These DIY home remedies can help you ease your dog’s symptoms when you can’t get to the vet right away. Staying calm when your dog is essential for you to administer the right care for your pet. What can you do at home before going to the vet? Check out this helpful list of DIY home remedies you can do before and even after going to the vet.
DIY Home Remedies, You Can Do For Your Dog
Administering First Aid
1. Lowering Body Temperature From Heatstroke
Too much heat can be very dangerous for your pet. Heatstroke can kill animals. That’s why it’s important to keep pets (and yourself) hydrated at all times. However, if you do find your dog’s temperature going up to 106 degrees, spray your dog with cold water. You can also stick a bag of frozen peas under their armpits or groin area to lower the blood’s temperature.
2. Beating Off Hypothermia
On the other hand, if your pet’s body temperature falls to 95 degrees, you need to bring their temperature up. If the hypothermia isn’t too bad, make your dog drink warm broth while wrapped in a towel. It also helps to blow hot air onto them by using a hairdryer.
3. Stopping Bleeding and Shock
When your pet gets a wound, a little bleeding won’t hurt. However, if your dog loses 10%-15% of their blood, they could go into a shock. For an 11-pound pet that would only be 1-2 ounces. If you saw your pet wobbling and disoriented with nearly white gums, you need to act fast. If there’s an obvious wound, use a clear plastic wrap to bind the wound. This helps stop the bleeding, but it doesn’t stick to fur. Keep them warm by wrapping them in a blanket and keep their blood sugar up by smearing honey on their gums.
Caring For Your Sick Dog
4. Checking Temperature
If you have a digital thermometer at home for your family, you should also buy one your pets. Make sure you label the thermometer to avoid confusion. When you get worried about your pet’s health, coat the skinny end of the thermometer with petroleum jelly and insert it an inch into your pet’s rectum. Normal temperature for pets should be 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Therapeutic Bathing for Skin Problems
Mange in dogs can range from mild to severe. Your pet’s vet may prescribe topical or oral medicine to relieve symptoms. Aside from this, you can also learn therapeutic bathing for your dog at home. Just tell your vet that you’re willing to learn how and ask for instructions. This way, stress is lessened for skittish dogs as the bathing or dipping will be done by someone they know.
6. Giving Pills and Oral Medication
If your pet gets sick and needs to take medication constantly, it could get tedious and expensive if you keep visiting the veterinary office every time. Learn how to give oral medication to your pet early on. Your dog might need help in swallowing the medicine properly.
7. Simple Injections and Subcutaneous Fluids
Injections usually happen in veterinary clinics. However, insulin injections and other subcutaneous shots have to be done at home. Learn how to properly administer these shots from your vet to save time and money. You won’t have to drive your pet to the vet every time they need a shot.
8. Monitoring Pets With Diabetes
Pets with diabetic need their blood sugar monitored now and then to avoid complications. That’s why it’s important for you to buy a blood glucose monitor to make sure your pet’s sugar levels are controlled. You can also use a wrist monitor to check your dog’s blood pressure. Diabetes is usually partnered with hypertension, so it’s best to monitor their blood pressure as well.
9. Rehydrating Pets With Fever
With heatstroke, you need to lower your pet’s temperature fast. But for fevers, your pet needs constant care and rehydration. Put ice chips on your dog’s tongue, which will be melted by their body temperature. You can also feed them chicken broth to keep their strength up. If they can’t drink by himself, use a syringe to inject water directly into their mouth.
DIY Home Remedies for Simple Health Concerns
10. Use Citrus To Get Rid Of Fleas
Fleas can’t tolerate citrus fruits. So rubbing your pet’s fur with fresh lemon, lime or orange will make them unsavory for those bloodsuckers. Also, your dog will smell so fresh and good!
11. Keep Fleas Away With Water
Before buying all those chemicals to treat your dog’s flea infestation, try the very easy and organic solution called bath water! Fleas can’t survive in water, that’s why soaking your pup in a tub of water will help with those nasty little biters. You can also use a gentle or organic shampoo specially made to get rid of fleas.
12. Use Brewer’s Yeast For Stubborn Fleas
If you still can’t get rid of your dog’s fleas, try adding brewer’s yeast mixed with a small amount of garlic to your pet’s food daily. After a few days, you’ll see a noticeable improvement in your pet’s condition.
13. Make A Tick Collar With Rose Geranium Oil
Compared to fleas, ticks are more easily spotted. However, they can also be more dangerous to your pet’s health. To prevent ticks from latching onto your dog, rub rose geranium oil mixture on them before going out for walks. To make this mixture, combine 20 drops of rose geranium oil with almond oil. Aside from rubbing it on your pet, you can also add a few drops no your dog’s collar to make a tick collar. Do not use on pregnant animals.
14. Soothe Itchiness With Oatmeal
If your pet does have ticks and fleas and their skin becomes inflamed with bites, use an oatmeal solution to alleviate the itch. Mix baby oatmeal (or the fine-ground variety) with a little water. Apply it on the affected area and wait for 10 minutes before rinsing off.
15. Chamomile Tea Spray for Skin Ailments
Chamomile tea can do wonders to alleviate your pet’s skin ailments. Make some tea and place it in a spray bottle. Once it’s cooled down, spray onto your pooch’s affected skin. Additional tip: make a huge batch of chamomile tea and store it in the fridge for future use.
16. Vitamin E and Essential Oils For Itch Relief
Vitamin E, like on humans, improves skin health. Rub it all over your pet to relieve itchiness as well as improve their skin condition. It will also help prevent other skin diseases in the future. Aside from Vitamin E, lavender oil, myrrh, peppermint, and clove oil will also keep your dog’s skin clear, smooth and healthy.
