Every loving pet owner knows the terrible feeling of not being able to help your furbaby when they’re in need. How do you calm them when they’re anxious? Alleviate the itching that keeps them up at night, or fix their limps so they can play again? You may not always be able to make everything better. But there are plenty of natural, alternative remedies that you can quickly whip up for your furry friend that’s suffering a minor ailment.
These remedies are simple, you can administer them in the comfort of your own home without a trip to the vet, and they’re all natural! Keep reading to find out what they are.
Oatmeal for Dry Skin
Is your pooch constantly scratching, or your kitty non-stop itching? If you’ve ruled out fleas, then chances are they are suffering from dry skin.
First, identify whether your cat or dog has dry skin. Look for scratching, dandruff, flaking, hair loss, and scabs.
Before rushing off to the vet to grab some off-the-shelf treatment that’s packed with chemicals, try a shooting and all-natural oatmeal bath or DIY salve.
Grind oatmeal up into a finer consistency and add just a little bit of water to create a paste. Them, rub the paste onto the itchy areas (look for inflamed, dry areas) and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
Or, try the ‘bath’ method. This will most likely only work for dogs as cats hate to be bathed or wet. Put a cup of oatmeal into a sock or stocking and run warm water over it for a few minutes, collecting the water in a tub underneath the sock. Soak your doggy in the run-off water for five to ten minutes.
CBD Oil for Anxiety
An anxious pet is no fun. It’s particularly common in dogs who suffer from both behavioral anxiety and situational anxiety.
Behavioral anxiety is when anxiousness is a personality trait of your dog. It’s common in abused dogs. For example, when you leave the house (separation anxiety). This can not only prevent your pup from enjoying their life to the fullest, but it also limits you.
Situation anxiety is when your pet is afraid of something specific — loud noises or traveling, for example.
So, what can you do about it and what natural remedies can you use to treat it?
The CBD industry has boomed because of all the potential medical benefits and lack of side effects. And it’s not just for humans — it’s for your furry friends too!
CBD is especially good for dogs with situational anxiety because it works fairly quickly. If you’ve got a trip to the vet coming up, a CBD dose half an hour before should do the trick.
Check out this CBD dog guide if you’re interested in learning about correct doses, benefits, and more.
Alternative Remedies for Gastrointestinal Problems
Uh oh, has your furbaby got the runs? Dogs have always got their noses buried in funky corners trying to sniff out a snack. And a cat’s stomach is always growling, as they search out something to eat.
If your pet has loose stools, indigestion, or chronic inflammatory bowel disease, there are some natural remedies you can use to treat it.
Slippery elm, technically the bark from the tree, is a North American herbal remedy that has been used for centuries. It’s effective at relieving stomach problems and diarrhea. Best of all? It’s safe for your fur-friends.
You can purchase slippery elm in powder or capsule form. It helps to line the gastrointestinal tract, soothing irritation. Before giving it to your pet, dissolve one tablespoon of the powder into a pint of water, bringing it to a boil, and waiting for it to thicken.
When it’s cooled down you can give your pet a dose every two to four hours. For small cats and dogs, one teaspoon will suffice. For large pups, use several teaspoons. Continue this until the stomach heals.
Home Remedies for Fleas
The biting, itch-inducing, fast-moving critters are every pet owner’s worse nightmare. If your beloved animal has fleas, it needs to be handled quickly before it becomes a full infestation that moves to all corners of your home and your body too!
There are a couple of effective natural and alternative remedies for fleas that you can try at home.
You can use a collar with natural ingredients that deter fleas. This includes citrus, such as lemon or orange, marigold, rosemary, and lemongrass. You’ll be chasing the fleas away and your fur-friend will smell lovely.
Give your animal a flea bath using limonene shampoo, or just a DIY citrus mix of your own. If you catch it early enough, simply drowning the fleas in the bath can be enough.
One of the best flea preventive measures for your animals is a good diet. Ensure your cats and dogs get enough omega fatty acids, and add brewer’s yeast to their food.
Epsom Salts for Limping Cats and Dogs
If your furbaby is limping around due to a sprain or strain, Epsom salts may help. It’s a world-famous wive’s tale remedy that works for humans and animals.
Let your dog’s limb (or the entire pooch) soak in a bath of warm water with half a cup of Epsom salt. If your dog, or more likely cat, doesn’t want a full bath, you can soak a towel in the mixture and apply it to the affected area.
Turn to Natural Remedies for Your Animals
Before you run off to the vet for strong medications that cost a ton of money and have lots of side effects, try out some of these natural remedies. They’re better for your animal’s wellbeing and your wallet.
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