The Honest Kitchen - pet food with a passion

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There are many cases in which expert veterinary attention is absolutely vital for Fido’s health and well-being, but there are also some situations when a natural store-bought or home remedy can provide an excellent complement to more conventional care. Of course the correct diagnosis is a must, and any time there is doubt, a consultation with a vet is the only responsible way forward. Once a diagnosis is made, however, a holistic or integrative approach may be appropriate. A selection of common remedies are offered here that may be found at home, or that can be purchased from a natural food store, that may be useful tools in a holistic approach to total health.

Skin & Coat

The causes of skin and coat problems may range from a food intolerance (usually grains) to contact allergies (sensitivity to floor cleaners, laundry detergents or upholstery protectors for example) or a medical problem such as a thyroid condition.

Using natural home cleaning products and fragrance-free detergents, as well as refraining from spraying anything in your yard for a month or two, can help if the problem is a contact allergy.

Supplementation with essential fatty acids is excellent for the skin and coat. Flax, coconut, olive, safflower and fi sh oils contain a wealth of Omega fatty acids that support healthy skin and coat.

Herbs that promote normal skin function include nettle, dandelion and burdock. You can buy these in dry herb form to make a tea for Fido, or use herbal tinctures. Seaweed is also rich is many trace minerals, vitamins, amino acids and other compounds that are essential for the skin as well as healthy thyroid function.

Bumps, Bruises & Strains

The homeopathic remedy arnica is the top homeopathic remedy for these ailments. It helps to alleviate pain and promote healing. You can give this orally and also apply it topically to the affected area (but not to broken skin). Homeopathic hypericum is useful for nerve pain.

Vitamins E & C have natural anti-inflammatory properties, and can be added directly to the food when injuries have occurred.
A gentle massage with lavender essential oil diluted in a carrier oil, such as grape-seed, can be very soothing for sprains and spasms.

Digestive Upset

A digestive disturbance is often caused by food or other consumed substances. Dirty water, household objects or substances not intended for digestion often take their toll, especially on younger pups who like to taste everything as they investigate their world.

Slippery Elm is one of the most valuable herbs for GI upset; it soothes and protects and helps to regulate the system. Plantain
and fennel are useful herbs to try. You can make a tea or “slurry” with any of these herbs and add them directly to Fido’s food.

A teaspoon of honey may help trigger the appetite in finicky, anorexic dogs as well as those suffering form GI upset. Live culture plain yogurt is excellent for the digestive tract and essential if you have to administer antibiotics, which can play havoc with the good bacteria that reside in the gut.

For acute conditions such as sudden diarrhea, the homeopathic remedy arsenicum album can work wonders. Homeopathic ipecacuanha is useful for vomiting and nausea. Gassiness can be relieved with homeopathic carbo vegetabilis, and this has even been used successfully for bloat, as an interim remedy on the way to the emergency vet.

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Tags: Fido Friendly, Food & Nutrition, Herbs for Pets, Pet Health, Pets Herbal Remedies

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