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Whenever possible, we always prefer a natural alternative to harsh chemicals or dangerous ingredients when treating our dogs.
That’s why we love Coconut Oil, Canned Pumpkin, and Diatomaceous Earth – these three natural, safe, and healthy alternatives are proven to work and are completely safe in treating a wide variety of issues, from joint health, to hot spots, to flea control, and digestion, check out these three natural remedies and how to use them.
Up first, one of the biggest trends among dog owners today – and not without good reason!
Coconut Oil
What You Need to Know about Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil offers multiple benefits not just to us, humans, but even to our animal companions as well. When given to your pooch, it can aid in making his skin healthy by clearing up common skin problems like itchiness, flea allergies, fungal infections, eczema, and contact dermatitis. This widespread natural ingredient also helps in preventing dry skin, making your pooch’s coat sleek and glossy, disinfecting cuts, and promoting wound healing. In addition, this natural product can aid in letting your pooch gain better digestion, improved bone health, and superior metabolic function, and even enhanced immune system.
How to Use Coconut Oil:
As a food supplement: When you supplement your pooch’s diet with this ingredient, remember to start slow. Bear in mind that giving your dog too much coconut oil hastily can result in digestive and detox problems. Large amounts of this component can cause diarrhea so begin with small amounts and just increase gradually. A general rule of thumb for the optimal dose for Fido is only about one teaspoon for every ten pounds of body weight daily or about one tablespoon for every thirty pounds. Do not start with these amounts as you commence the change in Fido’s diet though. You can try ¼ teaspoon daily for puppies or small breeds, and 1 teaspoon for large breeds. Just slowly increase the amount after a few days and no problem has occurred. Once your four-legged friend appears to be uncomfortable, lethargic, or has diarrhea, just reduce the amount temporarily. Coconut oil is often best administered with solid or liquid food at any meal.
As a topical treatment for skin issues: In addition to feeding coconut oil to your dog, you can use it as a topical treatment for a variety of skin issues. Dry patches, itchy skin, hot spots, infections, etc. Just rub a generous amount of coconut oil directly onto your dog’s skin. The best part of all – it’s perfectly safe if Fido licks it off.
Up next, another all natural, safe, healthy remedy that EVERY pet parent should keep in the pantry – canned pumpkin!
Canned Pumpkin
What Benefits Fido Can Get from Canned Pumpkin:
Pumpkins are very rich in fiber and even just 2 teaspoons of a canned version of it can aid in your dog’s digestion process.
Canned pumpkin, which is in puree form, contains lots of dietary fiber which can absorb the excess water in your dog’s stool; thus, making his poop more firm. This makes it perfect for when your dog has diarrhea. Interestingly, the same product can treat constipation. Canned pumpkin can also help in softening Fido’s stool and cure his upset stomach in an instant. No wonder, this common item for consumption is regarded as one of the best natural remedies to our pet’s stomach problems. Aside from that, canned pumpkin can also make a tasty, healthy addition to dog treats.
Sample Pumpkin Dog Treat You Can Prepare:
Canned pumpkins are not just rich in fiber, but in some other nutrients as well such as Vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. It’s low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, too! So making treats for Fido with this nourishing ingredient is a good health decision. To give you an idea, why not try the pumpkin dog treat with peanut butter recipe we have found for you below:
· Ingredients: 2 ½ cups of whole wheat flour, 2 eggs, 1 ¼ cups of canned pumpkin (only use the pure pumpkin puree, not the pumpkin chunks or pumpkin pie filling), ¼ cup of peanut butter (smooth or crunchy), ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ¼ cup of water, and additional flour for rolling.
· Instructions: Start by preheating the oven to 350° F, and then placing all ingredients in a bowl. Stir the jumble until thoroughly mixed. After this, add water as necessary to combine all the ingredients. Roll out dough to about ¼ inch of thickness and then cut them using dog cookie cutters. Place the cookies on a greased cookie sheet, ando then bake for about 20 minutes. But if you want a really hard cookie for Fido, you can bake it up to 5 to 10 minutes only. Cool the pumpkin cookies completely on a wire rack or you can leave them in the oven to cool overnight before serving.
