Natural Pet Remedies
Chamomile
The skin is the body’s largest organ. Unhappy skin is an unhappy pet.
Chamomile is great for alleviating skin irritations. To prepare, make a pot of tea, wait until cooled, pour the tea into a spray bottle, and apply it to your pet’s raw skin when needed. Keep their skin happy, naturally.
Chamomile for Dogs: 4 Ways to Use It
Soothe Irritated Eyes. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and it’s considered a soothing herb, which means it can be used to ease your dog’s eye troubles.
Relieve Itchiness or Skin Inflammation.
Ease Gastrointestinal Issues.
Calm a Stressed Dog.
How to Give Your Dog Chamomile.
Ginger
Our stomach is our second brain. We need to treat it with utmost love and care.
It can be made into a tea or tincture and is excellent at settling a doggy’s upset tummy.
Ginger for Dogs:
For nausea and/or vomiting, fresh ginger or a powdered spice version can help. If your dog is easily car sick, give them a few drops of ginger root extract about 30 minutes before a car trip.
Another inflammatory disease, arthritis, is greatly helped by ginger, as it is a natural anti-inflammatory.
Milk Thistle
More often than not, antibiotics cause negative side effects to our bodies due to a number of reasons.
As some may be aware, antibiotics play as much both positive a negative effects on our bodies; the same goes for our pets. Milk thistle is an important herb extract to use to help your dog’s liver recover after damage due to a course of antibiotics or any other medications.
* Please note: Using it on a healthy dog is not recommended, as there are no discernible supplementary benefits to speak of.
Rosemary
This good-for-dogs herb is high in iron, calcium, and also Vitamin B6.
Rosemary has also been shown to act as an antioxidant. Add the herb blended into your dog’s food for extra nutritional value.
“Rosemary, in most forms (dried, fresh whole plant, tincture or tea) can be used very safely in dogs, and in fact is Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) by FDA for use in both humans and animals,” says herbalist Gregory L. Tilford, co-author with Mary L. Wulff of Herbs for Pets.
“However, the essential oil, which is often used in very small amounts as a natural food preservative, is very strong and concentrated.
In small amounts, it will lend a calming, relaxing effect, but if fed in too much abundance, it can produce the opposite – a nervous system stimulant effect that may exacerbate nervous system disorders, like epilepsy.
All said, as long as the oil is not used in concentrations greater than 1 percent of the entire composition of a food or supplement product, it can be used quite safely.”
Lemon
Fleas dislike citrus; make your pet’s fur flea-free!
Rub a small amount of fresh lemon in your hands and massage into your dog’s coat, or see recipe and use suggestions below.
Flea Repellent
You can use lemons to protect your dog from fleas instead of using other harsh chemicals. Bring 500ml water almost to boiling point, and then add one sliced lemon, including the peel. After steeping for several hours or overnight, rub it into your dog’s skin with a sponge daily for a few days. It will also help relieve any existing flea bite irritation.
Refreshing Rinse and Coat Whitener
Make a paste with equal parts lemon juice and baking soda, and rub it onto any stains on your dog’s coat or skin. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes and then rinse. If you suspect allergies or some other skin condition, consult your veterinarian before treating these stains yourself, and be sure you keep this mixture far away from your dog’s eyes. You can also use this solution as a refreshing after-shampoo rinse over your dog’s entire body; it may lighten his coat, particularly if he spends a great deal of time in the sun.
Zucchini
Zucchini can be cooked and added to your pet’s meal to bulk up their nutrition & vitamin intake.
It’s totally okay for your dog to eat Zucchini, but how much they get should be kept limited to prevent giving them diarrhoea.
This veggie is known for its weight loss benefits because it’s high in fibre and low in calories. The fibre keeps your dog feeling full on less food and improves their digestion so they can more effectively absorb the necessary nutrition.
It’s also filled with nutrients that fight a host of diseases. Even though it’s not a fruit, it has high levels of vitamin C.
Vitamin C is also necessary for a fully functioning immune system. Zucchini is ripe with potassium, folate, and vitamin A, all of which are necessary for properly functioning muscles and helping to maintain a healthy hydration level.
