Everyday Herbal Care for Dogs and Cats

April 1, 2005

Everyday Herbal Care For Dogs and Cats By Diane Kennedy Snyder

Treat your pet's anxiety, upset stomach, arthritis and bad breath with herbs. Who would think that herbs we use to relieve our anxiety, upset stomach, arthritis and bad breath would also help our cats and dogs?

For my anxiety, sleeping problems, or upset stomach I drink chamomile tea. Believe it or not chamomile is great for dogs and cats too. Chamomile soothes humans and can help to soothe your dog or cat during times of stress such as flying, visits to the doctor, etc. Boil 1 cup of water. Pour the boiling water over a tea bag full of chamomile flowers. Steep 10 - 15 minutes. Let cool. Place the mixture in the dog or cat's water dish or soak a treat in the mixture. Alfalfa, burdock, yucca and licorice can help relieve arthritis in your pets. Alfalfa and burdock give mild liver support and helps eliminate excess waste. These herbs also help eliminate fluid around joints. Yucca and licorice create anti-inflammatory reactions. This mixture can be purchased in health food stores. Use 12 drops per 20 pounds of body weight. Make sure to use small proportions of yucca and licorice to reduce the risk of adverse side effects. Do not use licorice if your pet has high blood pressure, diabetes, liver or kidney damage. It's always best to check with your veterinarian before giving any medication or herbs to your pets. Another problem humans have is bad breath. So it goes, many of our best friends, "our pets" have bad breath. Start by cleaning your dog's teeth at least once a week with an herbal tea made with thyme. Steep 2 teaspoons of dried thyme in 1 cup of boiling water. Strain and mix with 1 quart of water. Add a small amount of the tea to your pet's drinking water. Also, parsley, which helps humans get rid of bad breath, can be given to your pet. Do not give parsley to pets with kidney problems. One of the best things you can do for your pets is to keep their coats clean. A wonderful shampoo for dogs is a mixture of castile soap and rosemary. Make a tea using 1/3 cup of rosemary and 1 cup of water. Strain. While scrubbing your dog with the castile soap pour on the tea and scrub into the pet's fur. This mixture helps to deter fleas and gives your dog a shiny coat. Unable to bathe your dog? Rub baking soda into their coat. Brush to remove the baking soda. Baking soda is an effective deodorizer as well as a cleanser. Trouble with shedding? Lubricate your dog's coat with a small amount of olive oil, coconut oil or lanolin every 10 days. Problems with fleas in your home? Try cleaning your floors and baseboards with this mixture. Boil 1 quart of water. Remove from heat Add 2 tablespoons of dried pennyroyal and 1 tablespoon of peppermint. Cover. Steep 15 minutes. Strain and cool. This mixture can be harmful to pets if ingested. Keep your pets away from the areas you have applied this mixture to until dry.

Kerry

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