Posts Tagged ‘Herbs for dogs’
Dog coat as a measure of Holistic Health
January 14th, 2010
A dog’s coat is a dip stick for its health. A dull, shedding, flaky coat can be a symptom of poor nutrition or caused by an undiagnosed disease. Allergies can also cause itching skin and bald spots. Visually assessing the coat is a valuable tool in measuring the holistic health of the dog.
The first factor to consider in a dog with a poor coat is its diet. Every dog is different and a food that is a perfect fit for one dog may not supply everything that another dog needs exactly. While feeding a dog the commercial dog food equivalent of Mcdonalds keeps them full and provides the major macronutrients a dog needs, it may not supply all of the additional vitamins and minerals a dog needs to thrive. It also may not provide the proper balance of nutrients a dog needs. Upgrading the food of the dog may help to improve the coat of the dog and also its holistic health.
A supplement that frequently works wonders on a dog with dry skin and coat is fish oil. Fish oil supplements from the local health food store work well. It usually comes in gel capsules that can easily be emptied over the dog’s food. The additional fatty acids help to lubricate the dog’s coat for improved luster. Sardines packed in water are also an excellent source of fish oil to add to a meal.
There are also herbal supplements that can improve the coat from within. Oregon grape is one herb that is often used to improve skin or there are different herbal supplements that can be purchased.
Food allergies and environmental allergies can cause dry skin, itching and baldness. The most common symptom of food allergies is generalized itching. Itching can become severe enough that the dog creates open cuts on its skin. Obviously this causes hair loss. The skin can also become crusty and flake. The prevalence of more severe allergies occurs in certain breeds, like French bull dogs. Food allergies can be conquered through testing or pinpointing allergens.
When the diet of a dog is judged to be sufficient but the dry, flaky coat persists, this can be a sign of an underlying disease. Endocrine disfunction like hypothyroidism or cushing’s disease can manifest as a poor coat. Other symptoms of disease in conjunction with the coat merits testing. A veterinarian can test for thyroid function and this can be treated with herbs in mild cases. If the herbs prove to be ineffective, the synthetic hormone thyroxine may be prescribed. While I am an advocate of natural remedies and healthy lifestyle choices for disease prevention, thyroid hormone may be necessary for a dog with an endocrine disorder to live a happy, healthy life. Often this type of disorder is caused by the body having destroyed thyroid tissue due to an autoimmune response. The body may have a very limited margin to heal naturally in cases like this. Symptoms often resolve quickly following hormonal therapy.
A healthy coat not only signifies a healthy dog but it also reduces the need for vacuuming! A healthy coat will shed less than a dry, itchy coat. Any dog would be eternally grateful for relieving that insufferable itch.
Herbs for dogs
October 8th, 2009
Chinese medicinal herbs have been used for thousands of years. The concept of herbs for dogs has been around about as long. However, as in humans, herbs are not for emergency situations. They act as preventatives against problems that are not of immediate importance. Holistic medicine focuses on preventative care while empirical care focuses on treatment.
I am happy! Oh, so happy!
The question of whether or not herbs should be used on dogs is one many dog owners ask. Whether you want to use that type of holistic treatment, of course, depends on you and your dog. There is no doubt that herbal supplements are beneficial as long as the proper research is done before hand. Remember that some herbs, plants, and fruits are toxic to dogs as we will discuss in later posts.
If you do decide to supplement your dog’s diet with herbal remedies, the following rules should be followed:
First, herbs for dogs should never be used in place of empirical veterinary medicine. Natural treatment, while effective, is not a catch all. If you believe that the veterinary medicine industry is corrupt and a bunch of self-serving egomaniacs, use generic brands of dog medicine. For some situations, natural remedies do not act fast nor aggressively enough. Empirical medicine is excellent for treating emergencies, but not for leading a simply healthy life. I know that if my dog died because I withheld treatment, I would have a hard time living with myself.
Second, the herbs we use are the same as the herbs used for dogs. The herbs affect us often in the same way it affects our animals. Because of that, the amount of herbs given should be proportional to your animal’s body weight and size. Plus, you never know if your animal will be allergic to what you give them. And yes, dogs and cats have allergies just like you and me. You wouldn’t give a chihauhau a mastiff sized dose of garlic for example. Garlic is good for dogs in small amounts… however a mastiff sized portion of garlic would leave you with a lethargic, miserable looking, and after a few hours– a dead chihauhau.
Third, animals will often eat what they instinctively need. This is the reason you will often see dogs eat grass or stones. (By the way, if you see your dogs eating large amounts of stones, stop them immediately then take them to the animal hospital because that usually means they’re about to die.) However, with herbs—an animal may totally refuse to eat the herbs even if you place it in their food. If that’s the case, either lower the dose till the animal decides to eat the herbs, or change your herbal combination. Try not to force this issue with your pet.