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Homemade Remedies For Pet Care
| Meet the Blogger | More Posts by Elizabeth SmithFrom greening my household cleaning supplies to choosing organic food to being mindful of ingredients in body care products, I try to shop thoughtfully and make the best purchasing decisions for my family and the planet’s health. That said, I recently discovered there’s one area I’ve erroneously overlooked – our dog. 
Our big loveable Labrador Brophy is as loyal as he is energetic. He has always been the protective guard dog we needed and the cuddly playful pet we wanted. From morning through night, he has one eye on the whole family (and the other on his food bowl).
Recently though I have been wondering if I could have been paying better attention to him. Is it possible to green pet care? Are there less toxic (and perhaps less expensive) alternatives to conventional options for common problems like fleas, pet stains and seasonal allergies?
In hopes of learning a few homemade remedies for everyday pet problems, I asked around and learned a few tips and tricks from other pet owners. Here are a few everyday products that pull double duty around the house and your pet.
Note, always check with your pet’s veterinarian before treating your pet.
Baking soda: This all-purpose household item solves numerous pet problems. If you’re already using baking soda to freshen your fridge, carpet or trash cans, try a thin layer on the bottom of bird, rabbit and hamster cages too. Is your pet accident-prone? After an accident on a rug or carpet, scrub the area with club soda, and let dry. Then sprinkle the area with baking soda, and let it stand before vacuuming.
Nutritional yeast: Fans of nutritional yeast sprinkle it on their popcorn and stir it into their mashed potatoes, but it is also used to help keep pets’ coats healthy and makes them less tasty to fleas. The correct amount of yeast depends on the size of the dog, so seek guidance from your pet’s vet.
Essential oils: I heard from a few dog owners who swear by essential oils as nerve-calming remedies and anti-itch solutions. Like nutritional yeast, fleas don’t like the taste of some essential oils either.
But be careful, because some essential oils have been reported to be toxic to cats and dogs, so be sure to talk to your pet’s vet first to see which oils are best for your pet. Always remember that when essential oils are used, they must first be diluted into a carrier oil. I’m sure many savvy shoppers have other homemade remedies for pet care that helps them keep a leash on the cost of pet-care products.
What are your tips? I’d love to hear them.
67 Comments
Comments
We rescued a beautiful dog from a private owner last year. It was a hunting dog (English Pointer) who had terrible breathe. We took him to the vet after I checked his teeth and on the right side near the back of his mouth was a strange looking calcium build-up looking greyish growth. Of course I thought "cancer". He was operated on with two weeks and it was an abcess , totally benign (except I lost a few pounds which didn't hurt either). The area is quite large due to the amount of tissue they needed to remove also as it was getting involved. Apparently, our dear Buddy, rammed a stick into the tissue around the teeth. We're still not sure. Buddy is now great, happy, and chasing birds and squirrels on an enclosed 3/4 acre which he can safety access from the house doggie door. His two sisters missed him but have made up for it. If your dog has bad breathe, a natural remedy I found in a very old vet book is---------regular fresh parsley, chopped and put on their dinner. Parsley grows great in a window box we put on the outer edge of our deck along with many other herbs (we have three large decks). Give it about 2-3 weeks when you first try it. It worked for our kids in three days.
05/16/2012 8:30:34 PM CDT
Lotus Flower, it sounds like your cat may be past the home remedy phase. When our cat had red gums, the vet prescribed an antibiotic ointment because mouth infections in cats can travel quickly to other organs. As we just learned with our cat on another issue, they are very good at hiding pain and illness, so I'm concerned about the swollen side of her face, so a trip to the vet is probably a good idea. Good luck!
05/16/2012 8:57:15 PM CDT
My lab has always had ear problems and I have spent a lot on different medications. I started using a mixture of 1tsp. apple cider vinegar to 1/2 cup warm water. Works great for soaking her paws also. Apple cider vinegar kills yeast.
05/16/2012 9:31:51 PM CDT
I found a wonderful grain-free dog biscuit made with sweet potatoes and it's organic! The website is: www.wet.noses.com
05/16/2012 10:30:21 PM CDT
I agree with the canned pumpkin. Its great for any tummy troubles (nausea, diarrhea and constipation). I usually mix it with my pups food and feed him the whole can over 3-4 meals. If you got a picky pup, (like mine) who doesn't care for the pumpkin, I found that mixing it with tuna got mine eating it (although, it smell all that great to me). I always keep a can on hand.
