For many, frequent trips to the vet can be rather costly – so we at Kohepets have come up with an interesting list of some homemade remedies for dogs!
Pawrents throughout the years have all fussed over itchy skin, ear infections, excessive hair loss, stomach worms, and several other problems that dogs commonly face.
While we don’t want to take any risks with our fur babies, there are several common canine problems that can be conveniently resolved with natural home remedies. In fact, these natural products may prove a lot gentler for our pampered pets.
Incredible Homemade Remedies for dogs
Here are some of our favourite natural homemade remedies for dogs, known to be effective and safe.
Yoghurt
Digestive Aid
The first on our list of homemade remedies for dogs is the common Yogurt found in the local supermarkets. However, not all types of Yogurt are suitable for our canine friends.
Things to note when choosing Yogurt for your dog:
- The Yogurt should be free of sweeteners and flavours
- Choose yogurts with live active bacteria
- Xylitol, Stevia, Aspartame and Sucralose are bad for your pup
- The Yogurt should be plain and pure as possible
- Try using Greek Yogurt
It is commonly believed that all dogs are lactose intolerant. While this is true for a large majority of canines, not all dogs respond the same to lactose.
Even for those who are lactose intolerant, yogurt in the right amounts seems to be highly beneficial for their health, since yogurt comes from bacteria that actually helps with lactose digestion.
It is one of the best sources of calcium, and accelerates the production of folic acid. It also helps avoid gastrointestinal issues. Not to mention, your dog would love to lap up a chilled yogurt smoothie on a hot summer day!
Apple Cider
Itchy Skin
If your dog has itchy skin, nothing will soothe them like apple cider vinegar! Apple cider vinegar has properties that kill infectious bacteria and is very effective when applied directly with water.
For the best results, you can mix one part apple cider vinegar with two-three parts water. Rinse your dog with the solution and let it air dry.
Alternatively, you can also make the solution in a spray bottle, and directly spray it on itchy spots.
Oatmeal for Skin
Skin Allergy or Mild Infections
Another great remedy for itchy skin is oatmeal, which contains anti-inflammatory properties. If your pup has a skin allergy or mild infection, an oatmeal bath can go a long way.
You can also grind oatmeal to a powder, mix it with water or coconut oil to make a paste, and apply to the itchy spots.
If your dog is good with baths, add oatmeal formula to water and let your dog soak in it for a few minutes.
Coconut Oil
Beautiful & Healthy Fur
This is one of our favourite homemade remedies for dogs!
The benefits that coconut oil has for canines is endless. It keeps their stomachs healthy, coats shiny, shedding under control, and energy levels optimal.
Coconut oil can be fed orally, by mixing between one teaspoon to one tablespoon with meals, depending on the size of the dog. You can also massage them with the oil after a bath to keep the coat healthy and shiny.
Coconut oil massages are also known to be beneficial for dogs with weak limbs. It also works as a great moisturiser for cracked paws and for the nose.
What’s more – you can coat pills with coconut oil and your furry buddies will gobble them up in a second!
Pumpkin Seeds
Deworming
Is your dog is eating too much or too little? Scooting or licking their behinds too much? Or experiencing diarrhoea and vomiting? Chances are they may have worms.
You can also sometimes spot them in the feces. Usually, this medical problem is catered to by administering a single-dose oral tablet.
However, if you are someone who is wary of giving their dogs too many pharmaceutical medicine, a great way to go is pumpkin seeds. Herbalists have discovered that these are highly effective against tapeworms and other intestinal parasites in canines because of the amino acid that they contain.
This paralyses the worms, and they are released from the body via the gastrointestinal track. For the best results, find organic, unsalted seeds. You can feed them whole as a treat, or grind them up and feed 1/4th teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight, twice a day, till the parasites are gone.
Chamomile Tea
Digestion & Anti-Inflammatory properties
As it turns out, chamomile tea is just as great for your fur baby as it is for you!
It has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can decrease cramps and spasms, which is why it works great for dogs with an upset stomach.
You can feed it to your dog by putting it in their water bowl, or feeding it with a syringe if they don’t seem too fond of it. Experts also advise using it for skin irritation or hotspots.
Simply brew strong tea, put it in a spray bottle, and cool it before applying it directly onto the irritated spots for a soothing effect.
Citrus
Fleas & Ticks
We’ve all been there – battling blood-sucking ticks and fleas stuck onto our fur babies.
These tiny pests can be extremely frustrating, especially because they have become resistant to many chemical solutions. If your pet is prone to ticks and fleas, citrus is the simplest yet perhaps the most effective way to keep them away.
Simply take some fresh-sqeezed orange or lemon juice in a small amount and use your hands to run it all over your pet’s fur. The citrus will make the fur ‘unsavory’ for tick and fleas and they’ll make sure to stay away!
Green Tea
Minor Cuts & Wounds
We all know our pets tend to get minor bruises and wounds because they’re just so excited to play.
Instead of applying ointments every time, simply mix one part green tea with one part water, soak a cotton ball or gauze in it, and gently apply it on the wound.
Green Tea contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that will help make sure the small wounds don’t get infected and heal faster.
Almond Oil
Clean Ears
Cleaning your dog’s ear is probably the most difficult routine task other than bathing – especially if your fur baby is a fussy one.
This is why we love almond oil for cleaning out ear wax; it makes the process fast and effective.
Simply put almond oil on a clean gauze pad and rub it inside the ears, cleaning it on the way out. The wax will wipe off in a second!
If your dog’s ears seem to be itchy, you can use diluted white or apple cider vinegar on a gauze instead, and then use some almond oil to make sure you don’t cause any dryness.
Aloe Vera
Hot Spots
Just like aloe vera works really well for sunburn on humans, it’s a great solution for dogs that get hot spots or who suffer from skin irritations.
While you can purchase aloe vera gel, it is ideal if you can go organic. Find an aloe vera plant and thoroughly wash it. Then, slice it open and collect the gooey gel that’s inside.
You can refrigerate the gel for a soothing effect, and then directly apply it on the affected area. It works like a charm and will keep you dog from itching, scratching and making it worse.
Carrots & Apples
Teeth & Bad Dog Breath
Ideally, your dog will not have a bad breath if their diet is optimal and their stomach is healthy. However, it is still not uncommon for dogs to get a bad breath.
Besides being a healthy treat for your dogs, carrots and apple slices are great especially when it comes to teeth and breath.
Chewing while eating fresh carrots and apples helps prevent plaque buildup that occurs on back teeth – keeping your dog’s breath fresh. They’re also a great treat for teething puppies! Pop carrots in the freezer for a cool treat.
Pumpkin
Constipation
Did you know pumpkin is one of the best vegetables to feed to your dog? It also works really well for constipation, since it is very high in fiber and water content.
For the best result, you can use fresh boiled and pureed pumpkin, but canned pumpkin should work just as well (make sure you don’t use sweet or salted pie filling).
Feed it to your dog on its own, or mixed with their daily meal or treats. It will take care of the constipation in just a meal or two!
This is all we have now for homemade remedies for dogs. However, always remember that for serious issues, make sure you consult your vet and give your pup the best treatment as appropriate!