Pet Reiki vs. Sound Healing: What’s Right for Your Pet?

By Joann, Founder of Tending Pets

If you’ve been exploring holistic support for your animal, chances are you’ve come across two powerful tools: Reiki and sound healing. Both offer gentle, energy-based care—but they’re not the same.

As a certified Reiki practitioner and sound healer, I often get asked: Which one is better? Or How do I choose the right session for my pet?

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But by understanding the unique benefits of each, you can tune into what your pet needs most right now—and even blend the two.

Here’s what I’ve learned through my work with animals and their people.

What Is Pet Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese energy healing technique that promotes balance, calm, and emotional clarity. It works by channeling universal life force energy—also called prana or qi—through gentle intention and presence.

In a pet Reiki session, I act as a facilitator, offering that energy to your animal in a safe, non-invasive way. There’s no pressure, no physical manipulation, and no need for your pet to stay still. The energy meets them where they are.

Pet Reiki benefits often include:

  • Deep relaxation and nervous system regulation

  • Support for emotional trauma, grief, or anxiety

  • Pain relief and comfort for chronic conditions

  • Energetic realignment during life transitions (new homes, end-of-life, etc.)

  • Enhanced recovery from illness or surgery

Reiki is subtle, intuitive, and powerful. Some pets curl up and sleep. Others lie next to me or across the room, soaking up the energy without direct touch. It’s always led by consent.

What Is Sound Healing for Pets?

Sound healing, on the other hand, uses vibration and frequency to shift the body’s energetic and physical states. Through tools like singing bowls, tongue drums, chimes, and tuning forks, I create a calming soundscape that helps animals process and release tension.

Unlike Reiki, which is silent and invisible, sound healing is audible. The animal hears and feels the soundwaves moving through the space—and through their own body.

Common benefits of pet sound baths:

  • Reduces anxiety, restlessness, or hypervigilance

  • Supports deeper, more restful sleep

  • Helps overstimulated or reactive animals settle

  • Offers sensory enrichment for indoor pets

  • Encourages emotional release through yawning, stretching, or sighing

Sound healing is especially helpful for dogs who bark excessively, pace at night, or struggle with transitions. It’s also great for cats who hide, overgroom, or have trouble self-regulating.

Sound Healing vs. Reiki for Pets: How to Choose

So how do you know which one is right for your pet? Here's how I usually guide clients based on behavior, energy, and emotional patterns:

👉 Choose Reiki if your pet is:

  • Withdrawn or emotionally shut down

  • Grieving the loss of a companion

  • Dealing with chronic health issues

  • In need of support during end-of-life care

Reiki offers gentle, hands-off energy healing that helps animals feel safe, grounded, and emotionally supported.

👉 Choose Sound Healing if your pet is:

  • Overstimulated, reactive, or high-strung

  • Barking excessively or pacing at night

  • Struggling with sleep or transitions

  • Showing signs of nervous energy or restlessness

Sound healing works beautifully to shift your pet out of fight-or-flight mode and into deep relaxation through calming frequencies and rhythms.

👉 Try Both if your pet:

  • Was recently adopted and is adjusting to new surroundings

  • Feels unsure, ungrounded, or has unpredictable energy

  • Is showing general signs of stress, but you're not sure where to start

In these cases, I often start with Reiki to open the energy field, then layer in sound therapy to deepen the experience. Every session is tailored to your pet's comfort—and they're always in the lead.

💫 The beautiful thing? You don’t have to choose just one. Reiki and sound healing complement each other beautifully, and many pets respond best to a blend of both.

What Your Pet Might Experience

Every session is different, but here’s what you might notice afterward:

  • A calmer, more relaxed body

  • Changes in sleep, digestion, or social behavior

  • Deeper connection and bonding

  • Less reactivity to triggers or overstimulation

  • A subtle shift that just feels “lighter”

Your pet might not be able to explain what happened—but they’ll often show you.

When in Doubt, Start with This

If you’re unsure where to begin, I recommend starting with a Remote Reiki session or a Zoom Sound Bath.

They’re both safe, supportive, and consent-based. We’ll talk beforehand about your animal’s needs, sensitivities, and environment so I can offer the most appropriate support.

From there, we can adjust or evolve the experience based on how your pet responds.

My Signature Services

At Tending Pets, I offer a variety of holistic energy sessions, including:

  • Zoom Sound Baths (for dogs, cats, or duos)

  • Remote Reiki Sessions

  • Custom Sound Healing Recordings

  • In-Person Energy Work (for Kansas City locals)

Each session is trauma-informed, intuitive, and led by your animal’s comfort. No forcing. No pressure. Just gentle support.

💌 Curious about what’s best for your pet? Reach out, and I’ll help you decide.

Key Takeaways

  • Pet Reiki offers subtle, hands-off energy healing that’s especially helpful for emotional trauma, chronic pain, or end-of-life transitions.

  • Sound healing for pets uses vibration and frequency to calm overstimulation, reduce anxiety, and support sleep.

  • You can use both modalities together or separately, depending on your pet’s unique needs.

  • I offer virtual and in-person sessions designed to support dogs, cats, and the people who love them.

The services provided by Tending Pets, including sound healing and energy work, are intended to support emotional and energetic wellness in animals and are not a substitute for veterinary care. Joann is not a licensed veterinarian, and these services do not diagnose, treat, or cure any medical conditions. If your pet is experiencing health issues, please consult your veterinarian. All content on this site is for informational purposes only.

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DIY Pet Sound Bath at Home: A Step‑by‑Step Guide