The Herby Hound

The Herby Hound 🌿Empowering dog owners to embrace the benefits of herbal remedies.

Newsletter
https://bit.ly/HerbyHoundNewsletter


Flashcards: How Herbs Can Help Your Pooch
https://bit.ly/42HERBALFLASHCARDS

Christmas Calm Plan
https://bit.ly/TheChristmasCalmPlan

Festive Ginger & Apple Dog Biscuits(A cosy winter treat - warming, tummy-friendly, and perfect for gift jars)These biscu...
29/11/2025

Festive Ginger & Apple Dog Biscuits

(A cosy winter treat - warming, tummy-friendly, and perfect for gift jars)

These biscuits smell like Christmas but are gentle, safe, and soothing for dogs - especially seniors or dogs with sensitive tummies.

🌿 Ingredients (dog-safe, festive and simple)

1 cup oat flour (or blended oats)

½ cup unsweetened applesauce (or finely grated apple)

1 egg (helps it bind - or use flax/water if needed)

½ tsp ground ginger (warming & tummy-friendly)

Optional: pinch of cinnamon (only if your dog tolerates it well)

A splash of water if mixture feels dry

🍪 How to make them:

Preheat oven to 160°C / 320°F (gentle baking is better for herbs).

Mix flour, ginger (and cinnamon if using) in a bowl.

Add applesauce and egg - stir until it forms a soft dough.

Roll to 1cm thick, cut into shapes (stars, bones, trees - whatever feels festive!)

Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until firm and slightly golden.

Cool completely before serving or gifting.

🐾 Why they make a great festive gift:

✔️ Ginger supports digestion, warmth and senior dogs
✔️ Apple adds natural sweetness (no sugar or syrups)
✔️ Festive-smelling but safe (no nutmeg, no clove, no vanilla extract)
✔️ Can be packed into a jar or gift bag with a ribbon — perfect for gifting

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

Hawthorn has stood at the edges of fields and footpaths for centuries - not just as a boundary tree, but as a quiet guar...
28/11/2025

Hawthorn has stood at the edges of fields and footpaths for centuries - not just as a boundary tree, but as a quiet guardian of the countryside.

In old British and Irish folklore, hawthorn hedges were believed to mark special ground - places of protection, safety and home. Farmers planted them around their land to keep livestock safe and to mark where one farm ended and another began.

People said that a hawthorn growing by itself in a field should never be cut down. It was called a “lone thorn,” and believed to be a keeper of stories, shelter and old wisdom.

In spring, its soft white blossoms were a sign that warmer days had finally arrived - the hedgerow's way of telling you it was safe to plant again.

A tree of thresholds, safety and watching over what matters.

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

Cinnamon is everywhere at this time of year.In baking, candles, lattes, and even knitted jumper scents.But did you know ...
28/11/2025

Cinnamon is everywhere at this time of year.
In baking, candles, lattes, and even knitted jumper scents.
But did you know - in tiny, dog-safe amounts - it has a gentle winter benefit for dogs too?

✨ It helps support blood flow
✨ It brings gentle warmth (perfect for chilly mornings)
✨ And it may help balance blood sugar in senior dogs

It’s what we call a warming herb, not hot or spicy, but softly comforting.
Like a scarf for the inside.

But here’s the key (and you've heard me say this before):
It only takes a pinch.
More doesn’t help - and more isn’t safe.

So if you ever see a festive dog recipe with a sprinkle of cinnamon, now you’ll know - it’s not just for flavour.
It’s secretly a little herbal hug.

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

Want to make a thoughtful Christmas gift for a friend’s dog (that isn’t a squeaky reindeer)?Here’s a sweet and simple id...
27/11/2025

Want to make a thoughtful Christmas gift for a friend’s dog (that isn’t a squeaky reindeer)?

Here’s a sweet and simple idea - DIY Herbal Tea Bags for Dogs 🌿

No, not for drinking from a mug - but to use in 3 super simple ways:

🌿 How to make the tea bags:

Mix any of these dog-safe herbs:

✔️ Chamomile - calming & tummy-soothing
✔️ Calendula - gentle skin support
✔️ Lemon balm - mood-lifting, emotionally calming
✔️ Rose petals - comforting, soothing, and a little bit fancy

Pop the herbal mix into empty tea bags (they sell them on Amazon or in health stores)
Tie with string or ribbon - done! 🎀

🎀 How your friend can use them:

📌 Warm paw soak - steep a bag in warm water, cool slightly, and let paws enjoy a soothing foot bath

📌 Calming rinse - infuse, cool, and use as a gentle skin or coat rinse

📌 Sleepy scent sachet - dry bag goes in the dog’s bed blanket drawer or cosy corner (smells soothing, no spraying needed)

📌 Comfort bath brew - drop a tea bag in bathwater for a mild herbal soak (perfect for itchy or anxious pups)

📌 Sniff & Relax pouch - pop one (dry) into their snuffle mat or scent play (not for chewing!)