And up next, another PAWsome natural pet remedy that’s gaining popularity among pet parents – Diatomaceous Earth!
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
The Advantages of Using Diatomaceous Earth (DE):
Diatomaceous earth is an effective yet inexpensive way of controlling both external and internal parasites in your pooch. It is a safe, non-toxic substance made up from crushed freshwater organism and marine life fossils that could be deadly to any insect but completely harmless to pets. In addition, diatomaceous earth has been found out to absorb toxic compounds and matters like methyl mercury, endotoxins, e-coli, viruses, drug and pesticide residues, and even protein. As a result, this natural remedy has become very valuable as a colon cleanser, detox solution, and digestive aid.
How Diatomaceous Earth Works and How to Use it:
DE is generally a powder made of micro-skeletons of deceased diatoms. It’s mode of action in terms of insect/parasite control is mainly mechanical. Those microscopic sharp edges of powdered diatoms have sharp edges that when comes in contact with the insect/parasite, can pierce through its protective coating. As a result, these irritants and their larvae get dehydrated and die.
When using diatomaceous earth, consider the following guidelines:
· IMPORTANT! Ensure that you use the natural, food-grade DE, not the one used in swimming pools.
· Sprinkle the DE along your pooch’s spine. Massage it along his body as you work your way carefully to his extremities, avoiding your dog’s eyes.
· You can also try spreading some DE on the carpet, brushing it in, and leaving it there for about four days. You can then vacuum it up to get rid of the fleas in the carpet.
· Just repeat the application as often as necessary during an infestation. You should be able to see a decrease in fleas within only a couple of days.
My sister’s dog’s stomach is aching, which is why we’re thinking of bringing it to a pet hospital. Well, it’s also a good thing that you shared here the importance of feeding it with a pumpkin soup because it is rich in fiber. It never occured to me that the said soup contains potassium D vitamin E as well.
Melissa Mellie
says:Thanks for sharing this information. For the treatment of dog’s joint pain, we used the different type of remedies. Coconut oil is the one of the famous remedies which helps to treat the pain easily.
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Janet
says:I think Pamela Small asked a valid question which was responded to slightly sarcastically. To dismiss scientific research is to dismiss alternatives. To presume anecdotal experience, which is important, should not be taken a step further, or to presume big pharma is waiting to destroy that wonderful natural remedy standing in the way of profit is also misleading. There are a lot of claims made for everything someone can make a profit on. i love coconut oil, but is it a wonder cure with no side effects? I checked. there have been studies that mice developed kidney tumors when fed lots of it compared to mice who weren’t. What is lots? Why mice? Good questions, but it does suggest that eating a quarter cup a day or feeding large quantities of it regularly to my pets might not be without risk. There may or may not be studies available on DE beyond anecdotal, which is fine, but if there are any published, i would like to read them to assist my decision. I may still choose to use, as i do with homeopathy for human, canine and feline members of my household, despite evidence to the contrary because i have found it works well, even for my pets, often when conventional methods might not. Thank you for suggested dose of DE, it suddenly dawned on me that my 10 yr old dog’s recent attraction to eating his own shit, first dog i ever had do that, and then eating some soil, might be due to a deficiency, or something, his stools look normal. I am going to give him some DE flour. BTW, not harmful. I mistook it for arrowroot. My veg. gravy was not thickening so i kept adding more, despite my husband’s complaint about the taste. I sat down to eat, and sleuthed out the cause of both was i had been adding DE
Andrea
says:DE is fantastic for humans and canines to consume orally so no worries. I love sushi so I protect my gut against parasites by also drinking DE mixed in water occasionally. Look it up-good for strong nails and beautiful hair.
cathy miler
says:I am sooooo sorry about my long comment about metamucil re-shown three times.
