In a world that’s increasingly chemical, here are some simple tips and old housewives’ tricks for the most common pet problems: ticks, skin and digestion. Do however check with your vet before trying out the tips given below.
Natural Remedies to Keep Away Ticks
- It’s now fairly common to hear about giving your dog garlic pills. But if you are cooking even one meal at home for your pet, it would be simpler and easier to add a pod or two of garlic to the food. While this may not keep off ticks in the peak season, the smell of garlic in the blood stream is believed to act as a deterrent to ticks. Garlic also acts as a blood purifier. The garlic pods are best administered by cooking till soft and mashed and blended into the food. If you have access to turmeric powder, a pinch added along with the garlic is also good for general health and circulation.
- Eucalyptus is also said to deter ticks. Several dog owners have had success with a eucalyptus collar, made of eucalyptus seeds strung together like a necklace and worn around the dog’s neck.
Natural Ways to Improve Skin Condition
In addition to supplements, there are many things you could use from your kitchen to add some vitality to your pet’s skin and coat.
- If even one meal of dog food is cooked at home, a few drops of unsaturated vegetable oil added to the food work as effective lubricants and can make your dog’s skin glossy and supple if done on a regular basis. A few drops spooned over dry food would also serve the same purpose.
- A small quantity of vegetables and lentils added to the meal serves to balance the diet, and also gives your pet a tasty variety in food.
- Avoid sweet treats for your dog, as also highly spiced food. Chocolate is a complete no-no; in fact, it is extremely toxic to dogs and can sometimes be highly dangerous.
- Yogurt in the food, as an addition or alternative to yeast tablets, also makes for a lustrous and glossy coat.
Turmeric Application for Fungal Infections
If your dog has recurrent fungal infections, you might want to try a simple application of turmeric paste. Using a pair of gloves, smooth back any fur or hair and apply the paste with your gloved hand directly on the skin, to cover affected areas. Allow to dry naturally in the shade, then wipe off with a moist towel, or rinse off. If you have access to neem oil or neem paste, a combination of neem and turmeric acts best. Do check with your vet, however, before trying it out.
Self Healing
If you have a garden, do consider leaving a small patch wild, allowing grass and other plants to grow. Dogs have a habit of setting right minor digestive disorders themselves, by simply picking out the right plant or grass, chewing on it either for the extract or to induce vomiting. There is no reason to be worried, this is just nature at work!
As in all herbal remedies, don’t wait till the problem becomes acute. Try out tips that take your fancy when things are under control, and experiment for results, in consultation with your vet.
Related Reading
If you found this useful, you might also want to read more about dog care, in How Do I Get My Dog to Swallow A Tablet or Pill, about getting a sick canine to swallow using reflex action.
