Reiki for Babies · Pets · Plants
The use of Reiki on infants, pets, and plants: gentle energy practice
Reiki practice methods · Respect principles · Safety precautions · Research status · Student testimonials
After learning Usui Reiki, many students wonder whether they can offer it to their baby, dogs, cats, birds or even plants by the window. Soul Love Center's beginner course includes “Using Reiki with infants, children, animals, plants and crystals”.
This article introduces gentle ways, times, and respect principles for performing Reiki on infants, pets, and plants. It also includes infant safe sleep guidelines, Hong Kong animal law information, current research on animal Reiki, and real student experiences.
⚠️ Important Statement: Reiki is a complementary relaxation and companion method and cannot replace medical doctors, registered veterinarians, or other professional opinions. If there are any health or behavioral issues with infants or pets, please first consult a doctor or a registered veterinarian.
At a glance
Performing Reiki on infants, pets, and plants focuses on being gentle, short, respecting others' reactions, and viewing it as companionship and care rather than treatment. Any health issues should first be handled by professional individuals.
In this article
- Shared Principles: Gentleness, Respect and No Replacement for Professional Care
- Offering Reiki to Babies and Children
- Safe Sleep Information for Infants
- Offering Reiki to Pets
- Hong Kong Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance
- The Current Research on Animal Reiki
- Offering Reiki to Plants
- Students' Personal Experiences
- An I Ching Perspective: The Great Virtue of Heaven and Earth Is Life
- How to Learn
- Frequently asked questions
Principles
1. Common Principles: Gentle, Respectful, and Not Replacing Professional
| Principle | Method |
|---|---|
| First Settle Yourself | Deep breathe before the session, recite the Five Reiki Principles, and let yourself be calm |
| Gentleness | Rest your hands gently on or hold them above the body, without pressure or massage. |
| Short duration | Start with a few minutes and observe the response |
| Respect | Stop immediately if the recipient becomes unsettled, moves away or resists |
| Keep Safety Arrangements in Place | For example, not changing the baby's sleeping position or not opening the pet's cage to let it escape |
| No Replacement for Professional Care | Seek medical care or consult a registered veterinary surgeon first for health concerns |
The 'Caring for Others' principle of the Five Reiki Principles, extended to every life around you, is the fundamental of these principles. The origin of the Five Reiki Principles can be seen in Mikao Usui 。
Babies & Children
2. Offering Reiki to Babies and Children
How to Practise
- When embracing, feeding, or soothing the baby, place the hands naturally lightly on the baby's back
- When the baby is lying in their own cot, you can hold your hands above them without touching or disturbing them.
- Children are more lively, and Reiki can be performed during storytelling or bedtime companionship, as long as the child feels comfortable.
Duration
Start with a few minutes, and pay attention to the child's reaction. If they are uncomfortable or want to leave, stop immediately.
Obtain the Caregiver's Consent First
Reiki should be performed on another child or infant only with the consent of the parents or caregivers.
When to Seek Medical Care First
If the infant has a fever, is continuously crying, refuses to eat, has abnormal breathing, or shows any discomfort, seek medical attention immediately and do not use Reiki instead of medical care.
Safe Sleep
3. Safe Sleep Information for Infants
Many parents like to stay beside their sleeping baby or offer Reiki. The Department of Health's Family Health Service states that sleeping on the back is safest: sleeping on the side or tummy may increase the risks of breathing difficulties and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS occurs most often in the first 6 months, especially between 1 and 4 months.
Points to Observe During Practice
- Do not change the supine position for the infant for convenience.
- Let the infant sleep on its own bed, and sleep in the same room but not in the same bed as the caregiver.
- Do not fall asleep holding a baby on a sofa or armchair.
- Keep the infant's face and both hands exposed, and do not place soft items on the bed.
Refer to the Department of Health's latest guidance for the information above.
Pets
4. Offering Reiki to Pets
Practice Steps
- Choose a time when your pet is calm and wants to rest.
- Settle yourself first and breathe slowly.