05/16/2012 11:52:03 PM CDT
Lotus, For Dogs, Cats with gum inflamation. It will not be easy but try to get a REAL salt/lukewarm water solution in a syringe. Squirt it under the gums as best possible.
Also Hylands, Cell Salt #12. Especially in Colo, where thankfully it is dry most of the time. It is good for, Skin, Hair, Nails, Joints and Nerve coatings. This also may help HIP Problems in lg Dogs. Great for People too. Just put it on their food 1-3 for a cat or small dog. More as the size increases. Do it daily for a week and slowly cut back to 1 - 2-4 times a week for a normal sized cat or small dog. More as you think best. As a normal sized Human I take 3-5 pills 3-4 Xs a week.
05/17/2012 12:36:01 AM CDT
Janet, my parent's small dogs get urinary tract infections, too. Their vet recommended apple cider vinegar sprinkled on their food and they've had success with this method. The vet said if you can get them to drink cranberry juice (pure, not a cocktail), that will help too (just like with humans).
05/17/2012 5:35:43 AM CDT
Lotus Flower,
brushing your cats teeth often will help.
get a soft finger brush and pet toothpaste
available at any pet supply store.
and start brushing specially the gums.
05/17/2012 6:13:35 AM CDT
I'd try vitamin C powder in a raw egg for the cat's gums. If it has to have teeth cleaned, C helps before or after trauma stress,etc. Can get powdered C at whole foods for people or horse C at the vets.
05/17/2012 9:09:40 AM CDT
We know are pets are great sniffers, so please use a very small amount of safe non toxic essential oils; especially for cats who are usually turn off by perfumes/oils and can easily ingest when cleaning their coats and if your pet has allergies. A $1 can of plain pumpkin pie filling is great for diarrhea - a little bit of it works wonders. If you're pet has UTI, please have them checked by a Vet. It might be the high minerals in the cheap pet food that can turn into stones. Male cats and male dogs often get their urethra blocked and would need to have their private parts removed. My male cat had his surgery and is so happy. No more UTI's and painful stents, and he is now on an all raw chicken or turkey meat from http://www.darwinspet.com
Dogs and Cats are carnivores (not herbivores)- the closest we can get them to nature; the less hospital bills.
05/17/2012 9:14:22 AM CDT
Also, if you're pet is on any immuno-suppressent meds like steriods or Atopica, I would not recommend raw meat or letting them wonder outside. keep them indoors until fully healed.
05/17/2012 9:19:02 AM CDT
Note: Tea Tree Oil is toxic to dogs, and even more so, to cats. Not sure if the shampoo products that include this oil are safe, but we won't use them. Our maltipoo got a hold of a Q-tip from the trash that had Tea Tree oil on it. She was lethargic and unable to use her back legs, so off to the vet we went. We suspected the tea tree oil, but the vet knew nothing of this and sent us home with a bill and no solution. After a few more hours and two bouts of diarrhea, she was well again, and after extensive searches on internet, we found it is indeed toxic, especially to cats which can result in death.
05/17/2012 11:33:04 AM CDT
I will try the cedar-cide for my little dog, we are having a big problem with fleas and ticks in our area. Hope it will work cause no matter how much I bath her and take out the fleas when we go out side we will bring (in our clothes) one or two into the house. I've spent hundreds of dollars treating my yard and still have fleas. We all have dogs in our neighborhood and can not get rid of these little suckers. I hope it works. Thanks for the info.
05/17/2012 1:04:48 PM CDT
Chronic ear infections will improve with olive oil and a capsule of garlic broken open mixed together and rubbed into ear.
05/17/2012 1:43:27 PM CDT
I have a lab she is 7 years old, she got cronic ear infections since she was a puppy, I was at the vet 3 times a year. I finally found a great vet that had me put our Bella on a grain free human diet for 2 months straight, we also used presripion ear drops again (but just the regular 7 days). However the difference is Bella has been ear infection free for 5 months. She eats only grain free food I buy at Costco. The mixture was chicken breast or thighs, white rice, pumpkin or sweet potato (cooked), oatmeal. All equal parts and all pre cooked. I fed her three times a day a two cup portion. Yes very time consuming but yet so worth it. Nothing like seeing your baby happy and ear infection free.
05/18/2012 11:17:00 AM CDT
My dog has a bad itchy place around her tail and above that area. Advice- please!!!???
