FAQ’s

How can inhaling a remedy improve my animal’s health and well being?

Animals have a sense of smell far superior to that of our own, because scent perception is important to just about all terrestrial animals to find food, hunt, communicate amongst themselves, find their way, and to locate their mates and identify their offspring. Their highly developed and specialized smell sensory system, also known as “olfactory system” gives them the ability to process more odour information and the ability to detect and analyze individual scents within an environment and from an array of numerous odours without confusion.

Most terrestrial animals have two mechanisms for processing odours, these are involved in detecting and interpreting smells, the main olfactory system which detects volatile, airborne molecules such as those in the essential oil remedies used in this therapy. The other system an accessory olfactory structure known as the vomero-nasal organ (VMO) detects distinct odours which are often, but not always volatile or airborne.

Once vaporized molecules are airborne, they are inhaled by the animal. They diffuse through their nasal passage and into the vomero-nasal organ where scent stimulated nerve impulses from the vomeronasal olfactory system are received in the limbic system of the brain. This results in processing, recognition and interpretation of this scented information to form coded messages that are then dispatched to various areas of the body, resulting in both an emotional and physical response.

The use of olfactory therapy in post traumatic stress for example is well demonstrated by scientists in the USA that has recreated the smell of Ground Zero for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder as a desensitization therapy for survivors affected.

How long does it take before I notice any improvements to my animal?

Innate Scents therapy, using the concepts of Zoopharmacognosy does not provide instant relief or cures. It is a gentle and harmonious process that works with an animals’ natural healing process to bring about a gradual improvement to any existing health problems. The process of healing and restoring health will be different for each animal and allows the animal to heal at their own pace. This therapy addresses the whole animal, like other holistic practices, rather than just the ailment. Some animals have been known to select their remedies for days, weeks and sometimes for up to three months. However, Innate Scents recommends that initially the therapy should be continued for up to two weeks. After this time you should contact your zoopharmacognosy practitioner to discuss the animals progress and needs before continuing the therapy.

How long does a home or yard visit take?

Each animal responds differently to the remedies offered to them and are allowed to self-select and use remedies their own way, and in their own time. Generally, a home or yard session takes about to 2 1/2 hours to allow an individual animal an opportunity to self select the remedies they are in need of and to ensure that owners will have the tools and knowledge to continue the therapy with their animal at the end of the session

What if my animal refuses all of the remedies offered to them?

Sometimes animals have been known to refuse assistance in this way turning turn down the remedies offered, and we must respect their decisions completely. No animal is ever forced to participate in the therapy as this would be contrary to the principles of their natural self-selecting and self-medicating tendencies in the wild. Sometimes an animal will choose just a few remedies during the first session and then may refuse them for a few days later, then showing more interest in their selected remedies at that time. This does not mean the therapy is unsuccessful, but is part of the natural healing process, different remedies may be required during the progression of a condition or illness. Often, the opposite is true, and an animal may well be willing to investigate all options offered to them. This is often in line with the temperament of the particular animal, and we must allow them the time and space to make these decisions.

Is this Therapy Safe?

Over time evolution has changed both animals and plants to interact to their mutual benefit and Zoopharmacognosy has been practiced for thousands of years so it has with stood the test of time.

This approach using zoopharmacognosy has a good safety profile when used correctly and with knowledge of the individual remedies themselves, their indications and appropriate use in health conditions being addressed. Particularly because the selection, method of administration, dose, and duration of therapy are all determined by the animals themselves. Such treatments are intended to broaden the idea of therapy, rather than substitute for traditional professional veterinary care. No animal is put at risk or forced to participate in this self-selection process and is always with consent with the animal’s vet. We believe that it is our duty to give animals the very best quality of life, which is why all of the remedies and extracts used in this method are of the very highest quality and organically sourced where possible.

Other safety measures:
Animals are never offered the therapy whilst on a course of veterinary prescribed medication other than antibiotics, awaiting or recovering from surgery, very young animals or whilst pregnant. The animals are never forced, tied up and must be able to walk away from a remedy it has no interest in. The whole process is about empowering and enabling the animals to select and administer their own choice of organic therapy in their own way, and in their own time. The strength of the remedies offered are adjusted with animals that are very thin or under nourished. If the individual animal is receiving conventional veterinary medicine, this method is not recommended until after the veterinary treatment has finished.

Are there any animal related restrictions that make this therapy unsuitable for my animal(s)?

When deciding to engage with this therapy with your own animals, other factors that may make this therapy unsuitable include:

  • Any recent diagnostic tests carried out or soon to be carried out, by your veterinary specialist may render this therapy unsuitable at this time
  • If your animal is currently receiving veterinary prescribed medication (other than antibiotics) or with supplements
  • Any surgery or operations recently, or even soon to be performed
  • Pregnancy, suspected pregnancy or weaning female animals
  • Very young or thin animals please check with Innate Scents.

