Natural Cures

your resource for holistic living in
Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois

animal care picture of family with dog

natural cures for your pet can save you money

By Marie Boyum

Our animal companions are an important part of our families. Pet food scares and rising veterinarian costs make natural options even more appealing, but do you have the time to create natural cures at home? It is far easier and quicker than you may think, plus the amount of money you save is well worth the small amount of time it takes. Your pet will also truly appreciate that you cared enough to take the time to offer him or her a natural approach. Below are holistic recipes and tips that give you and your pet a non-toxic way to assist with health issues. They are not, however, intended to replace proper veterinarian care.

EAR WASH - It is important to keep your pets ears clean and free from infection. Long and floppy-eared dogs are especially susceptible. Most of the pet ear washes that are available at the store contain harsh ingredients. For a safe, quick and easy ear wash method, use hydrogen peroxide. Squirt into the ears and let them shake out the excess – the same as with the purchased varieties. Many of the ear wash bottles from the store have a removable cap so you can rinse it out and reuse the package. Otherwise, empty bottles with tapered ends can be purchased from health and beauty departments or beauty supply stores (bottles meant to be used for hair coloring).

HERBAL FLEA WASH - For a safe, herbal flea wash, add one cup rosemary (fresh or dried) to 4 cups of boiling water. Cover and let sit until it cools, then strain. While the mixture sits, bathe your pet. After the rosemary water cools, pour it over your pet and massage it in. Do not rinse; leave it on and allow it to dry.

MUCUS-REMOVING TONIC - Pet and farm animals benefit from a mucus-removing tonic. To make, put 2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in 1 cup of boiling water and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain and add to their drinking water.
MASSAGE - Another important way to maintain good pet health is to give your pet daily massages. It not only aids in bonding with your pet, but also allows for you to do body scans for anything that may feel out of the ordinary. Just as with people, our partners tend to find lumps or areas that feel irregular to us much quicker than our doctors. As you sit and relax, run your hands over all areas of your pet’s body and lightly massage. If you feel anything unusual, or they react differently to an area than before, you may wish to have it checked out by a veterinarian.

HERBAL ITCH RELIEF - If any “hot spots” are felt (meaning areas that your pet is licking, chewing or scratching to the point where the area is warm and/or red), you can try an herbal remedy before taking them to the vet. Mix equal parts of olive oil, oil of thyme and several drops of honey (use only honey from local farms – honey is a natural antibiotic and most commercial grade honey producers add sugar water, making the healing properties of little or no value). Apply to the hot area with a cotton ball. This will stop the itching and prevent infection.

WINTER PET BATH - Worried about pet baths in the winter? Here’s a great herbal dry shampoo recipe! Split a vanilla bean and place it in 4 cups of cornmeal. Place the cornmeal mixture in a tightly sealed container for one week. Sprinkle the mixture over your pet and massage it in, then brush it out thoroughly. (They will stand for this far more readily if they are used to their daily massages and will see it as a treat to get an ‘extra’ massage that day – who wouldn’t like that!)

HERBAL CATNIP AND MOUSE BAIT - The herb Valerian acts like catnip for cats and, since mice are also attracted to it, can be used as mice bait (hopefully used with a live trap.) Valerian calms most animals and, once an animal becomes settled (especially cats), they generally become playful.

NATURAL FLY REPELLENT - Sweet basil is a natural fly repellent and can be boiled into a tea and sprayed on animals bothered by flies. You may also wish to plant sweet basil near entryways to prevent flies from being near and possibly entering your home or barn.

Other thrifty and fun things for puppies, kittens and cats are recycled items from your home used as toys. They may not last extremely long, but since they would normally be thrown away anyway, there is no cost and it is a win-win situation. Due to the nature and size of the items, it is recommended that you monitor play with these toys. Milk caps and rings, old thread spools and cotton balls (especially for kittens) make great chase toys (they work best on hardwood or linoleum flooring). Additionally, washed out 2-liter soda bottles and milk jugs also can be a big hit (and sometimes a big noise, but the fun they have will be worth it!)

As the old saying goes “nature knows best”. It is a code that animals have followed since the beginning of time and has always worked for them in nature. Things seem to work best for us also when we “don’t mess with Mother Nature”, so try the natural approach to health care, save some money and possibly our pets health as well.

Marie Boyum, owner of Sacred Animal Spirit,
is an author and animal communicator.
She may be contacted at
(262) 939-4964 or visit her website at
www. sacredanimalspirit.com