The Herby Hound

Home
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

30/12/2025

Be honest - is your Christmas tree still up…or has it already been escorted out like it overstayed its welcome?

Some people are January 1st, tree gone.
Others keep it up until Twelfth Night.
And then there are those who leave it standing purely because the dog has claimed it as part of the furniture.

Around here, the tree has:
🐾 been sniffed
🐾 been judged
🐾 been napped under
🐾 and possibly been considered edible

I’ve realised something though - I love having a tree in the house so much that I’m seriously considering a permanent one.
Not a Christmas tree (I’m festive, not unhinged 😄)…but something tall, green, and vaguely tree-shaped.

Dog-safe, ideally.
Hard to kill, preferably.
Bonus points if it survives enthusiastic sniffing.

So now I have two questions for you:
1️⃣ Is your Christmas tree still up - and when does it come down?
2️⃣ If you were going to have a permanent indoor tree… what would you choose?

Recommendations very welcome 🌿🐕

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

29/12/2025

That strange week where:

✔️ No one knows what day it is

✔️ Leftovers are a food group

✔️ Routines are optional

✔️and dogs are very hopeful that something festive is still happening

Your dog doesn’t care that Christmas is technically “over”.
They’re still checking the kitchen.
Still guarding the sofa.
Still expecting snacks.

Honestly?
Same. 😂😂😂

Keep it herby,
Andrea🌿

29/12/2025

If your dog takes a little longer to get going in the morning during winter, you’re not imagining it.

Cold weather stiffens joints.
Muscles cool overnight.
Circulation slows while they sleep.

And that first stand-up of the day?
It can feel like hard work - especially for senior dogs.

Signs to look for:
🐾 slow rising
🐾 stretching more than usual
🐾 hesitation before walking
🐾 stiffness that eases as the day goes on
🐾 a general “please don’t rush me” vibe

The key with winter joints isn’t pushing through -
it’s warming first, moving gently, and supporting consistently.

A few simple comforts make a big difference:

🛏 Warm sleeping spots
Cold floors undo all your good work.

🌅 Slow starts
Let joints wake up before walks or stairs.

🤲 Gentle morning touch
A soft rub over hips and shoulders helps circulation wake up naturally.

🌿 One supportive winter herb: Rosehip
Rosehip gently supports joint comfort and circulation, making it ideal for cold, stiff mornings without being stimulating.

Winter means we soften the pace - and our dogs feel better when we do.

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

28/12/2025

Restless evenings and pacing paws?

Lightly mist your dog’s bedding with lavender water just before bedtime.
The gentle scent helps signal that it’s time to wind down - without sprays, plugs, or anything overpowering.

A calm bed, a quieter night, and a much happier household. 🌿✨

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🎄

27/12/2025

That quiet space between Christmas and New Year is a funny one, isn’t it?

Too late for festivities.
Too early for big plans.
Just a few days where routines wobble and dogs seem to have absolutely no idea what day it is.

Instead of resolutions (because no thank you), I like to think of this time as planting tiny intentions.

Not:
“I will fix everything.”

More:
“Next year might be the year I finally do something about my dog launching himself at the door like a missile.”

Or:
“Maybe 2026 is the year I stop saying ‘he’s just excitable’ and actually help him settle a bit better.”

Nothing dramatic.
Nothing overnight.

Just the idea that things could feel easier - with the right support, the right steps, and a bit more understanding of what’s going on under all that enthusiasm.

Dogs don’t suddenly change because the calendar does.
But they do change when we decide to try something new - slowly, imperfectly, and with humour intact.

And if you’re in that strange in-between space right now, wondering what next year might hold for you and your excited beast…you’re probably thinking about exactly the right things. 🐾✨

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

26/12/2025

Peppermint has always had a reputation for freshness, but in old housekeeping folklore, it symbolised more than a clean scent.
It was planted near doorways to “clear the air” - both literally and emotionally - and to encourage a peaceful, orderly home.

Its bright scent was thought to lift moods, sharpen minds, and help sweep away tension after long days.

A crisp little herb with a long history of helping homes feel lighter.

Keep it herby,
Andrea🌿

26/12/2025

If this morning feels a little slower than usual…you’re not alone.

Between festive dinners, extra treats, sneaky snacks, and the general “it’s Christmas!” attitude, both humans and dogs can wake up feeling a bit… full.

