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Vet Talks: What is Arnica And Can It Be Used For Pets?

Vet Talks 2 min read
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Arnica is a classic sunflower with bright yellow flowers and is found in the alpine regions of North America. It has traditionally been used in western herbalism and homeopathy for discomfort and bruising. Whether the discomfort stems from arthritis or muscle bruising or trauma, arnica can be used topically for your dog or cat as an ointment.

We use this sunflower daily topically in an herbal ointment (Heal-Care Ointment) for bruising and discomfort. If any of our staff is scratched or bitten, arnica is our recommended go-to product.

It is used in acute and chronic conditions such as sore muscles, bruises, and sprains.

For our animal patients, arnica is used every day for post-surgical, dental, laceration repair, or any trauma for bruising and discomfort. It is a powerful herb that never lets us down.

Arnica comes in several different forms and is used differently depending on the condition that your cat or dog is suffering from.

It is western herbalism that Arnica is used in a topical formulation such as NHV’s Heal-Care Ointment for Pets; it can also be found in creams and gels. It is used in acute and chronic conditions such as sore muscles, bruises, and sprains.

Arnica has great anti-inflammatory properties for pets when used topically. It also can help against microorganisms and has antioxidative, anti-osteoporotic, and hepatoprotective properties. Arnica can also be beneficial for supporting healthy circulation. You can learn more details about these properties found in Arnica from our veterinarian, Dr. Amanda, The Benefits of Arnica Montana.

NHV’s Arnica ointment, which is called Heal-Care, would be a good all-around ointment to have on hand for any pet care needs. 

Do you have a pet who is suffering from discomfort? Would arnica be useful? If you would like holistic advice on pet discomfort and arnica ointment, please contact us for an online veterinary consultation.

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Published: December 9, 2016

37 replies

  1. GARY ROGER HUGHES says:

    I have a 3 year old 32lb female Boston Terrier that had luxating patella surgery in May. In the past week after laying down she has severe pain when rising. She will take maybe 2 steps, stop and sit for a few moments, then repeat this several times before being able to walk with a slight limp on the surgical leg. Can I give her Arnica liquid orally for this pain? If so what product, dosage, and frequency.
    Thank you in advance for your help.

    1. Raphael M says:

      Hi Gary, we’re so sorry to hear that. We talked to our in-house vet and she recommended your girl take Old Timer and Turmeric. The Old Timer helps reduce inflammation on joints and Turmeric is to reduce the pain. Please feel free to contact us in case you have any questions!

  2. Lynn Roller says:

    My dog had torn his meniscus in one leg and cruciate tendon in the other. He had to have knee surgery on both with a metal stabilizer in each. He get frequent strains and sprains and will limp and not walk very well occasionally. He weighs 60 lbs, and wanted to know if I can give him the Arnica tablets and how many or if the above recommended Old Timer and Tumeric would be better. Also where can I purchase the Old Timer and tumeric and what dose should I give of those? thank you for anticipated help

    1. Raphael M says:

      Hi Lynn, so sorry to hear about your furkid. We can definitely help you.
      You will find Arnica in one of our products, the Heal Care Ointment. Heal Care Ointment is a topical ointment designed to soothe and heal injured paws as well as support inflamed muscles and joints.
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/heal-care-ointment-dog-paw-pad-injury
      We do recommend pairing the Heal Care Ointment with Old Timer. Old Timer provides support to help alleviate arthritis, muscle, and joint discomfort. It’s a great supplement for pets recovering from any joint and/or muscle issues.
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/old-timer-for-arthritis-in-dogs
      Please let us know if you need any other help! We’re here for you.

  3. Yin says:

    Hi, I have a 7 years old Newfoundland with mild hip issues, 3 operations on her 2 legs for ligament years ago. Arthritis, sore from time to time, especially after exercise, soreness is making it hard for her to get up, physio recommended me to get some Arnica tablet for her, I am looking at the 6C, can you advise how many of the 6c I should give her and how many times a day? Physio said I can take break of this when my dog feels better and only give it to her for 2 days if she is sore again. But I want more expert advise as I do not want to overdose my dog. She is 55kgs. Thanks in advance.

