Pet Herbal Info Blog

posted by Tess on Nov 28

Adapted from http://www.animalhearttalk.com/ - Paula Brown

Have a safe place to take your pets

Don’t wait until a disaster happens before you start thinking about where to go. Have a list of pet-friendly hotels and check their policies on size, number of pets. Ask whether ‘no pet’ policies are waived during emergencies.
If an evacuation is ordered, call ahead to make a reservation. Ask friends, co-workers or relatives in the area of they would be willing to shelter your animals in case of emergency. Several pets in one household are most comfortable if housed together but be prepared to house them separately.

Keep a list of boarding facilities and vets in your emergency kit, along with 24 hr contact information. As a last resort, find out if your local shelter or humane society could accommodate your pet in the event of a disaster.

Assemble a portable pet disaster supply kit

Keep it in an easily accessible place. Include medications, medical records(in a waterproof container), insurance documents, first aid supplies as well as Leashes and Carriers that would be necessary to transport your pet.

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posted by Tess on Nov 20

by Annie Berthold-Bond

I dug deep in my herbal formula books for this recipe out of desperation, given that I live in the epicenter of the tick-generated Lyme disease epidemic. I tested the essential oil that is recommended for ticks, Rose Geranium, by putting a few drops—no more!— on our dogs’ collars, to see if it would repel ticks. Lo and behold, we went from 20 ticks a day on each dog, to none. The second best essential oil for repelling ticks is American Pennyroyal (also called tickweed).

* 2 tablespoons vegetable or nut oil (almond oil contains sulfur, a repellent in its own right)
* 10 to 25 drops Rose Geranium essential oil

Combine the ingredients in a glass jar; shake to blend.

* Makes: 2 tablespoons
* Shelf Life: 6 months

Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing, making sure to avoid eyes.

Caution

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posted by Tess on Nov 15

from Cats & Kittens Magazine

Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Rose, Geranium, Lemon verbena, rosemary, neroli and witch hazel are among the more common hydrosols, making them easier for cat owners to find and purchase for therapeutic use.

Chamomile (Roman) Anthemis nobilis: Suggested used: ear cleaning, skin irritations, calming

Geranium/Rose Geranium, Pelargonium x asperum: Suggested uses: tick repelling, deodorizing/perfuming, skin irritations, calming

Go to http://ww&#...ke-Essential-Oils to learn how to make hydrosols.

Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia: Suggested Uses: flea and tick repellent, deodorizing/perfuming, skin irritations, ear cleaning, calming

Lemon Verbena, Lippia citriadora: Suggested Uses: flea repellent, ear cleaning, skin irritations

Orange Blossom/Orange Flower/Neroli, Citrus aurantium: Suggested uses: calming, deodorizing/perfuming, skin irritaions

Rose, Rosa damascena: Suggested uses: calming, deodorizing/perfuming, skin irritations

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officianalis: Suggested uses: flea repelling, deodorizing, stimulating, revitalizing

Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana: suggested Uses: skin irritations, ear cleaning

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posted by Tess on Nov 8

How Low Quality Foods can be Hurting Your Pets

A few short months ago, pet owners everywhere were afraid to feed their pets for fear of what they might be ingesting. Every time you turned on the news, there was an update on the “Pet Food Scare”.

Although the situation has now subsided after more than 60 million bags and cans of pet food were recalled, concerns with production and safety standards were raised regarding the high levels of hazardous food that slipped through to the retail market. The situation caused pet owners to question the quality and safety of even the well-recognized brands on the market.

Disturbing Findings on Nutritional Content

James Morris and Quentin Rogers, two Molecular Biologists at the University of California at Davis, found a lack of information on the bioavailability of nutrients in many of the common dietary ingredients used in pet foods. “These ingredients are generally by-products of the meat, poultry and fishing industries, with the potential for a wide variation in nutrient composition,” the biologists stated.

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posted by Tess on Nov 5

Apart from the difference in frequency, cats and dogs are susceptible to practically the same types of infections of the external ear. For example, cat ear mites maybe a less common occurrence than dog ear mites but when infested, can lead to similar symptoms and develop into serious conditions in both, if not attended to in time.

Minor Irritations - The first sign of discomfort in cats is scratching due to irritation caused by an infestation of parasites or infection due to injury or an allergic reaction. Some of the conditions are a direct cause of excessive scratching and itching when an initial sign of ear discomfort is ignored by cat owners.

Ear Mites - These are small external parasites that look like crabs. Ear mites in cats are easy to eliminate and this can be done simply by cleaning the ear regularly. However, in the absence of a timely intervention they can lead to bacterial and fungal infections. In severe conditions, mites can move further to the inner ear and rupture the tympanic membrane (ear drum). This may lead to seizures and deafness.

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posted by Tess on Nov 2

A healthy skin and a lustrous coat is a matter of great owner pride. It also reflects the internal good health of a pet. Two things are extremely necessary for a good, shiny dog coat - Internal health and external care.

Internal Health

Beauty, as you know, is only skin deep. A strong and healthy body can ensure a healthy skin and, in turn, a shiny coat. Whatever the color or type of coat, proper nutrition is instrumental in improving the appearance of a dog’s coat. There are many branded dog food brands that claim to have adequate nutrients that can help in obtaining a good coat for your pet. You can also choose to give your dog a nutritional coat supplement. These supplements can provide all the specific nutrients that are necessary for a good skin and coat.

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posted by Tess on Nov 1

If your dog shakes his head too often, don’t just shirk it off as a funny habit. Dogs do not shake their heads without reason. If your dog shakes his head too often, you have every reason to suspect an infection in the ears.

Ear infection is common in pets. One of the most prevalent causes of ear infections is allergies. These allergies are caused by wet ears that become damp, hot and humid due to the fact that most dogs have ear flaps that cover the ear canal. Dog ears should be kept dry and should be cleaned regularly to avoid wax build up and excessive hair growth. Ear mites are another major reason for ear infections.

The natural appearance of the cartilaginous structure of the external ear is pink and feels flat when touched. Any thickening indicates presence of an infection. You should be able to see the ear canal clearly. While a small amount of discharge and wax is natural, any abnormal accumulation of debris or a foul odor indicates an infection. A yellow discharge points towards yeast infection and a black debris indicates dog ear mites.

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