Remote Reiki for Animals: How to Tell If It’s Working (Signs to Look For)

Many of my clients ask me the same question after booking a remote animal Reiki session: "How do I know if it's actually working?" It's such an understandable thing to wonder — especially when the session happens at a distance, without you being able to see me at work.

The reassuring answer is: yes, there are signs. Often quite clear ones. And once you know what to look for, you'll likely find yourself noticing them in real time.

In this post, I'm sharing all of the signs I've observed and heard back about from clients following remote pet Reiki sessions — including the subtle ones that are easy to miss if you don't know they're significant. I'll also cover what to do if you don't notice anything, how quickly you might expect to see results, and what the signs mean from an energetic perspective.

What is remote animal Reiki, and how does it work?

Before we get into the signs, it helps to understand what's actually happening during a remote session. Remote animal Reiki works on the principle that energy is not limited by physical distance. Using just a photograph of your animal, I connect energetically and channel Reiki — a form of universal life force energy — to your pet, wherever they are in the world.

This might sound abstract, but the responses I observe (and that my clients report) are very real and often quite immediate. Animals, unlike humans, have no scepticism about energy work. They simply receive it, which is one of the reasons they tend to respond so clearly and quickly.

Signs your animal is receiving remote Reiki

1. Sleepiness and deep calm

One of the most common signs is a noticeable shift into relaxation — sometimes within minutes of a session beginning. Many clients report that their animals become very settled, almost unusually so.

I've experienced dogs with severe separation anxiety become noticeably calmer during and after a session, settling in a way that felt unfamiliar to them at first, but increasingly natural over time. Cats who are normally restless may curl up and fall into a deep sleep. Horses who are typically tense in the stable may soften visibly. This deep calm is often one of the first indicators that the energy is being received and welcomed.

2. Yawning

Yawning is a really fascinating sign, and one I've observed consistently across many species — particularly dogs and horses. Animals will yawn as I connect and begin to share the Reiki energy, and it can happen quite quickly after the session begins.

In animal behaviour, yawning is associated with releasing tension. It's a calming signal — a way of physically letting go. So when it happens during a Reiki session, it's a beautiful sign that your animal is shifting from a state of tension into one of ease.

If your dog suddenly yawns repeatedly during the time of their session, that's not a coincidence.

3. Sighing

Very closely related to yawning is sighing — those long, soft exhales that feel like a settling of the whole body. Animals will sigh as I connect, and sometimes continue doing so throughout the session.

I find sighing particularly moving to hear about from clients, because it conveys so clearly that the animal is allowing themselves to fully relax. It's as if they're saying: "I've got this now. I can let go."

4. Nostril flaring (particularly in horses)

For horse owners, nostril flaring during a session can be a striking sign. I've had clients describe their horse's nostrils beginning to flutter or flare in a way they rarely or never see at other times.

This response suggests a heightened awareness or energetic sensitivity. The horse is picking up on something and responding to it physically. It's a subtle sign, but for those who know their horse well, it can be unmistakable.

5. Twitching and ear flickering

Cats and dogs in particular often show small physical twitches or ear movements during sessions — the kind you might associate with a dreaming animal, even when they're awake.

These small movements can indicate that the animal is processing sensations or shifting their energetic awareness, while remaining in a relaxed state. Rather than being restless movement, this twitching has a quality of stillness around it — as if the animal is deeply inward.

6. Looking up or around the room

Some animals will lift their head or begin to look around the room during their session, appearing to focus on something they can sense but can't see. It often has a quality of gentle curiosity rather than alertness or anxiety. This is one of the signs that clients find most striking, because it feels very clearly like their animal is aware something is happening. They may hold their gaze in a particular spot in the room for several moments, calm and attentive.

7. Vocalisation

This is less common, but worth mentioning. Very occasionally, animals — particularly older ones — will become mildly vocal during a session. A quiet mew, a soft whimper, or a low vocalisation.

When this happens, it isn't a sign of distress. In my experience, it tends to be a form of expression or release — as if the animal is participating in the session in their own way.

Signs that may appear in the days following a session

Not all responses happen during the session itself. Some of the most meaningful changes emerge gradually in the days that follow, as the energy continues to integrate.

