Hey there,
You’ve probably heard the idea that animals “just know” what to eat when they’re unwell. And honestly… sometimes they do.
But then we see the other side of it:
an animal eating something that makes them worse.
So I wrote a blog about the question people ask me all the time:
If animals can self-medicate, why do they poison themselves?
A few truths (without the doom and gloom):
- Instinct isn’t the same as information. Animals have amazing wisdom… but it’s not a perfect GPS.
- Context changes everything. Stress, hunger, boredom, pain, restriction, dehydration, or a sudden change in environment can all shift behaviour and choices.
- Dose matters. Something can be supportive in tiny amounts and harmful in bigger amounts (or at the wrong time).
- Modern life adds “new” hazards. Gardens, cleaning products, meds, moulds, processed foods, rubbish bins… animals didn’t evolve alongside those.
For me, the takeaway isn’t “animals can’t self-medicate.”
It’s self-selection works best when safety and choice are built in, the right options, the right setup, the ability to walk away, and someone (you!) calmly observing what’s going on.
If you want the full read, it’s here:
→ Read the blog
And if you’re sitting there thinking “this is my animal… and I don’t want to get it wrong” — that’s exactly what consultations are for. We can look at the whole picture and take the guesswork out of it.
→ Work with me
→ Book a free discovery call with me
Warmly,
Kirsty
Hedgerow Healing 🌿
P.S. If your animal has eaten something toxic or you’re worried they may have, please contact your vet or emergency service straight away. This blog is for understanding patterns — not emergencies.
