Home Remedy for Dog Ailments

You don't go to the doctor every time you have a headache, upset tummy or runny nose. So you wouldn't take your dog to the vet every time she has a small problem. Try a home remedy for dog ailments instead.

  1. Get Familiar with Your Dog

    • Know how your dog looks like and acts when he's healthy and well. Right after a visit to the vet for is a good time to start. You know your dog is okay because he's just been checked. Run your hands over his coat and tummy to detect any lumps or bumps. Look in his ears. Check his teeth and gums. And while it may sound nasty, know what your dog's regular elimination habits are. Knowing what your dog looks like when he's healthy helps you spot problems when he doesn't feel well.

    Tummy Upsets

    • Dogs eat first and think later. If what they eat stays down it's considered food; if it comes back up it's not. There are times when your puppy pal has diarrhea. If so, try feeding your dog a bowl of plain cooked rice. Since rice is bland it settles an upset tummy. It also acts as a binding agent to slow down the rapid-elimination problem. If your dog balks at plain rice, warm it up and add a half cup of chicken or beef broth. If he is still balky add a bit of cooked meat, just a couple of morsels, to the rice.

    Itchy Skin

    • Taking a tumble in the weeds, allergies, or a sunburn (yes dogs do get sun burned) can lead to itchy skin. Calm the itch by wetting the area with a solution of half vinegar and half cold water. Another remedy is to put a half cup of oatmeal in a quart of water, bring to a boil, strain, and let it cool to room temperature. Pat the mixture on the itchy spots. One more solution involves mixing one half cup of olive oil with one half teaspoon of lavender essential oil. Dip a cotton ball in the oil mixture and rub on the itchy areas.

    Overweight

    • Obesity is a problem for dogs, just as it is for people. If your dog needs to lose a few pounds, cut down on her food gradually. Don't put her on starvation rations. One trick is to remove a half cup or 20 percent of the volume of food she usually gets, and substitute vegetables. Most dogs love raw carrots and celery. Another substitution is canned string beans. Use the no-salt variety.

    Know When to Go to the Vet

    • If your dog has a minor ailment, it may resolve by itself without any treatment. However, know when to take your dog to the vet. If the dog acts sick for more than a day or two, stops eating or drinking, limps, tries to hide, has an open wound or a wound looks infected, the dog may have a more serious problem than you can handle by yourself.