Homeopathic Home Remedies for Cats

Holistically Treating a Cat̵7;s Skin and Coat

• Skin conditions can signify a larger system imbalance, ranging from poor nutrition to allergies to the indication of a diseased organ. Holistic treatment of skin allergies includes considering a change in household cleaners, yard chemicals, bath products and hairspray you use in and outside of the house. A change may solve the problem. Grain fed to cats often causes skin hotspots, dandruff, and general itching. Pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 fish oil added to the diet will relieve dry, itchy skin, and also provides a systemic approach to enhancing organ health. Herbs with skin healing properties include nettle, dandelion, and burdock, which act to replenish micronutrients to the skin, as do seaweed supplements and the mother of animal system detoxifiers, calcium montmorillonite clay. Animals in the wild instinctive seek these clay deposits out, which have been called "mineral licks." Animals use these clay deposits when muddy to roll in, eat from, or mainly lick at, in efforts to fulfill their bodies' nutrient needs. A book, "Calcium Montmorillonite Clay A Miracle of Life", by Dr. Simon Cohen, a naturopathic doctor, is also very informative about holistic animal treatment and care.

Holistically Treating a Cat̵7;s Bumps, Bruises and Strains

• Arnica, which is given orally, acts as an effective means of relief from physical discomfort. A pain reliever, it secondarily promotes healing. If nerve damage exists, hypericum will reduce nerve pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamins E and C, when added to cat food, promotes discomfort relief.

Holistically Treating a Cat̵7;s Digestive Upsets

• Ingestion of foreign substances not easily digested or toxic in nature can occur, as can simple viral stomach upsets. Kittens will pounce on and possibly ingest small objects or bits of string or ribbon, and even some food wrappers seem interesting as food to some cats. In cases where surgical removal of the offending item isn̵7;t required, serving a bland diet upon returning home will assist digestive calming. Do not feed any grains, as they can cause upsets, including diarrhea or vomiting, even in healthy cats. Slippery elm as a homeopathic herb is used to sooth gastrointestinal upsets, as does plaintain and fennel. Digestive enzyme administration of arsenicum (diluted from arsenic in safe to use amounts) can calm sudden episodes of diarrhea, and appetite loss will often resolve with a solitary teaspoon of honey. Ipecacuanha as a homeopathic helps end nausea and vomiting.

Holistically Treating a Cat̵7;s Ear Infections

• A waxy or debris-laden buildup visible in the cat̵7;s ears, or the less obvious activity performed by the cat involving frequent head shaking, ear scratching, or paw washing of the ear area often signify some infection. Food allergies are sometimes a cause, with grains causing ear infections to develop routinely. Mix a topically applied solution of one-half apple cider vinegar with one-half warm water and administer it sparingly via cotton ball, which will acidify the ear contents for easy removal. Acidification inhibits further bacterial growth. Do not push the cotton ball deeply into the cat̵7;s ear, or use cotton swabs, as damage to cats̵7; highly sensitive ears could occur. Some cats do require periodic ear cleaning due to hyper-susceptibility to wax and debris buildup.

Holistically Treating a Cat̵7;s Anxiety

• Rescue Remedy by Bache, a liquid homeopathic solution applied by small eye dropper amounts to the cat̵7;s tongue, works to relieve sudden onset cases of high anxiety, stress, fear, and emotional upset. If the cat exhibits generalized free-association anxiety and stress, use of a Feliway plug-in room diffuser will help calm a nervous, anxious cat, perhaps in cases where a new cat or strange people are brought into the home on an extended basis. Feliway disperses cat-sensitive pheromones into the air; but they are undetectable by humans.