    1. Raphael M says:

      Hi Yin,

      We’re so sorry to hear about your furkid. We can definitely help you get through this. We talked to our in-house vet and she said that Arnica is a homeopathic remedy and when given internally, it’s best to consult with your vet for dosage. What we can recommend and she is suggesting it for your girl is to start her on a few supplements to support her through this process. She can take the supplements along with the medication, as long as you let your vet know.

      The supplements we recommend are Yucca, Turmeric and Old Timer. We have a kit that contains these three supplements. They help ease inflammation and pain, improve energy and overall pet well-being and soothe painful joints.
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/cat-dog-joint-pain-relief-supplements

      Please feel free to reach out to us in case you have any other questions, please.

      Thank you,
      NHV Team

  4. Tammy Dorwart says:

    Hi. I have a 10 year old 19lb tabby with arthritis in her front legs. I currently give her Cosequin and omega supplements. But she still has visible pain. What can I give her for the pain? TIA
    Tammy

    1. Raphael M says:

      Hi Tammy,

      We’re so sorry to hear about your furkiddo being in pain. We know how hard it can be to watch them like this and we’re here for you! We recommend a couple of supplements to help her with pain and arthritis.

      Old Timer helps alleviate arthritis, muscle, and joint discomfort and it helps with energy levels as well.
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/old-timer-for-arthritis-in-dogs

      Yucca may help to provide symptom relief related to inflammation and pain. It also helps with loss of appetite.
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/yucca-appetite-stimulant-for-dogs

      There is a kit that comes with both of them and will save you a little bit.
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/dog-cat-joint-problems

      For dosage, she needs 1.0 ml twice a day and she can take these with her current prescribed medication, as long as they are taken 2 hours apart. And it’s recommended that she takes them with food.

      Please let us know if you have any other questions, we’re happy to help! We hope your furkid feels better!

      Yours in wellness,
      NHV Team

  5. Stefan B says:

    Hy, I have a 12 years dog with back pains and problems walking. i would like to give her Arnica but I only found in my country D6 250mg. How much should I give her? Thank you!

    1. Raphael M says:

      Hi Stefan,

      Thank you for reaching out to us!

      We don’t advise the use of arnica internally unless it is supervised by a holistic vet. Externally, it should be fine to use, as we recommended on the blog with Heal Care ointment.

      Please feel free to send us a message if you have any other questions.

      Yours in wellness,
      NHV Team

  6. Angela says:

    Hi! Thanks for the info. I use homeopathy for my family. For my cats, does it matter what brand of arnica we use? I have Boiron and it has lactose, so I wasn’t sure if that was appropriate for cats.

    1. Raphael M says:

      Hi Angela,
      That is a really good question.

      No, any brand of arnica should be fine, but we recommend the use to be supervised by your holistic vet.

      Please let us know if you have any other questions, we’re happy to help!

      Yours in wellness,
      NHV Team

  7. Jewel Lusher says:

    My mini schnauzer was chasing the ball and turned sharply. I saw his foot bend sharply. He has been limping ever since. Its his right back foot.
    He is holding it up not wanting to put any weight on it. He lets me touch it and has not cried out at all. Its been about4 hours. I just gave him some Arnica pellets. What else should I do?

    1. Raphael M says:

      Hi Jewel,

      We’re so sorry to hear about your furkiddo! You can try Yucca, which helps support for inflamed muscles and joints in dogs and may help relieve pain.
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/yucca-appetite-stimulant-for-dogs

      Please send us a message if you need anything else.

      Yours in wellness,
      NHV Team

  8. Jayne Mcshane says:

    Hi
    My labradoodle has a difficult delivery with the first pup still born she then had to have a c section to save the other 5 pups
    All are doing well
    I would like to administer some homeopathic remedy to help healing and pain
    What would you recommend ?
    THANKYOU so much
    Jayne

    1. Raphael M says:

      Hi Jayne,

      Our supplements are not homeopathic solutions, but they can help support your furkiddo going through this difficult situation.
      We would recommend Yucca, which is great support for inflamed muscles and joints in dogs and may help relieve pain.
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/yucca-appetite-stimulant-for-dogs

      Please reach out to us in case you have any other questions, we’re more than happy to help!

