Herbal DogTips & Products for Your Herbal Dog

Natural dog treats in the pet store can cost as much as $5 for one cookie or biscuit! Learn how to make your own dog treats right at home in your oven. You will know all the healthy ingredients you put in the treats and will save money, too!

The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook: Homemade Goodies for Man’s Best Friend, author Liz Palika gives us some great recipes for making homemade treats for dogs. Some of her recipes include: Crunchy treats, Cookie cutter treats, Yogurt Yummies, and Dry dog food kibble.

The book contains 50 canine-tested, veterinarian approved recipes that are sure to be your dog’s favorites. The treats can be stored in air-tight containers so can bake a batch for your dog to share with her friends.

Dogs who are dripping or leaking urine may be experiencing dog incontinence. Your dog doesn’t want to pee in the house but they simply cannot control their bladder functions. Incontinence is the involuntary passing of urine or leakage and can occur in up to 20% of dogs at some time in their life. This is the same condition that can occur in humans and less frequently in cats.

The most common cause of dog incontinence is the bladder sphincter which can become weak, especially in female dogs who have been spayed.

What can you do? I’ve some pet parents with diapers on their small dogs and certainly that’s one choice. Your vet can be consulted for dog medicine that may help with the problem. Or you can work with your dog using a herbal natural remedy such as Only Natural Pet Incontinence Homeopathic Remedy.

Using homeopathic remedies for dogs is a non-invasive, natural approach to treating conditions such as incontinence. It is a holistic approach to healing that works to eliminate the imbalance in your dog’s system that may be causing the problem.

Remember that your dog cannot control her incontinence and work with her to find a solution that is safe and kind.

As a member of your family, your dog deserves to have the same quality of care that you provide for yourself and your kids. Just as you purchase organic and natural products for yourself, your dog will benefit from a life of natural care and organic dog food.

In its third edition, Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats has been updated with new information to help you learn about putting your dog on a homeopathic schedule, feeding him a lean or raw diet, skin parasites and more.

The book is thoughtfully written as a holistic care guide for your pets and is full of tips and information on how to care for your dog the natural way.

In its third printing it’s a must have on your shelf whether you’re just beginning to care for your dog or cat with natural products and methods, or you are an experienced natural pet owner.

Help your herbal dog to stay healthy by providing him or her with holistic care every day of his life.

Arthritis in dogs is as common as it is in humans. It is estimated that one out of five dogs may suffer from arthritis during their lifetime.

Dogs are really good at masking sickness so it’s important to keep a close eye on any behavior changes that your dog may be exhibiting.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, signs that your dog may have arthritis include:

• Favoring a limb
• Difficulty sitting or standing
• Sleeping more
• Seeming to have stiff or sore joints
• Hesitancy to jump, run or climb stairs
• Weight gain
• Decreased activity or less interest in play
• Attitude or behavior changes
• Being less alert

Fortunately there are many types of treatment for your dog’s arthritis. Your holistic vet can help you decide which treatments may be best for your dog. Please don’t give your dog human medication because it’s meant for humans, not dogs. Dogs can become sick or die if given improper meds, so please check with your vet first before administering any dog medicine.

Take care of your herbal dog and thanks for stopping by today!

Martin J. Scott and Gael Mariani, co-authors of Bach Flower Remedies for Dogs, have created a useful and informative guide for dog owners. Bach Flower Remedies are made from flowers and are a natural alternative to conventional health treatments.

Bach Flower Remedies for Dogs compares the use of the remedies on humans versus dogs and gives a great explanation of the different remedies, their use and application.

There are currently 38 different Flower Remedies that, according to bachflower, have been used to relieve stress and emotional imbalance in human and animals for over 70 years.

Bach Flower Remedies for Dogs is a good book if you’re just getting started with the remedies, or if you’d like a great reference book on alternative care for your animal companions.

When your dog is sprayed by a skunk it’s important to act quickly. Having needed supplies on hand for this type of pet emergency is crucial to getting rid of the noxious skunk odor and getting your dog freshened up. Leaving your dog outside until it wears off is not an option! Your dog will need a bath with a shampoo or treatment that will get rid of the skunk smell.

While skunks can be a nuisance to your dog, they are a beneficial part of the environment. Skunks are gentle by nature and according to the City of Dublin, Ohio, 70 percent of a skunk’s diet includes insects considered harmful to humans. They are especially helpful at controlling grubs in lawns and eating black widow spiders.

Things to keep on hand for emergency skunk sprays include:

• Natural teardrop eyedrops (such as Allergan’s Refresh Tears drops – at your pharmacy)
• 1 quart hydrogen peroxide (3% strength – at your pharmacy)
• 1/4 cup baking soda (grocery department)
• 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap (Dawn or Joy work well)

Hydrogen Peroxide Mixture – Mix it when needed and do not store any leftovers. Mix the 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap in an open container. Rinse your dog with water down to the skin. Pour the mixture slowly on your dog and rub it through her fur letting it soak for about 5 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Towel dry gently.

If you’re looking for an effective solution that you don’t have to mix up yourself, Natures Miracle Skunk Remover 32oz works wonders to rid your dog of the oily, icky skunk smell.

