Natural Remedies for Pet Problems

By Cindy Nelson

I have been a pet owner for more than 35 years and I have always wondered why people choose products to use on their pets that contain chemicals that are harsh on the pet's liver, skin and kidneys rather than the more natural, safer options.

I know there are a number of companies that offer products made with safe ingredients, and the company I represent is one of them. I thought it might be a good time of year to address how to incorporate these products into your home for the sake of your pets.

Melaleuca alternafolia oil is a very powerful tool when dealing with minor first aid applications. Due to its power, it is necessary to dilute the melaleuca oil with a carrier oil (ie: coconut oil, jojoba oil or olive oil); we prefer olive oil as it is heavier and has good anti-fungal properties.

Skunk / Fleas / Ticks / Leeches: Has your dog or cat ever been skunked? If they have, you know how hard it is to get the odor out of their fur. Some people swear by tomato juice, but another option is sodium bicarbonate (3-4 Tablespoons) in a tub of warm water and wash the pet with shampoo containing a very high concentration of melaleuca alternafolia oil - we use T36-C5 ®. In our house we use Naturals Melaleuca ® Oil Shampoo or Antibacterial Liquid Soap, which both contain the natural oil. It is necessary to leave the product on the fur for a few minutes and then rinse. Repeat if necessary   -   the longer the pet has the odor on it, the harder it will be to get it off! Ticks and fleas are repelled by Naturals Melaleuca ® Oil Shampoo. To remove an embedded tick, use melaleuca alternafolia oil at the site of the tick. Without pulling, take a tweezers and pinch the tick, after a few minutes the tick will usually let go and back out. (Be sure to use gloves to avoid
Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever).

Abscess / Splinters / Paw Abrasions / Mange / Insect Bites & Stings: When defending their territory against other animals, dogs can get a puncture wound. The best way to treat such a wound is to dab the abscessed area with a strong antiseptic mix of 5-10 drops of melaleuca alternafolia oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil. Usually the animal will not lick it due to the taste of the melaleuca oil, but keep them from licking the wound for at least 30 minutes. Apply for seven days after the abscess bursts. Any time you are trying to avoid an infection or are attempting to calm swelling for any of the previously mentioned conditions, you will want to apply a high-quality of melaleuca alternafolia oil mixed with a carrier oil. The process of using melaleuca alternafolia oil is simple, natural and painless and can usually heal the area in about 5-7 days.

Most dogs will respond to these natural therapies, but continue to watch them to ensure their condition is improving. Natural is always best, but if your pet is not getting better or the area is getting worse, contact your veterinarian immediately.