Looking after a much-loved dog is a massive responsibility. Their health and happiness are quite literally in your hands, and dogs cannot communicate to their owners when something is amiss. Therefore, it is up to you, as the owner of a dog, to be vigilant in looking out for any illness that may arise and to then make an informed decision as to the correct course of action.
Of course, not all ailments require rushing your canine companion to the vet, any more than we would rush to the doctor for a case of dandruff. In this instance, it is often worth trying a natural remedy to alleviate any discomfort and keep your dog healthy.
Here are some common minor ailments that may crop up and what you can do to help them heal at home.
Dog Gas
All dogs will experience flatulence to a certain degree, but particularly pungent, persistent gas can indicate a dietary issue and should not be ignored. Before you rush to veterinarianfriscotx.com for their advice, try making some changes to your dog’s diet to see if this can resolve the issue naturally. You could try swapping your dog to a raw or BARF diet, although you should do the necessary research to ensure that their dietary needs are being met before going down this route.
Another option is to add probiotics to your dogs’ diet and digestive enzymes or a dollop of natural yogurt to their meals. If the problem persists, then do seek the advice of your vet.
Bad Breath
The most important thing to rule out with bad breath is tooth decay, so make sure you carry out an inspection of your dog’s teeth. Beyond that, a straightforward step forward would be to give your dog treats that are designed to freshen their breath and clean their teeth.
Cracked Paw Pads
Dogs can quite often get dried, cracked paw pads, and while this is often harmless, it can lead to serious infections and should not be ignored. Happily, the simple solution to this is to apply some coconut oil to the pads and leave that to do its magic. Be aware that once your pooch starts walking about, they will leave greasy paw marks all over your floors, so it is probably best to apply this treatment at bedtime.
Ear Wax
Dogs can often get dirty, waxy ears that require cleaning, and this can easily be done at home using two-thirds water to one-third white vinegar and half a teaspoon of isopropyl alcohol and some cotton wool pads.
However, before doing anything, you should check for ear mites or any foul smells coming from your dog’s ears that may indicate an ear infection, in which case they will need veterinarian attention.
Dry Flaky Skin
Dry, flaky skin can occur after too much washing or after the use of chemical-laden shampoos. The good news is that it is simple to restore your dog’s natural oils with a diet that is high in Omega 3. Try adding oily fish such as salmon or mackerel to your dog’s diet.
