NATUROPATHY FOR PETS
Animal Naturopathy is an alternative form of healing using only natural, non-invasive, drug-free methods, to prevent and treat illness in animals.
Different modalities such as Homeopathy, Herbal medicine, Flower essences, Mineral Therapy, Massage, Nutrition, or any combination of these may be used in the treatment, depending on the particular animal & the condition being treated.
Some of the many conditions that can benefit from naturopathic treatment are:-
Skin disorders such as eczema, flea allergies, mange, warts, and ringworm. Ear problems, mites and infections, eye discharge, arthritis, allergies, fleas and ticks, kidney, heart, and liver problems, chronic infections, digestive problems, abscesses, parasites (worms), furballs, gum disease, excess weight, and behavioral problems.
Diet is extremely important in maintaining optimum health for all animals, and dogs and cats are no exception to this, especially when many are fed on a totally unnatural diet of highly processed canned and dried food. It is not uncommon for some dogs and cats to have never eaten any fresh food at all. In the wild, both dogs and cats would live solely on fresh RAW food. It is totally natural for them to eat raw meat and bones, and they will be much healthier than when fed processed foods. I have also found that animals fed on a 100% raw food diet have fewer intestinal parasites, healthy, strong teeth and gums, shiny coats, fresher breath, and less ‘doggy’ smell than those on processed food.
Dogs and cats are carnivores, so their diet should consist of fresh, raw meaty bones with finely minced vegetables. Don’t make the mistake of feeding only meat to your dog or cat, as this is unbalanced and will lead to health problems!
Animals generally respond extremely well to natural therapies. But most importantly, they are totally safe and non-toxic. All animals can benefit – dogs, cats, horses, goats, sheep, cows, birds, guinea pigs, chickens, and fish!
Naturopathy involves treating the whole animal, rather than just the symptoms, to balance and improve the animal’s overall health, and not just the current ailment. Consultations involve taking a complete history of the pet’s diet, medical and health status, and providing details of recommendations along with any therapies that may be indicated.
Natural Worm Control
Most domestic pets have intestinal worms, so periodic worming is necessary to keep these parasites under control because if left untreated it can lead to health problems.
Classic signs of heavy worm infestation are weight loss, increased or decreased appetite, poor coat condition, anemia, diarrhea, blood or mucus in stools, potbelly or the animal may just appear unwell. In many cases, they do not show any symptoms, but it is still advisable to worm them before problems arise.
Good nutrition is the best preventative, and diets high in processed food (canned and dry food) can actually increase the number of worms your dog or cat gets.
Horses & other farm animals that are grazing on sick pastures (from insufficient paddock rotation) will suffer from repeated worm problems, which can weaken their health making them more susceptible to more serious health problems. The use of chemical drenches is not a long-term solution to the problem, as these drugs will also weaken their health. Good farm management is really the first step to keeping your livestock’s worm count down. The correct mineral levels in the body are extremely important for good health and increased resistance to worms.
Worms are parasites that feed off waste, so by keeping their digestive tract clean, they will have fewer problems than those who eat ‘junk food diets. Periodic fasting (one day per week) and using specific products are ideal to effectively keep the digestive tract clean and healthy.
It is preferable that you feed meat from a reputable source, human-grade meat is best as it has been inspected for parasites.
The following foods help to expel worms –
- Grated raw carrot
- Pumpkin seeds and Sesame seeds(ground)
- Garlic crushed, dried or aged liquid extract
- Paw paw (papaya) seeds
- Melon, grape and nasturtium seeds
- Figs, grated fresh coconut
- Apple cider vinegar
Try adding one or two of the above to your pet’s meals on a regular basis to keep worm numbers down.
Chemical worming treatments can be quite toxic. Some animals have died after taking these drugs.
The best time to worm your pet is on the full moon, this is when the parasites are most active and easier to eliminate from the body.
Some of the products available for treating and preventing worms for animals are –
Homeopathic Worming: These can be given orally or added to your pet’s drinking water daily.
Herbal Compound Tablets are safe, effective alternatives for treating all intestinal worms without harming your pet’s health.
Bulk dried garlic granules are also available to mix into feed daily to help deter internal & external parasites while maintaining optimum nutrition and health.
We also now have herbal tinctures that are easy to use for dogs, cats, birds, and all farm animals. Contact us for details.
For further information concerning any pet health concern, or if your pet suffers from an adverse reaction, please contact us or a holistic animal practitioner in your area.
