Beginner’s Guide to Homeopathy for Livestock and Pets
- Whole Health Agriculture Learning Centre
- Companion & Working Animals, Livestock & Poultry
What Is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a well-established system of medicine that helps the body get back to balance. For farmers and pet owners, that means healthier animals, less toxicity, and better performance.
Instead of suppressing symptoms, homeopathy works with the animal’s own healing system. It uses highly diluted substances to stimulate recovery based on the principle of treating 'like with like'. Put simply, if a substance can cause symptoms in a healthy body, it may help relieve similar symptoms in a sick one when prepared homeopathically. Think of the average person's response to peeling an onion - common symptoms include red burning eyes, tears and watery nasal discharge. The remedy made from the onion 'Allium Cepa' is often used to relieve similar symptoms when they present, for example, during a cold or hay fever.
During the manufacturing process, homeopathic medicines are repeatedly succussed (shaken vigorously), introducing kinetic energy. This process is thought to be responsible for making the final product biologically active, despite being highly diluted.
How Is Homeopathy Used in Farm and Veterinary Practice?
Farmers and vets use homeopathy in different ways, from giving a single remedy, carefully chosen for an individual animal, to to using combinations designed for common conditions. In farming, remedies are often used prophylactically to prevent problems and can be routinely given to entire herds or flocks. Homeopathic remedies have a long history of safety and can be given in pregnancy and at birth; they have no residual toxicity which for farmers is very important.
Homeopathy can be used in everyday situations like weaning, castration, separation, or transport—times when animals are under stress and conventional vet options don’t always offer much. It’s also used for infections, supporting vitality and resistance to disease, meaning stock are better able to cope without routine antibiotics.
Practitioners use specialist books called the Repertory (a symptom index) and Materia Medica (a reference for remedies and their uses) to find the best match. Today, digital tools and practitioner experience make this process quicker and more accurate.
What Does the Research Say?
There’s a growing body of clinical evidence for homeopathy in animals.
Head over to our Document Library for research papers, relevant article s and recommended publications
Over 800 papers are available via homeopathicvet.org
The HomVetCR database, curated by qualified veterinary homeopaths, lists hundreds of clinical studies and outcome reports from around the world
Homeopathy Research Institute conducts and collates up to date research from around the world.
While large-scale drug-style trials (known as randomised controlled trials or RCTs) can be tricky for homeopathy because treatments are so individual, meta-analyses (studies of many studies) show positive trends in effectiveness.
Outcome studies, especially in livestock, report strong results:
“Homeopathy as replacement to antibiotics in the case of Escherichia coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets” by I. Camerlink, L. Ellinger, E. J. Bakker & E. A. Lantinga. The trial was a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled farm study: piglets from sows treated with the homeopathic remedy Coli 30K had significantly less E. coli diarrhea than those given placebo
Up to 86% of equine cases saw improvement, as rated by their owners.
Source: BVA Journals
Some trials have shown weaker results, often due to poor design or a lack of trained homeopathic vets. When proper methods are used, the benefits become much clearer.
At Whole Health Agriculture we are also conducting our own research which have reported very strong results
74% of dairy farmers state that they have successfully treated mastitis with homeopathy
Taken from ourAlternative Approaches to Livestock Health Survey 2019-2020. Here's the survey results.
How to Start Using Homeopathy on Your Farm (or with Your Pets)
Getting started is easier than you might think. Many farmers and pet owners begin with a homeopathy remedy kit and a reliable guidebook.
Most homeopathy kits, especially those sold by licensed UK pharmacies, meet high production standards and can be used for both humans and animals. Farmers often reach for Mother & Child or Childbirth Kits during birthing seasons like calving, lambing, kidding, or farrowing. General first aid kits are also handy year-round.
Kits usually come with basic instructions, and pharmacies offer books to help you build confidence. But if you're looking to go beyond the basics, structured courses can really fast-track your understanding, whether you're working with livestock or pets. Learning when and how to apply remedies, how to observe symptoms, and how to think holistically about health takes time, but it’s absolutely learnable, and the right support makes a world of difference. At Whole Health Agriculture, our courses and content are guided by expert practitioners like holistic vet Chris Aukland MRCVS, who combines conventional training with years of homeopathic experience in the field
That’s why our Foundation Course in Farm Homeopathy and Pet Homeopathy were created: to give you everything you need to get started safely, effectively, and with real confidence. Our courses are developed with veterinary input and based on real-world farm and animal outcomes.
Interested in Natural Solutions for Your Pet?
If you’re exploring homeopathy to support your dog, cat, or small animal, we’ve got tailored learning just for you.
Solve Your Pet’s Fear & Anxiety With Our Holistic Vet
Join our £5 live webinar and discover gentle, natural ways to help your pet feel safer and more settled.
Book your spot here
Pet Homeopathy Foundation Course
Whether you’re dealing with skin issues, digestive trouble, or long-term stress, our Pet Course will help you build a natural first aid toolkit and learn how to use homeopathy with confidence at home.
Start your journey here
Want to feel more confident using homeopathy with your livestock?
Explore our Farm Homeopathy Foundation Course, it’s designed by farmers and holistic vets to help you get started with natural health tools that really work. The course will guide you through the principles, practical steps, and case-based learning to make homeopathy a reliable part of your everyday farm toolkit.
We’ve trained farmers at all stages, from total beginners to those already using herbs and natural treatments.Take a look at what’s included and see how it could support your farm
Recommended Kits, Books & Suppliers
Here are a few trusted suppliers to explore:
Helios offers a wide selection of animal-friendly kits and books:
Helios Pet Kit – practical for all animals.
Childbirth Kit – ideal during birthing seasons.
Books on Animal Prescribing – including guides on acute prescribing and animal care.
Experts in farm-specific homeopathy with years of practical experience:
Mother & Child Kit – great for seasonal support.
Bovine Veterinary Kit – designed by Welsh dairy farmers, suitable for all species, comes in a tough farm-ready box.
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Must-reads:
Well-regarded for:
Founded by a dairy farmer’s wife turned homeopath. They offer:
Final Tip:
Start simple: get an animal-friendly kit and a straightforward guidebook. Build confidence case by case, and don’t hesitate to contact us or our listed suppliers, most are happy to offer advice.
Homeopathy is a learning journey, but with the right tools and support, it can become a powerful part of your natural farming or animal care toolkit.