Zucchini is easily digested, but it’s definitely better digested if it’s cooked. Dogs don’t have the digestive system that omnivores or herbivores do, as dogs’ digestive systems are designed to digest animal protein like pork, chicken, and fish.
If you do cook the zucchini for your dog, avoid using excess oil and other fats. Additional fat can lead to weight gain, diarrhoea, and pancreatitis in your pet.
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Oregano
Oregano is known as nature’s very own natural antibiotic.
This non-toxic herb has been used to help alleviate digestive problems, diarrhoea, and gas in our beloved pets.
Using the oil of oregano has shown antifungal properties. Oil of Oregano is highly more concentrated than the oregano herb, so keep the dosage small.
You should never give your dog pure oregano oil. It should always be diluted with either a good quality olive oil or, better still, an organic, virgin coconut oil. The rule of thumb is usually one teaspoon of coconut or olive oil to one drop of pure oil of oregano.
Please use with caution when dosing your pet.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are packed with nutrients and naturally boost energy and endurance.
They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids; vitamins A, B, E, and D; minerals, fiber, calcium, and protein, and are a great source of antioxidants.
Chia seeds are a great source of protein to add to your cats meals. Soak the seeds in water / add within grated tuna / any wet food or liquid, and dinner is served.
Chia seeds are known to boost a dog’s energy, endurance, as well as its overall health. The fatty acids in chia will contribute to a healthy coat and may be a good alternative source for dogs that are sensitive to fish and fish oil.
Kefir
Kefir is packed with probiotics, which is great when maintaining a healthy gut for your pet.
Kefir is considered to be a functional food, meaning foods that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition. They promote optimal health and help reduce the risk of disease.
Kefir is particularly beneficial for dogs digesting antibiotics, which can destroy good bacteria within the belly.
Just like people, pets digesting antibiotics may have stomach problems as the medication wipes out beneficial bacteria. A little kefir (with live active cultures) with dinner, will help ease any gut related issues.
Squash
A veggie that’s as good for your pet as it is for you!
Butternut squash is low in fat and is a source of dietary fibre and folate content, making this another heart-healthy treat for dogs, cats, and you!
This fruit is filled with potassium, which is good for bone health, and vitamin B6, an essential vitamin for the nervous and immune system. Toss in a healthy dose of vitamin C, and you can see why butternut squash is another great super food option to give to your pet.
Roast / boil/cook the butternut and add to your animal’s meal. My dog loves his chopped over his meal, and my cat enjoys his boiled, blended with coconut oil, chia seeds, taurine/protein, carrots and spinach.
Citronella
An all-natural anti-flea & anti-spraying essential oil mixture.
This essential oil assists with cats spraying within the household environment. I would recommend 10 ml of Citronella oil to 100 ml of spring water, for one to make their own anti-spraying natural spritzer. You can do so by mixing in a spray bottle and spraying on the surface when needed.
Another area where it helps with our pets is fleas! Citronella – whether burned above a candle or used in a pet shampoo- can help to prevent fleas from attaching themselves to your pets.
Citronella has a lovely lemony scent, and it can help mask unwanted odours and keep your pet’s skin clean and healthy. To use topically, apply the (heavily diluted) oil to a rag or paper towel, and proceed to rub it into your pet’s coat. Avoid contact with any openings: eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and anus. Contact with such areas may result in a negative reaction. Take precautions when using.
Garlic
Garlic contains at least 30 compounds that have been found to be useful for a variety of conditions from skin disorders to cancer.
Holistic veterinarians have been recommending garlic for many years for its multiple health benefits.
Garlic is one of the best ways to boost your dog’s immune system, clearing colon and gut issues. Cut and add to their food. (Amount varies upon size and weight of dog).
Medical
If you want to use garlic as an antibiotic, the best form is raw garlic or raw garlic juice (to be used within 3 hours of chopping or pressing).
If you are using garlic as a cancer preventive agent, immune-system enhancer, cardiovascular tonic, or nutritional supplement, other forms of garlic (e.g. powder) should also give you the desired results.