Pain relief for dogs is essential to deal with an injury, an illness or aging, and it can increase your pet's quality of life. As a pet owner, you want to ensure that your pet is relieved from pain at the earliest. Medications and trips to the vet are often necessary. However, if the condition is chronic and the vet has already diagnosed the problem, the pain can often be treated by natural remedies and procedures that are less expensive and have fewer side effects than conventional medicines.
Benefits of Natural Remedies for Dogs:
- Help to manage the pain
- Improve flexibility and mobility
- They are very effective
- There aren't any adverse side effects
- They are inexpensive and easy to administer
Natural Remedies for Dogs
There are several herbs that are effective in pain relief for dogs such as turmeric, cayenne, aloe, alfalfa, ginger, licorice, feverfew, skullcap and yucca. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory that can be safely administered to dogs and is very effective in controlling pain in arthritic dogs. Turmeric can simply be added to your pet's food. It has no harmful side effects, unlike conventional medication such as ibuprofen. Apart from turmeric, the capsaicin present in cayenne not only helps relieve pain but also activates the body's anti-inflammatory mechanism. Aloe vera juice or a poultice of aloe vera can be applied on any painful area of the dog's body to provide relief. Alfalfa is also helpful in managing pain in arthritic dogs, as it neutralizes acidic blood that causes arthritis.
Other Natural Remedies
Ginger is an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory agent and an anti-spasmodic agent and is very effective in treating stomach and muscle pain. Licorice and feverfew reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis and they're used as an alternative to aspirin, which is contraindicated in dogs. Pain caused by injuries is treated by administering equal amounts of skullcap and St. John's wort. Yucca is also useful in treating the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, when administered in conjunction with alfalfa and licorice.
Alternative Medication
Herbal supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin are useful in the repair of damage caused by arthritis. Some brands of this supplement are approved by the Food and Drug Administration but pet owners should ensure that they only buy those supplements that are specifically manufactured for dogs. Methylsulfonylmethane is an anti-inflammatory medication that helps manage muscle pain. Fish oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, evening primrose, hemp seed oil and soybean oil are rich in fatty acids and have anti-inflammatory properties. Homeopathic medicines such as arnica, calendula and bellis perennis are also helpful in the management of acute and chronic pain.
Massage, Acupuncture and Aromatherapy
A massage promotes muscle relaxation and circulation. Thus, massages with oils such as peppermint, ginger and feverfew can treat chronic pain effectively. Acupuncture performed by a licensed vet is another effective way to manage pain in dogs. Canines also benefit from aromatherapy with essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, rosemary, cinnamon and birch.
Although natural pain relief for dogs is safe and effective, you should always take the advice of your vet before using these remedies to ensure that the treatment is suited to your dog's overall condition.