Reiki is one of the most powerful and gentle ways to help animals heal physically, emotionally, and energetically. But if you’ve ever tried giving Reiki to a pet—especially one that’s anxious, sick, or high-energy—you might have noticed that they don’t always react the same way as humans do.
Some animals lean in and soak up the healing energy, while others fidget, walk away, or seem unsure at first. This is completely normal! Unlike humans, animals sense energy more strongly and will take in as much (or as little) Reiki as they need.
So how do you perform a full Reiki healing session for an animal while respecting their boundaries and comfort levels? In this guide, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step approach to offering Reiki to pets in a way that feels natural, relaxing, and deeply beneficial—without overwhelming them.
Why Reiki Works So Well for Animals
Reiki is a non-invasive energy healing practice that channels universal life force energy to promote balance, relaxation, and natural healing. Because Reiki works on the energetic level, it’s perfect for animals who:
✔ Suffer from anxiety, stress, or fear (e.g., rescue pets, animals with separation anxiety)
✔ Have physical pain or illness (e.g., arthritis, post-surgery recovery)
✔ Are aging and need extra support
✔ Are experiencing emotional trauma or grief
✔ Need help adjusting to a new home or environment
Unlike massage or acupuncture, Reiki doesn’t require direct contact, making it ideal for pets who are sensitive to touch or still building trust.
🐾 The key is to let the animal decide how much energy they want to receive—never force it.
How to Prepare for an Animal Reiki Session
Before you start, you’ll want to create a healing environment that helps your pet feel safe, comfortable, and open to receiving Reiki.
1. Choose a Quiet, Safe Space
🔹 Pick a calm, familiar location where your pet feels at ease—this could be their favorite room, bed, or outdoor area.
🔹 Minimize distractions—turn off loud noises (TV, vacuum, etc.) and avoid sudden interruptions.
2. Set Your Intention
🔹 Reiki works best when performed with clear, loving intent. Before starting, take a deep breath and mentally set an intention for your pet’s healing. Example:
💖 “I offer this Reiki session with love, for [Pet’s Name]’s highest good. May they receive whatever healing energy they need.”
3. Ground Yourself First
🔹 Animals pick up on your energy, so it’s important to be calm and centered before starting.
🔹 Take a few deep breaths, place your hands on your own heart, and visualize white light filling your body.
🐾 Once you feel grounded, you’re ready to begin!
Step-by-Step Guide: Performing Reiki for an Animal
Step 1: Let the Animal Approach You
🐕 Instead of walking up to your pet and placing your hands on them, allow them to come to you.
🐈 Some animals may circle around you, sniff your hands, or sit near you. Others may take longer to get comfortable—that’s okay!
✨ If your pet walks away at any point, respect their boundaries. Reiki energy still works from a distance!
Step 2: Begin the Reiki Flow
🔹 Activate Reiki by placing your hands together in a prayer position, setting your intention, and visualizing healing energy flowing through your hands.
🔹 If your pet is near, you can hover your hands a few inches above their body or lightly place your hands on a safe area (like their back or shoulders).
🐾 Where to Start:
✔ Chest or Heart Area – Helps with anxiety and emotional healing.
✔ Lower Back or Hips – Great for older pets or animals with mobility issues.
✔ Head or Ears – Good for relaxation and nervous system support.
✔ Paws or Legs – Helps with grounding and pain relief.
🐾 Signs Your Pet is Accepting Reiki:
✔ They sigh, yawn, or lie down.
✔ Their breathing slows down.
✔ They lean into your hands.
✔ Their eyes get sleepy or they start purring (for cats).
🐾 Signs Your Pet Needs a Break:
❌ They fidget or move away.
❌ They shake their body (like after a bath).
❌ Their ears go back or their tail tucks.
✨ Trust your pet to guide the session!
Step 3: Scan for Energy Imbalances
🐕 Slowly move your hands above their body (about 2-4 inches away), scanning for areas of heat, cold, tingling, or heaviness.
🐈 If you feel a “heavy” or “blocked” area, hold your hands there longer and visualize golden light flowing in.
🌿 Example: If you’re working on a dog with arthritis, you might feel heat around their hips—this means Reiki is activating healing in that area!
Step 4: Close the Reiki Session Gently
🔹 When you feel the energy flow slowing down, bring your hands together in a prayer position and mentally say:
💖 “Thank you for receiving this healing. May you be happy, healthy, and loved.”
🔹 Some animals may stay deeply relaxed after the session, while others may shake off the energy shift and go back to normal activities.
✨ Let them process the healing in their own time!
Tips for Making Reiki Sessions More Effective
✔ Shorter sessions (5-15 minutes) work best—animals absorb energy quickly.
✔ Use soft music or nature sounds to create a calming atmosphere.
✔ Practice distance Reiki for pets that aren’t comfortable with hands-on healing yet.
✔ Try Reiki before stressful events (vet visits, thunderstorms, travel) to ease anxiety.
🐾 Want to deepen your Reiki skills and learn more healing techniques? My Awaken Your Inner Healer Mini-Course teaches step-by-step Reiki techniques for pets!
Real-Life Success Story: How Reiki Helped an Anxious Rescue Dog
One of my students, Rachel, shared an amazing experience after using Reiki on her newly adopted rescue dog, Bailey:
“Bailey was extremely nervous when I brought her home. She would pace, pant, and avoid eye contact. I decided to try Reiki, starting with just 5 minutes a day. At first, she stayed across the room, but over time, she started lying near me. After a few weeks, she would come to me during Reiki sessions and even fall asleep. The transformation was incredible—she became calmer, more trusting, and finally felt at home. Reiki truly helped her heal.”
Bailey’s story is just one example of how gentle, intentional energy healing can make a world of difference for animals in need.
Want to Learn Reiki for Animals? Start Your Journey Today!
If you’re inspired to help animals heal using Reiki, my Awaken Your Inner Healer Mini-Course is the perfect place to start!
🌟 Inside the course, you’ll learn:
✔️ Step-by-step Reiki techniques for pets of all sizes
✔️ How to perform hands-on and distance Reiki
✔️ How to use Reiki for anxiety, pain relief, and emotional healing
✔️ Ways to start your own animal healing practice
🐾 Click here to enroll & start your journey in animal Reiki today! 🐶✨
Reiki is a beautiful way to connect with animals, support their healing, and deepen your bond. Are you ready to become the healer your pet needs? 🐾💖
