How Do You Choose A Remedy
How Do You Know Which Remedy to Use?
In this class, we’re focused primarily on the most commonly used homeopathic remedies—the ones I recommend keeping in your dog’s first aid kit. That means your choices will often be narrowed down for you, making it easier and less overwhelming to get started.
I’ll be sharing a list of my favorite first aid remedies later in this series, so you’ll know exactly what to stock.
But before we dive into the individual remedies, it’s important to understand how the selection process actually works—because this is where homeopathy starts to feel so different from anything you’ve ever been taught in conventional medicine.
What Does “Like Cures Like” Mean?
One of the founding principles of homeopathy is “like cures like.”
This means that a substance which can cause symptoms in a healthy person or dog can, in an ultra-diluted homeopathic form, help relieve those same symptoms in a sick body.
For example:
Poison Ivy in its raw form causes red, itchy, blistering skin. In homeopathy, a highly diluted form of Poison Ivy (Rhus toxicodendron) might be used to help a dog showing similar skin irritation.
It’s not about using the chemical properties of the substance—it’s about matching its energetic imprint to your dog’s current imbalance.
Homeopathy Isn’t About Diagnoses
This part surprises a lot of people: Remedies are not matched to disease names.
We don’t choose a remedy because your dog has arthritis, or allergies, or anxiety. We choose it based on how your dog experiences that issue.
For example:
One arthritic dog may be stiff upon waking but loosen up with movement
Another may get worse with cold, damp weather
A third might be sore after too much play or stimulation
Those differences matter. Each case could require a different remedy—even if they all fall under the same diagnosis.
What’s a Rubric?
A rubric in homeopathy is a category of symptoms we use to narrow down remedy choices. Think of it like gathering clues.
Let’s say your dog has a headache (yes, dogs can absolutely show signs of head pain). The rubrics might include:
Dull or pressing sensation
Sensitivity to sound
Nausea or disorientation
Worse with movement
To name a few – this is why you often see me asking really odd questions during a consult or urgent call.
Each of these helps us sort through possible remedies. The more symptom matches, the more likely a remedy will be effective.
What Is Repertorization?
Repertorization is the process of reviewing rubrics to see which remedy best fits your dog’s unique case.
It’s like detective work—where we analyze physical, emotional, and behavioral clues to find the best energetic match.
This is not guesswork. It’s a careful, systematic method designed to individualize care for each dog.
What If You Pick the “Wrong” Remedy?
Good news: The wrong remedy won’t hurt your dog.
If it’s not a match, it simply won’t work.
We watch for changes—whether emotional, behavioral, or physical.
If nothing shifts, or if progress stalls, we reassess and try a better-fitting option.
There are no harsh side effects. No drug interactions. And with low-potency remedies, it’s very safe to learn as you go.
How Fast Does It Work?
Acute issues (bug bites, tummy troubles, anxiety during storms): often respond within minutes to hours
Chronic conditions (skin issues, pain, recurring infections): typically require consistent observation and reassessment over 4–6 weeks
Homeopathy often follows a pattern of healing that mirrors Eastern medicine:
From the inside out, from top to bottom, and in reverse order of symptom appearance.
Sometimes old symptoms return briefly on the way out. That’s not a setback—it’s a sign the body is processing and releasing what it no longer needs.