Rosalie–and all those who will see the dog treat recipe which uses peanut butter. I beg, plead with you to please read the Snopes article below before you buy any more peanut butter or any sugar-free item, for it might–and most likely will–contain Xylitol, an extremely toxic, fatal-to-dogs sweetener made from birch bark/resins (but how made is NOT natural). It’s been welcomed by hundreds of diabetics and those concerned about the effects of sugar or sucralose. But Xylitol not a mere sweetener, but a fatal “treat” for dogs.
The biggest problem is that it has migrated from being just in gum (Orbit?) to bags of Xylitol for sale on your grocery’s baking aisle; as a sweetener for most peanut butters!!!!!!! (but not Adams), and a sweetener for most jams and jellies. Xylitol is also in many store bakery products as wells as those from large, commercial bakeries. And many have had questions on Amazon asking if okay to use it to sweeten Kool-aid. Peanut butter, jams and jellies and Kook-aid, the perfect thing for your child, but something easily fed to your dog. Note: no studies on effects on children or cats.
So, please, please read the labels; what might be safe today, might not be tomorrow. Then copy this snopes articles and give to store managers.
snopes.com: Xylitol Deadly to Dogs?
snopes.com
Is there science to your claims about coconut oil? I would never give my dog/cat anything unless I knew that this had been proven. Please advise.
Cathy Miler
says:Pamela, I do know that this is a safe, very effective treatment for many ills–but scientifically proven? WEll, how scientific, if done by pharmecuticals or dog food manufacturers? But, anecdotally, there is a huge amount of evidence that coconut oil works–and I’m a huge fan–both for myself and for my pets. Example: I fostered a rescue dog with sarcoptic mange—horrible face of scabs, sarcoptic mites, ears almost eaten away, horrible stench of rotting skin on forelegs. I did use Revolution after he was through with his heartworm treatments and some sprays, but to rehab his skin, I would massage coconut oil into his skin, everywhere, and put sweaters on him…I began this prior to beginning the Revolution, while he was under heartworm treatment, and within two weeks, his skin was healing, though mites still there.. Within 5 months, he was a healed, fully furred Min. Schnauzer! I use it on almost all my dog’s cuts, pads…and 29 foster dogs cannot be wrong. Proven? well, how proven? Take a look on the internet on good medical sites…Good healing karma to you.
Bobbie
says:No where does this article say to give the DE internally!! Do not feed it to your pet!! I’ve done a lot of internet research on getting rid of fleas and it appears there are two grades of DE. One is for outdoor use such as the garden. The other is safe for use around pets. No other article besides this one has advised actually putting it on your pet. I would do lot more research before actually doing that!
Cathy Miler
says:Bobbie, I know our local cat rescue uses it for an external flea treatment for sick kittens who most likely could not survive other flea/treatments. But, there are two grades, too. I bought 20 pounds on Amazon–smallest amount–food grade. Too much–so called the cat rescue who welcomed it! There’s quite a bit of research about using this on animals.
Cheryl
says:Bobbie, I have given DE to my dogs internally, sparingly and minimally, for control of internal parasites. Internally, it will not fight fleas or ticks. I have also used it externally on my dogs’ skin as a quick kill for fleas when the temperature/climate provided them with an onslaught of the pesky blood suckers.
DE is nothing more than silica, a natural glass-like substance. I have found it can dry a dog’s skin with continual use, which coconut oil then relieves. I believe that with continual internal use, it can cut and scar the lining of the digestive tract. Also, the other “danger” is inhaling it. You won’t find facts on the internet because who wants to use their dog for scientific studies. Plus, big Pharma can’t put money in it’s pocket with DE. They can’t own it.
The use of natural herbal remedies has been used for thousands of years, long before companies created chemicals to control or “cure” ailments and diseases. I am not a doctor. I’m nothing more than a naturalist who believes the earth provides a sustainable healthy life. I have cured my own basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas with natural foods and skin applications. I am currently working on “killing” small mammary tumors in a 7-8 year old female Yorkshire terrier.
You have choices regarding health. It brings to mind the story of the tortoise and the hare – Big Pharma/Big Health being the hare.
