Homoeopathy is often confused with herbal medicine. This is because many homoeopathic medicines are derived from plants. Homoeopathy, however, is based on the principle of ‘like should be treated by like’ and involves the administration, usually in extreme dilutions, of those remedies that, in larger doses, are able to produce symptoms in a healthy individual most closely mimicking those expressed by the diseased patient. The mechanism of action is unclear but research based on energy realms continues. It is almost certain that it will be in the complex field of bioenergetics that answers will develop. Side-effects and drug residues are not an issue when using the usual extreme dilutions of homoeopathic medicines. Specific postgraduate study in veterinary homoeopathy is available and should be undertaken prior to using this exacting form of therapy, in order to ensure responsible and effective use of homoeopathic medicines.