15/10/2026
Well I'm feeling a little better again today thankfully - still very tired 😩 though.
Yesterday, Monty reminded me once again why I find zoopharmacognosy so endlessly fascinating.
My mum had a vase of flowers on the floor next to the fireplace. Monty wandered over, settled beside them and spent a considerable amount of time quietly sniffing the foliage. Then, after carefully investigating the flowers, he gently removed a branch from the vase and carried it away.
It was a branch from a mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus).
To most people it might have looked like a dog being mischievous, but to me, it looked very much like innate botanical self-selection.
Animals are known to self-medicate. This behaviour has been observed in species across the world, from primates selecting medicinal plants to birds incorporating aromatic herbs into their nests. The field of zoopharmacognosy explores how animals seek out natural substances that may help support their physical or emotional wellbeing.
What made Monty's choice particularly interesting was how relevant it appeared to be.
Monty is dealing with several challenges. He has a history of IBS-D and pancreatitis, both involving inflammation and digestive upset, and he is also experiencing an ear flare-up.
Mastic has a long history of traditional use in supporting digestive health and is well known for its aromatic resin, which contains compounds recognised for their antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Of course, we can never know exactly what an animal is thinking or why they choose a particular plant for sure. Yet when a dog with digestive sensitivities and inflammatory conditions spends time carefully investigating a plant traditionally associated with digestive and inflammatory support, it is difficult not to take notice.
What struck me most was that Monty wasn't playing with the branch, and he wasn't chewing it destructively or seeking attention. He spent time assessing the plant, then calmly selected it and took it away. It was very thoughtful and deliberate. Take time to watch the video below, and really notice what he's doing and how's he is interacting with the branch.
This is one of the reasons I am so passionate about offering animals choice.
Their sense of smell is extraordinary, and their relationship with the natural world is far older and more deeply rooted than our own. Given the opportunity, they often reveal preferences and behaviours that suggest they know exactly what is relevant to them in that moment.
Watching him was so beautiful - it was a reminder that botanical self-selection is not something we teach. It is an innate behaviour, and when we slow down enough to observe, our animals can be astonishingly wise - they tell us what they need and when they need it - if we listen.
Have you ever watched your dog repeatedly investigate, seek out or select a particular plant?
I'd love to hear about your experiences.
Or pop me a message to find out how I can help your dog through Innate botanical self selection and Zoopharmacognosy 🫶
