The San Francisco Chronicle recently published a great article on 10 holistic treatments for pets, and I thought all of you wouldn't mind trying some of these techniques yourself.
WARNING: Talk to your vet first, make sure your pet's health problems aren't the result of something more serious. These holistic medicines are meant for mild sicknesses like treating the common cold or car sickness.
1. Peppermint and catnip
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and catnip (Nepeta cataria) both treat nausea and car sickness.
Peppermint: Can also regulate peristalsis, thus it can help with irritable bowel syndrome, and even some symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. It is also good for pets with reflux, because it relaxes the esophageal sphincter.
Catnip: It not only gets your cat high, but it helps them digest food! ( just kidding, side note: 20% if cats do not a buzz of catnip.. sucks for them!)
2. Medical grade honey
Use an FDA-approved bandage containing medical grade honey for drug-resistant infections.
3. Glucosamine supplements
To treat arthritis.
4. Acupuncture
Can treat a number of things, from arthitis to stress, and some even use it to lose weight!
5. Diet
Many diseases that animals are genetically predisposed too can be fought agaisnt with the proper diet. It is best to consult your veterinarian and to research your pet to see what are the best diet for your furry friend.
6. Saw palmetto
If your dog has benign prostatic hyperplasia Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) has an immediate and dramatic effect on any and all symptoms, even including bleeding, associated with this condition.
7. Exercise
You know why this is good, no explanation needed.
8. Cranberry extract, d-mannose
If you pet is prone to bladder infections cranberry extract is the best way to prevent NEW infections. Cranberry extract can not treat an existing infection!!!
9. Slippery elm
Slippery elm (Ulmas fulva) is pretty much a wonder-substance for diarrhea, loose stool, nausea and other digestive upsets. This is actually a food rather than a medicinal substance, and there are no contraindications to its use.
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