You don’t need labels or complicated instructions, just tie them in a little bundle, add a ribbon, and a simple handwritten note, like:

“Herbal Tea Bags for Dogs
For paws, rinses or cosy scents 🌿
Made with love (and dog-safe herbs)”

It’s sweet.
It’s thoughtful.
And yes - it smells nicer than plastic squeaky toys!!

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

Christmas has a funny way of sneaking up on us.One minute it’s fairy lights and mince pies…and the next, it’s wrapping p...
27/11/2025

Christmas has a funny way of sneaking up on us.

One minute it’s fairy lights and mince pies…
and the next, it’s wrapping paper, doorbells, visitors, loud music, cooking chaos, and a dog wondering why their quiet home suddenly turned into a festive circus.

We mean to keep things calm for them…but without a plan, it all gets a bit reactive:
“Oh no, he’s pacing.”
“Do we have anything to help?”
“Where did I put that spray?”
“Does chamomile work for excitement or just for sleep?”
(Wrong moment to be Googling!)

That’s exactly why I created the 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻.

It’s not just a booklet.
It’s your what to do, what to use, and when to use it guide - so you’re not scrambling when your dog needs calm the most.

Inside, you’ll find:

🌿 Simple herbal support (gentle, safe and beginner-friendly)
🎄 The 12 Days of Christmas Calm - what to use before, during, and after the festivities
🐾 Calming treat recipes, sprays and comfort blends
🚪 Visitor-proof routines and quiet corner ideas
💛 And little things that make a big difference, like timing, environment and emotional calm

Because calm doesn’t come from reacting.
It comes from being ready.

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 - 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

Sometimes I think herbs are magical.Not because of their properties (though that’s pretty wonderful too)…but because of ...
26/11/2025

Sometimes I think herbs are magical.

Not because of their properties (though that’s pretty wonderful too)…
but because of what happens when I start working with them.

Picture this:
I’m at the kitchen table, surrounded by jars of chamomile, calendula, and sweet marjoram.
I’m feeling very calm, very wise, very “herbal goddess”…

Meanwhile, Storm is staring intensely at the fridge, hoping chicken will magically appear.
Emmylou is upside down on the sofa, legs in the air, dreaming of roast dinners and countryside zoomies.
Nobody cares that I am crafting herbal paw balm with great skill and deep intention.

But here’s the funny thing.
My dogs don’t know I’m making something for them.
They just know I’m calm.
And when I’m calm… they relax too.

So while herbs can help our dogs in wonderful ways - sometimes the magic starts when we slow down, learn, and gently make something with care.

Because dogs may not understand herbs…
but they absolutely understand calm.

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿


Today’s newsletter is a good one. It involves a mandolin my husband ordered.Let’s just say… I wanted something simple.He...
26/11/2025

Today’s newsletter is a good one. It involves a mandolin my husband ordered.
Let’s just say… I wanted something simple.
He ordered something that could slice vegetables, build a shed, and possibly land a small aircraft. 😅

And it got me thinking…

When it comes to herbs for our dogs - we often do the same thing.

We search for complicated.
We think we need equipment.
We worry we’ll “get it wrong.”
When actually - the simplest things are usually the most effective.

That’s what today’s email is all about:
💚 How to stop overcomplicating herbal care
🌿 Why the simplest herbs (and the simplest methods) often work the best
🐾 And one herbal tip you can do this week - maybe even with no equipment at all

No fuss. No overwhelm.
Just herbs, comfort, and clarity.

If you sign up before 10am today, this edition will be waiting in your inbox.

Miss it - and it won’t be sent again.

📬 Sign up now - before the Mandolin of Complexity arrives. 😉

LINK IN BIO.

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

If ginger were a dog, it would be the one doing zoomies at 7am on a frosty morning - while everyone else is still half f...
25/11/2025

If ginger were a dog, it would be the one doing zoomies at 7am on a frosty morning - while everyone else is still half frozen and clutching tea!

Ginger is gently warming - not spicy or fiery - just a cozy little nudge of warmth from the inside out.

For dogs, ginger can help support:

🐾 Cold-sensitive joints (especially those stiff morning starts)
🐾 Slow winter digestion
🐾 Travel tummy wobbles (yes… car anxiety shows up in the tummy too!)
🐾 And that winter sluggishness that makes dogs curl up and refuse to move until the heating comes on.

It’s not a miracle herb.
It’s a “let’s get the circulation moving and thaw those paws” herb.
Like an edible hot water bottle - but fur-safe and chicken-approved.

Perfect for senior dogs, sofa-snoozers, and dramatic pups who act like winter is a personal insult!!

