Great Alternative to Sage-Smudging For Dogs

Budget Tip:

Sage smudging is a relatively budget-friendly way to clear energy. The main goal is to have a positive outcome without harming or scaring your pets. You can do that easily by relocating them or by using liquid sage (you can download a free copy below).

*Update: September 23, 2024

Benefits of sage smudging your home

• removes airborne bacteria
• clears positive ions (which build up with negative emotions or stale air)
• improves mood and clears thoughts 
• can help improve lung, brain, and skin functions
• Indigenous people believe it heals mind, body, and spirit
• alleviates stress, pain and prevents serious illness according to a 2014 study
• possible tool for improving sleep insomniacs 

Additionally, a study from 2016 found that a compound in sage, salvia, could have cognitive protective and enhancement abilities in patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. However, more research is needed in this area to know for certain if sage or salvia is a viable tool in fighting these diseases. 

What does it mean to smudge your home?

Sage smudging a home or place is a sacred ritual that dates back to 4500 BC that many do to help cleanse the space or promote good energy. Sage, contains a compound even called “salvia”, which in Latin means to heal.

Why is my dog scared of sage?

If you are burning sage, it could simply be that your dog is scared of the smoke or flame. My dog, Henry gets scared when I burn sage. However, it could also be the very strong smell that is produced. Or a combination of the two. Either way, when your dog is scared, be respectful and recognize that means you need to do something different. That is what I did for Henry.

Can dogs smell sage?

Absolutely! If you can smell the burning of sage (even if you can’t) your dog can smell it. Dogs sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 stronger than a human’s.

Is burning sage toxic to dogs?

There’s no evidence that burning sage is toxic to dogs. However, if you’re like me, you want to err on the side of caution. Thus, if your dog is scared of burning sage or other items, then, of course, avoid it around your dog.

NOTE: Henry is allergic to sage. Therefore, the burning of sage may also activate his allergies. Your dog might be the same.

Does burning sage hurt dogs? 

While the benefits of sage smudging are fairly remarkable, let’s make sure it’s safe for our dogs and pets. 

First, as already mentioned, let’s keep in mind that a dog’s strong sense of smell. 

Second, we need to know if sage or the burning of sage is toxic to a dog. Sage itself is not considered a toxic herb for dogs. Although, the ASCPA recommends only allowing your dog to eat 1-2 leaves of sage. 

Next, is burning or smudging sage toxic to your dog? There is no evidence to support that it’s toxic. Moreover, some people even smudge their pets and themselves.

However, since dogs’ anatomies are much different than humans it’s difficult to say if it’s beneficial or harmful. To date, there have not been any studies of significance on the subject. 

Finally, many dogs are scared of fire or things that appear to be smoking. My rescue dog, Henry, doesn’t like the sight of burning sage, even from a great distance. It scares him. 

What is an alternative sage smudging for my pets?

There are a few tricks you can take to be extra cautious for your furry friends, yet still have the desired outcome of smuging. These are the alternatives include:

• Relocate your dog and pets to a family or friend’s home while you sage and until the smell dissipates.
• Liquid sage is a method of spray smudging your home instead of lighting sage. The smell isn’t as intense as burning the plant. Henry likes to help with smudging using liquid sage.
• Different techniques, such as tingsha bells. While you won’t receive the benefits of sage, the ringing of tingsha bells is said to clear negative energy and reduce stress. Some people even prefer ringing tingsha bells over burning sage to smudge. I’ve used tingsha bells many times very successfully. Henry also likes to help with this type of clearing. 

When should I smudge my home?

There are different times when people will feel it necessary to smudge their homes and bring in good energy. A few examples are: 

• When moving into a new home.
• Someone moves out, leaves, or passes away.
• A major change in life, such as a new job, career change, big purchase, new partner, before a baby is born, a new rescue pet, etc. 
• Or whenever you feel something just doesn’t “feel” right. That is the PERFECT time to smudge your home.

How do you smudge your home?

There are different ways to smudge your home. 

1. Before you begin Smudging

I like to open windows and doors to invite the negative energy to leave and invite positive energy to come.

If you are doing a traditional burning of sage to smudge, then gather these tools – sage, abalone shell (to hold the sage and capture the burnt embers), and a feather to fan (sage smudging kit) and spread the smoke around your space and into the corners. 

