Being a pet parent means being prepared for the unexpected. Problems can arise at the most inconvenient times. While it’s always a good idea to call your veterinarian for advice or to make an appointment, there are some non-prescription treatments that are safe to try at home before you call or while you wait for your appointment.
8 conditions for which home remedies for dogs can help
1. Mild diarrhea/mucus in stool
A short period of mild diarrhea doesn’t necessarily mean you need to see a veterinarian. Dogs with soft stools who are otherwise eating well and acting normally should be fed a bland, easily digestible diet to give their intestines some time to rest and allow the inflammation that is causing the diarrhea to recover. Can be given temporarily. Bland meals at home are usually boiled chicken, turkey, or a combination of beef and rice. It is important not to roast or fry meat, as the fat in meat can cause pancreatitis.
Adult dogs should not be fed bland diets for more than a week, and growing puppies should not be fed for more than 2 to 3 days. In the meantime, if your dog’s diarrhea doesn’t go away, you should contact your veterinarian to see if he needs a prescription diet or probiotics. Dogs with bloody stools, loss of appetite, or vomiting should also be promptly evaluated by a veterinarian to ensure that a more serious cause is not present.
2. Hotspot
Hot spots are localized areas of inflammation on the skin that appear suddenly, cause discomfort, and make the lesions worse due to frequent licking and scratching. Hot spots can be found in any breed of dog, but are most common in dogs with thick coats, such as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. The most important thing to remember when treating hot spots is to prevent your dog from licking or scratching them.
Elizabeth color (E color) Loose-fitting T-shirts and shorts are very effective in protecting these lesions as they heal. It may also be helpful if you and your dog are used to shaving the hair around the lesion with electric clippers (never use scissors!) to allow more air access. Some dogs may be in so much pain that their parents cannot trim their coats. Severe hot spots (those that don’t improve within 24-48 hours) may require oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications from your veterinarian. Do not bandage the hot spot, as this may slow the healing process and cause further complications.
3. Itching, inflammation, and dry skin
There are many commercially available shampoos for dogs with dry, itchy skin. For best results, look for products that are oatmeal-based and unscented. If your dog’s itchy skin is more severe, your veterinarian may recommend an antiseptic shampoo or mousse product that contains ingredients such as chlorhexidine.
Another way to combat itchy and dry skin at home is to increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your dog’s diet. This is usually done through food additives and supplements. You may also want to consider diets for sensitive skin, as they often have a high content of omega-3 free fatty acids (FFAs).
4. Allergies
Our dogs are prone to allergies just like us. Common symptoms in dogs include sneezing, mild clear eye discharge, and itching. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine and cetirizine, are safe for dogs unless they contain decongestants. Please note that the dosage for pets is not the same as for humans. Your veterinarian will be able to guide you on the proper dosage of these products.
If you notice a yellow or green discharge from your pet’s eyes or nose, squinting, or a change in your dog’s appetite or demeanor, antihistamines alone are unlikely to solve the problem. Call your veterinarian to make an appointment.
5. Licking feet
Paw licking is normal behavior for most dogs, but you should be careful not to overdo it (which can lead to irritation and changes in coat color). Excessive paw licking is often related to allergies or other contact-related irritants.
Soaking your feet in Epsom salt for about 5 to 10 minutes at least once a day can help flush out environmental allergens and pollutants. This soothes the skin on your feet and aids in the healing process. Dogs with more severe inflammation may need to wear a recovery cone for a few days to prevent licking until the skin heals.
6. Ear fragments
Excess earwax debris in the ear without severe itching or head shaking can often be managed by cleaning the ears at home, but this should be done very carefully. It is important to use Products designed for use within the ear canal. Do not put household products such as vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or coconut oil in your ear. It can cause further inflammation.
A suitable product can be injected directly into the canal or squeezed using a soaked cotton ball. Before your dog shakes his head, gently massage the ear canal from the outside and use your fingers and a cotton ball to wipe away any excess cleaner. Although it is not necessary to introduce objects such as cotton swabs into the canal, it can be dangerous. The swab can puncture the eardrum or break off deep inside the eardrum. If your dog’s ears are very red and in pain, we recommend seeing a veterinarian.
7. Chisel
With so many safe and effective flea control products now available, home flea control is rarely necessary. If you have a puppy that is too young or small to use an approved product, use the original scent of Dawn® You can use dish soap to get rid of adult fleas right away, but you will need medication to get rid of the problem. We have approved products For puppies that are 6 weeks old and weigh around 2 pounds, Therefore, work with your veterinarian to determine the best medication.
