There aren’t too many people who don’t love pets. Dogs and cats are treasured members of the family for so many of us. But with busy modern lifestyles, smaller backyards, and apartment living becoming more common, many pets now spend far more time indoors than they once did.
What many people don’t realise is that animals can miss out on regular contact with the Earth too.
Long before Linda, the founder of Barefoot Healing, discovered Earthing, she had a beautiful little dog called Gizmo. He was full of personality and deeply loved. But when he became unwell, Linda did what most caring pet owners would naturally do. She brought him inside, wrapped him up warmly, and kept him close where she could watch over him.
But something interesting kept happening.
Gizmo would disappear into the backyard and Linda would eventually find him lying in a hole he had dug into the Earth, regardless of the weather. In her concern, she would carry him back inside, thinking she was helping him rest comfortably.
Looking back now, with a deeper understanding of Earthing, Linda believes Gizmo instinctively knew what his body needed. He was naturally drawn to direct contact with the Earth.
If she had known then what she knows today, she says she would have made that little patch of earth even more comfortable for him and let him stay there as long as he wanted.
Stories like this are one of the reasons awareness around Earthing feels so important. Not just for us, but for the animals we love too.
Many pets today spend most of their lives indoors, especially older animals with mobility issues or pets living in apartments and smaller homes. Linda often hears similar stories from customers whose ageing dogs or indoor cats rarely make direct contact with the ground anymore.
While nothing replaces time outdoors in nature, Earthing products can help create opportunities for grounding indoors too.
Many dogs and cats seem naturally drawn to grounding products, often choosing to lie on them instinctively. Linda has seen this herself many times over the years. One memorable moment was while babysitting her son’s large Mastiff, who somehow managed to pull an Earthing Throw off the lounge and curl herself up contentedly on top of it.
Why? Perhaps animals sense comfort and connection in ways humans often overlook.
Grounding mats can be a practical option for pets who spend most of their time indoors. They can be placed beneath a light sheet or blanket to create a cosy resting area while still allowing conductivity through to the animal.
Over the years, Linda has also heard countless stories from customers using Earthing products with their beloved pets, from ageing dogs recovering after agility competitions through to even a cherished geriatric guinea pig.
At the heart of it all is something very simple.
We love our animals deeply, and we want them to feel calm, comfortable, supported, and well. Creating opportunities for them to reconnect with the Earth may be one small but meaningful way to support their everyday wellbeing.
PETS – PIA
“I’m a Bowen therapist for pets, and after working on dogs and cats they often need time to rest and recover. I’ve found that having them lie on an Earthing Mat during treatment seems to support the recovery process and helps them settle more comfortably afterwards.”
FURKIDS – FIONA
“I originally purchased a Plush Pad as a gift for a friend’s unwell dog, although it was a little small for a larger breed. After reading more about Earthing, I felt unsure about whether it was suitable in his particular situation, so I sought further advice.
However, my own little furkid uses his every day. He competes in Dog Agility, and I’ve personally noticed he seems to recover more quickly after competitions, which has been wonderful to see.”
There’s also a fascinating chapter in the Earthing Book exploring the connection between animals and grounding, including stories and observations of how pets instinctively seek contact with the Earth when unwell or needing rest.
With research suggesting that up to 76% of dogs and 92% of cats spend part or all of their lives indoors, many pets today have far less natural contact with the Earth than they once did.
For older pets, apartment animals, or those spending more time inside, an Earthing Floor Mat can be a simple way to help support regular grounding indoors. Because just like us, our pets thrive when they feel calm, comfortable, connected, and well.