- Sit near your pet and let it decide whether to approach.
- If the animal is willing, rest your hands gently on its back or hold them above its body.
- Stop if the animal walks away, avoids you or seems unsettled.
Suggestions for Different Pets
| Pet | Suggested approach | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs and cats | Rest hands gently on or above the back, following the animal's wishes | Start with a few minutes and observe the response |
| Birds | Hold hands outside the cage without opening its door | A few minutes |
| Small animals such as hamsters and rabbits | Hold hands outside the enclosure | A few minutes |
| Fish and reptiles | Hold hands outside the aquarium or enclosure without touching | A few minutes |
Above is general advice and not clinical guidance; pets with health issues should consult a registered veterinarian.
Suitable Moments
- Everyday companionship to deepen your bond with your pet.
- As part of companionship and reassurance during stressful moments such as thunderstorms, moving home, or before and after veterinary visits.
- Offer older pets gentle companionship; medical treatment remains the veterinarian's responsibility.
Hong Kong Law
5. Hong Kong Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance
- Section 16 of the Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance (Cap. 529) states that a person must be registered with the Veterinary Surgeons Board and hold a valid practising certificate to practise veterinary surgery in Hong Kong.
- Persons not listed in the register are not entitled to claim themselves as 'registered veterinarians'.
- The veterinary services that an animal owner can perform are limited to simple actions and do not include any surgical procedures.
Therefore, Reiki practitioners should not diagnose or treat pets, nor should they suggest that owners delay visiting a veterinarian or change their veterinarian's treatment. This is merely a general overview and not legal advice.
Research
6. The Current Research on Animal Reiki
Research on animal Reiki is limited; the following two are preliminary findings:
| Research | Method | Result | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin and Schwartz (2006), rats | Rats exposed to noise pressure, respectively receiving Reiki, fake Reiki, or no treatment | The Reiki group showed less microvascular leakage caused by noise, with consistent results in three repeated experiments. | Only 4 rats per group; the researchers also said it remained unclear whether the effects came from Reiki itself. |
| Randomised controlled trial of distance Reiki for dogs (Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association) | Blinded, placebo-controlled assessment of distance Reiki over 3 and 6 weeks | A significant decrease in pain reported by the owners; no significant differences were observed in symptoms such as itching, vomiting, and diarrhea | Assessed by the owners; researchers stated that this is an initial result and more research is needed |
The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) concludes that human Reiki research has not clearly established effectiveness for any health purpose, although research has not found harmful effects. See Is Reiki Healing Effective? Scientific Perspective on Energy Healing 。
Plants
7. Offering Reiki to Plants
How to Practise
Place your hands above plants or gently hold a pot of flowers and sit quietly for a few minutes. You can also spend a few minutes quietly with it during watering or pruning
A Reasoned Perspective
There is currently no reliable research to show that plants can sense Reiki. The main value of working with plants is that it is a daily practice of mindfulness: slow your steps, notice the leaves, the soil, and the sunlight. If plants have pests or growth issues, they should be addressed according to horticultural methods, such as adjusting light, watering, and fertilizing, or consulting a horticultural expert
Plants and Space
The Intermediate Course at Soul Love Center includes 'Quick Cleansing of Space and Boundary'. Caring for indoor plants and organizing the living space is also a daily method to make the living environment more comfortable. Rational introduction to crystals is available Reiki practice accessories and the seven-star array guide 。
Student Stories
8. Students' Personal Experiences
The following are excerpts from Soul Love Center Student Testimonials Original account; a personal experience that varies between individuals:
A Dog Approaches of Its Own Accord
“Last night I was sending distant Reiki to my family… Towards the end, my dog came over to sniff my hands… I felt as though he wanted me to send him Reiki, so I offered it directly. He lay down on his own to receive it, and I could feel the energy flowing 🤩”
“My hands were away from his body, without touching him. When I stopped, he looked at me immediately. That moment felt so real.”
