There is no right or wrong answer to the question of whether or not to use herbal remedies for puppies. While some veterinarians are open to herbal treatments, others are not. The best piece of advice is to speak with other puppy owners that you trust.
The concept of herbal remedies is based on how veterinarians treat a problem. Those who practice “Western” medicine look at the symptoms and treat to make the symptoms go away. Veterinarians who promote holistic or herbal remedies go beyond just treating to suppress the symptoms. They try to get to the cause of the problem and eliminate it.
In many instances, trying an herbal treatment won’t hurt. However, if your puppy is suffering from a serious illness or is not responding positively to an herbal remedy, seek immediate attention from your dog’s veterinarian.
If you are unsure of a remedy’s compatibility with dogs, research the product before using. There are many good sources of information, including the Internet, veterinarians, reputable breeders, pharmacies that carry holistic medicines for people and health food stores.
Herbal remedies can be used to maintain health and to try to prevent illnesses from occurring. The old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” can often apply to the use of herbal remedies.
Most pet owners who seek herbal remedies for their puppies probably tend to treat themselves with herbal products when possible. They develop a lifestyle where herbal, natural and organic products are items of choice. The same ideas can apply to puppies and other pets.
Holistic veterinary surgeons are becoming much more popular as pet owners seek alternatives to harsh chemicals, pharmaceutical medications and invasive surgical procedures.
Herbal remedies are available in many forms. There are natural oral medicines, external skin and coat sprays, eardrops, shampoos, conditioners, dental products including toothpaste, flea and tick repellents, foods and food supplements and treats.
One of the best ways to introduce a holistic lifestyle is to start the puppy out on a nutritional holistic or natural dog food. There are many brands available and the food comes in canned, frozen, fresh, raw, cooked and dried varieties. In many instances, natural puppy foods will cost more, but it is worth it if it keeps your puppy from developing food allergies.
Alfalfa is an example of an herbal supplement for puppies. It is said to be a good cancer preventative. The sprouts are very nutritious and are said to promote a puppy’s growth hormones.
Including fresh organic raw and/or cooked vegetables into a puppy’s diet can be beneficial and has proven to be a viable alternative to a lot of over-processed cereal products that have proven to be at the root of many puppy and pet allergies.
Another easy and inexpensive means of introducing natural products into your puppy’s lifestyle is to start off with a mild herbal shampoo and conditioner. Why use caustic products when you can use something safe?
When purchasing herbal pet remedies, read the labels! As with human products, the strength and quality of a remedy can vary. Caution should be used because herbal products, although quite safe when used as directed, can be deadly if given in excess.
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