Self-Selection and Zoopharmacognosy in Canine Health
In the field of natural canine nutrition and holistic care, self-selection and zoopharmacognosy represent emerging frameworks that acknowledge an animal’s ability to instinctively identify and select nutrients or bioactive substances to support their own health. These concepts span food choices, herb and plant interactions, and olfactory selection of essential oils—offering a more integrative and respectful approach to individualised care.
Understanding Self-Selection
Self-selection refers to the process by which animals select specific substances—whether foods, herbs, or aromatic compounds—based on intrinsic physiological or biochemical needs. In practical terms, this may look like a dog refusing certain vegetables, consistently selecting a particular herb in the garden, or being drawn to a specific essential oil during a session of applied zoopharmacognosy.
This innate behaviour is rooted in survival: in wild and feral populations, animals must interpret subtle signals from their body and environment to identify safe and beneficial substances. While domestication has altered some of these instincts, research and experience demonstrate that many companion dogs still retain the ability to make therapeutic choices when offered the right context.
Zoopharmacognosy: Nature’s Veterinary Pharmacy
The term zoopharmacognosy (from zoo = animal, pharmaco = drug, gnosy = knowing) describes an animal's use of naturally occurring substances for medicinal purposes. This phenomenon has been observed widely in wild species—for instance, chimpanzees ingesting bitter piths with antiparasitic properties or elephants seeking out particular roots to stimulate labour.
In domestic dogs, zoopharmacognosy is commonly expressed when:
A dog avoids or refuses a particular food item (e.g., organs, starches) due to an internal aversion or unmet need
A dog is drawn to certain herbs or grasses that modulate digestion or detoxification
A dog selects and engages with specific essential oils or hydrosols that support nervous system, immune, or gastrointestinal function
Nutritional Self-Selection: Foods, Plants, and Herbs
In the context of diet, self-selection helps explain behaviours that are often mislabeled as fussiness. For instance, a dog might consistently leave cooked carrots or refuse organ meats—not out of preference, but because their body may currently lack a need for those specific nutrients or because those ingredients trigger post-ingestive discomfort.
Key observations from nutritional self-selection:
Selective avoidance can be a sign of food sensitivity or an imbalance (e.g., leaving high-oxalate vegetables or fibrous legumes)
Herb foraging in yards or on walks—such as consuming couch grass (Elymus repens) or dandelion greens—may reflect attempts to regulate digestion, bile flow, or detoxification
Repeated preference for certain proteins or fat sources can indicate underlying metabolic priorities, especially in working or recovering dogs
When feeding raw or fresh diets, allowing some variety and controlled choice within a safe framework can empower the dog to balance micronutrients, fats, and bioactive plant compounds according to real-time needs.
Aromatic Self-Selection: Essential Oils and Olfaction
Self-selection also extends into the olfactory domain through the use of essential oils, hydrosols, and aromatic extracts. In applied zoopharmacognosy, dogs are offered a selection of high-quality, dog-safe essential oils and allowed to inhale or interact with the scents voluntarily. Unlike forced application, the dog may choose to deeply inhale, gently lick, or completely ignore each substance based on their internal assessment.
Commonly used oils include:
Lavender – calming, nervine, supports anxiety and overstimulation
Frankincense – grounding, modulates inflammation and immune response
Roman Chamomile – antispasmodic, soothing for the digestive and nervous systems
Sweet Marjoram, Ginger, Cardamom – often selected by dogs with GI tension, cramping, or queasiness
Dogs may seek out essential oils in different life stages or during recovery from stress, trauma, or illness. This method can also assist with behaviour modification, emotional processing, and endocrine regulation.
Scientific Basis and Considerations
While empirical and anecdotal evidence for self-selection is strong, scientific understanding is growing. Self-selection behaviours are thought to be regulated by:
Interoception: the animal’s perception of internal physiological states
Post-ingestive feedback: learned associations between substances consumed and internal outcomes (e.g., comfort, nausea)
Olfactory-limbic integration: the strong neurological link between scent, memory, and emotional regulation
To successfully implement self-selection:
Ensure safety and species appropriateness of all foods, herbs, and oils offered
Introduce new options one at a time and observe for responses over several exposures
Work under the guidance of a professional—especially when using potent herbs or essential oils, or when managing chronic health conditions
Conclusion
Self-selection and zoopharmacognosy represent a return to an animal-centered approach to health—where dogs are recognised as active participants in their own healing process. Through appropriate offerings of food, herbs, and essential oils, guardians can support their dog’s innate ability to seek out what their body truly needs.
By observing these subtle preferences—and by resisting the urge to override them with rigid expectations—we honour both biology and individuality in the animals we care for.