Why Use Natural Remedies for First Aid
Posted by Rhonda Jewel on Dec 09, 2016
Many pet owners are already moving away from traditional veterinary practices. Pharmaceutical products contain powerful ingredients that result in unpleasant and even serious side effects. Natural pet remedies are constantly gaining popularity as an alternative.
Are you interested in switching to natural pet treatments?
Here are several important benefits of switching to using more holistic type remedies.
Little to No Side Effects
Natural remedies are relatively safe. You will often be relying on herbs and plant extracts to treat the medical condition.
Natural pet remedies result in little to no side effects when used correctly. At the same time, various organic, herbal and holistic medicines deliver amazing results. Your pet will become healthier and it is also possible for the natural treatments to increase your furry friend’s lifespan.
There is little risk of an allergic reaction ( in most cases) or another adverse side effect. This is one of the most important advantages of choosing a natural treatment.
Addressing the Root of the Problem
A number of traditional pet medicines address the symptom rather than the cause of the disease itself. Your pet will feel temporary relief, after which the problem will come back.
Natural remedies and alternative pet treatments will look at the cause of the problem, rather than at the symptom. This is the only way of ensuring the comprehensiveness of the treatment and the longevity of the results.
Human Safety
Most natural pet medicines and treatments are safe for the pet owner, as well.
Human safety is an important factor to consider, especially if you have children. Some traditional skin care products or lotions could contain harmful chemicals or other substances that may cause an adverse reaction. Going green with natural and organic products will ensure the safety of family members, as well.
Less Invasive
Some pet medical procedures are incredibly invasive and traumatizing. Such procedures can be life saving but it may be possible to avoid some of them unless it is an emergency situation of course.
Natural remedies are less stressful for your puppy or kitten. The recovery will be faster and your pet will feel much better during the course of the treatment. Pets cannot understand what is going on and why they have to be subjected to specific painful procedures. All of these factors will contribute to the agitation and stress.
Save Time and Money
You will be saving both time and money through the selection of natural pet remedies. Some people find it impossible to dedicate significant sums to the treatment of their pets. This problem creates a dilemma that many pet owners find themselves incapable of dealing with.
Cheap products will do little for the health of your pet. High quality pharmaceuticals will be expensive. Natural remedies are of high quality and they are affordable. For many people, they are the only viable option in the case of a pet medical condition.
Natural pet treatments are a great alternative to traditional veterinary medicine. Understanding the specifics and the advantages will help you choose the best possibility for your cat or dog.
Every animal lover should have a first aid kit for emergencies. For a healthy touch, stock it with these holistic remedies and needed items to have on hand.
It can be very confusing and extremely scary for pet owners when a crisis with a beloved pets arises, which is why having an emergency first aid kit on hand is a great idea. That way, you have all the supplies on had and right at your fingertips to care for your pet until you can get him either to your vet’s office or an emergency animal clinic.
Keeping It All Together
It’s best to put all your first aid supplies in a nice bag, wooden box, cosmetic bag or other container labeled something like “Pet Care Emergency Kit” or “Sugar's First Aid Kit.”
On the inside lid of the container, add a label listing your vet’s phone number, the number of the closest emergency animal clinic, and a poison control number like the ASPCA's Poison Control Center hotline at 1-888-426-4435. This is also a good place to record any other pertinent information you might need in a hurry, like your dog’s license tag number, microchip registration number, date of last rabies vaccination, etc.
Keep your kit in an easily accessible location and let everyone in the family know where it is. If you’re traveling with your dog, it’s a good idea to either bring the kit along, or prepare a second first aid kit for the car.
Items for Your Pet Emergency First Aid Kit
- Nonstick bandages or strips of clean cloth to cover a wound or control bleeding or to wrap wounds or for use as a muzzle if necessary
- Disposable gloves
- Tweezers
- Tick Remover
- Adhesive tape to secure gauze, bandages or strips of cloth
- Clean towels and cotton (paper and cloth)
- Activated charcoal to absorb an ingested poison (contact vet or poison control center before treating an animal for suspected poisoning)
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% to induce vomiting (after consulting with vet or poison control center)
- Colloidal Silver for eyes, ears, wounds, cuts, infections etc.
- Digital rectal thermometer
- bottled water
- Scissors
- Styptic powder/stick
- Eye dropper or large syringe without needle to give medicine or liquids or to flush wounds
- Muzzle (injured dogs can become aggressive out of fear or pain, however, if your dog is vomiting, do not muzzle him)
- Extra leash or harness
- Stretcher for large dogs (a blanket, throw rug, floor mat, board or other object can be used in a pinch)
- Tea tree oil – with its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial anti-viral properties, this is a must-have for cuts and scrapes. Be careful, as direct application can be toxic for cats and some dogs. Make sure to dilute with water (15% tea tree to 85% water)
- Grapefruit Seed Extract – works like tea tree oil and can also be given internally (an alternative to antibiotics)
- Herbal salve
- Rescue Remedy – a flower essence that is great for calming a frightened animal and a frightened you
- Lavender oil – can be applied to burns and also calms a sick cat or dog. Be careful to dilute it with equal parts of a carrier oil, like sweet almond and store in a glass or plastic bottle in the kit
- Aloe Vera gel – for topical treatment of cuts, burns, bites and abrasions. Make sure it is pure aloe. Most commercial gels are loaded with filler
- Ipecac – syrup used to induce vomiting
- Grapefruit Seed Extract – works like tea tree oil and can also be given internally (an alternative to antibiotics)
- Dried herbs* – including cayenne. turmeric (stops bleeding), comfrey (pulls toxins from bites), slippery elm bark (treats diarrhea)
- Herbal tinctures* – including calendula (full strength for wounds, diluted to wash out eyes or ears) and propolis (internally to fight infection, externally to disinfect wounds, bites, etc.)
- Two herbs in tinctures Chamomile and lavender are very effective for calming animals with mild anxiety.
- Lavender Oil
- Tea Tree Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar - drying agent, especially for floppy-eared dogs taking a dip in a pool or natural waterway, which can leave the inner ear moist.
- Raw Honey and/or Manuka Honey -Apply to gums to help counteract low blood sugar and shock
- Calendula Cream or Salve
- Rescue Remedy
- Hypericum for nerve pain ( toe nail trims)
- Aconitum for shock
- Calendula for wounds and cuts
- Homeopathic eyebright-eye infections
- Arnica- pain
- Apis-stings and inflammation from bug bites
- Thuja- warts and tumors
- Sulfur-skin problems
- Nux vomica - stomach aches- from eating inappropriate foods
The following Homeopathic Remedies:
