Bach Flower Essences are a natural way to support your cat’s
emotional well-being. There are 38 essences, each of which addresses a
different emotional or behavioral condition. These essences can be combined to
provide effective relief for homesickness, separation anxiety, fear, lack of
confidence, depression, repetitive behaviors, and other conditions.
Here is a sampling of some of the benefits of Bach Flower
Essences. We at The Animal House use these regularly to help our rescue cats
get through the tough adjustment of foster homes, vet visits, illness, and the
uncertainties of multiple re-homing. For more information, or to find out
where you can purchase Bach Flower Essences for your cat, please go to the
Contact Us page and email your question to The Animal House.
Fear
Mimulus is great for known fears. I use it regularly for my
Shih Tzu who is terrified of thunderstorms and it is the only thing I’ve ever
found that calms him. Mimulus is helpful for normally confident cats that
attempt to run from certain people or situations. We had one cat in foster care
who was terrified of ceiling fans. Mimulus helps cats deal with their fear and
approach situations with greater calm and confidence.
Aspen is indicated when there is no apparent reason for the
fear.
Rock Rose is used for absolute terror. A cat who needs Rock
Rose is completely out of control and terrified. It is likely to hurt someone
else or even itself through abject fear.
Aggression and Dominance
These are treated differently depending on the source of the
emotion.
Cherry Plum is useful for cats that seem to lose
self-control and attack whoever is nearest it, without any apparent
provocation.
Vine is excellent for cats that attack other cats in a
manner that asserts dominance. These attacks are usually constrained to certain
areas or circumstances; for example, over food, or when another cat takes their
favorite spot, or when someone else is getting attention.
Vine, Holly and Walnut make a great
combination for jealous aggression when a new cat joins the family.
Beech is suggested when a cat can’t stand to have the other
cat around at any time and always lashes out.
Impatiens is used for cats who are, yes, impatient. If your
cat gets upset when something is delayed, such as taking too long to open a
door, or serving dinner too late, Impatiens can help instill patience.
Protective aggression, such as when a mother cat attacks
people who get too close to her babies is helped by Red Chestnut or Chicory
(Red Chestnut if the aggression is fear-based, and Chicory if there is no fear –
just a desire to stop others from enjoying the attentions of the kittens).
Grief
Anyone who has had bonded cat companions has seen evidence
of grief when one of the companions is taken away. Grief can manifest itself in
anxious energy such as crying and pacing, or in depression where the cat shows
no interest in any of the things it used to enjoy.
Star of Bethlehem is a good
choice for sudden separation and loss.
Walnut helps the cat adjust to changes in its surroundings.
We use this remedy whenever a cat is re-homed.
Sweet Chestnut where a separation leads to complete hopeless
and despair. This is for the cat that is truly pining away.
A New Home
Changing homes can be very traumatic for a cat and rescue
cats have to do it more often than most. When you bring your new friend home,
Bach Flower Essences can help make the transition a little easier.
We usually make up a mixture of these three essences:
Walnut –
for change in circumstances
Honeysuckle– to help the cat let go of the past and live in the present
Beech – for
tolerance and understanding
This combination is effective for any type of change in
circumstance.
