Useful Herbal Ideas for Everyday Care
Quick wins, easy recipes, and herbal inspiration for happy hounds.
Not every herb has to be part of a full remedy or treatment - sometimes it’s the little everyday touches that make the biggest difference. This page is a collection of simple, practical ways you can bring herbs into your dog’s life to keep them happy, healthy, and tail-wagging.
Here you’ll find a mix of inspiration and easy wins:
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Tasty herbal treats you can make in your kitchen 🍪
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Soothing grooming recipes to keep coats shiny and paws protected 🛁
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Ideas for creating a sensory garden where your dog can relax and explore 🌱
Think of it as a basket of ideas you can dip into whenever you’d like to try something new. Some projects are quick (like a dry shampoo or frozen treat), while others invite you to spend an afternoon experimenting (like making a paw balm or planting a few calming herbs in the garden).
And don’t worry - you don’t need to be a herbalist to get started. Most of these ideas use everyday ingredients and just a few simple steps.
So whether you’re baking biscuits, freshening up your dog’s coat, or planting herbs for them to sniff in the garden, these little touches will help bring natural wellness into your pup’s daily routine. 🐾💚
Herbal Recipes
Herbal recipes are a simple (and fun!) way to add a little natural goodness into your dog’s routine. From soothing teas to joint-supporting pastes and cooling treats, these recipes are designed to be easy to make with everyday ingredients while giving your pup gentle, safe support.
You don’t need to be a herbalist - just a spoon, a kettle, and a sprinkle of curiosity. Each recipe highlights one or two herbs and explains how they can help, so you can choose what best fits your dog’s needs.
💚 As always, start small, keep an eye on how your dog responds, and check with a professional if you’re unsure. Herbs are powerful allies, and even the gentlest ones work best with care.
Turmeric Paste
Nettle Tea
Frozen Herbal Cubes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of turmeric powder
1 cup of water
1/4 cup of coconut oil
Method:
Combine the turmeric powder and the water in a small saucepan over a low heat. Stir constantly until it forms a paste. Add the black pepper and coconut oil and mix well. Allow the paste to cool before storing in a glass jar in the fridge.
Give your senior dog a small amount of the paste with their food.
Why It Helps: Turmeric contains curcumin, which helps ease inflammation and supports joint health, making it especially helpful for senior dogs.
This recipe is as easy as making a cup of tea!!
Ingredients:
1 cup of dried nettle leaves OR 2 cups of fresh nettle leaves.
4 cups of water
Method:
If you are using fresh nettles, wash them before use to remove any dirt or debris.
Bring a small saucepan of the water to boil.
Add the nettle leaves and turn the heat to low. Let the leaves simmer for 10 to 15 minutes and then remove the saucepan from the heat.
Strain the tea and let it cool completely before giving to your pooch. You can give 1/4 to 1/2 a cup daily depending on their size and health. I find the easiest way to administer the tea is to pop it in their drinking water or on their food.
Why it helps: Nettle is naturally rich in antihistamines and nutrients, helping to soothe seasonal allergies and support skin health in dogs.
A lot of dogs love to play with ice cubes especially in the summer months so why not make them as healthful as you can?! Here is a selection of herbs you can add to the water before you freeze them.
Why it helps:
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Parsley to freshen breath.
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Mint to soothe tummies and also freshen breath.
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Ginger helps with inflammation.
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Chamomile can help with anxiety.
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Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and can aid in joint mobility.
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Dill can help with digestion.
Chamomile & Oat Calming Biscuits
Ingredients:
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1 cup rolled oats (ground into flour)
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½ cup whole oats
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½ cup chamomile tea (strongly brewed, cooled)
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1 Tbsp honey (optional)
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1 egg
Instructions:
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Preheat oven: Set to 180°C / 350°F.
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Mix: Combine oat flour, oats, and honey in a bowl.
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Add wet ingredients: Stir in the egg and cooled chamomile tea until a dough forms.