Danielle
says:My dog has been struggling with hot spots on the inside of his legs for a couple of weeks. I have been wanting to put coconut oil on them (since it is my go-to for dry skin, I thought of it as soon as they popped up on him, but hesitated, since I wanted to know for certain)… I am concerned he will just sit and lick it off, adding more to the cycle. Coconut oil is like peanut butter to him, and we have been feeding it to him since he was small. I feel like it would be torture rubbing his favorite treat all over his legs and them trying to make him not lick it off! Will it further agitate the hot spots to have the oil applied and then obsessively licked?!
My little boy dog was itching like crazy but he had no fleas so I don’t know what was going on but I rub them down and coconut oil and that fixed him immediately. It’s absolutely a miracle substance
I’ve been wanting to use DE for fleas & parasites, but there is so much contradicting information out there. Everyone is in agreement that it can irritate lungs. So how can it be put on/around animal bedding & left for a few days before vacuuming without risk? Other information states it becomes inactive when wet. Then how can it help kill internal parasites? And at what rate should it be fed to dogs for intestinal parasites? thanks for any further information about this.
Googleit
says:I agree honestly myth it does work internally when wet how else would it assist in disposing of parasites. The lung situation bothers me, NO animal should inhale DE so I find flea prevention placing on coat in contradicting, for that reason I would never use externally unless moist so it won’t be inhaled. You can also buy xtra micro milled fine DE thats what sold at health store I frequent it’s even safer if inhaled. ONLY USE FOOD GRADE ON YOUR PETS PERIOD for flea prevention search pinterest: homemade flea shampoo
Janie
says:My sweet rescue Chihuahua recently had 2 very painful abscessed anal glands, one requirung an expensive trip to the Animal ER. He told me to use a teaspoon of canned pumpkin in his food. So far, my dog does not like it but I just leave his food mixed with the pumpkin there and he eats it. I am hoping this solves the problem. I will also have the vet express his anal gland every few weeks.
Does it have to be canned pumpkin or can I buy it raw and cook it myself?
You can absolutely buy raw pumpkin and cook it yourself! A lot of people just find canned pumpkin easier and more readily available in the off-season. Making it yourself guarantees you know where the pumpkin is sourced and that it’s safe! Go for it!
Cathy Miler
says:Believe it or not, Metamucil (ground psyllium husk–any brand) works just great for dogs whose anal glands clog up often. It does what it does for people: helps make the poop hard/soft enough to cause the anal glands to express. Now, if your dog has infected anal glands or non-working ones, that is another problem and this may not work. Check with your vet.
And it was my vet who suggested it since I was really concerned since expressing can rupture skin and cause septicemia/complications. I bought a small container, finely ground (several grinds) non-flavored and mixed about 1/4 tsp into her food. (she was a small JR, so for a Chihuahua about the same). For three years, no trips to the vet to express, though I had them done after 1 1/2 years and there was nothing.
BEWARE: That stuff is slimy and will clog up your plumbing. I would put some into a small jar with a small spoon which contained about 1/2 tsp, and use that small jar, careful not to spill it and, when rinsing out her dishes, I’d be careful to rinse/clean off well before putting in dishwasher. And then I’d refill, with a paper towel underneath the jar, every month or so.
That caveat noted, Psyllium husk was a most economical, safe, dog-friendly method. BUT, I had to train myself to be cautious about spreading it on counters or floors. And, yes, I also used pumpkin, but it wasn’t “powerful” enough, but a great source of vitamins and fiber as well. No reason not to use both of these–but check with your vet for any underlying anal problems, first. See below about a warning about Peanut butter and Xylitol–if you make those treats.
