Natural Flea Control for Dogs – Part 2

Natural Flea Control Cat

Natural flea control for dogs is actually a three part plan. The first part as described in our previous post Natural Flea Control For Dogs is just the first part – keeping the fleas off the dog or cat. The second stage of the plan is to treat the inside of your house, especially the places where your dog spends a time, such as his/her bed, rugs and sofas. Here is what Natural Dog magazine recommends:

Frequent washing - Regular laundering of your dog’s bed and cleaning area rugs at least once a week can remove fleas and ticks that have made their way from your pet to these surfaces.

Frequent vacuuming – To treat areas that can’t be laundered, such as sofas and floor cushions, wielding the vacuum at least weekly can help. Make sure you have a vacuum cleaner with a disposable bag for this job. Dispose of the bag after each vacuuming because any flea eggs inside the bag can hatch and start the flea infestation process all over again.

Treat surfaces - Applying borate-type powders on carpets and citronella sprays on baseboards can also help keep fleas out of your house.

The last part of the plan for natural flea control for dogs is keeping the fleas and ticks out of the yard. If you have a few chickens and some guinea fowl they will gobble up your flea and tick problem. Since not all of us are zoned to raise chickens your other option is to keep the grass cut. There are also certain nematodes that can help control flea populations in the yard. These microscopic worms, available from garden-supply stores, consume not only young fleas but other insects. You must apply nematodes monthly.

Keeping your dog healthy is one of the best defenses against flea infestation. Some vets say animals who eat a minimally processed, wholesome diet are less susceptible to parasites.

Natural Cures For Your Pet

Common Dog Health Problems

Here is a clear and simple guide to which alternative remedies and lifestyle changes are appropriate for several common canine medical conditions (Source: Natural Dog Magazine:

ALLERGIES:

Natural Remedy - herbs, homoeopathics, fatty acid, antioxidants

Diet Change – avoid grains, processing and byproducts

Lifestyle Change - frequent bathing with an organic anti-itch shampoo; keep off grass that has been treated with chemicals

ARTHRITIS:

Natural Remedy – Chondtoitin and glucosamine supplements, acupuncture, enzymes

Diet Change – Natural diet, restricted calories if needed, fewer treats or low-fat treats

Lifestyle Change – Weight loss, controlled exercise

BAD BREATH:

Natural Remedy – Coenzyme Q-10, fatty acids, antioxidants, herbs, homeopathics

Diet Change – none

Lifestyle change – Brush teeth at home, provide dental treats

CANCER:

Natural Remedy - Fatty acids, antioxidants, herbs, homeopathics

Diet Change - Improve diet: lowered carbohydrates and increased proteins and fats, especially omega-3s

Lifestyle change – No vaccines

DIABETES:

Natural Remedy – Herbs, supplements made of extracts from glands such as thyroid medication, homeopathics

Diet Change – Increased fiber

Lifestyle change - Increased exercise, small, frequent meals

DRY SKIN, COAT:

Natural Remedy – Fatty acids, antioxidants

Diet Change - Natural diet, increased omega 3s

Lifestyle change – Frequent baths with natural or organic hydrating shampoo

EAR INFECTIONS:

Natural Remedy – Herbal ear drops, antibacterial and antifungal herbs, olive leaf extract

Diet change – Natural diet

Lifestyle change – Clean ears regularly, limit swimming

EPILEPSY:

Natural remedy - Choline, B vitamins, herbs, homeopathics

Diet Change - Natural diet; reduced-protein diets help some pets

Lifestyle change – No vaccines, eliminate seizure triggers if possible

HIP DYSPLASIA:

Natural remedy – Joint supplements, acupuncture, magnetic therapy, herbs, homeopathics

Diet Change – Natural diet, reduced calories if needed.

Lifestyle change – Weight control, controlled exercise (especially swimming)

HOT SPOTS:

Natural remedy - herbs, homeopathic, fatty acids, antioxidants

Diet Change – Natural diet

Lifestyle change - Eliminate possible causes, such as fleas or allergies

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE:

Natural remedy - Enzymes, probiotics, glutamine, herbs, homeopathics

Diet change - Natural diet

Lifestyle change - Eliminate possible causes, such as food intolerance, food allergies, infections

KIDNEY OR LIVER DISEASE:

Natural remedy – Herbs, homeopathics, fatty acids, antioxidants, probiotics

Diet change – Natural diet, reduced phosphorus and protein if needed

Lifestyle change - Fluids administered at home as needed.

SEPARATION ANXIETY:

Natural remedy – Flower essences, herbs, theanine, homeopathics

Diet change – Natural diet

Lifestyle change – No vaccines; behavior modification

URINARY TRACT INFECTION:

Natural Remedy – Herbs, homeopathics, olive leaf extract

Diet change – Natural canned food or natural moistened dry food

Lifestyle change - Feed a moist diet to encourage frequent urination

Overweight Cat Exercise Ideas

Overweight Cats

Weight problems, common in cats and dogs, can be helped through changes in diet. Vets say that combining a change in nutrition with increased exercise is the best way for a pet to get to a healthy weight. Here are some exercise tips for cats:

1. Encourage your cat to follow you when you move from room to room, particularly up and down stairs.

2. Use toys to encourage your cat to play, or hide food and make him or her “hunt” for it.

3. Shine a flashlight on walls or the floor for your cats to chase.

Reason your pet may be overweight:

Age – Older pets are less active, have less energy and need fewer calories.

Breed – Some breeds are more likely to gain weight. These include mixed breed cats.

Neutering/spaying – Neutered pets require fewer calories.

Medical problems – Sometimes sudden weight gain can be caused by a medical problem, such as a thyroid condition.

See our previous post Natural Cures for Pets using Cider Vinegar for more natural ways to keep your pet healthy

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Getting Rid of Burrs in Your Pet’s Coat

Skin Irritations

Burrs are the rough, prickly seedcases of certain plants, and they seem especially fond of hitching a ride on your pet’s coat. When they lodge in their coat they can cause matting, skin irritation or infection. Burrs can be terribly hard to remove. Here are some tips from various vets writing in the book The Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats by the Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books:

Look for hideaways – Burrs can stick anywhere so you want to examine your pet closely for these hidden prickly intruders. Check between each of their toes, on top of the feet, around the testicles and in the armpits. Check all little crevices.

Make sure your pet doesn’t get wet – The tangled hair around the burr shrinks when your pet’s hair gets wet and makes it more difficult to remove the burr.

Use your fingers – If the burr has only just lodged, you may be able to get it out with just your fingers or a pair of tweezers. If it has been in there awhile, it may be tangled inside a hair mat. To undo the mat you must pull it apart with your fingers bit by bit, working from the end of the hairs down toward the roots. After you get the burr out, use a comb or brush through the hair to really smooth things out.

Use vegetable oil – When a burr is really tangled, using a little vegetable oil will help loosen it. You can also you pet detangling spray which you can find at pet stores. If you are working on a cat, make sure you check to see the spray is safe for cats.

Cut it out with scissors - If you can’t get it out any other way, use a pair of blunt tip scissors and cut perpendicular to the mat, not parallel. Make sure you are cutting fur and not skin.

Be patient - Removing burrs can take a long time. Take frequent breaks if your pet has a bunch of burrs so neither of you gets frustrated. Work for no more than ten minutes at a time. Praise your pet and reward them with a toy or treat.

Keep your pet’s coat short – Keeping your pet’s coat short will help make it easier to remove burrs and they won’t stick so badly (not so much hair to tangle in).

Avoid the prickly – If you have had a lot of burrs after walking in a particular place try to avoid that area next time.

To learn about the dangers of Foxtail and other Grasses to your pet check out this post on Foxtail Grass and Pet Health

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Cat Asthma – Help Your Cat Breathe More Freely

Check out our Hubpage on Asthma in Cats – Natural Ways to Ease their Breathing Follow the highlighted link. Asthma is less common in dogs but most of the suggestions can be used for dogs who are having asthma problems also.

[tag]cat health,cat health problems,cat health issues,cat health questions,cat health care,cat health information,feline asthma,cat asthma[/tag]

Natural Anxiety Treatment For Your Pet

Natural Anxiety Medication

Aromatherapists use orange blossom (neroli) oil to treat patients suffering from anxiety and insomnia because of its sedative properties. You can use orange blossom water (Neroli Hydrosol) to calm your pet. I just read about someone who uses it to calm her cat when it needed a trip to the vet and a groomer who uses it calm nervous animals before bathing and grooming them. You might also consider it for separation anxiety.

You can buy orange blossom water in the grocery store usually in the foreign food section or at Indian or Middle Eastern specialty grocery stores. Put the orange blossom water in a spray bottle and give your pet a gentle spritz when it needs calming.

[tag]anxiety treatment,anxiety treatments,dog separaton anxiety,anxiety medication,dog[/tag] anxiety,neroli oil

Care of Dog Paws

Problems with Dogs Paws

If your dog or cat is limping or favoring one foot, you need to take a look and see if you can find out what the cause is. Even though your pets paws are very tough, they can still get cut, scrapes and burns. According to M. Lynne Kesel, D.V.M., assistant professor of elective surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Fort Collins “Between the pads it is very sensitive and cuts can be extremely painful. Here are some suggestions from The Doctors Book of Home Remedies by the editors of Prevention for Pets:

Do an inspection – Get down on the floor and gently raise the paw that may be injured. Look for redness, swelling, bleeding or other sign of irritation. Press gently on the pads, around the claws and between the toes. If your pet winces or cries, move in for a closer look. Be prepared to back off if your pet seems agitated. Even the sweetest pets may nip you if they are in pain.

Check for burrs – To remove a burr, grab it firmly with a pair of tweezers and gently wiggle it free. If it is tangled in the hairs, however, you may need to clip it out with scissors. You can apply a little vegetable oil to help loosen a stubborn burr.

Trim hair around toes – Long-haired pets can develop hair mats between the foot pads, which can chafe and cause irritation. It is a good idea to keep the hair trimmed back.

Clean muddy paws - Like hair mats, mud that accumulates between the toes can cause pain and irritation. After your pet has returned from a muddy romp, wash their feet thoroughly with soap and water to remove the grit.

Keep paws dry – Paws can become irritated from too much moisture. So after washing your pet’s feet or after they come in from a wet day – dry feet thoroughly with a soft towel.

Take care of burned paws properly – Pet’s paws may get burned from standing on a hot surface. Any burn should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and warm water to prevent infection. As always, dry paws with a soft towel. Then apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Cover it loosely witha gauze bandage to keep it clean. To keep gauze in place, cover it with a light cotton sock.

Watch for dryness - Like people, pets occasionally suffer from dry, cracked, callused skin of the bottom of their feet. Try applying a moisturizer (whatever you use on your skin should be fine) or use Vitamin E oil. Put the oil on at mealtime, your pet will eat first, so the oil will have some time to soak in.

Don’t over moisturize – Don’t use lotion for more than a few days in a row or your pet’s paws will become too soft and be vulnerable to injuries.

Clean off salt in winter – In winter, salt spread on sidewalks to melt snow can irritate your pet’s paws and lead to cracking. Remove the salt from your pet’s paws with soap and water immediately after winter walks. Dry the paw well, the apply a small amount of moisturizer with lanolin.

Clean up oil or household chemicals on your pet’s paws – There are a number of common household chemicals, like motor oil, antifreeze and corrosive cleaners, that can be extremely hard on your pet’s paws – and toxic should they lick them off. Washing you pet’s feet with dishwashing detergent works well. Applying olive oil can help. Apply the detergent or oil to a damp washcloth and scrub the paw until it’s clean.

Removing gum – If you pet has chewing gum stuck to their paw, you can use dishwashing detergent to help dissolve it. Or you can use gum removers, available at hardware or drugstores. If gum is really stuck in their hair, you may need to cut it out. Take a small pair of scissors and cut at the base of the hairs below the gum.

Skip the cute boots - While pet stores and specialty catalogs promote the virtues of rubber boots for dogs, they really don’t need them say the Prevention Vets.

Dog Gas – Natural Remedies

Excessive Flatulence in Pets

Though intestinal gas is a natural part of digestion, it is still unpleasant. Some animals produce more gas than others. Dogs have more a problem than cats but then often dogs are much larger than cats thus making it a more difficult problem to ignore.

Here some natural ways to help rid your pet of gas. These suggestions come from The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats by the editors of Prevention for Pets.

Walk your dog – Exercise helps move gas out of the intestine, and if your pet happens to relieve himself on  his walk, even more gas will be released.

