Healing Crystals and Pets: What You Should Know

When it comes to caring for cats and dogs, there’s nothing that’s too “out there” for some pet parents looking to give their furry friend the best possible life.

A trend that’s becoming increasingly popular among pet parents who want to go the alternative route is the use of healing crystals. Proponents of these crystals claim they can help cats and dogs with everything from anxiety to skin issues to cancer.

So, what exactly goes into pet healing via crystals, and what do veterinarians think of the treatments?

Adrienne Goff, who practices crystal healing, says that crystals are a “way to to safely support the health and well-being of your beloved pets.”

While Goff says that each practitioner has different methods when it comes to crystal healing, she bases hers on the symptoms, behavior and medical diagnosis of the pets she is treating.

“When I work, I scan the energy system (the chakras and meridians) to see if there are any energy blockages that can be treated with crystals,” she says. “Crystals can remove these blockages and promote proper energy flow through the system, which leads to greater health, balance, and well-being.”

Goff says that once the pet’s energy is flowing properly, she introduces crystals that have a specialty in treating more specific issues an animal may be dealing with.

“Certain crystals have a profound calming effect and are great for anxiety and hyperactivity,” Goff says. “Other crystals are wonderful for speeding up the body’s natural healing response, and there are specific crystals that work best for different organs and systems of the body.”

For example, Goff says crystals like amethyst can be calming and healing for emotional issues, while bloodstone helps to detoxify and strengthen the body.

How the crystals are used can also vary. They can be placed over the parts of the animal that need healing or put on the animal’s collar to wear at all times, she says.

While Goff works primarily with humans, she says she has seen emotional changes in the pets she’s treated, as well as quicker recovery times for animals in physical distress.

Even with the benefits she’s seen from crystal healing for pets, Goff urges that pet parents not use it as the only form of medical care for their cat or dog.

“Crystal healing is a perfect compliment to veterinary care, but should not be used to replace it,” she says. “First and foremost, always follow the advice and treatment protocols of a qualified veterinarian.”

In fact, some veterinarians use the practice in their own care. Dr. Pema Choepel Mallu of Holistic Veterinary Healing in Germantown, Maryland, uses crystals for “dowsing the energy field and checking chakra balancing.”

She also points out that it is an inexpensive form of healing for cats and dogs that can be done from the comfort of their own home. Like Goff, she agrees that crystal healing should never replace veterinary advice.

Still, the practice has its fair share of skepticism from other veterinarians in the field.

Dr. Rachel Barrack of Animal Acupuncture in New York City says that, while using healing crystals on pets isn’t likely to cause any harm, “without concrete scientific evidence as to its merit, this is certainly not something I recommend or endorse as a healing modality.”

For pet parents seeking alternative care, Barrack recommends other Western and Eastern treatment options including acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy.

“Speak to your veterinarian about what treatment modalities would best benefit your pet,” she says.

Aly Semigran is a lifestyle writer for the world, and roommate of Ruby, the cutest dog in the world.