Holistic treatments for dogs are easy to buy, and can be found to cure many diseases and ailments in humans and dogs alike. Herbal treatments have been around for centuries, much longer than the chemically harsh prescriptions that we find now. Natural treatments can be much nicer on a sensitive stomach, and are easily found for almost any ailment a dog is troubled with. In fact, some specialists believe that dogs will instinctively search out a natural cure on their own when they aren't feeling well. A dog feeling sick to his stomach will chew on grass, for example, until it makes him purge whatever it was that his stomach didn't like. Sometimes herbs are found to work better than their pharmaceutical derivatives, because the whole plant that they come from is too complex to be replicated completely. However, there is one drawback when it comes to the herbal remedies: not all herbs taste good, and so dogs are unwilling to eat them. Fortunately for those who prefer the natural method, most herbs come in a capsulated pill form that is much easier to get dogs to eat.
Holistic treatments for dogs can be as easy to find as looking through the herb department at your local grocery store. Things like alfalfa, ginseng and St. John's Wort each have their own uses, but they are also used as natural cures. With these herbal treatments it's as easy as grinding them up and mixing them in with your dog's food.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa sprouts are said to help maintain healthy kidneys and stimulate the immune system. They supply your dog with protein, vitamins A, B, C, E and K, as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc. They also supply carotene and chlorophyll. Alfalfa is easy to grow, too.
Ginseng root
Ginsing Root comes in many forms including fresh, dried, tincture, tea, capsules and elixirs. Uses include curing dogs with cachexia (extreme weight loss) and anorexia as well as depression. It also stimulates the release of insulin, which will make blood glucose levels fall.
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort has been used to cure acral lick dermatitis, aggression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and separation anxiety in dogs. The herb also has deep historical roots with it being used to treat deep wounds. Large quantities consumed by livestock have been shown to cause photosensitivity, proving that there is a harmful side effect to this herb as well. Patients exposed to bright lights have been reported to grow cataracts, which are caused by visible lights as well as the ultraviolet rays from the sun. If this reaction occurs, it can cause proteins in the eye that give the lens its transparency to become damaged, which would decrease vision.
There are a lot of holistic treatments for dogs, but you should always consult a veterinarian before giving anything new to your pet.