Your dog means a lot to you. Depending on how long you’ve had them, they begin to feel like a part of your family. Just like humans, it is recommended that your canines get plenty of exercise and eat the right foods in order to protect their canine health and remain to be the companions you’ve come to love. Also like humans, dogs can get sick or develop ailments that require special care. Though there are a lot of products on the market to treat such conditions, going the natural route as much as possible is recommended.
Here are some natural and effective solutions for treating common ailments and medical conditions in dogs:
Skin Problems
Have you noticed your dog scratching more than usual? If so, this could be a sign that they have skin problems that need to be dealt with. There are a lot of factors that could cause such complications including parasites or allergies.
To treat your dog’s itchy skin you should first bathe them using flea removal products to ensure there aren’t any fleas or ticks present on the skin. Next, you can try natural solutions like applying vitamin E oil to their coats, spraying chamomile or herbal tea (chilled) on problem areas for relief, and perhaps switching to dry shampoos or non-scented soaps just in case there’s an irritation.
Epilepsy
Believe it or not, canine epilepsy (1) is a common medical condition that many don’t report. Found to happen in about 5% of all dogs, it is something that you want to watch and be prepared for. Signs that your dog has suffered a seizure include muscle twitching, stiffness, collapsing, loss of consciousness, tongue chewing, foaming at the mouth and more.
If your dog is suffering from seizures you should not ignore the problem (even if they recover quickly). Paying a visit to the veterinarian is of the utmost importance. In the meantime, you might consider changing your dog’s diet to foods that are rich in antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins, and proteins needed to build a stronger immune system.
Arthritis
Yep. Your canine can develop achy and inflamed joints just like an aging adult. One of the most common forms of arthritis found in dogs is referred to as osteoarthritis.
If your dog suffers from arthritis (2), there are ways to help. There are natural supplements you can purchase to improve their health. You can also take more holistic approaches like doggy massages and acupuncture for dogs which is known to have a lot of benefits. Lastly, you might enroll your dog in activities that will get the joints moving like swimming.
Most dog owners are unaware of the many canine health ailments their dogs can develop over the years. Much like humans, there are ways to improve your dog’s health and it typically boils down to proper nutrition and exercise to reduce their risk of getting sick. However, should your dog develop one of the above-mentioned conditions, the best way to deal with it is to take a natural approach and of course contact your vet for further diagnosis and assistance.
(2) Natural Treatments for Managing Arthritis in Dogs
By Andrew Ellis