Cathy Miler
says:Pamela, I do know that this is a safe, very effective treatment for many ills–but scientifically proven? WEll, how scientific, if done by pharmecuticals or dog food manufacturers? But, anecdotally, there is a huge amount of evidence that coconut oil works–and I’m a huge fan–both for myself and for my pets. Example: I fostered a rescue dog with sarcoptic mange—horrible face of scabs, sarcoptic mites, ears almost eaten away, horrible stench of rotting skin on forelegs. I did use Revolution after he was through with his heartworm treatments and some sprays, but to rehab his skin, I would massage coconut oil into his skin, everywhere, and put sweaters on him…I began this prior to beginning the Revolution, while he was under heartworm treatment, and within two weeks, his skin was healing, though mites still there.. Within 5 months, he was a healed, fully furred Min. Schnauzer! I use it on almost all my dog’s cuts, pads…and 29 foster dogs cannot be wrong. Proven? well, how proven? Take a look on the internet on good medical sites…Good healing karma to you.
Betsy
says:I will be getting a puppy in just over 2weeks. He’s going to be 9 weeks old and is a small breed, Cavapoo. At what age can I give any of the three things you mentioned? He’s going to be tiny when I get him and don’t want to give anything before he’s old enough.
Rosalie
says:Is the peanut butter necessary? Can i leave it out? My chiwennie is allergic to peanut butter.
June
says:How much pumpkin is used in the dog biscuits? The recipe states,1&1/4 canned pumpkin? Is that a 1&1/4 cup or a can,if a can ,what size can?
Rosalie
says:It said 1&1/4 cups
M.D Walls
says:Fast Response Requested: I have read several articles online bout the many uses for coconut oil for dog/cat treatments. However, I am not finding what I am specifically looking for. Can coconut oil be used topically for eye infections in dogs? One of my best friend’s has a small mix breed dog he adopted as a stray. She has an infection in her Right eye & it is spreading to her left eye. We are using an eye wash and warm wash clothes to gently wipe her eyes. I was hoping to find a natural home remedy to clear up the infection. He can not afford to take her to a vet. He already has coconut oil, would it be safe & effective to use topically for her eyes?
Try a good quality honey in the eyes. It’s safe, as long as it’s not “grocery store” honey.
Brenda
says:Colloidal Silver, (source naturals is brand I've used for years). Ive used it in the the eyes of cat's, dogs, and my family. A couple of drops for a few days. Research yourself as there are multiple sources for information.
Andrea
says:I agree with the colloidal silver:)
Jamie
says:try using almond butter…I use it all the time…delish…
MissKitty
says:Thanks for the recipe for healthy dog treats… I will try making them soon.. BUT I am going to try using DE for part of the flour.. It sure can’t hurt.. I will let you know how it works out…
Anniejulieb
says:I thought DE was for external use only?
JAMIE
says:I’VE been using it internally & externally for years. I helps my joints, my bowel movements ,my nails, my skin, my hair. I add it to my shampoo. (makes my hair fluffy). I make a homemade deodorant with it, I polish faucets, stove. I have a friend I recommended it to for weight loss. It worked…she thanked me profusely! Beware, you will have to cut your nails more often..It makes them really strong!
Marie Morris
says:Thanks so much gives me a sense of “it’s okay” to give your favorites and wild life the pie you do not want to go to waste….i mean waist
Setsuna
says:They said don’t use the pie-filling pumpkin kind, so I would assume that means a pumpkin pie would not be safe. Use pure pumpkin, just to be sure!
That’s correct! Pumpkin pie (and the cans of filling) contain nutmeg, which is highly toxic to dogs. Pure pumpkin only!
Drslot
says:The de (diatomaceous earth) is not a good alternative for fleas. I tried it. You will have dust everywhere in your home for no reason. Use the canned defoggers made specifically for fleas. (Walmart) While de is ok for other insects like roaches, (put it behind kitchen appliances), it will not break the life cycle of fleas. And be sure your heart worm medication has built in flea control. It’s worth it. Being from the southwestern desert, I didn’t know what a flea was until I moved here. Trust me, defogger and meds, fleas are otherwise impossible to control.
MissKitty
says:Why would you choose poison over natural? This is how I use it.. I mix Borax and diatomaceous earth together and it helps a lot on the dust.. works like a charm to get rid of the little jumpers..
