Common Health Conditions in Pets
More than 100 million cats and dogs currently enjoy the sanctity of a safe and loving home in the US. While their companion caregivers may often seek the advice of an experienced veterinarian for many matters concerning their pet’s well being, there is still a need for a basic understanding of how to prevent, treat and manage many common ailments that can affect our pets on a day-to-day basis at home.
As every pet owner knows, consultations and treatments at the veterinarian’s office can become quite expensive very quickly. For this reason alone, many pet owners prefer to turn to natural, holistic remedies rather than rely on conventional therapies. However, cost is not (and shouldn’t be) the only valid reason for doing so. For one thing, natural therapies can offer effective treatment, but without the complications and risks sometimes associated with conventional treatments. Furthermore, there are some conditions that respond to natural therapies where there is no conventional treatment of record. Finally, a natural and holistic approach to the prevention and treatment of disease is focused on the long-term, individual needs of your pet and not a quick fix of its symptoms.
What Common Conditions Can Be Treated Naturally?
A complete list of common conditions that can be successfully treated with natural therapies exceeds the scope of this document. However, there are some specific conditions that are commonly experienced by many pets at some stage in their lives that pet owners can use natural methods to prevent or manage safely and effectively. An abbreviated list of these conditions, and their relative therapies, follow below.
Allergic Dermatitis
- Specialized, natural diet formulated to reduce inflammation
- Orthomolecular therapy (megavitamin supplementation)
- Digestive enzymes
- Herbs
- Licorice
- Witch hazel
- Calendula
- Lavender
- Aloe vera
- Chamomile
Bladder, Kidney and Urinary Infections
- Natural diet formulated to achieve low pH urine
- Cranberry extract
- Supplements
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Coenzyme Q10
- Herbs
- Marshmallow
- Oregon grape
- Alfalfa
- Yarrow
- Horsetail
- Dandelion
Constipation
- Natural diet
- Herbs
- Slippery elm
- Dandelion
- Chickweed
- Yellow dock
Diarrhea
- Natural diet
- Supplements
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Glutamine
- Probiotic therapy
- Herbs
- Slippery elm
- Raspberry leaf
- Calendula
- Aloe vera
Obesity
- Natural diet low in carbohydrates
- Exercise
- Supplements
- Chromium
- Chitosan
- Coenzyme Q10
- Herbs
Asthma
- Natural diet design to eliminate food allergies
- Orthomolecular therapy
- Supplements
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Antioxidants
- Herbs
- Lobelia
- Turmeric
- Licorice
- Feverfew
- Boswellia
- Ginkgo biloba
Ear Infections
- Natural diet formulated to eliminate food allergies
- Herbs (prepared as ear drops)
Ringworm
- Natural diet
- Topical application of tea tree essential oil, diluted
- Homeopathy
- Herbs
- Astragalus
- Gotu kola
- Echinacea
- Oregon grape
Dental Disease
- Natural diet
- Orthomolecular therapy
- Supplements
- Coenzyme Q10
- L-glutamine
- Colloidal silver
- Herbs
- Boswellia
- Ginger
- Sage
- Uva ursi
IBS (Inflammatory Bowl Disease)
- Natural diet
- Supplements
- Glucosamine
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Herbs
- Boswellia
- Marshmallow
- Raspberry leaf
- Aloe vera
- Chamomile
One Final Word
You may have noticed that one treatment in particular heads the list under every condition—a natural diet. The fact that a wholesome, natural diet free of additives, preservatives and artificial flavors and colors will go along way to help keep your pet healthy cannot be stressed enough. It can also be said with accuracy that most commercial pet food, canned or dry, does not adequately meet the nutritional requirements of cats and dogs due to containing fillers with empty carbohydrates and calories. Feeding this type of food over a period of years is what puts our pets at risk for disease in the first place, including obesity, allergies and life-threatening conditions like diabetes and cancer. Therefore, if you wish to keep your beloved pet free of the above and many other common conditions not mentioned here, providing them with a natural diet is the best way to start.