      Yours in wellness,
      NHV Team

  9. John Nogueira says:

    I have my love Sophie who is a 16 pound Russian Blue feline. She sprained her left leg and or shoulder. She does put weight on it and there not appear to be any break or dislocation. It’s been 3 days and I can tell it’s sore because she does favor that leg. I know it can take a while for it to heal and was told Arnica could help her. I want to help her with the discomfort till it’s heal thank you for any assistance

    1. Raphael M says:

      Hi John,

      We’re so sorry to hear about Sophie, poor girl.

      We talked to our in-house vet and she recommends giving her two supplements to help: Turmeric and Yucca. She also recommends taking Sophie to the vet to get her checked for any possible fractures or bone displacement.

      Turmeric helps reduce inflammation of joints, has pain-reducing properties, helps improve liver function and supports the heart and circulatory function.
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/turmeric-for-cat-cancer-symptoms

      Yucca is great support for inflamed muscles and joints in cats and may help relieve pain as well as may stimulate and improve appetite and helps with digestion.
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/yucca-appetite-stimulant-for-cats

      Please let us know if you need anything or has any other questions, we’re here for you.

      Yours in wellness,
      NHV Team

  10. Anne says:

    Our little puppy 15 weeks old while exploring jumped up against a plank of wood which toppled and came down on his left front paw. He’s walking gingerly. Not crying or upset when I feel it. Could I give it a few dosings of arnica?

    1. NHV Natural Pet says:

      Hi Anne,

      We’re sorry to hear about your sweet puppy’s paw accident. We can only imagine how that must have bothered him and worried you. We generally don’t advice the oral ingestion of arnica herb from a naturopathic practice standpoint. For paw injury, we have Heal Care Ointment to help with his healing and to soothe any infection and inflammation he may have.
      Arnica is our main herb in this ointment and you can use arnica in this formula externally.
      Here’s the link to our Heal Care ointment
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/heal-care-ointment-dog-paw-pad-injury

      How is your sweet puppy doing since? We’re just a message away if you have any questions. Sending your sweet pup lots of love and healing vibes

  11. Julie says:

    Hello my american eskimo Dexter got some teeth pulled out today. He is 8 years old..I have been giving some [pharmaceutical name removed]. 3 pellets mixed with coconut oil
    Will turmeric help with pain and inflammation as well?

    Medicine with so many side effects was recommended but I’m hoping to give him relief from pain swelling more naturally
    Your input is greatly appreciated

    Julie

    1. NHV Natural Pet says:

      Hi Julie,

      Owh, we’re sorry to hear about sweet Dexter’s dental health. We can imagine how scary dental visits can be for him and how might be uncomfortable. We recommend speaking to a homeopathic vet with regards to the continued usage of orally-formulated arnica products. We practice naturopathy and generally do not encourage any oral ingestion of arnica. Feeding Turmeric orally can help to support Dexter’s pain, but we would suggest Mouth Drops as it will specifically soothe the pain in his mouth. Mouth Drops is our main supplement for dental health and can prevent plaque. It can help to fight against the infections in the mouth and it is good for long term use.

      Sometimes applying Mouth Drops can be hard, so we recommend feeding the supplement with a little bit of honey or mixing it with his toothpaste. Here’s the link to Mouth Drops
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/mouth-drops-for-dog-bad-breath

      We’re just a message away if you have any questions. Sending your sweet pup lots of love and healing vibes

  12. Shanice Fuller says:

    Hello I have a 3 year old Rottie who was running in my yard and I think went into a hole. She will not put pressure on one of her back legs. No breaks or dislocation. I’m hoping it’s just a bad sprain She does not seem to be in pain when I touch. Will Arnica help?