However, if you are smudging with liquid sage, then simply get your bottle of prepared spray.

Or, if you are using tingsha bells, you only need the bells. 

2. Set your intentions and blessing for smudging

The main thing to focus on is to set your intentions before you begin, such as, “I want to clear out negative energies and have calm, peaceful, positive energies in my home.” Or whatever you would like and suits your family. 

Then as you walk through your home smudging it’s a good idea to say a prayer or blessings, inviting in good, positive energy, and releasing the negative energy. It can be something simple like, “I release the negative that I don’t want or need and invite the good that I do want and need”

3. Begin smudging 

I like to begin at the back of my house. 

Traditional smudging:

If doing traditional burning of sage, light the bundle at a 45-degree angle and let it burn for about 20 seconds or so.

Then gently blow it out and you should see glowing orange embers begin to smoke and billow at the end of the sage. This is what you will use to smudge.

Spray or tingsha bells:

Simply grab your liquid sage bottle or bells.

4. Slow and steady wins the smudging race

Slowly walk around your home or space. This isn’t a timed event and can take a fair amount of time.

For traditional sage burning, you will want to invite the smoke to all corners of the room with the feather. 

Liquid sage again, you will want to spray all corners of the room and invite the odor into all areas, you may use a feather if you like. 

For both traditional and liquid sage, pay close attention to corners, hallways, doorways, mirrors, windows, phones, closets, antiques, and technology (like computers, laptops, iPads, etc.)

Tingsha bells are even easier. Simply go to the middle of each room and ring the bells while saying your blessing. When the vibration has completely stopped move to the next room or space. You may even ring the bells again if you feel it is needed. However, just like with traditional sage smudging works your way from the back of your home to the front. 

5. Conclude your smudging at the front door

With traditional burning sage smudging, once you reach your front door, smudge the door, walk out the door, continue saying your blessing, and do one last waft of smoke to the heavens as an offering. Then you’re done. 

Liquid sage. With this spray your front door and say your blessing, walk out your door, spray once more to the heavens as an offering. Then you’re done. 

Tingsha bells. With these bells ring them in the room with your front door open and say your blessing. Let the energy go out the door as the vibration stops. Next, walk out the door say your blessing once more as a thanksgiving to the heavens. Then you’re done.

Caution with burning sage

When you’re done smudging and need to put out your burning sage you’ll need to find a fireproof surface, like a rock, and rub it hard on it until it is completely out. 

If you see embers drop during your smudging process, carefully pick them up and put them out. Your aim is for the embers to drop into the abalone shell. However, a wayward ember does happen on occasion. Be prepared to stomp it out or pick it up quickly. Honestly, chasing an ember is the only quick part of the sage smudging process. 

NOTE: If I’m smudging traditionally with fire, then I make sure that Henry is at doggie daycare or a friend’s home for several hours. Neither option he minds. However, if I’m using liquid sage or tingsha bells to smudge, then Henry, loves to walk with me. He seems to enjoy the process. Be mindful of your pup’s needs and comfort as you smudge. 

Not sure about how to find a doggie daycare for your pup so you can sage your home? In this article, I walk you through the process.

Is smudging the right thing for my family and pets?

Smudging has been done with different herbs since 4500 BC. During this time there is a multitude of ailments smudging has reportedly healed. I’d say if you’re not comfortable in your home for whatever reason, try smudging. As long as you’re mindful of your dog or other pets, you are fine, and you won’t do any harm. 

Related articles:

• Ways to Destress Quickly With Your Dog
• Daily Gratitude With A Dog Improves Health
• Is Meditation With Dogs Good For People?
• Dog is an Expert in Healing Crystals
• Quick Simple Dog Massage Therapy at Home
• Does your pup have eerie dog senses? 
• Can You Do Feng Shui For Dogs?
• 10 Benefits of Daycare for Dogs

Out with the bad, in with the good: an alternative to sage smudging

Smudging can reduce stress, clean air, balance out ions, and improve mind, body, and spirit. While there is no evidence that burning sage is harmful to dogs or pets, it’s never a bad idea to be cautious.

Also, if your furry buddy is scared of smoke or fire, like Henry, then respect those fears. There are alternatives, including placing your dog in a different location while you burn sage and smudge, using liquid sage, and ringing tingsha bells. I have tried all three. They have all worked for Henry and me.