Witchcraft: Using magick on a dog

[WarBaby]

I have read you shouldn't do any sort of magick on a person without asking their permission and I've read some good explanations of why this is so even if you have good intentions.

Is it ok to do magick on a dog?  I have three dogs, they are getting up there in age and I had a thought that maybe I could help them with some of the aches and pains of being old and maybe help them be a little more relaxed.  Would that be ethical?  I suspect it is but I want to hear what others think.

Thanks!

[Ashmire]

I have read you shouldn't do any sort of magick on a person without asking their permission and I've read some good explanations of why this is so even if you have good intentions.

Is it ok to do magick on a dog?  I have three dogs, they are getting up there in age and I had a thought that maybe I could help them with some of the aches and pains of being old and maybe help them be a little more relaxed.  Would that be ethical?  I suspect it is but I want to hear what others think.

Thanks!

Well, if you could give them a pill without side effects that would help, would that bother you in the same way?  It's good to consider these things, but it's also inevitable that we are in the role of guardians to our animals.   As long as you aren't neglecting necessary medical treatment in favor of magic, I don't see a problem with this.

[WarBaby]

Well, if you could give them a pill without side effects that would help, would that bother you in the same way?  It's good to consider these things, but it's also inevitable that we are in the role of guardians to our animals.   As long as you aren't neglecting necessary medical treatment in favor of magic, I don't see a problem with this.

Oh don’t worry these dogs are well taken care of and I would never neglect them in any way.

[Aisling]

I have read you shouldn't do any sort of magick on a person without asking their permission and I've read some good explanations of why this is so even if you have good intentions.

Is it ok to do magick on a dog?  I have three dogs, they are getting up there in age and I had a thought that maybe I could help them with some of the aches and pains of being old and maybe help them be a little more relaxed.  Would that be ethical?  I suspect it is but I want to hear what others think.

Thanks!

To me, there's a certain amount of implied consent when a being entrusts you with their care and well-being. Using all the tools in my wheelhouse to care for and give comfort to one of my animals who are suffering isn't just ethical, it's a moral responsibility.   

That said, it's also my responsibility to know my animals well and to adjust my course of action based on how the animals react.  I was owned by two cats during the same time frame that illustrate it perfectly - Silver could not bear to be around raised energy levels and would go into hiding for days after any ritual work in the house (seriously, he'd hide in the closet when I'd reinforce the wards around the house).  When he would ail, he responded best to the lowest of energy levels and to conventional veterinary treatments. For my boy, magic was a last resort, only for dire emergencies.

The second cat was a whisker away from being a familiar and psychic vampire.  She loved to being in the middle of rituals and would want to be petted and held only when energy levels were high. Warding the house?  If I didn't let her go outside and allow her to walk the edge of the property with me, she would follow my progress by going from room to room and yowling as loud as she could.  When she ailed, magical intervention was usually a better medicine for her than standard treatment.

If you're concerned about consent, you can communicate with your animals your intentions and proceed based on their reactions (who hasn't asked our furbabies questions).  You can also cease your work at any time if the animals react negativity.  What ever you decide, best wishes for comfort and calm for your dogs.