Holistic Animal Care – Where to Begin?

Today, a little welcome, as this is my first article here. A little about wellbeing, trust, and building a relationship. About why working with an animal should start with working… on ourselves. Why? Let’s start from the beginning.

Animal wellbeing is so much more than just “a healthy cat, a well-fed dog.” It’s the moments when your cat purrs softly beside your ear, when your dog looks at you with that gaze full of trust. It’s those little signs when you feel your animal is truly “at home” — calm, safe, content. Living in harmony with their caregiver, with their needs fulfilled, nourished by good food, enough movement, but above all — surrounded by peace. Peace in their environment, and peace in the caregiver’s own mind.

A holistic approach to caring for an animal shifts the way we see them. It changes the question from “what to give for a stomach ache” or “how to make them stop pulling on the leash” to deeper reflection: what does my animal feel? what do they need right now? When I look at them, do I see joy? Or maybe anxiety, tiredness, a longing for calm? In my own experience, the most beautiful changes happen when we start looking — and listening. When instead of thinking “that’s just how they are,” we begin to ask, “why are they like this?” I’ve seen cats who used to hide away suddenly come forward, purring, rubbing against a leg — simply because someone gave them time, a gentle touch, a choice. Someone allowed them to leave when they needed, stopped forcing, stopped rushing their natural rhythm.

I’m often asked, “where do I start?” The answer is ALWAYS: with yourself. By taking a moment to pause, to ask what’s happening in the relationship between you and your animal right now. Is there calm? Patience? Or maybe tension, hurry? Animals feel it — often faster than we realise. What happens between us and them is what we call co-regulation of nervous systems. When we’re calm, present, breathing deeply — our dog or cat can more easily settle. And the opposite: our anxiety, tension, rush can pass onto them in an instant. It’s like an emotional dance, where both sides either calm or stir each other — which is why it’s so important that we learn to slow down, too.

Where is it easiest to see? At the vet. When your animal starts acting “not like themselves” the moment you step through the door, tense, stressed — even though they normally handle new places well. That shift? It’s your stress, the stress of other animals, cortisol hanging in the air. Suddenly, before anything even happens, they’re already on the edge of panic.

You don’t need to be a master of aromatherapy or know every Tellington TTouch point. It’s enough to be present. To lay your hand on their fur, not “to fix something,” but just to be close. To watch as your dog chooses herbs from a buffet, or as your cat gently shows you when they’ve had enough touch.

And you know what? It’s not about being the perfect caregiver. None of us are. It’s about being in it together — in the joys, in the fear of renovations, in the stress over switching foods. It’s about sometimes looking at your furry friend and thinking: “You’ve got it good… and I’m lucky to have you.”

If you’d like, I can share a few simple ideas for everyday holistic care — easy things to weave into your normal days, no big changes needed. And remember: “prevention is better than cure.” Caring for wellbeing, trying to understand your animal, should start before behavioural problems appear.

Reach out — together, we’ll find a way.

Holistic Wellbeing and Care

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