Herbal Healing for Pets

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Herbal Healing for Pets

 

I will begin by stating that you should not attempt herbal healing

for your pet unless you have a good understanding of what is ailing

your pet. And a good understanding of the healing herbs. Don't

guess.....check with a veterinarian first! There are now a lot of

holistic/natural vets out there - call around and see who you can

find. This advice is not meant to replace the diagnosis and advice of

a licensed veterinarian. That said, I will share with you the herbal

treatments that we use here at my ranch. Most are simple, safe, and

effective.

 

Remember first and always that cats and dogs and other small

creatures have much shorter digestive systems than us human

caretakers. Fresh herbs are not digested as they are in humans.

Therefore, the tincture form of an herb will work better for them. An

acceptable alternative would be a stronger herbal tea than you would

use for yourself. Doses need to be compatible with your pet's weight -

small amounts for small animals, larger amounts for large animals.

When in doubt, consult a holistic or natural healing veterinarian.

Administering several doses throughout the day, rather than one big

dose once a day will speed the herbs into your pet's system and boost

the immune system much faster. And as with ourselves, no herb should

be given to any animal on a continuous basis. Like us, their bodies

will begin to build an immunity, and once that happens, that herb

becomes useless medicinally.

 

A good rule of thumb for any herbal remedy for your pet is two weeks

on, one week off. That gives the body time to work on its own, and

gives you time to determine if the herbal treatment needs to be

continued. There are exceptions to this rule, as with all rules, as

in herbs that take a while to build up in the body to be effective.

Don't give herbs you wouldn't take yourself, internally or

externally. Just about any herbal remedy that you use for yourself

can be adapted for use for your pet - just remember to use tinctures

whenever possible, stronger teas when necessary.

 

For overall general good health, as with ourselves, you should of

course look to diet. There are many natural diets being recommended

today for all sorts of pets. Do a little research, or preferably a

lot, into the natural dietary needs of your pet. Raw meat added to

the diet of a cat or dog, natural carnivores, can often clear up a

lot of mysterious ailments, as can the addition of fruits and

vegetables. If you feed a commercial diet, feed the best you can

afford, and add to it when you can. Years of healthy life can be

added to your pet when diet is properly looked after!

 

When you are changing your pet's diet, do so gradually. Add one new

item at a time, and space out those additions. That way if there is a

negative reaction, you can quickly pinpoint the culprit. Not every

food agrees with every animal.

 

Sunlight is also necessary for the health of your pet. Sunlight helps

the body convert the nutrients in the foods you feed into the

necessities for their systems. In place of sunlight, use full-

spectrum lighting, like Vita-Lites, or an equivalent. These are ideal

for your indoor pets, such as birds, reptiles and amphibians.

 

Here are some herbal remedies for those common problems:

 

Eyes:

A strong tea of eyebright, used as a wash, is perfect for irritated

eyes on all pets. Also administer orally to boost the internal

mechanisms to fight infection from the inside. Alternatively, you can

make a saline solution. Dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt in 1/2 cup

boiling water. Add 1 drop of goldenseal extract to 1 tablespoon of

the saline solution, once cooled, when you are going to use it....it

shrinks swollen tissues and disinfects.

 

Itching:

The common cause of itching is due to fleas and flea bites - some

animals are actually allergic to the flea bites, compounding the

problem. Brewer's yeast is often recommended, 1 teaspoon or tablet

per day, as a deterrent. A word of caution here - some animals are

allergic to the brewer's yeast, or react to it with dry patches of

skin that itch just as bad as the fleas do. If you use brewer's

yeast, keep an eye out for these sorts of skin problems to develop,

and discontinue the brewer's yeast if necessary as soon as one of

these symptoms appear. A good remedy for those dry itchy skin patches

is tea tree oil, rubbed over the patch. The bitter taste will

discourage the animal from digging at his skin, and the oil works

well to heal the dryness. Do not use it near the eyes or genitals,

however. Aloe is also good for those dry patches. Another method is

to put a slice of raw cucumber over the " hot " spot, holding it there

for a few minutes, and then rub aloe or tea tree oil over the area.

The shampoo you use, or the flea collar you use, may actually be

causing the itching. Bathe the animal in an all natural shampoo,

preferably something that has aloe in it, and find an alternative to

that flea collar!! Would you wear chemicals around your neck? Neither

should they!

 

You can make an herbal dip for your pet as follows: 2 cups packed

fresh peppermint, pennyroyal, or rosemary; 1 quart boiling water; 4

quarts warm water - - Prepare an infusion by pouring the boiling

water over the herbs and allow it to steep for 30 minutes. Strain the

liquid and dilute it with the warm water. Saturate the animal's coat

thoroughly with the solution, allowing it to air dry. Use at the

first sign of flea activity. This remedy will need to be repeated

everthree to four days, but it is totally safe.

 

If the itching persists, and fleas or poor diet are not the culprit,

use a mixture of Licorice Root, Dandelion Root, and Cat's Claw in

equal drops of each tincture for two weeks. The licorice is a natural

cortisone, and will help to jumpstart the immune system.

 

To get rid of fleas in your carpet, after removing pets from the

room, sprinkle Borax over the carpet and rub it in. Wait a while,

then vacuum as usual. This is a safe, non-chemical method of flea

control. Reapply the Borax once a week until the problem is gone.

 

Cuts:

Fresh aloe is an excellent application for those strange cuts and

scrapes we can never figure out how our pet got. It is a natural

antiseptic, and will keep the area moist until the cut can heal.

Alternatively, you can clean the wound with a wash of goldenseal, and

apply aloe or other herbal treatments that are your favorites.

 

Abscesses:

First you must lance the abscess. I mix a betadine solution with

water until it looks like tea, and then fill an eyedropper with the

solution and squirt it into the hole. Do this several times per day,

at least three. The important thing is to clip the fur away from the

abscess and don't cover it with any bandage, or it can't drain

properly. It has to heal from the inside out. If it is extremely

deep, you may need a vet to put a drain in it. I also begin to

administer antibiotic herbs orally, to help fight any infection that

may occur. Another course of action is to use chamomile in the wound

to prevent infection. I have had a lot of success with these methods,

which my vet recommends. However, I also know that if it doesn't

begin to clear up within a week, I need professional help to combat

the infection.

 

Carsickness:

Does your pet get carsick when you take him for trips? Try giving a

few drops of ginger root extract prior to the trip to settle his

tummy. If it is a long trip, you may want to administer the ginger

again halfway through the trip.

 

Infections:

Give a tincture of equal drops of echinacea and goldenseal. If the

illness persists after two weeks, try a combination of different

herbal antibiotics after careful diagnosis by your vet. If the animal

recovers quickly, continue giving the herbs for a few days after, to

aid in healing completely.

I generally give a capsule of garlic oil in the food once per week.

It helps keep the biting insect critters away, and helps keep the

immune system healthy.

 

Dehydration:

When a pet is dehydrated, due to illness or injury, you can give them

Pedialyte, available in the baby food section of any grocery store.

Alternatively, you can substitute Gatorade. However, the sugar

content in Gatorade is rather high, which is not good for long term

use with our pets. If using it, cut it in half with plain water.

There are also powdered electrolyte solutions available in most feed

stores that work just as well, and are less expensive. Electrolyte

solutions given in place of water for the first 24 hours will also

help new pets that were shipped to deal with the stress of shipping.

This is especially important with reptiles, amphibians, and birds of

all types.

 

Ulcers:

If your pet is suffering from ulcers, give him two drops each of

Calendula, Comfrey, Knotgrass, and Nettle twice per day. Couple this

with a bland, easy to digest diet until the ulcer has healed.

 

Anxiety, Stress:

When your pet suffers from stress or anxiety, try a combination of

the extracts of Oats, Valerian, and Chamomile. Rub a little lavendar

oil near the animal's muzzle, or place some on a cotton pad in the

pet's bed or in his sleeping area. And remember that if you are

stressed, the animal will be too, so sniff a little of that calming

lavendar for yourself as well.

 

Orphans:

To raise an orphan, first find some goat milk - the fresher the

better - to use as the replacement for mother's milk. Goat milk is

high in butterfat content, and is infinitely better to use than those

powdered replacements found in stores, and miles ahead of cow's milk.

This applies for human babies, as well. Many a colicky baby has had

their stomach soothed with goat milk.....and goat milk is usually

easily used by those considered lactose-intolerant. Goat milk can be

found in your health food store, and often in your grocery store, but

the very best source is of course directly from the goat. Find a

dairy goat farmer in your area. The prices will be better, too! We

have raised everything from puppies and kittens to colts and calves

on goat's milk, and have observed or experienced none of the weight-

gain problems or vitamin deficiency or immune deficiencies that occur

often when using substitutes. Remember to feed the milk warmed. For

puppies and kittens, it is often helpful to rub the face and anal

area with a warm swab, to stimulate their system, much as the mother

does after the baby feeds from her. Once per day, add a little

spirulina (powdered) to the milk. It boosts the immune system, so

needed in orphaned babies, and provides many necessary vitamins and

nutrients.

 

Pregnancy:

Raspberry leaf administered daily throughout a pet's pregnancy

(mammals) will help tone the uterus and aid in the healing of the

uterus after birth, as well as help to stimulate milk production in

the mammaries.

 

Diarrhea, vomiting:

Powdered slippery elm bark is useful for treating diarrhea, vomiting,

and sensitive stomachs for pets.

 

Shiny Coats:

One teaspoon (less for very small animals, such as ferrets) of cod

liver oil dribbled over the pet's food once or twice per week will

give a thick, shiny coat, as well as provide many nutrients needed by

your pet's body.

 

Bee Pollen:

1/4 teaspoon for every 15 pounds of animal, given two to three times

weekly, helps to slow the aging process. It will also restore hormone

balances, regulate the digestive tract, and calm the symptoms of

common allergies. Give bee pollen daily during times of stress,

illness, or disease to give a boost to the body.

 

Vitamin C:

Giving 1000 mg to 2000 mg per day for three months to puppies from

large breeds can help prevent hip dysplacia. Give 500 mg to 1000 mg

daily to ease arthritis in dogs and cats. 500 mg each day can prevent

urinary tract symptoms and problems for cats.

 

A WORD OF CAUTION:

Do not give white willow to cats or kittens. Many felines are

allergic to salycin, the active ingredient in both white willow and

the drug that is derived from it, aspirin. Substitute meadowsweet as

a pain reliever instead.

 

http://www.naturalark.com/herbpet.html

 

 

 

 

Diana

 

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