Heavy.
Sluggish.
Slightly regretful. 😅

That’s where one simple, old-fashioned herb shines:

🌿 Peppermint

Peppermint has been used for centuries to help ease digestion, reduce bloating, and settle that uncomfortable “too much food” feeling- and it works gently for both species.

For humans, a cup of peppermint tea can help things feel calmer and more comfortable.
For dogs, a very small amount used thoughtfully can support digestion and help ease that post-feast sluggishness.

No detoxing.
No punishing resets.
Just a gentle nudge back to balance.

Today isn’t about undoing Christmas.
It’s about softening back into routine - for you and your dog.

A little walk.
A lighter day.
And maybe fewer leftovers… maybe. 😉

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🎄

25/12/2025

May your day be filled with wagging tails, stolen sofas, suspiciously empty wrapping paper, and dogs who are absolutely certain every gift is for them.

Wishing you and your four-legged family a cosy, calm, treat-friendly Christmas - however you’re celebrating today.

Happy Christmas from Herby Hound HQ 🎄🐕✨

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🎄

23/12/2025

If your dog is suddenly:

✔️ Glued to your side
✔️stealing your seat
✔️sighing dramatically
✔️or staring at you like you’ve ruined Christmas

Good news:
They’re probably just tired…
or hoping it’s treat time again.

A comfy spot, a familiar routine, and one last cuddle usually fixes everything.
(Well… everything except the treat situation.)

Dogs.
Keeping us entertained right up to Christmas. 🐕

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🎄

23/12/2025

Long before Christmas lights, novelty jumpers, and overflowing stockings, dogs had a very different - but just as important - role at Christmas.

In many European households, dogs were brought closer to the hearth during the festive season. The fire was the warmest place in the home, and winter was hard - for people and animals. Letting dogs sleep near the fire wasn’t indulgence; it was care.

Dogs were believed to:
🐾 guard the home during the long, dark nights
🐾 keep evil spirits away at midwinter
🐾 bring luck and protection to the household

In some traditions, dogs were given a special meal at Christmas, not because they were spoiled, but because sharing food symbolised safety, belonging, and gratitude for their loyalty through the year.

Christmas with dogs has always been about the same things, really - warmth, closeness, routine, and feeling part of the family.

Some things never change. 🌿🐕

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🎄

22/12/2025

Somehow, dogs just know things.

They know:

👉 The exact second you sit down with a cup of tea

👉 Which cushion is yours (and therefore theirs)

👉 When you’re about to leave the house, even if you haven’t moved

👉 Which cupboard contains chicken (always the chicken)

👉 When you’re feeling a bit low - and that it’s time to lean on you

No training.
No instructions.
Just an uncanny, slightly spooky level of awareness.

And yet…
they still act surprised every single day when the postman arrives.

Dogs.
Wonderful.
Ridiculous.
Perfect.

keep it herby,
Andrea 🎄

22/12/2025

Cold, damp walks can linger in a dog’s body long after you’re back home - especially for dogs with lots of fur between their toes, like spaniels.

That extra fluff is brilliant… until it isn’t.

Moisture gets trapped.
Cold hangs around.
Mud, grit, and winter debris cling on longer than we realise.

You might notice:
🐾 paw licking after walks
🐾 reluctance to settle
🐾 pacing or restlessness
🐾 sensitivity when feet are touched
🐾 “zoomies” that feel a bit wired rather than joyful

Post-walk recovery doesn’t need to be complicated - it just needs to be intentional.

A few gentle ideas that really help:

🧼 Dry paws properly
Not a quick wipe - a proper dry between the toes if they’re fluffy.

🧘 Give them a decompression moment
A calm pause after walks helps the nervous system switch off.

🛋 Warm, dry resting space
Cold paws = cold body. Warmth helps everything settle.

🌿 One gentle herbal ally: Calendula
Calendula is one of those herbs that’s easiest to use on the outside. Dry the paws, then gently rub in a little calendula oil or balm, especially between fluffy toes.

Winter walks are wonderful - but recovery is where comfort really begins.

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🎄

Address

Paris, France.

Website

https://www.theherbyhound.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Herby Hound posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to The Herby Hound:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic?

Country:

City:

30/12/2025

29/12/2025

29/12/2025

28/12/2025

27/12/2025

26/12/2025

26/12/2025

25/12/2025

23/12/2025

23/12/2025

22/12/2025

22/12/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share