7 Home Remedies for Your Dog

Sometimes it is important to take your pet to the veterinarian. Other times, it is safe to treat your pet at home with something you probably already have in your kitchen. Here are seven home remedies for those times.

Vitamin E is great for treating dry skin. You can take a capsule and break it open and rub it right on the dog’s skin. It will immediately sooth the dry skin and help it hydrate again. You can also give vitamin E orally to prevent dry skin from returning. If you give it orally, ask your veterinarian the correct dosage for your dog as it varies by weight.
Flavorless sports waters or pediatric drinks can replenish much needed electrolytes and fluids when given to a dog that is vomiting or having diarrhea. You will need to ask your veterinarian how much to give your dog because it varies by weight.
Plain yogurt with active cultures is a delicious and healthy treat for your dog. Just as with humans, the acidophilus in the yogurt keeps the good bacteria in your dog’s system and helps overwhelm the bad bacteria. It is good to give your dog yogurt when he is taking antibiotics to prevent yeast infections. Puppies are prone to yeast infections, so regularly giving your puppy a few spoonfuls of yogurt will help prevent the nasty infections.
Chamomile tea is very soothing to doggies with upset tummies. It also calms anxious dogs down naturally. Cold chamomile tea sooths skin irritation and retards bacteria growing on the affected area. A warm (not hot) tea bag can sooth irritated or infected eyes, as well.
If your dog is itchy and going around scratching itself on all your furniture, it may need some oatmeal. Not to eat, but to bathe in. Use regular or quick cooking oatmeal, grind it into small bits in a food processor or blender, and put it in a warm bath. Soak the dog in the oatmeal bath for at least five minutes, longer if the dog will tolerate it. The oatmeal sooths the itchy skin on the dog.
Dogs play and rough house and are bound to occasionally come in with a wound or a stiff leg or pulled muscle. The best thing for that is to put Epsom salts in a warm bath and soak the dog in the bath for at least five minutes. Do this twice a day. If that isn’t practical, soak a cloth in the same warm water solution and hold it over the wound or pulled muscle for five minutes twice a day.
Fleas. One of the most dreaded words in a dog owner’s vocabulary. Before breaking out the bug bombs, try borax. Borax is a laundry detergent and can be purchased very cheaply. Spread it over your floors and carpets, then sweep or vacuum up the extra. The crystals that are left behind punch holes in the fleas’ exoskeleton and they die of dehydration. Do not put Borax on your dog or cat, however. It is toxic to them if they ingest it.

Never hesitate to contact your veterinarian or take your dog in if you need to. However, these seven hints may save you a trip to the vet.