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Shape: Roll into small balls or cut into shapes.
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Bake: Place on a lined tray and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden.
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Cool: Allow to cool completely before giving to your dog.
Why it helps: Chamomile supports relaxation and digestion, while oats are calming and gentle on sensitive tummies.
Rosehip Sprinkle
Ingredients:
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½ cup dried rosehips (seeds removed)
Instructions:
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Grind: Use a blender, coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle to grind rosehips into a fine powder.
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Store: Keep in an airtight jar away from sunlight.
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Use: Sprinkle ½–1 tsp over your dog’s food a few times per week.
Why it helps: Rosehips are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, helping to support immunity, joint health, and overall vitality.
Plant a Sensory Garden
A sensory garden is more than just a pretty outdoor space - it’s a playground for your dog’s senses. By planting a variety of herbs and dog-safe plants, you create a natural haven where your pup can sniff, explore, and relax in their own way.
The mix of scents, textures, and even sounds in a sensory garden gives dogs endless enrichment. They might bury their nose in calming lavender, brush past rustling grasses, or pause to enjoy the gentle hum of bees and birds around them. These experiences aren’t just fun - they also help reduce stress, ease anxiety, and keep boredom at bay.
A well-planned sensory garden supports your dog’s mental well-being and physical health, turning even a small corner of your yard or balcony into a safe, stimulating sanctuary. Whether it’s for playtime, relaxation, or simply a gentle wander, your dog will love having a space that’s truly theirs.
Step 2 - Add dog safe herbs and plants.
This is the heart of your sensory garden! Include a mix of herbs your dog can sniff, nibble, or brush against. Calming lavender, cooling mint, soothing chamomile, and vitamin-rich parsley are all excellent choices. The variety of scents and textures keeps things interesting and offers natural health benefits.
Step 1 - Choose a Location
Pick a safe, quiet spot where your dog feels comfortable. It doesn’t need to be big — even a small corner of your garden, balcony, or terrace can become a sensory haven. Make sure it’s secure and free from toxic plants or hazards.
Step 3 - Add a water feature.
Dogs love the sound and feel of running water. A shallow fountain, trickling stream, or even a simple water bowl with floating herbs (like mint or rose petals) can add a cooling, calming element. It also encourages hydration, especially in warmer months.
Step 4 - Add different textures.
Think about what your dog experiences under their paws and nose. Mix in soft grass, crunchy gravel paths, gentle moss, or even wooden stepping logs. These textures provide stimulation and encourage natural exploration, making every visit a little adventure.
✨ Remember, you don’t need to create the whole garden in one go. Even a few pots of dog-safe herbs on a balcony or terrace can give your pup a world of new scents to explore.
🌱 Start small, watch what your dog enjoys most, and build from there — the best sensory gardens grow with time and love.
🐾 Most of all, have fun with it! A sensory garden isn’t about perfection, it’s about giving your dog a safe, enriching space where tails wag and noses lead the way.
🌱 Top 10 Dog-Safe Herbs to Plant
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Chamomile – calming for stress and digestion
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Lavender – soothing scent, helps relaxation
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Mint – cooling, aids digestion, freshens breath
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Rosemary – stimulating scent, supports circulation
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Parsley – fresh breath and gentle detox
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Thyme – antimicrobial and good for the immune system
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Basil – calming and anti-inflammatory
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Lemon Balm – mood-lifting, gentle calming herb
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Oregano – supports immunity and digestion
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Calendula – skin-soothing and bright, cheerful flowers
💚 Tip: Plant a mix so your dog can choose what they’re drawn to - they’re often very good at picking what they need.
Make Your Own Herbal Grooming Products
Pamper Your Pooch, Naturally
Why Make Your Own?
Making your own grooming products is one of the best ways to care for your dog naturally. Instead of relying on commercial shampoos and sprays that often contain harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances, you’ll know exactly what’s going onto your dog’s skin and coat.
