Coat of arms of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

How can I enhance the health of my animals by using aloe vera?

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons was founded in 1844 and chose to have Aloe Vera on its coat of arms due to the beneficial use of the plant in the treatment of animals. The Aloe Barbadensis Miller plant can be seen on the centaur’s shield.

Back in 2011 when I was learning about Forever Living, I attended some amazing Advisory Board Trainings run by Dr David Urch who had a large veterinary practice in England and who was an expert on aloe vera.

In 1999 Dr Urch had written a wonderful book Aloe Vera, Nature’s Gift about his healing experiences of using aloe vera in veterinary practice with domestic and farm animals. The book is now sadly out of print but if you’re lucky you might be able to find a second-hand copy.

He explained how some of the Forever products were especially suited to treating various animal conditions with before and after photographs showing improvements and how they could help to boost health and well-being. He talked about domestic pets, farm animals and even had some amazing stories and photos of elephants, monkeys and gorillas and even a killer whale using the products!

He explained that aloe had been widely used throughout history as a natural treatment for people and animals and suggested that we take a closer look at the coat of arms for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons where he trained and which was founded in 1844.

The centaur at the top of the coat of arms is believed to represent Chiron who was known for his knowledge and skill with medicine throughout antiquity and was attributed with the discovery of botany and pharmacy.

Aloe Vera was even named horse aloe in the late 18th century because it was so effective when treating horse ailments.

Aloe and Animals with vet David Urch

In this video Dr Urch discusses how aloe vera can be used to help with a variety of animal conditions, covering problems concerning, skin, joints and digestion. The products he uses are the same ones that we use on ourselves. When using complimentary treatments with animals you must make sure that the aloe vera is of top quality and that’s where Forever Living products come into their own.

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The following products have all been used before on animals for minor problems but always consult a vet first if you need advice and proper diagnosis and it’s advisable to do a patch test when introducing a new product. Click on the product name to go directly to its shop page.

Toothgel – also contains bee propolis. Great for dogs, gentle on gums and can help with plaque and tartar. Will leave your dog with a wonderful fresh breath!

Aloe Propolis Creme. Contains aloe vera, bee propolis for its antibacterial and anti inflammatory qualities and soothing chamomile

Aloe Vera Gelly – as close to pure inner leaf aloe as you can get. Very safe to use and suitable for all animals including reptiles for minor skin irritation. Perfect for any skin type and absorbs readily into skin to soothe, calm, moisturise and repair and can help to reduce scar formation.

Aloe Liquid Soap – use diluted to cleanse and moisturise, gently cleaning skin/fur and calming minor irritation. Great for both small and large animals. Aloe vera contains saponin which is a natural foaming cleanser. The aloe soothes and softens, while argan oil delivers vitamin e and natural fatty acids to condition and promote healthy skin. Argan oil is also known as ‘liquid gold of Morocco’ and is carefully harvested from the fruit of the tree. It also contains jojoba esters and cucumber fruit extract to help maintain moisture as well as arnica fruit extract to stimulate skin. A little of this fantastic powerful yet gentle soap goes a very long way. Great for washing muddy pets and for cleaning delicate skin types.

Aloe Vera Drinking Gel – contains 99.7% pure inner leaf aloe gel and Vitamin C. Supports gastrointestinal health, digestion and immunity. Great to add to a balanced diet.

Forever Freedom contains 90% pure inner leaf aloe vera with added glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. Helps to maintain healthy joint function, soothes digestion and skin and helps to make coats glossy!

Aloe First which used to be called Aloe Veterinary Formula. Contains 80% pure inner leaf aloe vera, bee propolis and a blend of 11 powerful soothing plant extracts. Great for domestic and farm animals. The spray nozzle is also ideal for treating animals when you can’t get too close to them. Calms irritation and cleanses. Helps to wash, clean off and soothe legs after heavy exercise and also works wonders for a glossy coat, adding shine and condition.

Aloe Jojoba Shampoo Deep cleansing and nourishing , gentle on the scalp and it produces a natural lather which easily rinses away dirt and oil. Also benefits from added jojoba oil which is rich in natural fats to promote strength and thickness, as well as argan oil, vitamin B5 and rosehip oil which provide nutrients, unsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants to support healthy hair.

Aloe Jojoba Conditioner. Lightweight conditioner for every hair type without added sulphates. Gentle on the scalp, softens and smooths hair, supports hair and scalp hydration and locks in moisture. Pairs perfectly with the Aloe jojoba shampoo.

Aloe Sunsceen Can be used on sensitive noses and eartips to protect and soothe. SPF30 to protect from UVA and UVB rays. Soothes, moisturises and protects and is water resistant for 80 minutes.

I personally used Aloe Vera gel when I had 2 beautiful black cats, brother and sister. We were so lucky as they were both very healthy and lived to 23 years! Occasionally they would get little cuts to their ears and also the odd tick but the aloe gel quickly healed any injuries.

Since the 1970s there has been a revival of interest in the beneficial effects of aloe vera and many clinical trials and studies have been taking place around the world.