17. Taking Care of Bee Stings And Allergies
If you live close to a forest, there’s a high chance your dog could get stung by a bee if they stroll into it. If your dog gets stung, just use a credit card or something similar to scrape off the sting. Then make a baking soda poultice to alleviate the pain. If your dog develops an allergic reaction, give them Benadryl at 1mg per pound every six hours.
18. Focus On The Feet
Sometimes, a dog’s feet can get overlooked by all the other health concerns we have for our pet. Prevent infections through the feet by always cleaning their feet from debris – pebbles or any other stuff that doesn’t belong there. Wash thoroughly and apply a gentle moisturizer. If there are wounds, apply an antiseptic to the area to avoid infection.
19. Protect Your Pet’s Paws From Infections
When going out, your dog’s feet are prone to all kinds of possibly painful elements. Snow and salt can irritate your dog’s paws. Make sure you prevent infections by letting them wear booties specially designed to protect their feet from the elements – whether you’re going for a walk in winter or a jaunt at the beach.
20. Stock Up On Probiotics
Deley Naturals, Probiotics for Dogs, 6 Digestive Enzymes, 4 Billion CFU’s/2 chews, 120 Chicken Soft.. https://t.co/JMPI0AIEAq
— poundeffective (@poundeffective) September 19, 2017
If your dog’s on an antibiotic, certain stomach problems may arise because the medicine kills both good and bad organisms in your body. Add a bit of yogurt with your pet’s dinner to alleviate any digestion related issues caused by the medication.
21. Prunes or Canned Pumpkin to Improve Digestion
Like in humans, prunes help with digestive issues. It’s the same for dogs. If your dog is suffering from a digestive problem, then add a bit of prune juice or canned pumpkin to their meals. It can help get everything started inside your pet’s stomach again. This is especially great for older animal’s digestion.
22. Induce Vomit
Dogs sometimes eat stuff that is toxic to them. This is an emergency that needs to be presented to a vet. What you can do before bringing your pet for a checkup, however, give your dog a bit of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. Give them one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide for every five pounds of body weight.
23. Change Plastic Bowls to Metal or Glass Ones
Not all home remedies for dog symptoms require too much effort. This remedy for hot spots on your dog’s face can be solved as easily as going to the pet store and buying a new bowl. Plastic contains chemicals that can cause irritation or allergic reactions in dogs. If you’re using a plastic feeding bowl, you are exposing your beloved pet to toxic substances. The good news is that you can easily change the plastic bowl to metal or glass ones.
24. Soothing Aching Eyes
Pets with eye infections may have irritated or dry eyes. Soothe the ache by place a sodden chamomile tea bag over your dog’s eyes. Like when it was used for irritated skin, it can also be applied on the eyes for a cool, relaxing effect.
25. Epsom Salt To Cure Sprains and Strains
Tried and true, an Epsom salt soak will do wonders for your pet’s sprains and limping problem. Just let your dog soak in a warm bath mixed with 1/2 cup Epsom salt for 5 minutes twice a day until the sprain heals. Some dogs can get quite nasty, so instead of soaking him. Instead, soak a washcloth in the said solution and apply it on the affected area.
26. Petroleum Jelly For Minor Cuts And Cold Weather
If your pets have small cuts, apply some petroleum jelly to help protect it from further infection. It can also be applied in between the toes to protect your pet from cold weather. This may also help block potential infections that may hit your pet during a walk out in the park.
27. Ear Infections
Dogs with long hair need to get their ears cleaned thoroughly to avoid developing infections. If your pet develops swelling as well as the foul odor in the ear, clean their ears with a homemade antiseptic solution. One solution is to mix one part vinegar with one part water. You can also mix one part hydrogen peroxide to one part water.
28. Lightning Scares
Do you notice your dog shaking during thunderstorms? It probably isn’t because of the flash of light. It’s more likely because of a build-up of static electricity in their coat. If this happens, rub a dryer sheet on their coat to get rid of the static electricity.
Grooming Home Remedies
29. Nail Trimming
Dogs usually wear out their nails when they play outside or dig holes. However, some dogs, especially apartment ones don’t wear out their nails naturally. Long nails may create wounds when they scratch themselves. Buy a pair of nail clippers and learn how to properly trim your dog’s nails. Make sure to cut only the white part of the nails. Avoid the pinkish area as those contain blood vessels. Get your dog accustomed to the nail clippers before beginning to cut the nails so they won’t get anxious about it.
30. Teeth Cleaning
How often do you brush your dog’s teeth? https://t.co/ZMa5ZyaPw4 via @puppyleak pic.twitter.com/EgGDm1eC6u
— Dog Breed Cartoon (@DogBreedCartoon) October 17, 2017
Like humans, dogs’ teeth can rot if they’re not cleaned properly. It’s especially important to brush your dog’s teeth two or three times a week because they tend to bite onto a lot of things. If you don’t clean their teeth consistently, tartar may build up which will cause smelly breath, cavities, and other dental infections.
31. Sanitary Clipping
Dogs with long hair need to have the hair around their eyes, mouth, and ears clipped. Using shearing scissors, clip the excess hair around the eyes, ears, and mouth to get rid of the ends that may be harboring bacteria as well.
These home remedies for dog symptoms can be done at home but if they’re not coming up with favorable results, bring your pet to a vet right away. You can also ask for more tips and practices that you can do at home for your pet.
Which of these DIY home remedies is most helpful to your dog’s condition? Share your thoughts below!
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