Soybean content in food – Soybeans comprise up to 25% of some pet foods. Some pets may find soy hard to digest. Changing to a food with less soy or no soy could make a big difference. Wenaewe Adult Dry Dog Food  contains no corn, soybean, wheat, meat by-products, food by-products, dairy, artificial flavors, chemical preservatives, artificial colorants, GMOs, fillers, or ashes. Wenaewe also makes an equally nutritious cat food.

Switch brands slowly -Vets say it takes awhile for the colon to adjust to a new diet. They recommend switching over a period of three days, substituting one third of the new food for one-third of the old each day.

Keep trash can tightly covered – If your dog gets in the trash frequently, it can really affect their digestive system and increase their gas output.

Feed your pet the right amount of food – Overeating can overload the gut, so things end up fermenting that normally wouldn’t as a result your pet will have more gas.

No dairy - Most adult dogs and cats can digest only tiny amounts of milk. If your flatulent pet is getting milk, take it away for a few days and see if things improve.

Try Yogurt - Many yogurts contain digestion-friendly bacteria that can help decrease flatulence. Vets recommend giving 1/4 teaspoon of plain yogurt to cats and small dogs, 1 teaspoon to do 15 to 20 pounds and 1 tablespoon for large dogs. Most pets like the taste, so you won’t need to hide it in their food. Even pets that can’t handle lactose can usually enjoy yogurt without any problems.

Try activated charcoal – It’s messy, but it can absorb the smell pretty well. For small pets add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon to their food daily. For larger pets, 1/2 teaspoon is about right. Be aware activated charcoal can absorb nutrients as well as gas from the digestive tract. Don’t use it for more than a few days at a time.

Try a natural anti-gas product – Many vets recommend giving pets digestive enzymes on a regular basis because pets are subject to the sames kinds of environmental factors that cause humans to experience digestive problems.PetAlive Digestive Support is an excellent digestive system tonic and contains three carefully chosen herbs in therapeutic dosage to soothe and support the stomach lining, esophagus, and entire digestive tract. I like Native Remedies Pet Alive products because they are all natural and are thoroughly tested. If you more information on the product click on the banner at the top or bottom of the post.

Reduce mealtime competition - When pets are fed together, one pet may eat too quickly to prevent the other pet from get their food. Just like humans, pets take in too much air when they eat too fast and this causes gas. Feeding your pets separately will allow them to eat more slowly.

Make your pet eat more slowly – I thought this was a really clever idea. You put a large object – like a ball- in your pet’s bowl. Your dog or cat has to nose around and work harder to get the food so they will forced to slow down.

Raise the food dish – If your dog does not have to bend their neck so far down they will swallow less air. You can place the food bowl securely on a box or you can buy a stand that holds food and water at mouth level. The stands are really nice. My mother-in-law’s Doberman used to have a stand that a neighbor made for him. The dog’s look so much more comfortable eating from a dish at their level.

[tag]cat health,cat health problems,dog gas,dog health,dog health problems,excessive flatulence,flatulence in dogs[/tag]

Natural Treatments for Ear Mites in Dogs and Cats

Ear Mites Dogs Natural

Ear mites are itchy, uncomfortable, and unpleasant for your pet but they usually do not cause a serious problem. Problems only arise if your pet scratches so hard that he or she the skin or causes an infection to develop. Holistic vets say it is acceptable to try home remedies for about a month. If after a month you pet is still scratching, go see the vet. Your pet may need a more powerful treatment to eliminate the mites and stop the itching. If your pet has swelling inside the ear or a pus-filled or discolored discharge you should take them to the vet right away. Those are signs of a bad ear infection.

Ear mites are more common in cats than in dogs. An animal’s ear has a well-protected, warm, moist environment which is the perfect environment for ear mites. Though you can eliminate ear mites with medication, holistic vets explain that the mites may come back when the body’s natural defenses are weaker than they should be. Holistic vet Michele Yasson, D.V.M. writing in New Choices for Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats by Amy D. Shojai and the editors of Prevention for Pets says “A healthy animal won’t have the ear environment that is conducive to mites setting up house. Mites are merely the messenger telling you there is a problem. If you kill the messenger, the message will not change.” There are more natural ways to get rid of ear mites according to Dr. Yasson and restore balance in the body.

