Home remedies for your pet

Every year pet owners collectively spend billions on buying medicines for their pets. Some of these medications may contain synthetic if not toxic ingredients and the additional logistics of packaging, shipping and distribution adds to the carbon footprint and waste. This guide lists out some home made remedies using natural materials that you could try for your pets

1. Baking soda Use baking soda to brush through your dog’s fur in between wash days and to keep your dog smelling fresh.

2. Brewer’s yeast

   1. Brewer’s yeast can be used as a flea repellent.
   2. Add 1tsp of brewer’s yeast to your dog meals.
   3. Alternatively. You can also make a natural spray by mixing ¼ cup of brewer’s yeast with 1 quart water in a spray bottle. Use the spray on your dogs every 2-3 days to repel fleas.

3. Rose Geranium oil Apply 5 drops of rose geranium oil around your dog’s collar. Reapply the oil every 3-5 days. This cannot be used if your dog has an infestation already.

4. Chamomile Tea Chamomile tea can help alleviate itchy skin. Use as a spray on your pet to relieve itchiness. It can also be used to soothe your pet’s eyes if its irritated or infected.

5. Vitamin E Oil: Vitamin E oil helps heal sores on your pet’s skin. It also moisturises and heals dry patches of skin.

6. Coconut Oil Coconut oil improves the condition of your dog’s skin and coat. You can feed your dog coconut oil or use it as a topical treatment.

7. Plain Greek Yoghurt: Adding plain Greek yoghurt to your dog’s meals aids digestion and overall health. Make sure the yoghurt is not flavoured or made with artificial sweeteners.

8. Cranberry Supplements Cranberry supplements relieve urinary tract infection symptoms. Check with your veterinarian for the proper dosage.

9. Gross Out Fleas With Citrus Rub your pet’s fur with fresh lemon or orange juice to make it unsavoury for fleas. You can use leftover citrus rinds to do this for sustainability.

10. Oatmeal for itching Grind a little bit of oatmeal, add a little water and rub the paste onto the itchy parts. You can also use it as shampoo. Leave it on for 10 mins and rinse with warm water.

11. Epsom salt for sprains Add half a cup of Epsom salt to a warm bath and let your pet soak for 5 mins incase of any sprain or limping. Or else, you can soak a washcloth in Epsom salt and warm water and apply to the local area.