Homemade products can be tailored to your pup’s unique needs - whether that’s a gentle shampoo for sensitive skin, a paw balm for cracked pads, or a spritz that keeps their coat fresh and shiny. They’re also kinder on the purse and the planet, since you can reuse containers and choose eco-friendly ingredients.
And let’s not forget - it’s GREAT fun! There’s something wonderfully satisfying about whipping up your own herbal creations and knowing they’ve been made with love, care, and a dash of creativity. 🐾💚
⚠️ A quick reminder: not every essential oil or herb is safe for dogs. Always double-check ingredients before use, start with small amounts, and patch test on your dog’s skin to make sure they don’t react.
DIY Herbal Grooming Kit
Keeping your dog clean and comfortable doesn’t have to mean store-bought shampoos and sprays. With a few simple ingredients from your kitchen and garden, you can whip up natural grooming products that are gentle, effective, and tailored to your pup’s needs.
Below you’ll find four of my favourites - a flea & tick repellent, a soothing paw balm, a herbal dry shampoo, and an ear cleaner - all designed to keep tails wagging and coats shining, the natural way.
🐜 Flea & Tick Repellent Spray
Ingredients:
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1 cup apple cider vinegar
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1 cup distilled water
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2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary (or 1 Tbsp dried)
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Optional: a few drops of dog-safe essential oil (lavender or cedarwood)
Instructions:
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Infuse the herbs: In a heatproof jar, combine apple cider vinegar and rosemary. Cover and let infuse overnight (or gently heat for 20 minutes, then cool).
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Strain: Remove the herbs and mix the infused vinegar with distilled water.
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Bottle: Pour into a spray bottle.
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Apply: Lightly mist your dog’s coat before walks, avoiding the face.
🐾 Soothing Paw Balm
Ingredients:
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2 Tbsp olive oil (or infused calendula oil if available)
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1 Tbsp mango butter
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1 Tbsp beeswax pellets
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Optional: 1 tsp dried calendula petals, infused into the oil
Instructions:
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Melt: In a double boiler, gently melt olive oil, mango butter, and beeswax.
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Infuse (optional): Stir in calendula petals and let steep for 10 minutes, then strain.
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Cool slightly: Allow to cool for 2–3 minutes.
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Pour: Transfer into tins or small jars.
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Set: Let cool until solid.
To Use: Massage onto paw pads after walks or at bedtime.
🛁 Herbal Dry Shampoo
Ingredients:
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1 cup baking soda
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½ cup cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
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1 Tbsp finely ground dried lavender or chamomile
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Optional: 2–3 drops lavender essential oil (mixed in thoroughly)
Instructions:
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Mix: In a bowl, combine baking soda, cornstarch, and ground herbs.
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Optional scent: If using essential oil, drop it in and whisk well to avoid clumps.
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Store: Keep in an airtight shaker jar.
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Apply: Sprinkle lightly over your dog’s coat, avoiding eyes and nose. Massage in and brush out.
👂 Herbal Ear Cleaner
Ingredients:
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½ cup apple cider vinegar
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½ cup distilled water
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1 chamomile tea bag (or 1 Tbsp dried chamomile flowers)
Instructions:
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Brew: Steep the chamomile in ½ cup boiling water for 15 minutes. Cool completely.
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Mix: Combine cooled chamomile tea with apple cider vinegar.
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Bottle: Store in a clean glass jar or small squeeze bottle.
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Apply: Use a cotton pad to gently wipe the inside of your dog’s ear flap. Do not pour liquid directly into the ear canal.
⚠️ A Quick Note on Safety
When using essential oils, always dilute them properly in a carrier oil before applying to your dog. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should never be applied neat to the skin. Stick to dog-safe oils like lavender or cedarwood, and always patch-test a small amount first. Every dog is different, so go slowly and watch how your pooch responds.