Changes in behaviour toward you. One of my clients shared this beautiful experience following a remote Animal Soul Connection session:

"My cat began interacting with me in a new way. He sits on me more and he touches the top of his head to my forehead often. A few times I was aware that the work was being done. This gave me great confidence in the treatment being done from a distance."

Reduced anxiety or reactivity. Animals who have been anxious, reactive, or easily startled may become noticeably calmer over the days following a session. This is often gradual rather than sudden — a softening rather than a switch being flipped.

Improved appetite or sleep. Some clients notice that their animal starts eating more contentedly, or sleeping more deeply. These are signs that the nervous system is settling.

A greater sense of ease in the body. Older animals or those carrying physical discomfort may move more freely or seem more comfortable in themselves. Reiki doesn't replace veterinary care, but it can support the body's natural capacity to find balance.

How quickly should I expect to see results?

Every animal is different, and every session is unique. Some animals respond immediately and visibly — especially during their first session. Others take a little longer to open to the energy, particularly if they've been carrying tension or anxiety for a long time.

As a general guide:

• During the session: You may notice calming signs (yawning, sighing, settling) in real time, if your animal is near you.

• 24–48 hours after: Many clients notice the most significant behavioural shifts in this window.

• Over several sessions: For deeper issues — long-term anxiety, grief, chronic tension — multiple sessions tend to bring the most lasting change.

  
  

I always encourage clients to keep a simple note of anything they observe in the days following a session. It's easy to forget the small things, and often it's those small things — a yawn at an unusual time, a moment of unexpected stillness — that tell the most interesting story.

What if I don't notice any signs?

Please don't worry if you don't observe obvious signs, especially after a first session. There are a few reasons this might happen:

• Your animal may respond in ways that are very subtle and easy to miss

• They may process the energy during sleep or at a time when you're not watching closely

• Some animals are more private in their responses — they receive deeply, but don't show it outwardly

• Occasionally, it takes more than one session for a noticeable shift to emerge

  
  

What I can say with confidence is that the energy is received. Animals have no resistance to Reiki — there is no barrier of disbelief to work through, as there sometimes is with humans. The work happens, even when the signs are quiet.

If you're ever unsure, please feel free to get in touch after your session. I'm always happy to discuss what I experienced energetically and to hear what you observed.

Every session is unique

There are many ways that animals respond to remote Reiki, and the diversity of responses is one of the things I find most fascinating about this work. No two sessions are ever quite the same — and that's not a limitation, it's a reflection of how individual and intelligent each animal is.

I'll continue to update this post as I observe new responses and hear back from clients, so it remains a living resource for anyone exploring remote animal Reiki.

Ready to book a session for your animal?

If you'd like to experience this work for your own pet, I offer remote Animal Soul Connection Sessions for dogs, cats, horses, and all other animals — available worldwide, using just a photograph of your pet. Sessions combine animal communication, Reiki healing, and astrological insights for the deepest possible understanding of your animal's wellbeing.

Book your Animal Soul Connection Session →

Frequently asked questions about remote animal Reiki

Does my animal need to be still or calm for the session to work? Not at all. Animals don't need to be in any particular state for Reiki to be received. Even if your pet is active or unsettled at the start, the energy tends to bring its own calm.

Do I need to be with my animal during the session? It's lovely if you can be nearby to observe, but it isn't necessary. Many sessions take place while the owner is at work or going about their day. The energy reaches your animal wherever they are.

Can remote Reiki help animals with physical health conditions? Reiki is a complementary therapy and works beautifully alongside conventional veterinary care. It is not a replacement for medical treatment, and I always encourage clients with animals who have physical health conditions to ensure they are receiving appropriate veterinary support. If your animal has a pre-existing condition, they will need to be receiving veterinary treatment in order for me to work with them.

How many sessions does my animal need? This varies entirely depending on your animal and what they're experiencing. Some animals feel a significant shift after a single session. Others benefit from a course of sessions, particularly where there is long-term anxiety, grief, or emotional trauma. I'm always happy to discuss what might suit your animal best.

Vicky Sarah is an animal communicator, Reiki healer and animal astrologer based in Yorkshire, UK. She works remotely with animals worldwide through her Animal Soul Connection Sessions, combining intuitive communication, Reiki healing and astrological insights — a combination unique to her practice. 5% of every booking is donated to animal charities.

Image ~ Zaonar Saizainalin