjusting to a new home or living situation

Hornbeam

• for a lethargic dog
• increases motivation

Larch

• for an anxious dog that fears everyday situations

Mimulus

• calms fear of everyday noises and people

Mustard

• for an older dog that seems gloomy or depressed

Oak

• works to slow a hyperactive dog
• can help dog to maintain even energy

Olive

• helps relieve fatigue in a working dog

Pine

• can help a new dog that has come from abusive background
• helps to relieve guilty feelings

Red Chestnut

• helps those dogs with separation anxiety
• can help to keep dog from over excitement

Rock Water

• works to relieve a timid dog
• helps dog to express feelings and needs

Scleranthus

• for an indecisive puppy
• helps to promote focus

Sweet Chestnut

• for the severely anxious dog
• helps to calm and soothe feelings of dread

Vervain

• helps a hyper dog to have more subdued energy and demeanor

Vine

• for the dog that tends to alpha male tendencies
• helps to relieve need for dominance

Walnut

• helps dog that may be moving or changing living situation
• can help to transition a dog from one place to another

Water Violet

• works to motivate an aloof dog

White Chestnut

• can help dog that seems mentally unstable

Wild Oat

• can help with anxious dogs

Wild Rose

• works to restore vitality to a resigned and apathetic dog

Willow

• helps those dogs that seem to dread activity
• works to sooth insecure dog

And these are just some of the remedies available for dogs and other animals. Again, these will not substitute for traditional medicine in emergency situations, but they are good to have around for the nervous pup.

This is not an advice column for the lovelorn, although the combination of Bach and flowers does have potential for a romantic evening in - preferably not with your four-legged friend though! No, this article is about an alternative remedy for dogs with emotional or psychological issues. And no, we’re not talking about buying flowers and playing Bach for your pet.

What Are Bach Flower Remedies?

The remedies were developed in the 1930’s by a noted British physician and scientist named Edward Bach. Dr. Bach found that preparations made from various flowering plants, trees and special waters had a unique calming effect. They were especially effective following traumatic incidents that resulted in injury, abuse, or extreme fright.

How Many Remedies Are There?

Bach created remedies from 38 different plants. Each preparation has its own special properties and applications, ranging from increasing attention span to calming anxiety to relieving pain. A combination of five preparations, known as Rescue Remedy, is the one most commonly used.

What Does Rescue Remedy Do?

Rescue Remedy contains five individual preparations, but is considered a unique, separate essence. It is an all-purpose preparation that dog owners use to treat their pet’s emotions in many diverse situations. For example, some animals get extremely anxious prior to a show or being fed, so their owners may use Rescue Remedy to easy their anxiety. Bach Flower Remedies for dogs are a good supportive treatment.

How Do I Know What Emotions My Dog Is Feeling?

Okay, they may not use spoken words but dogs do reveal their emotions to us. The tilt of a head, the wag of a tail, a gentle nudge of your hand, these and many other behaviors give clues to your dog’s emotions. Take the time to observe your pet carefully and before long you’ll be “reading” him like a pro!

The good news is that there’s no wrong way to apply one of these remedies. You can add them to food or water, place a few drops in your dog’s mouth, or rub them on your hands before petting the animal.

How Do I Know The Correct Dose?

Bach Flower Remedies for dogs are non-toxic so you don’t have to worry about an overdose. They can be given full strength straight from the bottle or you can dilute them with water or food. The important thing is to select a dose and a method that work for you and your dog.

Where Can I Get More Information?

There are many books and web sites that have more information about the history and uses of Bach Flower Remedies. in dogs Visit your local library or use a web search engine to find these other resources.

Closing Thoughts

Bach Flower Remedies for dogs are not a substitute for standard veterinary care. Rather, they are alternative therapies that may help your pet with a variety of emotional issues. Please carefully consider your options and take the time to look at alternative approaches when planning your dog’s health care.