    1. NHV Pet Expert says:

      Hi Shanice,

      Owhh, we can imagine how uncomfortable that must be for your sweet pup and how that must have worried you. It is a good thing that she doesn’t have any breaks or dislocation. We have Old Timer to help with sprain and can help to soothe her pain naturally. Here’s the link to Old Timer:
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/old-timer-for-arthritis-in-dogs

      For her back legs injury, we have Heal Care Ointment to help with her external injuries. We do not suggest ingesting Arnica as it is for topical use only. Arnica is our main herb in our Heal Care ointment and can help soothe her pain.

      Here’s the link to our Heal Care ointment:
      https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/heal-care-ointment-dog-paw-pad-injury

      Let us know how she is doing. We’re just a message away if you need anything. Sending lots of love and healing vibes!

  13. DM says:

    Can you give this to gerbils and what dosage? Trying to find an ‘over the counter’ type pain killer for a cyst on a gerbil’s tummy..

    1. NHV Natural Pet says:

      Hello DM,

      Owh, we’re sorry to hear about your sweet gerbil’s cyst. We can imagine that must have cause a lot of discomfort. We recommend ES Clear to help with the cyst instead of Heal Care. ES Clear can help to detoxify and support your gerbil’s weakened immune system. The herbal remedy can also help to support your gerbil’s energy levels. Can you share with us your gerbil’s current weight?

      Here’s the link to ES Clear: https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/es-clear-for-pocket-pets/

      We will be sharing this information with you in the email. We’re just a message away if you need anything. Sending lots of love and healing vibes.

  14. Rebecca Haynes says:

    Hi there, I have a 7 year old cat, Pocky, who has an aural Hematoma following an ear infection (recurrent) The Hematoma has been drained 3 times now but filled again on each occasion. The ear infection has come back again and I am feeling a little disillusioned with the conventional treatments offered by my vet. I want to go down a more natural route and feel arnica would be of something use, along with drops for the infection itself that include mullein and possibly yarrow. There are also some homeopathic remedies I wish to try as well as tissue salts, namely calc sulph and ferr phos. Any other advice gratefully received. Thank you!

    1. Team NHV says:

      Hi Rebecca,

      We’re so sorry to hear that Pocky’s ear infection keeps coming back. We know how stressful it is when our little ones are sick and all we want is for them to feel better .

      We consulted with our in-house-vet Dr. Amanda regarding Pocky’s aural Hematoma, and how to prevent his ear infection from returning and she recommended that the most effective way to treat aural hematoma is through surgery. The goals of surgery are to remove the hematoma, prevent a recurrence, and retain the natural appearance of the ears. She also recommended that the supplements that may be beneficial to decrease the inflammation are Pet-Omega 3, Turmeric, and Yucca. But unfortunately, they will not solve the problem. Just surgery can be effective in this case. She also said that the homeopathy you mention wouldn’t hurt as well. Overall, the best course of action for helping Pocky is surgery.

      If you have any more questions about Pocky and his health, please know we are always here for you .

  15. Oindrila Bhattacharjee says:

    A street dog is injured here and is having inflamed joint. Not possible to take it to hospital. Could arnica be given?

    1. Team NHV says:

      Hi Oindrila,

      We’re sorry to hear that your little one is injured. You’re so incredible for rescuing him! Our pet experts do not recommend giving pets Arnica to ingest, it should be used topically instead for cuts or paw pads. For inflamed joints, we recommend the Old Timer, Yucca, and Turmeric for joint inflammation, which will all help soothe and relieve the inflammation of the joints, as well as help reduce pain in your pup.

      If you have any more questions about your dog and their health, we’re always here to help!

      Yours in wellness,
      Team NHV

  16. Rishi says:

    9 yr old female dog suffering from heat period bleeding past 1 half month .should I use (arnica1m). to reduce bleeding.she is active,no other problems.i just want to know if I can use arnica .then what is dose

    1. Team NHV says:

      Hi Rishi,

      We’re really sorry to hear about her discomfort with the period. From a naturopathy standpoint, we generally don’t recommend ingesting arnica. As high dosages of arnica can be poisonous if left unmonitored. It’s usually best to speak to a homeopathy vet if you’re interested in oral arnica.

