8 Great Home Remedies For Dogs

It's never nice when our dogs get ill especially if it's at night or at the weekend when veterinary surgeries are usually closed. Knowing you can treat your dog when they are feeling unwell with remedies you may already have in the home means you can make them feel more comfortable that much quicker before getting them along to see the vet.

Below is a list of 8 great remedies all of which are totally natural which you can safely give to dogs when they are feeling unwell or suffering from certain complaints that can make their lives quite miserable.

Dry Skin = Vitamin E Oil

Dogs too can suffer with dry skin which could become quite sore if they start to scratch at it. Before this happens, you can put a little vitamin E oil on the dry areas of skin and gently rub it in. If you do this several times a day, the dry patches will soon clear up, but if it doesn't, it might be worth discussing the problem with your vet.

Diarrhoea & Vomiting = Electrolyte-replacing Liquids

With more people than ever taking their health and fitness a lot more seriously, the chances are you have some electrolyte-replacing drinks in the house. These drinks are great for rehydrating your dog if they have suffered a bout of vomiting or diarrhoea which has left them dehydrated. It is always worth asking your vet about the right amount to give your dog which you can do over the phone. The best products are the flavourless variety.

Dogs on Antibiotics = Live Plain Yoghurt

If your dog is on a course of antibiotics one of the side effects is that it can seriously impact the good bacteria in their gut. This results in a tummy upset which then leads to diarrhoea. By giving your dog some live plain yoghurt you effectively replace the good flora in their guts which gets things back on track again!

Puppies too are very susceptible to yeast infections so it's a good idea to give them live plain yoghurt as a treat which not only helps keep the good bacteria in their gut well balanced, but it also helps them build up strong immune systems

Upset Stomachs – Acidophilus Tablets

Dogs often eat things they shouldn't and end up with a stomach upset. By giving them acidophilus in tablet form which you can wrap in something tasty, it helps settle their tummies again making life a lot more comfortable for them. If however, the symptoms continue, you should take your dog along to the vet so they can thoroughly examine your pet to find out what's causing the problem.

Sore & Irritated Eyes = Chamomile Tea

Chamomile boasts many great healing properties, it is a natural disinfectant that has a wonderfully soothing effect when used on sore and irritated eyes (both doggy and human!).

All you have to do is put a warm chamomile tea bag on your dog's sore eyes making sure it is not too hot. This will soon soothe their eyes and make them feel a lot more comfortable. If the symptoms don't get any better, you need to take your dog along to the vet so they can be thoroughly examined and then treated.

Itchiness = Finely Ground Oatmeal

A time honoured remedy for itchy skin is finely ground oatmeal which works a treat on alleviating an irritating condition that often drives dogs mad. You need to make up a paste using the finely ground oatmeal mixed with warm water and then cover the affected area with the paste. This will give the much needed relief your dog needs until you can get them to the vet for a thorough examination!

Swellings & Bumps = Epsom Salts

Dogs can be a little boisterous at times which results in a few bumps. One of the best ways to treat a swelling is to soak it in a solution of warm water and Epsom salts. This will help reduce the swelling but if you are at all worried or anxious the swelling may be due to something more serious, you should take your dog to the vet so they can be thoroughly examined.

If the swelling is in an awkward place on their body, you can make up a heat pack of the warm solution and then apply this to the area which you may have to do several times for it to have the full effect.

Fleas = Citrus Juice

Fleas really don't like anything citrus so if you find your pet has picked up a few of these pesky parasites in their coats, make up a solution of lemon juice by pouring boiling water of the fruit and letting it cool down overnight.

The next day you can wash your dog's coat in the citrus solution. However,  if the infestation is really bad, you may need to invest in an eco-friendly product to use both on your pet, on their beds and around your house!

Some people like to use odourless borax crystals which they sprinkle around on the floor before vacuuming up the excess. These crystals kill fleas in their tracks and it's one of the safest products to use instead of a harmful chemical based product.

Conclusion

Knowing there are a few natural remedies you can safely use on your dog when they are suffering from certain conditions, means you can make them more comfortable that much quicker. This is especially useful if their condition is not that serious and you know it would be safe to wait a couple of days before getting them to the vet for a thorough check-up which is always the best thing to do!