I used canned pumpkin when my dog was constipated. Worked like a charm–and she loved it.
Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats
What’s up, thanks for always the users, I ambition increase many more video clips in hereafter days, admin
Lorilynn
says:I’ve read some of these comments, it seems to me that some of you are feeding your dogs the DE. You don’t feed it to them, you rub it on them!
Sunflowers
says:what is DE
MissKitty
says:You can do both.. it’s perfect for the overall health of your animals.. I put my pooches dry food in a plastic freezer bag, add in the DE and shake.. ever bit is covered.. if he has both normal and DE covered in his bowl he eats the DE first.. you can do like me and add a pinch of sea salt on top at first for flavor.. just make sure extra water is available to drink…
marm
says:My 20 lb min poodle was just diagnosed with diabetes after feeding her baneful salmon (made by purina)for 7 years. Was told it is the highest in sugar, yet all the vets she has been to never once mentioned this. She is now on 4.5 cc insulin 2 x a day and roasted 80% hamburger and chicken thighs with skin and fat. It is the most natural food for dogs.
Question: Our 99 home complex is putting in a dog ?park by a pond frequented by hundreds of geese and no shade. Probably half the homes have pets. What do you think?
Jenny
says:Not sure if anyone clicked through to the link for the Victorias all natural pet health but it did not work and I googled it and the link should be the following allnaturalpethealth.com
Bren
says:I need a flee killer to use out side. I live in Northern Alabama and because of the rain then heat then rain again, I have problems with black ants, red ants, flees, biting flies. What can I use on 1 to 3 acres?
Thanks.
Sarah
says:Beneficial Nematodes are great for gardening, or just to keep the bugs away from you and the furries.
arbico-organics.com
I use canned pumpkin added to my dogs’ food because they both have a disgusting habit of eating the things they make. This stops that habit completely!
Lynda Fullem
says:The dog biscuit says, ” 1 1/4 canned pumpkin but doesn’t indicate the measurement. Is is 1 1/4 cup? 1 1/4 tsp? something else?
Penny
says:You can usually find it at farm or feed stores, and often at nurseries because it also works outside for bugs that eat your garden plants, or chiggers & ticks in the grass. Lots of us also use it sprinkled in the dog food to prevent worm infestation.
Be sure to specify you want HUMAN GRADE DE as the kind used for gardening or swimming pools is toxic. My dogs each get 1/2 teaspoon of DE daily in their dinner.
Sunflowers
says:But what is DE ???
Mark
says:Read the article above…it’s described there in detail.
I knew about the pumpkin when she was bound up I’d give her some and the it was easier for her to poop! As far as the other two, I had no idea about so am glad to know about how they work. Especially the last one D Earth one? Where can you get it and how do you know you’re getting the right kind? Also thanks for the recipe on biscuits!
Theda AskewThey
says:google “Nature’s Farmacy”. They are lovely people and they will have what you need.
Mary Pyper
says:Since using these in combination or alone in my dog’s(4 rescues)food, they look great. Even my dog a w/ sparse,harsh coat for 8 years…now she could be a dog fur model.
Renee Fricano
says:We DE 5 days a week in their food. They have beautiful coats!
tara
says:i don’t think they’re supposed to ingest the de…just topical application…or did i misread the article??
Sunflowers
says:I thought you put it on her coat
Greater article but with the pumpkin you are supposed to only use pure pumpkin not the kind used for making pies.
I’m pretty sure the pumpkin used for making pies is pure pumpkin… or am I mistaken?
Jerilyn Lessley
says:I used a small amount (1/2 t) salmon oil on food twice a day, and 1/4 t turmeric in a treat once a day for my dog with a bad limp. After a month his limp is gone.
Cat
says:Please make sure you are using food grade Diatomaceous Earth.
Tammy
says:Thank you Cat for mentioning that. FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth. You can buy it on Amazon (Cheap) or most health food stores sell it. (more expensive)
pamela
says:I buy my DE at the Tractor Supply Company