If your dog is sprayed by a skunk, follow these steps:

1. Check your dog’s eyes to see if they appear reddened. Skunk spray can cause temporary blindness (15-20 minutes). If your dog appears to have been sprayed in the eyes, use a natural teardrop eyedrops such as Allergan’s Refresh to help wash them out. Don’t use anything with chemicals such as Visine in your dog’s eyes.

2. Wrap your dog in a blanket or towel to transport to the bathtub. Don’t let them roll in the carpet or on furniture! Be prepared to toss the blanket or towel that you used afterwards.

3. Wearing rubber gloves, give your dog a bath using one of the recommended formulas. Take care not to get any shampoo, oils or mixture in your dog’s eyes or mouth.

4. Dry off your dog and provide a warm place to rest after the ordeal of being skunked and having to take a bath!

If you aren’t sure what to do or there are extenuating circumstances, contact your local poison control or your emergency veterinarian to ask questions.  Good luck! Hopefully your dog will learn its lesson quick and you won’t have to do this more than once!

Roxy Looking Up

Dogs accustomed to their owners being home all day can experience dog separation anxiety when left alone. Your dog can become destructive by chewing or tearing up things in the house; barking and howling; or peeing in the house (even though they normally never do).

Anxiety in dogs can take many forms and typically will begin soon after you leave them alone. When you do get home, your dog may follow you from room to room or display frantic behavior when you arrive. Your dog may even refuse to eat when you’re away or when you get home due to stress.

Separation anxiety can be caused by other factors as well such as a traumatic experience (from your dog’s point of view) such as being placed in boarding while you’re on vacation; moving to a new house; or a change in the family such as the loss of a companion animal or family member.

It’s important to remember that your dog isn’t doing this on purpose and that punishment, getting another dog or crating are not solutions to your dog’s separation anxiety.

Instead, try some of these methods recommended by the Humane Society:

• Don’t make a big deal out of arrivals and departures.
• Leave your dog with an article of clothing that smells like you, such as an old T-shirt that you’ve slept in recently.
• Establish a safety cue – a word or action that you use every time you leave that tells your dog you’ll be back.
• Consider an over-the-counter calming product that may reduce fearfulness in dogs.

Your pet sitter, dog behavior professionals, or veterinarian can help you with questions and concerns about your dog’s anxiety.

Thanks for stopping by today and for the loving care you give to your  herbal dog.

Playtime with Roxy

Can you really control your dog or does he control you? Instead of thinking about this in terms of who’s in control, let’s take a different approach. Your dog is a member of the family and is just like a kid. They’re job in life, besides being your very best friend, is to learn how to manipulate the situation.

My dog Pretzel, was a master mind at getting treats when she had to take dog medicine. How can you really control giving your dog medicine anyways! First, I’d start out with the pill in a piece of cheese. She saw right through it, eagerly took the cheese and spit the pill back out. Next, the pill in some peanut butter with the same results, then a piece of meat. Next try the old method of opening her mouth and putting it on the back of her tongue. She had jaws of steel – still the pill landed on the floor. By the time we were through she had a full belly which was her plan in the first place.

Solution – Greenies Pill Pockets to the rescue. Worked every time. Greenies are soft and saturated with flavors like beef and chicken. Put the pill in the middle of the Greenie and your dog will wolf it down. Since my dog was an expert, I gave her a little piece of the Greenie first, then the piece with the pill in it, and last another little piece just for good measure.

Kidding aside, there are situations where your dogs does need to be under control. When you’re on a walk, you don’t want your dog biting people or animals. And your dog needs to be on a leash when outside your fenced yard to avoid accidents. Viciously barking at the neighbors is certainly cause for concern from a liability standpoint.

If your dog is having behavioral problems it’s best to consult a professional dog trainer for help. If you have a new puppy, be sure to invest in puppy training school which is also a lot of fun for both you and your dog.

Whatever you do, enjoy your animal companion as a member of your family. Your dog is a sentient being who will love you unconditionally and without judgment in return for your loving care.

Pretzel Lee

Is your dog overweight? Obesity in pets is one of the biggest problems with dog health today. Dogs will eat anything and a little piece of cheese or cracker that seems tiny to us, is like a whole plateful to your dog’s waistline. Some dog breeds are predisposed to obesity which can develop from a young age.

Dog health conditions and medical problems are greatly affected by their weight. Too many pounds on your dog can overtax their internal organs, place extra strain on their joints and bones, and keep them from enjoying a happy and healthy life.
Your dog is obese when:

1. You can’t feel his ribs
2. She looks like a foot stool (and you use her for one when she sits in front of you!)
3. They can’t go for long walks anymore because they tire easily.
4. You’re having a hard time picking them up.
5. People on the street say, “why is your dog so fat?!”
6. The vet reminds you at every visit, “well, she could stand to lose some weight . . .”

My dog used to beg at the table until she would fall asleep sitting up. She was pretty fat and it contributed to her health issues in her senior years. Try cutting back on the cheese and crackers for your dog and you’ll enjoy extra years with your animal companion at your side.

Take care of your herbal dog and thanks for stopping by today!