What happens to your energy when you give Reiki to someone else?
October 4, 2026
Radiance Series: Dr. Natalie Dyer on Large Scale Research on Reiki with Reiki Women Podcast
October 5, 2026
In my honest experience, yes. My ‘ole sweet pig Flora, who is nearly seventeen and a little arthritic, swung herself round the other day to put her sore hindquarters under my hands. Animals feel it and know where they want it. The rule with animals is the one she demonstrated: do not put it on them; let them choose.
My honest experience says yes, it does. The other day I saw it happening in the real world, just so beautifully.
I have a pig, and her name is Flora. She is sixteen, almost seventeen, and I think she has a bit of arthritis. She is an old piggy. She loves attention, she is always very chatty, and she always comes over. I was giving her some attention, with my hands on her, and she completely moved around: she did a whole swing and put her bottom underneath my hands.
I had to laugh, because this is what we always say about animals: do not put it on them, allow them to choose what they want. She was the perfect example. She could feel it, and she knew exactly where she wanted it.
When this happens. Practitioners often find pets turning up during self-practice. But not all animals are into it – so don’t set expectations.
What is actually going on. Animals have no opinion about Reiki, which is exactly why they are very natural about whether they need support or not. They respond to a calm, settled person the way they respond to sun on a floor, and they move away when they have had enough.
What to do. Sit quietly near the animal with your hands in your lap or resting on yourself. Let your animal friend come. If it presents a part of its body, place a hand nearby, just off the body and allow the animal to choose what it wants. Never hold an animal in place for a treatment.
When to get help. A treatment is not a vet visit. If an animal is limping, off its food or in pain, don’t forget to call the vet!
You might also ask: My cat keeps sitting on my client during Reiki treatments. Should I be worried? · Can you accidentally give someone Reiki on the bus? · Is Reiki dangerous during pregnancy?
Come and join the Shinpiden+ community and chat about this.
More questions answered: Reiki Questions Answered.
