BESTCITYTRIPS
Dogs are often considered mankind’s best friend, and there’s a reason for that: They are fun, affectionate, dependable, and incredibly loyal. Back in the day, without dogs, many activities would have been much more difficult, and nowadays, they not only support several fields of our society, they have also become companions that are capable of cheering up our lives to great extents.
Sadly, just like human beings, dogs can also suffer from a wide plethora of health complications that can range from physical to mental issues. As their owners, it is our responsibility to ensure that they develop themselves in safe environments where said issues don’t affect them as much, and that is why we might want to always have some pocket money to afford medication and veterinary appointments.
That being said, there are occasions where some of the conditions they deal with can be treated with more simple, affordable approaches. Here’s where some home remedies can become incredibly useful, and in this article, we will showcase some of them and talk about when you should rely on said home remedies, and when to visit a veterinarian.
We will also talk about some of the routinary activities a pet owner should keep in mind to ensure that their pet is as happy and healthy as possible, but before we get into that, let’s talk about some of the conditions that can be treated with home remedies.
The First Step
First of all, identifying the problems dogs deal with, and the ones we can handle by ourselves, is essential for home remedies to work properly. If we don’t identify said problems, we might cause more harm than good, thus, we have to keep a list on the common issues we can deal with home remedies, so we don’t make any mistakes.
Thankfully, the complications that we can handle with home remedies are pretty limited, and they are also very easy to identify as long as you pay careful attention to your dog. Among them, we will showcase the most common ones.
Fleas, the Curse of the Fur
Fleas are probably one of the most common issues most breeds of dogs deal with. That being said, they are often a result of one particular thing: Going outside. The more the dog goes outside and socializes with other pets, the bigger the chances of fleas jumping onto it. Frequently, larger breeds of dogs require more exercise, thus, they are more prompt to having this specific issue.
The most efficient way to identify this problem is by noticing excessive itching and scratching. Dark spots, flaking, fur loss and pale gums are other signs to keep in mind.
Now, some people might not consider this a home remedy, but… The best way to deal with fleas is with impeccable hygiene. By regularly bathing your dog, you will greatly reduce the chances of them reproducing, thus, making it easier for you to get rid of the problem using the other two components.
Salt, when sprayed around the house, is capable of dehydrating and killing the pest. Also, using apple cider vinegar in the dog’s fur with a sprayer wherever you go outside and take your pet to socialize, will greatly reduce the chances of fleas jumping onto it, since they hate it to the point of wanting to avoid it.
A flea comb can be very handy as well, and they are pretty affordable for how useful they can be!
Dry Skin, Very Common in Some Breeds
Dry skin is a very common problem in a lot of breeds, especially the ones that have long furs or have overall sensitive skins. It is also important to note that age and poor nutrition can also cause this.
The best way to handle this is through a humidifier, regular grooming, conditioners, and oatmeal baths. These things can greatly enhance the skin health of any dog, especially the oatmeal bath!
Obesity and Lack of Exercise
A lot of dogs, and I mean a LOT of dogs, do require a constant level of exercise in their lives to be happy and healthy, and as mentioned in this article, it depends on the type of breed and their age. That being said, problems like obesity are not solely caused by lack of exercise, but by a poor diet as well. In fact, diet is often the only reason for obesity, especially if left unchecked for a long time.
The best remedy to handle obesity in a dog is to pay extra attention to their eating habits and whether it is necessary for them to eat as much or not.
By slowly reducing the amount of food you give them, it becomes possible to find the soft spot in their weight, but you need to make sure they are receiving the right amount of exercise so you don’t end up feeding them less in the process.
When to Take Your Dog to the Veterinarian
As we mentioned earlier, there will be occasions where no matter how much of an expert you are when it comes to home remedies and treatments, you will have to take your dog to the veterinary.
It might be a little difficult to know exactly when to take your dog to the vet, but if you follow the guide showcased over https://www.healthline.com/health/9-warning-signs-dog-needs-veterinarian, you’ll have a very solid idea of how to approach the situation.