      Our vet team’s recommendation is to get her spayed as that can help to prevent future uterine infections and mammary tumor concerns. Spaying can also help to address the bleeding situation when she is in heat.

      If you’re looking to support her pain naturally, we have a regimen that can help her.

      Yucca is a super herb that can help the body produce natural corticosteroids. This herb can help to support his body against pain and inflammation naturally. It can also help support her appetite and discomfort in the stomach.

      Lesstress has herbs like chamomile, lemon balm, and reishi that can help to support her body against anxiety and stress that might happen during the bleeding.

      We also have a blog on caring for our spayed and neutered animals
      https://blog.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/after-care-when-spaying-neutering-kittens/

      We’re always just a message away if you need anything or have any questions. Our pet experts are always happy to help you support your boy! Sending your sweet pooch lots of love and healing vibes.

  17. Dan King says:

    Hello,
    We have an 8 year old 71 lb retriever/lab male mutt that tore his right back ACL in July. He is very active, but walks with a limp. What products would you recommend?

    1. Team NHV says:

      Hi Dan,

      We’re really sorry to hear about he tore his right back ACL back in July and the limp as of a result. We can only imagine how uncomfortable and painful it can be for him.

      We’d like to help you support him naturally. Here’s a recommended regimen we have that can help to support his body’s healing naturally.

      We have Old Timer as our main mobility support. It can help to soothe the pain in joints, ligaments, and muscles. It can help to reduce the discomfort he is experiencing around the ACL area.

      Yucca is a super herb that can help the body produce natural corticosteroids. This herb can help to support his body against pain and inflammation naturally, in the ACL region. It can also help support his appetite and discomfort in the stomach.

      Turmeric is a super herb with curcumin properties that can help manage any pain and inflammation your boy has and can help to address the limping concern.

      Do take your time to go through our suggested regimen. We’re always just a message away if you need anything or have any questions. Our pet experts are always happy to help you support your boy! Sending your sweet pooch lots of love and healing vibes.

  18. Team NHV says:

    Hi there,

    Thank you so much for reaching out to us on our blog.

    We read your story and we were in awe at how strong and courageous you are. We can’t thank you enough for taking such great care of your little girl. We can’t even imagine how stressed you must have been but we’re so glad that you and your sweetheart had each other.

    We reached out to our in-house vet team for you and they have a few suggestions that they think could help :

    Heal Care can benefit your little one because the all-natural ointment has Arnica, which can help heal cuts and bruises. Heal Care can also help to reduce discomfort and inflammation.

    Here’s more information about Heal Care for you : https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/heal-care-ointment-dog-paw-pad-injury

    Turmeric is a liquid supplement that can help to reduce inflammation and discomfort while also supporting important organs like the liver and heart.

    Here’s more information about Turmeric : https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/turmeric-for-dog-cancer-symptoms

    Please let us know if you have any questions, we’re always here to help you if you need anything. Sending lots of love and healing vibes to you and your sweet girl.

  19. Heather says:

    I see you state 3 pellets of 30c arnica is safe for ingestion for a cat. Would this be safe for a kidney disease cat and could you use this until the yucca and your other products have shipped and arrived to me and be safe?

    1. Team NHV says:

      Hi Heather,

      Thank you so much for reaching out to us.

      We know conditions like kidney disease can be really tough on a little kitty, so thank you so much for looking after your little one during this time. We’re sure they really love and appreciate you!

      Even homeopathic arnica must only be administered if your veterinarian prescribes it. The dosage can vary with weight and condition, and depending on the issue, even the smallest dosage can be harmful. Because arnica can be dangerous to pets when ingested, we would suggest only using your vet’s guidance as they are most familiar with your pet and their history.

      We hope that your regimen reaches you quickly so your little one gets the extra support they need.

      Please feel free to reach out to us if you ever need anything, we’re always here to help.

      Yours in wellness,
      Team NHV

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