Like all family members, pets suffer from occasional illnesses and also from ongoing physical and even emotional disorders. But pets can't tell you what's bothering them. It's a pet owner's responsibility to figure out what's wrong and take appropriate action. Sometimes all that's needed is a home remedy from the kitchen. But if you aren't sure, or if your pet seems very ill, be sure to call your veterinarian.
The following are some common problems that pets have and home remedies that may help.
 ©2007 Publications International, Ltd. When your pet is ill, sometimes a home remedy can be just what the doctor ordered. |
They love to get close to your face, but sometimes their breath is enough to knock you straight to your knees. Don't worry, though. Help for pet halitosis is no farther than your kitchen.
Home Remedies from the Cupboard
Brown rice. Digestion can play a part in breath odor, so pep up that pet digestion with whole grains. Add a little cooked brown rice to the diet.
Home Remedies from the Refrigerator
Carrot. Toss them a carrot after they eat. It's a mild abrasive, and it also helps remove smelly plaque. The chewing action on something crunchy will stimulate saliva, too, which washes away loose food particles in the mouth and around the teeth.
Parsley. Make your own pet breath spray by steeping several sprigs of parsley in hot water. Remove the parsley, and let the tea cool. If your pet will drink this, that's great. If not, put it in a spray bottle and spritz that dog or cat in the mouth.
DO NOT, however, use any human breath-odor product. These products are too harsh, and Fluffy or Fido will probably swallow it.
Constipation
They strain when they try to go, smell a little gassy, look a little bloated. Fluffy's litter box is clean. Fido just sits and looks at you when you take him out. Could be they're all clogged up and feeling miserable. Here are some constipation fixes for both cat and dog.
Home Remedies from the Cupboard
Oat bran. Keep them regular with oat bran. For small dogs and cats, mix 1/2 teaspoon with their food; for larger dogs use 2 teaspoons. Or try some high-fiber cereal, using the same proportions as above. It will work just as well.
Pumpkin. Canned pumpkin is a great source of fiber that can restore regularity. Add a tablespoon or two to your pet's food during those uncomfortable days.
Home Remedies from the Faucet
Water. Turn on the tap, often, then fill those water bowls. Constipation is caused by a lack of water, so give them all the water they can drink.
Home Remedies from the Refrigerator
Broth. Make some warm meat-based broth and add 1/2 teaspoon of a psyllium-based laxative for small dogs and cats, or 2 teaspoons for larger dogs. Make sure you're generous with the broth. They need the fluids.
Milk. Normally, milk causes diarrhea in pets and most vets don't advise its use. But if your pet is plugged up, a little of the moo juice might be the relief he needs. Small critters can tolerate up to 1/8 cup twice a day and large ones up to 1/2 cup in the morning and again in the evening. Stop the milk as soon as the problem resolves itself.
Constipation Do's and Don'ts
- DON'T give harsh laxatives, suppositories, or enemas. They can cause rectal or bowel damage. If they're needed in the case of extreme constipation, only the vet should administer them.
- DON'T limit potty time. These things take time, and interruptions can lead Fluffy or Fido to simply hold it in.
- DO take Fido for a walk. Exercise helps get things moving.
- DO keep the litter box clean. Fluffy's pretty fussy that way.
- DO keep the rear end of long-haired pets well trimmed. If the hair is tangled at the exit, it can cause constipation.
Pets can't brush, and they can't floss. But their teeth are subject to the same problems as yours: cavities, plaque buildup, and gum disease. And for Fluffy or Fido, when the teeth go bad, they can become the source of infection and bacteria that can lead to serious illnesses, such as heart or kidney disease. So, your pet's pearly whites are a big responsibility. Here are some easy ways to care for their choppers.
Home Remedies from the Cupboard
Broth. Get pets used to having their teeth brushed by moistening a finger or a piece of gauze in some chicken or beef broth, then rubbing their teeth with it. Try to brush daily.
Home Remedies from the Refrigerator
Oxtail. Buy an oxtail, boil it for five or ten minutes, and give it to Fido or Fluffy to chew on after it's cooled. It's cartilage, which is a great tooth-cleaner, and it's tasty, too!
Home Remedies from the Spice Rack
Garlic powder. Mix a little garlic powder in lukewarm water, then brush your pet's teeth.
Dental Do's and Don'ts
- DON'T use human toothpastes or baking soda, both of which can be harmful if swallowed (pets don't spit). Toothpaste has detergents, which can cause an upset stomach, and baking soda has too much sodium. Toothpastes formulated for pets, however, are good to use, as are toothbrushes designed for a particular type of animal's mouth.
- DON'T chip away plaque. That can release bacteria into the bloodstream, causing serious illness or even death.
- DO give your pet a hard rubber chew toy with grooves. It's a great gum-massager. Encourage him to chew by rubbing meat paste or catnip into the grooves.
For more information to help keep your furry friends happy and healthy, visit these links:
- To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
- For more home remedies specifically for Fido and Rex, check out Home Remedies for Dogs.
- Learn all about our canine companions in How Dogs Work.
- To keep your feline friends healthy and happy, read How to Care for a Cat.
