Natural Home Remedies for Pet Healing

While a vet should always be consulted when an animal is ill, there are times when certain conditions can be readily treated at home. Simple ailments such as hot spots, cuts, abrasions, and mild diarrhea can often be treated at home with holistic remedies, if caught early enough.

  1. Hot Spots

    • Hot spots are circular reddish brown sores that can appear anywhere on your dog's body. If they become infected, they will become covered in green pus. Hot spots often begin with an irritated area of skin that becomes inflamed when the dog starts to lick, scratch, and bite at the area in an effort to heal it. This habit makes it worse, and often times will spread the infection. Treat at home with a used tea bag. Prepare a cup of tea and save it. Remove the tea bag from the cup and let cool to a comfortable temperature. Dip it into the tea, and then press it onto the affected area for about three minutes. You may need a friend to help hold your dog. Soak gauze pads in the tea and secure to the area with vet wrap or an elastic bandage and leave on an for an hour for extra relief.

    Itchy Paws &Infected Nails

    • Use Epsom salts to treat abscessed nail beds and itchy paws due to allergies. Make a solution of 1/2 cup of Epsom salts per 1 gallon of water. Soak the affected paw for five to 10 minutes, two to four times a day. Epsom salts help draw out the infection in case of a nail bed abscess. It also gives the pet temporary relief from the itchy feet associated with allergies. Do not allow pets to drink an Epsom salt solution, since it is also a laxative and can cause diarrhea.

    Diarrhea

    • Ensure your pet is drinking enough fluids. Provide a bowl of Gatorade® in addition to your dog's regular supply of water to rehydrate him. Stop feeding for 24 hours from the onset of the diarrhea. Cook two parts cooked white rice and mix with one part of boiled hamburger or skinless white meat of chicken after 24 hours. Feed small amounts every 4 hours for two days. Introduce regular dog food back into the diet slowly. If the diarrhea doesn't subside, seek the advice of your veterinarian. It may be caused by intestinal parasites or something more serious.

    Wound Care For Cats

    • Use hot compresses to treat bite wounds in cats. Some vets recommend making a wash from Epsom salts and hot water. Use a clean white, washcloth, or several gauze pads to make a compress. Work with your cat on a counter next to the sink. You may need help, as inflamed skin is painful, and your cat may try to run away. Dip the compress into water or solution that is as hot as can be comfortably handled. Press firmly, but gently, onto the affected area for three minutes and then remove. Let your cat rest and then make a new compress and repeat the procedure for another 3 minutes. The compress should remain on the affected area for a total of 10 minutes, but most cats will not sit still for 10 minutes straight. This is why it is best to give kitty a break in between sessions.