Nature’s Herbs for Pets
Essential oils and Pets
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cataloged more than 80,000 herbs, many of which are thought to have healing powers. For the majority of health problems, you only need to use a few. Here are the herbs veterinarians often recommend. You should though check with your vet before using them.
Aloe (Aloe vera) – used to treat constipation and skin irritation
Calendula (calendula officinalis) – used to treat skin injuries
Chamomile (matricaria recuitia) – used to treat skin irritation (topical), stomach problems, mild stress
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) – used to treat water retention
Echinacea (echinacea angustifolia or echinacea purpurea) – used to treat nasal congestion
Ginger (zingiber officinales) – used to treat nausea, motion sickness
Gingko (ginko biloba – used to treat old age, mental dullness
Goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis) – used to treat infections, bronchial inflammation
Hawthorn (crataegus laevigata) – used to treat heart irregularities
Milk thistle (silybum marianum) – used to treat liver problems
Red Clover (trifolium pratense) – used to treat bronchitis
Slippery elm (ulmus rubra) – used to treat diarrhea, constipation, coughs
Valarian (valeriana officinalis) – used to treat stress and aggression.
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Pet Behavior Problems and the Holidays
Pet Safety and Entertaining at Home
During the holidays it is more likely you will be having people visit your home. As much fun as this is for you, it can be upsetting for your pet. Dogs and cats are creatures of routines (as are some of us humans) and when your home gets topsy turvy, they tend to get stressed out. Here are few suggestions from experts on how to prepare your pet for the holidays:
Prepare your guests - Before you have guests in your home, tell them you have a pet. Ask them if they have any issues with your pet. Some people have allergies and some people are afraid of animals. For example, my daughter used to be terrified of large dogs.
Have an obedience review – Making sure your pet responds to commands such as “stay”, “down” and “drop it” will prevent your dog from rushing at visitors, jumping on guests and eating harmful foods.
Clean for allergies - Clean and vacuum your entire home. If you have a guest with allergies make sure their room is aired out and don’t let your pet in that room after you clean it.
Rearrange furniture a few days before event - If you are going to move the furniture around do it a few days early so your pet can get used to it. Pets do not like changes and yours will need some time to get acclimated to the new setting.
Maintain normal walking and feeding schedules – Take your dog for a walk before guests arrive. Try to keep the regular routine of exercise and eating as normal as possible.
Tell small children how to treat your pet - Children who have no pets at home need to be shown how your dog or cat likes to be petted and what is good behavior around pets. Make an adult is always with a child when he or she is interacting with your pet.
Have a safe retreat for your pet – Pets may need to chill out in a quiet place. Have one available for your pet.
Monitor treats – Don’t let your guests give your pets any food other than dog treats. Many people do not understand that many everyday foods are toxic to dogs and cats so just give them some dog or cat treats to feed your pet.
Door policy – Tell guests how to keep your pet from making a break for it when the door opens. It may be helpful to make a sign saying “Keep dog/cat inside” and post it on the door. Also, make sure your pet is wearing a collar.
Stay relaxed - Good advice at all times but during the holidays you may tend to be more tense. Your pet picks up on your emotions so you need to stay calm.
Want to know more about Pet Safety for the Holidays read our post on Top Holiday Dangers for Pets
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Causes of Itchy Skin – My Dog Has Allergies
Symptoms of Cat Allergies
With increase in chemical pesticides and additives in our foods sources and general environment there has been a steady increase in dog allergies and immune-system problems. According Dr. John Heinerman writing in his book Natural Pet Cures > says most vets concur that there are basically three reasons for this trend: poor diet (quality of food), vaccinations (multiple vaccinations) and inbreeding (cosmetic breeding practices).
Dog’s allergic reaction is different from cats. Dogs have a general itchiness of skin and rash or sores. Dog’s will allergies will have redness (inflammation) in ears, toes, and genitals. Gastrointestinal disturbance is common also (gas).
Cats also have skin problems but they more frequently have bladder inflammation and digestive upset. Cats may display no symptoms at all except erratic behavior caused by their discomfort such as fidgeting, licking and biting themselves.
To discover natural cures for pet allergies see our post Home Remedies for Dog Skin Allergies and Cat Allergies
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Home Remedies for Dog Skin Allergies and Cat Allergies
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How to Treat Dog Allergies
There are many ways to treat itchy skin in dogs and cats. Here are three suggestion for natural cures and one specific natural cure for cats itchy skin.
1. Give your pet a gentle bath - Don’t use tap water, use distilled , purified or spring water. Water should be lukewarm. Use mild soap such as baby shampoo or use Pet Alive Skin and Coat Tonic. After shampooing rinse your pets coat (again use distilled, purified or spring water) with equal parts cool water and a tincture of witch hazel (you can buy it at the grocery store in the first aid aisle or skin care aisle) or use cooled strained peppermint tea.
After the bath, sponge affected or red areas with a rag (that has not been washed in soap) dipped in cool peppermint tea. Wring out the rag and hold the compress in place for several minutes.
2. If affected area is your pets hindquarters – Spray hindquarters with a solution of witch hazel combined with peppermint tea (8 oz. of cool tea combined with 4 oz. of witch hazel).
3. Apply aloe-vera gel - Before applying mix with two drops of wormwood or some valerian tea. Add no more than one-half teaspoon of wormwood or valerian tea mixed in one half cup of boiling water for ten minutes. You will probably have an easier time finding valerian tea since it is available at your grocery store (Celestial Seasons brand Sleepytime Tea). Both herbs have a bad taste and will prevent your pet from licking off the aloe-vera gel.
Tea for cat allergies – Add one teaspoon each eyebright herb, red raspberry leaves, and stinging nettle herb (You can probably find all these in a tea form at a health food store) and steep in 12 oz of boiling distilled water for 15 minutes. Strain the tea and let cool. Put in a spray bottle and spray affected area. Can be sprayed on cat’s face which your cat probably won’t like. Try using a cotton swab for ears, nose and eyes if spraying is too difficult.
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