Your Dog and Cat are Not Fussy: Understanding Self-Selection, Zoopharmacognosy

★ 3.5 min read

 

In this article:

• Self-selection, zoopharmcognosy, a brief history 
• Self-selection vs "Fussy"
• Why is my dog or cat selecting items that aren't appropriate?
  
• Never Force your dog or cat 
• Is That a Permanent "No"?
• My dog and cat doesn't want this, Can I Hide it in Food or Treats?
• Self-selection of Topically Applied Medicinal Substances
• Self-selection How To
• Self-decline How To
  

Self-selection, Zoopharmcognosy a Brief History

For millennia, animals have self-medicated by self-selecting plant materials, soil and other natural substances to prevent, treat and remedy trauma, illness and disease. Your dog and cat’s instinctive and learned capacity to self-select natural medicinal substances is called zoopharmcognosy (pronounced zoo-faar-muh-kaag-nuh-suh).

 

Humans also have a long history of self-medication by self-selecting natural medicinal substances. Evidence of self-medication by humans dates back to the Paleolithic period and is called pharmacognosy.

 

Self-selection is also an important form of communication, a way for your dog and cat to communicate their needs to you. 

 

This article will help you:

1. Understand what your dog and cat are saying to you.
2. Mindfully support your dog and cat's instinctive ability to support their personal health and wellness.
   

 

Self-Selection vs “Fussy”

 

Your dog and cat are not fussy. Your dog and cat are practising self-selection.

 

Often, I see people say “my dog (or cat) is fussy” and “how can I get her” to eat a specific food or supplement.  

 

Your dog or cat’s hesitancy or refusal to eat a food or take a supplement is often misinterpreted as “fussiness”. However, it is highly likely your dog or cat is using instinct to self-determine items that don’t suit her needs. The rejected item(s) may be inappropriate for one or multiple reasons, for example the item:

• Contains inappropriate additives 
• The texture of the food is unfamiliar to the individual animal; for example you've offered your dog or cat a raw sardine and she's never had whole, raw fish before
• Is contaminated with incidental (hidden) substances
• Is generally safe but for your animal is contradicted due to an acute or chronic health issue or condition 
• Is generally inappropriate for all dogs or cats
  

 

 Click on the image above to zoom in

 

Why is My Dog or Cat Selecting Items That Aren't Appropriate?

If your dog or cat is selecting items that are not appropriate e.g., starchy carbohydrates foods such as beans (pulses), grains, sweet potato, potato, yam, dry food (kibble, biscuits) and treats, or other inappropriate items; it's important to address the root cause.  To properly address the root cause, I strongly encourage you to engage the services of a knowledgeable holistic diet and wellness practitioner.

 

Never Force Your Dog or Cat

 

If your dog or cat self-determines to decline a specific food, herb, nutraceutical, or alternative medicine, you should always respect and listen to your dog or cat’s indication.

 

When a dog or cat declines an item, it’s because the item is not appropriate for the individual animal. Dogs and cats self-select and decline items to suit their individual situation.

 

Food, herbs, nutraceuticals, and alternative medicines should never be forced upon a dog or cat.

 

 

Is That a Permanent “No”?

 

Not necessarily.

 

An item that your dog or cat self-selects or declines may receive a different response when offered another time (e.g. days or weeks later). Also, if your dog or cat self-selects an item and later declines it, respect her indication.

 

 

My Dog and Cat Doesn’t Want This, Can I Hide it in Food or Treats?

 

It’s not appropriate to hide rejected items in your dog or cat’s food or treats. I strongly discourage against this practice.

 

If you force your dog or cat to take an item they don’t want, significant adverse consequences may result. Risks include:

• Exacerbating existing health issues and conditions
• Triggering new health issues or conditions
• Escalating your dog or cat’s anxiety level and/or trauma

 

Always respect your dog or cat’s indication.

 

If your dog or cat is experiencing a health issue or condition, I strongly encourage you to engage the services of a knowledgeable holistic diet and wellness practitioner.

 

 

Self-Selection of Topically Applied Medicinal Substances

 

Self-selection is not limited to ingested items. Dogs and cats also use self-selection of beneficial materials in their environment to help protect and heal themselves.

 

For example, to help naturally repel insects some dogs and cats will rub up against and roll in wild garlic scapes, neem leaves or other natural insect repelling plants.

 

So should we also respect our dog and cat’s indication when applying products to our dog and cat’s e.g., fur, skin, ears, etc.? Yes.

 

Essential-oil insect repellent sprays are a good example.

 

Does your dog dislike it when you apply an essential oil based insect repellent on her?

 

Is the dislike because she doesn’t like being sprayed?

 

If you give her the opportunity, she can let you know.

 

Put some of the repellent on your hands and gently rub it onto a small test spot on her fur/skin. If she still indicates she does not want the product on her fur or skin, she may be letting you know the essential oil (e.g. lavender, rosemary, lemon grass essential oil, etc., or another ingredient) in the product is unsuitable. For example, she may be hypersensitive to, or have a health condition that contradicts use.

Listen to your dog and cat. Allow her to choose another natural alternative that better suites her circumstances.

  

Self-Selection How To

 

There are multiple ways you can allow your dog or cat to self-select or decline an item. For example:

1. Open the bag, bottle or container the item is in, allow your dog or cat to sniff the open bag or container.
2. If she continues to sniff, or licks offer the item to her.
3. Place the item in the palm of your hand or on a plate.
4. If she wants the item she will sniff, lick and/or eat the item.
5. She may choose to lick-up or eat part or all the item. 
6. If she indicates she wants more e.g., she licks-up or eats all the item offered, depending on the type of item, dosage range, etc. you may offer her more at that time, or later that day; provided you do not exceed the recommended daily serving or dosage.

 

 

Self-Decline How To

 

Follow the process above to see if your dog or cat wants the item.

 

If your dog or cat sniffs the item, then walks away, or turns her head away, or air licks without sampling or returning to the item, or takes a small sample and walks away, she has self-declined the item.

 

You can try offering her the item again later the same day, or in several days a week or more.

 

If she continues to decline the item, respect her indication. Continue to the next item on your dog or cat’s self-selection list. Follow the same process and always respect your dog and cat’s indication.

 

You can read more about Paleolithic and Prehistoric self-medication by humans and non-human animals here. 

 

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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld