In the same way that human being may decide to pass on western medicine in favor of natural therapies, pet owners sometimes opt for natural treatments for their companions’ ailments. When our pets become sick, or receive some type of injury, we must undertake whatever measures are necessary to support the healing process. However, a diet aimed at preventing sickness and promoting a long healthy life should also be part of caring for any pet.
1/ Diet
There are a number of animals which make good pets, with vast dietary differences among them. Before committing to getting any type of pet, you should get all the necessary information related to their care, especially when it comes to feeding them. Many people would be surprised to know that dogs for example require many of the same nutrients that humans do. Aside from feeding them a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates, it is also necessary to give them vitamins which can be purchased at any pet store.
Few pet owners know that most dogs are lactose intolerant. So if you are feeding your dog milk and it develops any sort of stomach upset, you should stop immediately and see if the problems go away. Pets such as iguanas and ferrets also have strict feeding recommendations which should be adhered to.
2/Herbal Supplements
It should come as no surprise that the advances in herbal medicine have found their way into veterinary treatments as well. Below is a list of herbs that have been shown to have beneficial effects on pets.
Aloe Vera – This help to relieve itching and is great for speeding up the healing of cuts as well as guarding against infection.
Ginseng - It works best for older animals, and is good for increasing energy. It is also useful for the boosting the metabolism of dogs. It must be noted that there are different types of ginseng, therefore you should seek advice before administering it to your pet.
Milk Thistle – This is useful for protecting an animal’s liver, especially in cases where it has been weakened by disease.
Ginko - Its effects in animals are very similar to the effects in humans. It helps to increase the flow of blood to the brain, and so assists in boosting cognitive function, which is especially helpful for older pets.
Echinacea – This has been proven to strengthen the immune system. Therefore it can not only protect your pet from infection, but it also help ward off diseases.
Ginger - Though not considered a herb, ginger is a widely acknowledged digestive aid and can help pets that have motion sickness. It is also good for any sort of digestive problems the animal may have.
Glucosamine and Chondroitan – While these fall into the nutraceutical category, they are highly recommended for pets to keep their joints healthy well into their later years.
Keep in mind that it is not wise to administer herbs to your pets without the requisite research, or at least a talk with your vet or natural health practitioner. To maintain the natural care for your pet you can also search online for natural remedies for dealing with pests such as fleas and ticks.
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March 13th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Hi Sue,
Glad to have provided information that you found useful. I will also check for addiitonal natural treatment for fleas.
March 1st, 2009 at 8:44 am
Lots of great information, thanks. One of my dogs is suffering with fleas at the moment so I searched and found that lavender is very good for fleas, I recently found this information on a site at http://www.vitalitybliss.com that has this and heaps more great information. I love your list of herbs you have and their uses, I will definitely keep them in mind in case I ever need to use them. Thank you once again for this great information.