05/18/2012 11:57:12 AM CDT
My cat started urinating outside of her cat litter box. She does #2 inside the box. She is peeing on the kitchen hardwood floor. What can I do 2 get her to use the box??? Also; is vinegar & water best 2 clean the floor & smell???
05/18/2012 12:00:38 PM CDT
My suggestion to everyone is that they look up holistic pet stores and also veterinarians. If you're in the nyc are WHISKERS on E.9th between 2nd and 3rd avenues is incredible. All holistic and the "old" guys that work there are insanely knowledgable. They take their time with you and explain everything. All you have to do is tell them what kind of pet and what the issue is. My rescue was given a couple of months left to live in early December due to thyroid cancer which spread to her lymph node(by traditional vet). Long story short is she's alive and kicking ass today! They've changed our lives. As far as the woman with the dog with asthma ...I know from my own issue with asthma that alot of chemicals makes it act up. Our animals are so close to the floor and ground too so whatever is in grass, dirt, floors, carpets etc...they're inhaling. Whiskers also has a list of recommendations for holistic veterinarians. At the very least check out an holistic pet store and get info for your specific issue there. Then you know exactly what to buy from whole foods.
05/18/2012 4:04:18 PM CDT
Pamela, our 18 yr old kitty sisters recently starting doing the same! We think it has to do with a change of formula of Tidy Cat litter....in recent months we've noticed that it now smells a bit different and our girls DO NOT like it!!! :( Ugh! Our kitchen floor is tile; vinegar & water cleans the grout very well
...hardwood may be trickier--maybe baking soda to absorb moisture/odor if needed? If you find an answer to this unhappy situation, please repost to share! Thanks and best wishes! And thanks to all those who've shared tips here -- this is great!
05/18/2012 8:27:24 PM CDT
Dear Pamela 42,
I don't have a cat. But I read in the pet plan (insurance) magazine, that if a cat is de-clawed it will begin to show the symptoms that you mentioned. Soiling in the wrong areas, tearing up the curtains, furniture and showing aggression. The soiled floor should be disinfected with a cleaner and a some white vinegar.
05/19/2012 7:31:18 PM CDT
We all love our pets so much. They add joy and life to our lives - don't they? I like the Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, Cranberry tabs, fresh parsley, and sweet potato suggestions. I haven't tried the pumpkin filling remedy. I drink Bragg ACV with water, myself. When my dog gets soft stools (or worse), I give her a "re-set" and mix cooked rice in her food, decrease the amount I feed her, and eliminate the treats. She usually "re-sets" in a couple days. I will try the pumpkin remedy one day. Meanwhile, I need a solution to her eating too much grass. Maybe the fresh parsley in her food will help? God bless all of our pets and the pet parents who care for them.
05/19/2012 7:41:50 PM CDT
There's a pet supplement called Cranimals, cranberry extract (and other ingredients depending on which formula you get) that is in powdered form that you measure out and sprinkle over food. That might be easier than trying to get them to drink cranberry juice. I used coconut oil to heal one of my dog's chronic lick sore and scar tissue. The scar tissue would itch after walking or playing and she'd continually lick it even after her allergy was gone. I used coconut oil and covered it (changing dressing every few days) for 10 or 12 days and the scar tissue was completely gone and her fur grew back eventually. It was something she'd had for over 5 years. Coconut oil is good stuff!
05/20/2012 6:54:42 AM CDT
My long-haired mini dachshund suffers TERRIBLY from yeast in his ears. 3 different vets have offered no solutions (other than "we can try cortisone shots"). Anyone have any ideas/suggestions? I have also tried an herbal remedy from Paw Healer, still no positive results (doesn't help much that my other 2 dogs LOVE to lick the inside of his ears - guess they like the yeasty taste - yum). Vets basically say there's nothing that has cured this condition. Oh, and I've tried garlic oil, and witch hazel. Nada.
05/20/2012 11:44:17 PM CDT
Janet, chronic UTI's could be related to food aversions. Have you ever checked into running a food test?
05/21/2012 10:31:29 AM CDT
Hi Pamela 42,
My cat started going outside of the litter box too and it turned out he had a kidney infection. Sometimes going outside the box can indicate a health issue and should be checked out. Also keep an eye on the volume of urine they have as well as if they are straining-can also be indicators. I have used vinegar and water to treat hardwood floors and it works pretty well. I sometimes have treated the same area more than once.
Also for a lot of the issues people have been mentioning-there is a great all natural website called earth clinic.com full of very useful tips for humans and animals! I use it all the time.
05/21/2012 1:34:10 PM CDT