Use a tea rinse Green tea is a natural antiseptic that helps remove mite mess from the ear canal. Steep a tablespoon of green tea leaves in a cup of hot water for three to four minutes, stain it, and then let it cool to room temperature. Using a small dropper, flush your pet’s ear canal with the tea. Massage the outside of the ear to circulate the tea, and then stand back: When you pet shakes her head, the tea along with the grit in the ear-will come flying out. Then dry the outer part of ear canal with a tissue or cotton ball. Do this once a day for a month.

Use an oil treatment Put three to five drops of any kind of oil (almond and olive are recommended) in the ear canal. Do not use tea tree oil which can be dangerous for cats. The oil smothers the mites and also helps soothe the ears. If you want to kill any possible bacteria, soak a few crushed garlic cloves in the oil overnight (before you apply). Garlic helps kill bacteria that can lead to ear infections in pets with ear mites. Give the oil treatment once a day for a month. Be sure to clean your pets ears before applying the oil otherwise the accumulated discharge may protect the mites from the oil.

After you have cured the infection, holistic vets recommend you give herbs that help strengthen the immune system. A good natural herbal product we recommend is called PetAlive Ear Dr. for Ear Infections and Ear Mites.

Cats and small dogs: 2-3 drops in the affected ear.

Medium-large dogs: 3-5 drops in the affected ear.

Maintenance dose: The dosage above can be repeated once or twice weekly as a maintenance dose

While conventional medicine works by often treating just the symptoms, natural medicine strives to create holistic balance in the body to support systemic health, relieve ailments, and help prevent future disease. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, the natural ingredients in herbal remedies support overall health and functioning (rather than just suppressing symptoms).

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Ear Infections In Dogs And Cats

Dog Ear Infections

Dog ear infections and cat ear infections can look and smell awful, but they usually affect only the outer part of the ear and aren’t too serious. If you dog or cat is tilting their head frequently, being unusually clumsy, walking in circles or has drooping eyes, your pet may have an inner ear infection. If this is the case you must take your pet to the vet for treatment. Outer ear infections though can be treated with home remedies.

Here common signs of an ear infection in your dog or cat:

Your pet shakes her head or holds it to one side.

She is scratching or rubbing her ears, or she is rubbing her head against the furniture or carpet.

There is a yellow, brown or black discharge in one or both ears.

The ears smell bad or are tender or red.

According to New Choices in Natural Healing For Dogs and Cats by Amy D Shojai and the editors of Prevention For Pets here is what causes ear infections in our pets:

Cause: “Humans can hear sound waves traveling at 20,000 cycles per second, while dogs hear sound waves traveling at 100,000 cycles per second. Cats can hear even higher frequencies; it is what enables them to detect the ultrasonic squeaks of mice.

To protect this sense of hearing, their ear canals are L-shaped, which helps prevent damage to the eardrum. The weakness in this design is that it also allows the ears to trap moisture, debris, earwax, and parasites-any one of which can lead to ear infections. Cats often get infections because of ear mites, and up to 80 percent of ear problems in dogs are linked to allergies, adds Allen M. Schoen, D.V.M., director of the Veterinary Institute for Therapeutic Alternatives in Sherman, Connecticut, and author of Love, Miracles, and Animal Healing.”

Traditionally vets give antibiotics or antifungals drugs or other medications for ear infections. The problem with this approach is that it upsets the normal chemistry inside the ear, possibly making the infection worse says Ihor Basko, D.V.M., a holistic veterinarian in Honolulu and Kilauea, Hawaii. He advocates dealing with the underlying allergies and strengthening the immune system so it  can battle bacteria and other germs before they cause infection.

Ear Dr. is great at preventing and healing ear infections. Ear Dr. keeps ear canals clear and free of blockages and helps maintain health and harmony in the middle ear structures. Additionally PetAlive Ear Dr. soothes and conditions ear passages to prevent common itching and scratching. Ear Dr. also helps maintain a normal balance of flora in the ear canal thus preventing infection. PetAlive Ear Dr. contains a blend of natural, herbal ingredients in a medicinal olive oil base, all specially selected to support the health of the skin and structures inside the ear.

See our next post Natural Treatment for Ear Infections

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