Let me begin by saying that I am not an herbalist. I do not recommend using herbs as internal medication for your pets unless you have consulted a holistic vet and/or have done extensive reading and research and feel safe treating your pet. There are a lot more holistic veterinarians practicing today than in the past and you should have no trouble finding one if you live in or near an urban area.
The information I share here is strictly a minimalist take on the use of herbs as a natural way to help you and your pet with daily care and common conditions. Herbs can be substituted for many of the topical medications and household chemicals we use with animals. Besides using herbs, be sure that your pet is getting a good overall natural diet and plenty of sunshine. Sunlight is necessary for good health and helps their bodies convert food nutrients. If a regular dose of the outdoors in not possible, use full-spectrum lighting such as Vita-Lites. These are ideal for indoor pets such as birds, reptiles and amphibians.
But back to herbs. Irritated eyes are a common ailment and can be treated with eyebright used as a wash. It can also be administered as a strong tea taken internally to boost the immune system. Or you can make a saline solution for the eyes of 1/8 teaspoon sea salt in ? cup boiling water. Once the solution has cooled, add 1 drop of goldenseal per tablespoon of the saline solution. It shrinks swollen tissues and disinfects.
Itching: A common cause of itching is fleas and flea bites. Brewer's yeast can be sprinkled on food, 1 teaspoon per day. BUT, some animals are allergic to Brewer's yeast, so watch for dry skin that can itch as much as the flea bites. An alternative to Brewer's yeast is adding a capsule of garlic oil in the food once a week. It helps keep biting insects away and is good for the immune system.
A good herbal flea dip can be made as follows: 2 cups packed fresh peppermint, pennyroyal or rosemary; 1 quart boiling water; 4 quarts warm water ? pour the boiling water over the herbs and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and dilute it with the warm water. Saturate the animal's coat thoroughly allowing it to air dry. Use at the first sign of flea activity. You will probably need to repeat this treatment every three or four days but it is totally safe.
If you would rather use a dry flea treatment, try an herbal powder made of one part each of eucalyptus, fennel, rosemary, rue, wormwood, and yellow dock. Put this mixture in a shaker (like the kind used for parsley flakes). Apply sparingly to your pet's coat by brushing the hair backward with your hand or a comb. Sprinkle the powder at the base of the hairs, especially on the neck, back and belly. You may use this several times a week. Put Rover outside after the treatment so that the unhappy fleas may disembark in the backyard, not the house!
To rid your carpeting of fleas, after removing the pet, sprinkle Borax over the carpet and rub it in. Wait a while and then vacuum. This is a good, non-chemical alternative flea control. Use once a week until the problem is gone.
For itchy, dry skin, use tea tree oil anywhere except near the eyes or genitals. Aloe is also good for itching. Itching may be caused by the shampoo or flea collar you use. Bathe the animal in all natural shampoo, (available at Barker and Friends, www.naturalbarker.com) and find a natural alternative to that flea collar!
Another skin treatment will control mange and overall skin conditions. Thinly slice a whole lemon, including the peel and add it to one pint of near-boiling water. Let it steep overnight. Sponge the solution on your pet's skin and let it dry. This may be used daily if needed.
Cuts: Use fresh aloe and scrapes and cuts. It is a natural antiseptic and moisturizer. You can clean the wound with a wash of goldenseal before applying the aloe.
Carsickness: Try a few drops of ginger root extract prior to setting out in the car. For long trips, try an additional dose halfway through the trip. Another herb good for carsickness in dogs is peppermint tea or capsules. It will settle his stomach. Cats don't tolerate peppermint well, so use only for dogs.
Anxiety, Stress: Our pets live in the same stressful world we do. They also suffer anxiety. Try a combination of extracts of Oats, Valerian and Chamomile or rub a little lavender oil near the muzzle or place some on a cotton pad in his bed or sleeping area. It works on humans, too!
Diarrhea, vomiting: Try powdered slippery elm bark.
Shiny coats: one teaspoon cod liver oil sprinkled over food one or twice a week will improve the texture and shine of your pet's coat and will provide valuable nutrients.
Vitamin C: 500mg to 1000mg daily can ease arthritis in dogs and cats.
I hope this bit of information will help you realize that there are natural alternatives to over the counter, chemical treatments for ordinary conditions in your pet. Contact your local health food store for herbs and herbal extracts. For more in depth information, read All You Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets by Mary & Gregory Tilford. It is currently out of print, but I had no trouble finding a copy at my local library and there are used copies available through my Amazon.com link at www.naturalbarker.com. See my Favorite Links page.
Please check out the natural shampoo bar available on my website. It is chock full of herbal herbal oils and promises a safe, natural way to bathe your pets without the risk of irritating, toxic ingredients. It's called the Critter Bar!
Encouraging Word:
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake?Psalm 46: 1-3
Published by Sherry Massey, owner of Barker and Friends, http://www.naturalbarker.com, a natural dog treat bakery and distributor for Flint River Ranch, the best all natural dog and cat food on the market. Try PET FORCE, all natural enzymatic pet stain and odor remover found under Pet Products at Barker and Friends, http://www.naturalbarker.com
shuttle from Midway Glen Ellyn ..As I listen on my long drive to my grandpa's... Read More
I would like to address some of the statements I... Read More
Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
Why The Food You Give Your Dog Matters!If you're like... Read More
Everybody loves puppies. Who can resist those cute little faces... Read More
Canine mastitis is a breast infection in brood bitches, usually... Read More
Puppy development and growth is very exciting. After a puppy... Read More
I've been around many people who try to lead a... Read More
Part 2: Protecting your petIf you own a cat, then... Read More
When you get a new puppy it is imperative that... Read More
Many people want to make sure their family pet has... Read More
Every day, people by the millions pour food from a... Read More
Do you make a lot of trips to the vet's... Read More
Can Your Dog Stomach This?There's an old adage that says... Read More
Would you put together a model plane without looking at... Read More
Are you thinking about dog obedience school? Do you know... Read More
Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar... Read More
Sometimes puppies are born that can't suckle properly, and it's... Read More
Opening your heart to a Pomeranian can be fun, but... Read More
One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract... Read More
If you are keen on breeding Goldfish, you should know... Read More
Do you have a home robotic vacuum cleaner? They are... Read More
Some people have horses they don't dare tie. Why? Because... Read More
Selecting a Kitten It is best to choose your... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare North Chicago ..Because your dog lives with humans, he's going to have... Read More
Many pet owners don't like using a leash, for a... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
I would like to address some of the statements I... Read More
It is very important to decide whether to keep your... Read More
Did you know that your goldfish can live for over... Read More
Knowing how to feed your betta is fundamental, because doing... Read More
A New Understanding of AllergiesAllergies of all kinds seem to... Read More
Anyone wanting a new kitten should be a cat lover.... Read More
Internet Fraud, Classifieds Scams, Abuse and Suspicious Replies are world... Read More
Did you know that pets outnumber people in the United... Read More
Got a mischevious mutt on your hands? Then you may... Read More
Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest,... Read More
As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care... Read More
If you are having behavioral issues with your dog that... Read More
Who let the dogs out?Remember this song which gave birth... Read More
A respiratory tract ailment can be fatal to your parrot... Read More
Many pet owners often wonder if it's worth it to... Read More
Before you decide to give your dog canine arthritis medicine... Read More
Animal welfare organizations and humane societies have been very successful... Read More
It was November and I had spent 3 months searching... Read More
Last summer, we added a new pet to our family... Read More
Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie,... Read More
Interacting with a pet bird outside of it's cage is... Read More
Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More
Pet |