Medicinal Herbs for Canine Use
From LoveToKnow Herbs
Finding out more about medicinal herbs for canine use means that alternative treatments can be found for many ailments.
Treating Dogs
Unlike humans, dogs cannot tell us what their ailment is. They are unable to communicate their aches and pains or other symptoms of an illness. This means that it is always important to seek specialized veterinary advice when your dog is feeling unwell. Very often the sickness or pain that we see is a symptom of some other underlying illness. Failing to treat this could actually cause further problems for your dog.
Many vets are sympathetic to alternative treatments and complementary medicines and will be able to give proper advice or refer you to a natural health practitioner with experience in treating animals.
Types of Medicinal Herbs for Canine Use
Many herbs are suitable for canine use and can be used to treat ailments or promote good health. As anyone who owns a dog knows, it can be difficult to make a dog eat something that he does not want. This means that herbal pills and tablets are often a good alternative to a handful of dried herbs. Using herbal pills or a tincture means that you have control over the dosage given. Medicinal herbs for dogs include:
- Dandelion – used as a diuretic
- Raspberry leaf – an astringent which is useful for treating diarrhea
- Garlic – supports the immune system which helps ward of illness
Giving Medicinal Herbs to Dogs
If herbal tablets are being used then it is simply a case of counting out the correct dose for the size and breed of dog. The tablets then need to be given to the dog and many people have their own preferred way to do this. Hiding the tablets or crushing them in food can be successful, or special pill giving devises can be bought that make the task easier.
When using fresh herbs, the best way to give them to the dog is by mincing the herbs up and mixing this in with their food. Any strong tasting herbs, however, may taint the taste of the food and stop the dog from eating both his food and the herbs. Herbal teas can also be made and left to cool and given to the dog in place of water. It is essential to watch and ensure that the dog does drink the tea; if he turns up his nose to the tea then he may not consume enough water which can have serious implications.
Buying Medicinal Herbs for Dogs
Medicinal herbs for canine use can be bought from pet stores or natural health shops. These herbs are also widely available online and this provides the shopper with the opportunity to shop from the comfort of home while still having access to affordable or organic herbs. There are many stores that specialize in herbal treatments for dogs and these include:
Other Herbal Uses
Herbal flea collars are a popular choice by many owners. The herbal collars do not contain the harsh chemicals that can be irritating for some dogs. These collars are widely available from main stream pet stores as well as more specialized outlets.
Herbal shampoos are also useful for relieving itching in dogs. Essential oils such as tea tree are excellent for calming the skin and also have an anesthetic effect.
More information
Further information about medicinal herbs for dogs can be found at the following websites:
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