Natural Remedies for Healthy Pets

Do you consider your pet a part of the family?  I sure do.  I’m not only concerned with what I put in my children’s bodies, but what goes in my dog’s body, as well.  Would you serve you kids the leftover parts from a butcher shop, give them pesticides or chemicals to eat?  Many times we don’t even consider what we are actually feeding our pets.  Just because an item is labeled for pets, doesn’t  mean it’s actually GOOD or healthy for them.

As a naturopathic doctor and a breeder of Weimaraners, I know about holistic pet care. The health of our dogs is of utmost importance to us, so we use only natural foods and therapies for our dog and puppies. Our dogs are healthy, vibrant and full of life.  I strongly believe that your pet’s health and lifespan are directly affected by what you put into their bodies.

It’s important to know about your options in pet care in order to make the best decisions for your pet’s health and well-being. I believe that “standard” care is causing more harm than good, so in this article I’ll cover natural remedy therapies and alternative pet care.  Most animal diseases and problems can be avoided and treated naturally.

Finding a Holistic Vet

A typical veterinary office is similar to a regular doctor’s office, which essentially practices “Western Medicine” on animals. Drugs, antibiotics and pesticides are their “medicines” of choice.  These treat only the symptoms and do nothing to correct the underlying problem of your pet.

The first and most important thing to do for the health of your pet is to find a holistic vet in your area.  Even if it is a bit of a drive, the natural treatments for your animals are well worth it, especially when it comes to more serious diseases like cancer.  I was lucky enough to find a fantastic holistic vet nearby who has taught me much of what I know today about holistic pet care. She changed our dog’s life after having a bad experience with a standard vet.

You can find a holistic vet in your area by going to the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association website here:

http://www.holisticvetlist.com/#search

The Vaccination Myth

If you take your dog or cat to a standard vet, the first thing they are going to want to do is get them up-to-date on their vaccinations.  However, holistic veterinarians believe that these yearly vaccines can assault your pet’s immune system, bombarding them with a whole host of potential problems and diseases.  Holistic veterinarians state, and science has proven, that most vaccines are completely unnecessary.

Dr. Ronald Shultz, a Veterinary Immunologist and professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, pioneered the vaccine schedule that most holistic vets follow today.  He backs his recommendations with over 25 years of vaccine research. Dr. Shultz states that most vaccines given after a dog’s first year have little or no value and don’t offer significant protection.

Additionally, these unneeded vaccines can cause many adverse side-effects.  Dr. Shultz’s research shows, that if your puppy gets vaccinated at 12 weeks with a booster 4 to 6 weeks later, then he/she is likely immune for life! There’s no need for future vaccinations.

The Holistic Vaccine Protocol

According to Dr. Shultz’s Research, there are only 3 vaccines that are necessary for your dog.

Recommended Vaccines for Every Dog

• Distemper
• Hepatitis
• Parvovirus

The holistic vaccination schedule recommends your dog’s first vaccinations of distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus at 12-14 weeks with a booster of each 4 weeks later.  Most likely no other vaccinations will be needed for the life of your dog. However, your vet can administer a titer test later to measure your dog’s antibodies to see if additional boosters are necessary.

I also recommend giving your dog the homeopathic, Thuja, to counteract the vaccines side-effects.  Give them a 30C dose of two pellets 30 minutes before and after the vaccination.  Follow that with 2 pellets twice a day for the following 3 days.  This will help detoxify your dogs system from the potential dangerous ingredients and their side-effects.

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Your Pet Is Already Vaccinated, Now What?

If you already have a pet that has been vaccinated several times, you are probably wondering what you should do now.  Most likely, they have all the necessary antibodies for those diseases.  If it makes you or your vet more comfortable, you can have your pet’s blood tested to make sure.  Most vaccines, including the rabies vaccine, will keep your pet immune for at least 8 years.

The Rabies Secret

Most holistic veterinarians believe the rabies vaccine is one of the most harmful vaccines to a dog’s system.  However, it is required by law.  The rabies vaccine is available in both one and three year doses.

Here is a little helpful secret.  The 3 year vaccine is not any stronger and is the exact same dosage as the one-year.  Choosing the 3 year rabies vaccine will not only save you money, but will save your dog from the dangers of being overly vaccinated.

Treating Pet Problems Naturally

Even if you feed your dog or cat natural food and avoid over-vaccinating, they can still develop health problems with age, or simply because of a genetic disposition.  I have seen our dog overcome her genetic health predispositions with just a few supplements.  If you are fed up with conventional pet care therapies not working, then this is for you.  Just like our bodies, an animal’s body is designed to heal itself.  Natural supplements help facilitate that healing.

Immune System and Allergies

Our dog’s breed, like many dogs and cats, is prone to allergies.  When your pet has allergies, it is an immune system issue.  The best way to combat it is not with anti-histamines, but with a good immune booster.  There are several amazing immune boosters for pets.  My favorites include: