Discover five popular dog home remedy solutions for common ailments. Learn how to properly administer them and when to seek veterinary care.
Dog Home Remedy Plans vs. Veterinary Care
For minor ailments, treating your dog with a home remedy is perfectly fine. It's important, however, to make sure the problem is not serious.
Never try a dog home remedy if your dog is showing signs of dehydration. Check this by pulling up the skin on the scruff of the dog's neck. If the skin takes time to sink back down, the dog is dehydrated.
Check the dog's gums. Gums should be pink and moist. Dry, bright red or white gums requires emergency care because dehydration or anemia are strong possibilities.
Severe vomiting or vomiting up blood is best treated by a veterinarian. Especially if the dog may have ingested a toxin like human medications, antifreeze, excessive amounts of chocolate or the sweetener Xylitol.
Other situations where veterinary care is best include:
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A temperature of 104 or higher
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Bloody stools
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Gasping for breath or obvious breathing difficulties
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Injury caused by a car or other animal
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Severe pain
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Swollen abdomen
Finally, if there are visible cuts that are oozing pus, always seek veterinary care. Do not try to treat a serious infection at home.
Treating Diarrhea with Canned Pumpkin
Diarrhea occurs for many problems. In most cases, the diarrhea links to a change in diet. Canned pumpkin, the unsweetened, spice-free type, is high in fiber. It helps soak up excess fluids in the bowels. Diarrhea often causes dehydration, so offer your dog Pedialyte too.
Psyllium Husks Offer Relief from Constipation
Constipated dogs benefit from doses of fiber. Powdered psyllium husks mixed into canned dog food will help draw water to the bowels and loosen hard stool that often comes with constipation. Most dog owners find half a teaspoon added to food is a suitable dose to start with.
Benefits to Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar offers numerous health benefits as a dog home remedy. Spray dog's fur with apple cider vinegar with undiluted vinegar reduces hot spots and relieves itchy skin. If the dog has scratched open the skin, dilute the vinegar with a 50/50 mixture of purified water and vinegar. Spraying the undiluted vinegar into the ears can help with any bacterial infections
Apple cider vinegar also helps restore a dog's pH balance in the blood stream and may help alleviate the symptoms of a cold. Mix one teaspoon per 50 pounds of body weight into your dog's food or drinking water twice a day.
Olive Oil Keeps Out Ear Mites
Drops of olive oil in a dog's ear canals smother ear mites. Use a cotton ball to rub all of the skin on the tip of the ears to prevent ear mites from reentering the ear canal.
Brewer's Yeast Drives Away Fleas
Adding a tablespoon of brewer's yeast to your dog food can help ward off fleas. Fleas do not like the odor yeast emits. Studies also find a teaspoon of vinegar mixed with the yeast is even more effective.