photo ButcherandBuschelBanner_zps60b017ff.jpg

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Common Dog Issues: Natural Remedies

guest post by Jason Minor


It is no fun when your dog is not feeling well. However there are many natural remedies to make him feel better fast. Here are some common ailments and a few tips for treating them the natural way:

Fleas – Fleas are the bane of any dog owner’s existence, but there are natural ways to fight them. One thing you should do is regularly bathe your dog. Comb them with a flea comb to remove current infestations and vacuum any areas that the fleas may be living. You can give your dogs a garlic supplement to ward off fleas and also treat their skin and fur with a mixture of essential oils like tea tree and lemon grass. Proceed slowly to watch for your dog’s reaction to any new remedies. You can also use orange oil or vegetable soap to repel fleas. Treat affected sleeping areas and carpets with diatomaceous earth, but do not use on your dogs unless a food grade version is obtained. You may find this at your local pet specialty store or in some health food shops.

Gas – There are many reasons that your dog is gassy. Most of the time it is due to diet. To prevent gas avoid feeding the dog leftovers. Feed only dog food or suitable alternatives. Do not switch the food brands or flavors quickly. Instead introduce new brands a little at a time. If your dog eats too fast consider breaking up the food and placing it in a wide, shallow bowl to encourage slower eating. Do not let your dog run and jump right after eating. Instead encourage a resting period and then a slow walk to promote good digestion.

Itchy skin – There are many causes for itchy skin, but dogs frequently itch until they bleed, making the problem worse. To alleviate itching naturally try to wash the dog with a diluted mixture of apple cider vinegar. Some other baths include chamomile tea, green tea, or a baking soda solution can also help with itching. If you have recently changed dog shampoos you may want to go back to the old brand or try a natural alternative. Supplements like fish oil can also help problem skin and make fur shiny and healthy.

Patchy fur – Most issues with patchy fur are due to itching or skin allergies. If you have done your best to remove any allergens and the fur is still not growing back, try this simple treatment. Everyday wash your dog with an apple cider vinegar solution. You can even supplement this with an occasional spray throughout the day. After a few days the skin should not be red and fur should be growing back. The vinegar helps to kill bacteria on the skin and restore natural PH, reducing the urge to itch.

Ear Mites –If your dog is itching at his ears or seems to have black growth in his ears, it might be ear mites. The first thing you should do is rub a few drops of vegetable oil in the ear. After a minute clean out the existing black with a cotton ball. Then treat the mites with a solution of 9 drops of yellow dock root and 1 teaspoon of water. Massage it in once every three days for six weeks. Or you can mix one half ounce of almond oil with 400 IUs of Vitamin E. Apply half an eyedropper full every day for six days and massage in. Stop for three days and then repeat to kill the mites.

These are just a few of the natural ways you can help your dog to feel better fast. There are many resources to help you in your quest to make your dog well naturally, so take a look around All Things Dog Blog and find out what works.

Author Bio:
Jason Miner an expert freelance writer loves writing articles on different categories. He is approaching different bloggers to recognize each other's efforts through “www.blogcarnival.com”. He can be contacted through e-mail at jasonminer8atgmaildotcom.

Follow Me on Pinterest

17 comments:



Carol Bryant said...

I really enjoyed this post and glad you shared this info!



Talking-Dogs said...

Great tips! Sharing.



steph said...

Awesome post! I am always looking for natural ways to fix things over medications for myself and my dog. I take Nordic Naturals fish oil myself so when my dog's skin was itchy it was a logical choice for me. Her coat and skin have never looked better. I have also heard that Brewer's Yeast can help with fleas though i haven't tried it myself. Check out www.LuckyDogVitamin.com for some great natural supplements. Their prices are great and the shipping is super fast. :)



Anonymous said...

I have always used brewers yeastand garlic to ward off both flees and ticks. I have a Rotty and 2 Pit Bulls and they have never had a flee or tick.



Dawn said...

I need to tell my mom about this one. Her poor dogs are even having having trouble with fleas this winter. :(
One thing with patchy fur, make sure it is not another issue causing the problem. Sephi started developing patchy fur at age seven. It finally cleared up when she was diagnosed with and treated for hypothyroidism.



David O Russell said...

Great post - lots of good information.



David O Russell said...

Great post - lots of good information.



David O Russell said...

Great post - lots of good information.



David O Russell said...

Great post - lots of good information.



Kolchak Puggle said...

We are pretty into natural remedies at Casa de Kolchak. We use oils & herbs to make our own bug repellent. We've never had a problem with fleas. (I would note though that essential oils are not made to go right on the skin. Definitely do some research on how to do it safely before you try it! I'm lucky to have an aromatherapist joining us at Kol's Notes this year to help us better understand how to use essential oils properly and safely with out pets. I'm so excited!!)



PSC Pets said...

I'm so excited that natural products are becoming a big thing in our culture. I get a lot of stuff for my animals through ProbioticSmart and they carry products that cover every issue in this blog!! I definitely recommend them!!



Oleg Z said...

Great post. In easy words about the most important dogs' problems and solutions. I would also suggest pumpkin seeds for eliminating tape worms.



Pet Names said...

Thank you for sharing this info! I think it is so important for a pet owner to try and address issues like this before they give up on their pets!



Online Pet Accessories said...

Great article. Especially the section about gas. One of the most common questions we get is from people asking why their dog is so gassy. Almost always it comes down to diet!



Matt Ganzak said...

How do you solve dog shedding? Or is it better to get a Low Shedding Dog breed?



Anonymous said...

Mam BambolaHi there, im desperately seeking advice for herbal remedies for my 6 yr old black lab who has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. As of now, it has not spread anywhere else yet. He will begin chemotherapy hopefully by the end of the week. I want to boost his immune system naturally using herbs and supplements but I cant seem to get any help with which ones and the doses. I want to give echinaecea as well as oil of oregano but dont want to give him harmfull doses. Also, he is currently taking an non steroidal anti inflammatory for pain, as well as antibiotics. Please help...I am so desperate...im shaking....he is such a wonderful boy...I dont want to see him go too soon. I realize there is no cure...but I want to comfortably prolong his life as much as I can...and help his body fight with the fullest potential. Ive also been mixing human omega 3 1000mg and wild blueberries and blackberries with his kibble. Any other suggestions on super foods to include in his diet? I really appreciate any advice



Carrie, with Tanner and Oliver said...

Dear Anonymous: Sounds like your case is well out of my range of knowledge. Please seek a Homeopathic Veterinarian in your area to learn of safe doses and do get your dog's oncologist to approve the combinations, as he knows best what the side effects of combining medications and herbal treatments may be for your Lab. Best of luck!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 
Blog Design by A Mommy's Blog Design (© Copyright 2011)
Header Banner created by Bill Henderson Design