Natural Remedies for Pets

Animals, like humans, can suffer from a plethora of common ailments that can make their lives miserable. This is why loving pet parents need to not only protect their pets from the discomforts that can besiege them; they should also find a way to do so without the use of harsh chemicals.

The solution of course is via the use or of organic, holistic an herbal remedies that are gentle and safe for not only animals but their human caretakers.

There are a large variety of natural treatments for conditions that often assail dogs’, cats, or other domesticated animals on a regular basis. The top treatments can be found below, and are a few in a long list of things that can be done to give your pet comfort from distress.

A Homeopathic Solution for Fleas

If your dog or cat is biting at their skin or scratching this can be an indication of flea infestation. Brewer’s yeast is often recommended largely because the smell that your pet gives off acts as a deterrent to the pests. Fresh garlic works for this very same reason and can be used in conjunction with the yeast. Do note that garlic is toxic for cats. Also toxic to cats are onions, shallots and chives.

Use about a teaspoon of brewer’s (or nutritional) yeast daily for cats and small dogs, and a tablespoon for a 50-pound dog. Some animals are yeast intolerant and will react with a skin allergy. Discontinue use if this occurs. Combine the yeast with the garlic in your animal’s food, and consider doubling the dosage during peak flea season (August and September).

Treating Infections Without Chemicals

Garlic oil alongside echinacea and goldenseal in your pet’s food can raise immunity and help eradicate low grade infections. During the therapies, carefully observe your pet and make sure they are responding the treatment you are giving them. Again, note that garlic is toxic to cats.

If the infection persists, and you are not able to find a Holistic Vet in your area, you may have to take your animal to a a local Vet for a shot of antibiotics.

Also be aware that essential oils are NOT good for cats either. Cats lack the ability to metabolize the various compounds in essential oils.

Natural Ways to Treat Diarrhea, Vomiting and Dehydration

People use slippery elm to clam their own stomachs and the powdered version of the bark can help alleviate nausea, vomiting and excessive diarrhea in animals. If your animal experiences dehydration from their stomach troubles, powdered or liquid electrolyte solutions will work. If you opt for Gatorade or an equivalent, cut the solution with water as the sugar is not good for domesticated animals to ingest for long periods of time.

Healthy Skin and Coats

Fish based oils, like cod liver oil, can keep your pet’s skin and hair shiny and thick. Place it in your pet’s food a couple of times a day for best results.

Cod lover oil can also keep the skin from itching, as dryness is usually the reason for this symptom in the absence of fleas.

If for any reason your pet has itchy skin while using cod liver oil, try licorice or dandelion root. This will help boost the immune system which aids the skin and coat automatically.

Calming Anxiety Naturally

Pets can get skittish for any number of reasons. Animals who have been rescued from shelters or suffered previous abuse may routinely exhibit anxiousness. Calm their nerves as well as their fears with herbs like Valerian, which is used in humans for the same reason. Chamomile brews or a gentle rub of lavender oil on your pet’s snout or nose will also help keep your animal happy and stress free.

Be sure to adjust the doses to coincide with your pet’s weight. Small cats and dogs will not need as much herbal medicine as a bigger animal would. Also, begin the regimen slowly, a few days on and a few days off, so that you can observe any potential reactions.

Before starting therapy, take your pet to the vet for a full exam before beginning ant type of vigorous health program, holistic or not. Some herbs, while innocuous for some pets, can cause allergies in others.
Once your pet is cleared to receive herbal remedies for their conditions, you should be able to help them feel their best at all times without the use of damaging chemicals. If you are unsure, contact a Holistic Vet, or your local vet.

In addition to the fact that your pet will not have unnatural toxins fed to them in the form of medicine, holistically treating your pet can often times be significantly cheaper than traditional veterinary medicine.

Shannon Hutcheson is a CFA registered manx breeder in the Greater Toronto area of Ontario, Canada.