In the event Innate Scents therapy is unsuitable at this time, it may be considered at a later date with the consent of your vet.
It is important to make us aware if your animal participates in competitions of any sort because this may show positive in a doping test.

Can anyone be involved in offering the remedies to my animal on a daily basis or does it have to be the animal owner only?

In the interest and safety of yourself and your animal, only those adults (over the age of 18years) who have been taught how to safely offer these remedies to your animal by a qualified zoopharmacognosist practitioner. It is important for the animal owner to be involved in offering the remedies because the animals already knows and trusts you, and because you know the animal well and may need to continue the course of therapy for a period of time. By participating in the therapy, you will become confident at continuing the therapy on your own if necessary. You will also be far more aware of any changes taking place, and of course, you will be building on the trust that already exists between you and your animals.

Do not under any circumstances use essential oils or participate in this therapy if you are epileptic, asthmatic, pregnant or breast-feeding, suffer from any serious medical condition such as hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, kidney disease, are taking anti-coagulant drugs. Do not use around babies and very young children.

Why do you have to short list the remedies to offer an animal?

An extensive range of remedies in many forms exist and so for practical purposes and safety it would be inappropriate to expose individual animals to so many remedies which can affect accurate assessment of interpreting the animals’ responses and the effectiveness of individual remedies and in some cases may be toxic to certain species. For this reason the remedies are skilfully and professionally researched and short listed, to a range of remedies that is considered appropriate to the health condition being addressed and veterinary diagnosis and like all holistic approaches, takes into account both physical and emotional support the animal may be in need of.

Can I use the remedies given for any of my other animals?

Before using any remedies including essential oils with your other animals, it is important to check with your vet first to verify there is no medical reason why your other animals cannot be offered essential oils and other remedies used in this therapy on a self-selection basis. It is advisable that if you are intending to use any of these remedies with other animal species, you are advised to contact your zoopharmacognosy practitioner who can offer you advice, guidance and appropriateness on using any of the individual remedies with your other animals, as some animal species may react to some of the remedies.

Does my animal still need to see the vet?

This therapy is by no means a replacement for the opinion of your veterinary surgeon and if you have any concerns about your animals’ health you should consult your vet first.

Providing your vet has given you consent to involve your animal in this therapy and no further veterinary treatment or diagnostic tests are required from your vet, there should be no reason to have to take your animal back to the vet. On request details of your animal(s) therapy can be forwarded to your own vet so that they can monitor and follow up on the therapy if necessary.

Should I stop their prescribed medication from the vet?

Never stop any prescribed medication by your vet. In the interests of your animals’ health and safety, if your animal is receiving and veterinary prescribed medication, due for an operation or any diagnostic tests you are advised not to embark on this therapy at this time, but can consider this therapy at a later stage and should always check with your vet in the first instance.

What type of behavioural problems does this therapy work for?

This therapy is particularly helpful for animals in cases of distress, often seen as abnormal or self-destructive behaviour, anxiety or depression, rescued and abused animals, animals are put in unfamiliar surroundings or experience changes in their existing environment.

Some behavioural problems include but are not limited to:

  • fearful behaviour (including any associated fear at the end of life)
  • noise phobias
  • separation anxiety
  • head shaking and box weaving in horses
  • aggression
  • unsociable behaviours
  • changes in mood
  • anxiety and depressive illness
  • behavioural problems including hormonal imbalance
  • behaviours associated with an animals’ rehabilitation process
  • behaviours associated with a lack of confidence
  • readjusting to new or unfamiliar surroundings
  • lack of trust with new owners or handlers
  • apprehension
  • concentration
  • unsettling behaviours associated with changes to a new home, owner or handler, or changes to their familiar home and environment such as the introduction of another animal, visitor or member of the family
  • flighty animals such as horses, particularly when introduced to a new yard or owner/handler
  • animals that are anxious or apprehensive about travelling
  • animals that have suffered abuse or severe hardship and illness

Can this therapy be used in conjunction with other alternative animal therapies?

This therapy may only be used alongside animal therapies such as massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic manipulation, osteopathy. It is not recommended that this therapy is used alongside any other alternative animal therapy including homeopathy without discussing this with your vet, as this can be very harmful to your animal and may result in serious treatment complications.

Do you apply any of the remedies to the animal’s skin or coat?

No this goes against the principles of animal self medication behaviour. The only time remedies would be applied externally is in cases of local skin related problems where they are applied directly to the affected area and the remedies used would have been self selected by the individual animal. Sometimes an animal will choose to their remedy externally by back rolling or rubbing themselves in their selected remedy.

Which animals can this therapy be used for?

Innate Scents animal therapy is suitable for all animal species including birds, reptiles, all domestic pets, wildlife rehabilitation, livestock animals, welfare animals in shelters and rescue homes, working animals, confined animals such as kennels and catteries. This therapy is not suitable for aquatic species.

If you have any other questions that are not listed here, please contact Innate Scents at info@innate-scents.co.uk or call 0777 346 3423.