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

How to Research a Herb (Even If You’ve Never Done It Before)We talked on Saturday about why researching herbs is importa...
25/11/2025

How to Research a Herb (Even If You’ve Never Done It Before)

We talked on Saturday about why researching herbs is important - but I know it can feel overwhelming when you’re just starting.

So here’s a simple way to begin - you only need to ask six questions.
These are the same ones I use at Herby Hound HQ:

⭐ The 6-Question Herbal Check (Beginner-Friendly)

1️⃣ What does my dog actually need help with?
Start with your dog, not with the herb.
Are you supporting:
🐾 Anxiety or restlessness?
🐾 Itchy skin?
🐾 Stiff, cold-sensitive joints?
🐾 Tummy troubles or slow digestion?
🐾 Seasonal changes or winter mood?
Once you know the need, it’s much easier to choose the right herb.

2️⃣ What is this herb known for?
Every herb has a personality.
Is it calming? Warming? Soothing? Anti-inflammatory?
For example:
Chamomile = calming + gentle tummy support
Ginger = warming + helps with circulation

3️⃣ Who is it suitable for?
This is where safety matters.
Is it safe for:
🐶 seniors
🐶 puppies
🐶 dogs on medication
🐶 sensitive stomachs
🐶 anxious or highly strung dogs

4️⃣ How do I actually use it?
Do I:
✔️ Sprinkle it?
✔️ Infuse it?
✔️ Use it as a rinse, balm, spray, or tea?
Different forms behave differently, and not all are suitable for dogs.

5️⃣ How much, and how often?
With herbs, it’s not “more is better.”
It’s usually small, gentle, and consistent.

6️⃣ When not to use it? 🚫
Always check for:
⚠️ allergies
⚠️ upcoming surgery
⚠️ thyroid issues
⚠️ sensitive digestion
⚠️ pregnant or nursing dogs
⚠️ interactions with medication

💛 You don’t need to know all the herbs.
Just start with one… and learn it well.

That’s where true herbal confidence begins. 🌿

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

Cold weather doesn’t just make our fingers feel dry -our dogs’ paws can feel it too.So naturally, I make a soothing herb...
24/11/2025

Cold weather doesn’t just make our fingers feel dry -
our dogs’ paws can feel it too.

So naturally, I make a soothing herbal paw balm…
carefully infused with calendula, chamomile and sweet marjoram -
because winter paws deserve skincare too.

Does my dog appreciate the effort?
Well…

He sniffs it.
He licks it.
He wanders off, looking proud of himself. 😅

Herbal paw care in winter:
✔️ soothing
✔️ natural
✔️ and occasionally… mistaken for snacks.

But honestly?
I’ll happily make another batch. 🐾

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

Cold paws, stiff joints, slower mornings…It’s that time of year when our dogs feel winter too, not just in their paws, b...
24/11/2025

Cold paws, stiff joints, slower mornings…
It’s that time of year when our dogs feel winter too, not just in their paws, but in their joints, digestion, mood, and overall comfort.

That’s why I’ve started sharing Winter Warmers for Dogs - a cosy little series where we look at gentle, warming herbs and natural comforts that help our dogs feel more settled, comfortable, and supported through the colder months.
Soft, comforting herbs that warm from within - supporting circulation, digestion, joint comfort and emotional calm.

🌿 We’ve already talked about a few:
✔️ Ginger - for gentle warmth and circulation
✔️ Sweet marjoram - cosy comfort herb for joints and digestion
✔️ Chaga - the “winter resilience mushroom”
✔️ Turmeric & cinnamon - warming and balancing (especially for seniors)

But over the next few weeks, we’ll explore more - like:
🍃 Herbs to help stiff winter joints
🐾 Comforting post-walk paw care
🛏 Cosy bedtime rituals (for the dogs… not just us)
🌼 And how calm, warmth and emotion are all linked

You don’t need fancy equipment.
You don’t need to be a herbal expert.
You just need gentle, simple steps - consistently.

Because winter care isn’t about doing more - it’s about helping our dogs feel safe, warm and comfortable… one little herbal moment at a time.

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

Too tired for fancy coat oils?Just drizzle a spoonful of h**p (or flaxseed) oil over your dog’s dinner once or twice a w...
23/11/2025

Too tired for fancy coat oils?
Just drizzle a spoonful of h**p (or flaxseed) oil over your dog’s dinner once or twice a week.

It feeds the skin from the inside, calms irritation, and gives their coat that “just back from the spa” glow - without you blending, brewing, or stirring a thing.

Shiny coat. Happy dog. Lazy herbal win. ✨

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

Adresse

Paris

Notifications

Soyez le premier à savoir et laissez-nous vous envoyer un courriel lorsque The Herby Hound publie des nouvelles et des promotions. Votre adresse e-mail ne sera pas utilisée à d'autres fins, et vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment.

Contacter La Pratique

Envoyer un message à The Herby Hound:

Partager

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram