We pet owners love our pets and do our best to care for them. And while many of us use natural remedies for our own aches and pains, we might not be aware that natural remedies are suitable for a wide array of pet ailments, too!
Here are a few of my favorite recommendations for natural pet care.
1) De-stress pets with herbs. Pets feel stress just like we humans do. When times get overly busy, pets are left alone, we move or change our schedules, pets can feel their anxiety rise. Luckily, a few natural calming herbs that work on humans work on pets, too. Valerian is a calming herb many pets find pleasant. Simply sprinkle a pinch of fresh-ground valerian root on pets’ food to help calm them down. Soothing chamomile tea also works on pets. Brew a cup and let them drink a bit or soak a treat in it. Read more natural pet de-stressers.
2) Avoid additives in pet food. Many pet foods are made with low-quality grain fillers, byproducts and artificial sweeteners. Read pet food labels and make sure the first two or three ingredients are good-quality animal protein: chicken, beef, fish, lamb or turkey. Also avoid foods that contain unidentified meat or bone meal, wheat gluten or chemical preservatives such as BHT, ethozyquine (a carcinogen), BHA and propylene glycol. Read more about healthy pet diets here. Get a homemade dog food recipe and a homemade cat food recipe.
3) Treat minor ailments naturally. Simple herbal remedies can allow you to treat your pet’s minor ailments without waiting for an appointment at the vet. Of course if your pet is having a severe medical problem, you should always consult a professional, but for both minor ailments or preventive care, herbal medicines are often effective. Try ayellow dock treatment to kill ear mites or an echinacea tea to treat a minor cut on pet paws. Read about 10 herbal pet remedies here.
4) Prevent urinary tract problems with herbs. Urinary tract problems are common for both cats and dogs. Holistic veterinarian Randy Kidd recommends warding off problems with dandelion root, sprinkling several drops of tincture or a teaspoon of ground root on pet’s food a few days a week. Read Dr. Kidd’s remedies for a variety of other urinary problems.
5) Boost antioxidant levels. Pets benefit from the overall health enhancement of antioxidants just like humans do. But pets eat a much less varied diet than we humans, so it may be more difficult for them to obtain a wide range of antioxidants. Boost your pets’ health by supplementing their food with some antioxidant-rich, inexpensive and tasty herbs. Simply sprinkle fresh or dried culinary herbs onto pets’ food. Experiment to see which flavors your pets like most! A few good, antioxidant-rich options include oregano (Mexican is the highest in antioxidants, followed by Italian), dill, thyme, rosemary, peppermint, sage, lemon balm and cinnamon.
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