Cats and Parrots
“Both my cats sit quietly when I send them Reiki ❤️”
“My parrot was chewing his feathers and becoming emotionally unsettled… So I sent him Reiki, and amazingly, he did less of that frantic chewing 🤣”
Reminder: A bird may bite its feathers due to health or environmental factors. Please consult a registered veterinarian who is familiar with birds.
This participant's sharing also reflects a common point: pets decide on their own whether to approach, and the practitioner respects the pet's reaction when it stops.
I Ching
9. An I Ching Perspective: The Great Virtue of Heaven and Earth Is Life
The second part of the I Ching's Great Commentary says, “The great virtue of heaven and earth is life.” Their greatest virtue is enabling all things to grow. The Image Commentary on Kun also says, “The earth's nature is receptive; the noble person supports all things with generous virtue.” Caring for babies, pets and plants is a way of supporting and nourishing the lives around us with generosity.
From a holistic wellbeing perspective, caring for other life forms is also a way of caring for oneself: we learn patience, gentleness, and respect. For more connections between the I Ching and Reiki, see The connection between I Ching Philosophy and Reiki Healing ; for integration of body, mind and spirit, see What is the integration of body, mind, and spirit? 。
Learn
10. How to Learn
| Courses | Related content | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Usui Reiki Level 1 | The use of Reiki on infants, children, animals, plants, and crystals; performing full body hand positions for others; and two attunements | HK$900 |
| Usui Reiki Level 2 | Distant Reiki; rapid space cleansing and protective boundaries | HK$1,380 |
For a day at Level 1, see A Day at a Reiki Level 1 Certificate Workshop ; for self-treatment hand positions, see 12 Reiki Hand Positions for Self-Healing ; for an introduction to Usui Reiki, see What Is Usui Reiki? ; for all courses, see Our services ; for teacher information, see Our Teacher 。
FAQ
Reiki with Babies, Pets and Plants: Frequently Asked Questions
Can Reiki Be Offered to Babies?
The Usui Reiki beginner course includes applications for infants, children, animals, plants and crystals. With babies, use gentle, brief practice with hands resting lightly or held above them. Do not change their sleeping position; the Department of Health identifies sleeping on the back as safest. Seek medical care immediately if a baby is unwell.
Is There Research Supporting Reiki for Pets?
Research is limited and considered preliminary. For example, a 2006 study on rats found that the Reiki group had less microvascular leakage due to noise; a blinded randomized controlled trial on dogs found that dogs receiving distance Reiki had lower pain scores in the owner's assessment, but no significant differences in other indicators. Researchers all indicated that more research is needed.
Can I Rely Solely on Reiki If My Pet Is Ill?
No. Under section 16 of Hong Kong's Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance (Cap. 529), a person must be a registered veterinary surgeon with a valid practising certificate to practise veterinary surgery in Hong Kong. Consult a registered veterinary surgeon first for a pet's health or behavioural problems. Reiki should serve only as companionship and relaxation.
How Can I Tell Whether My Pet Wants to Receive Reiki?
Observe its reaction: it tends to approach or lie still when willing; if it runs away, avoids, or appears uneasy, stop immediately and respect its choice.
Can Plants Really Sense Reiki?
There is no reliable research proving plants can sense Reiki. Using Reiki on plants can be considered a daily practice of cultivating awareness and care; if plants have pests or growth issues, handle them according to horticultural methods.
Can I Do This Without Having Learnt Reiki?
In the traditional Usui Reiki, students must be attuned (pointed) by a teacher before performing Reiki. Non-learners can also connect with infants, pets, or plants through quiet companionship, gentle touch, and mindful breathing.
For more questions, see Frequently asked questions ; for all articles, see Article library ; for enquiries, see Contact us 。
Important Disclaimer: This content is for holistic wellbeing and does not constitute medical or veterinary advice. Reiki cannot replace the diagnosis or treatment by a pediatrician or registered veterinarian.
Offer Gentle Companionship to the Living Beings Around You
The Level 1 Usui Reiki course includes the use of Reiki on infants, children, animals, plants, and crystals. Please WhatsApp for the latest class dates.