8. Gas/flatulence
While some dogs may develop gas due to absorption issues or intestinal upset, gas in dogs is more often linked to lifestyle and diet. Dogs that gorge on their food often swallow large amounts of air with their food, which passes through their digestive tract. Brachycephalic (brachycephalic) dogs also tend to swallow air more easily due to the shape of their airways. These dogs need small, frequent meals, Bowl for slow breastfeeding To reduce flatulence.
Diet also plays an important role in how well your dog produces gas. Make sure you are feeding your pet a high-quality diet. Some dogs may benefit from a low-residue or easily digestible diet. If your dog’s bloating doesn’t improve after changing his diet and feeding habits, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.
13 dog health problems you should never try home remedies for
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all home remedy. If you notice any of the following problems in your dog, it’s best to treat them under veterinary supervision. Attempting to manage it yourself can delay treatment and, in some cases, make it more difficult.
1. Bad breath
If good oral hygiene isn’t enough to keep your dog’s breath sweet-smelling, an anesthetic dental procedure may be necessary to properly diagnose and treat periodontal disease.
2. Black or bloody stools
Inflammation may cause small amounts of bright red blood to be seen in the stool, but your veterinarian can perform blood tests to check if your dog has clotting problems or severe gastroenteritis that may require hospitalization.
3. Bleeding from the anus
Your veterinarian can best determine where the blood is coming from. A common cause of blood in the rectal area is anal gland infection, which requires treatment with antibiotics. Rarely, surgical problems such as masses or trauma may occur.
4. Feeling of fullness
When a bloated stomach twists, it can become a life-threatening emergency. Your veterinarian will take x-rays to determine the severity of the bloat and see if intervention is needed.
5. Blood in the urine/bladder infection
Infection is not the only cause of hematuria, so your veterinarian can perform a urine test to determine if antibiotics are needed. X-rays may also be required to ensure your dog does not have bladder stones. Bladder stones can cause very similar clinical symptoms.
6. Cough/wheezing
If the cough lasts for more than a week or your dog has trouble sleeping or eating, an x-ray is necessary to determine the cause. Although the treatments for pneumonia and heart failure are very different, the cough characteristic of each condition is very similar.
7. Dermatitis/scabies/ringworm
Dermatitis is an inflammatory condition that is usually much more unpleasant than just dry skin. Your veterinarian will want to test for bacterial or yeast infections and treat appropriately. This test can also help rule out mites and scabies, but a combination of topical and oral treatments may be needed. Ringworm is very similar and requires a separate test. Treating ringworm in dogs is very different from treating ringworm in humans.
8. Ear mites
Tick infestations are very rare in dogs and can often be treated with topical flea treatments. Most dogs with ear mites also have yeast or bacterial otitis media (ear infections). Your veterinarian can confirm that your dog’s ear canal is normal and prescribe appropriate antibiotics.
9. Eye discharge, bloodshot eyes, red eyes, or cloudy eyes.
Eye discharge can be the result of allergies, but it can also indicate ulcers, glaucoma, or an inflammation inside the eye called uveitis. All of these diseases can cause vision loss in dogs, so it’s important to diagnose and treat them quickly.
10. Hair removal
Hair loss that isn’t itchy may be related to a thyroid or adrenal problem in your dog and should be evaluated.
11. Not eating, vomiting, upset stomach
Mild stomach upsets can be treated by changing your diet, but vomiting or not eating can lead to dehydration and may indicate a more serious problem. Your veterinarian can perform blood tests and x-rays to check if your dog has an intestinal blockage or another more serious illness that causes these symptoms.
12. Pain
Over-the-counter joint supplements (such as glucosamine) can support your dog’s joint health, but real pain (especially Arthritis pain and other pains that cause lameness) usually require anti-inflammatory treatment. In some situations, surgery may be necessary to get your dog feeling well again. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any human or over-the-counter medications.
13. Worm
There are many over-the-counter dewormers available, but if you know which parasites need treatment (by having your veterinarian take a fecal sample), you can follow the appropriate schedule to get rid of them. Some deworming drugs do not treat all worms or only kill worms at certain stages. Your veterinarian can guide you through treatments for faster resolution.
Featured image: iStock/O_Lypa
