There are few things more upsetting than seeing you beloved furry friend in distress, whether because they have fallen ill or because they are struggling emotionally in some way.
While it’s always smart to take your pet to the veterinarian if they become sick, there are some remedies that you can still do at home—before you can make it to the vet, or if there’s not much the vet can do for them.
Today, we’ve put together 5 of our favorite natural, at-home remedies that are sure to have your pet feeling back to their usual tail-wagging or purring in no time.
An improved diet
First, our pets’ diets are an aspect of their wellbeing that far too many pet owners neglect to fully consider.
Pets’ health and wellbeing is just as dependent on the food they consume as humans’ are, and without a well-rounded, nutritionally-adequate diet, your pet may experience malnutrition and become more susceptible to a wide variety of illnesses, from kennel cough to kidney failure.
You can help improve your pets’ wellbeing and provide a natural remedy for a wide variety of conditions by providing them with a more adequate and healthy diet.
- For cats: For your furry feline friends, it’s important that they receive the right balance of protein, omegas, and natural fats. The healthiest cat foods incorporate plenty of fish, as this source of protein is rich in the micronutrients that cats need to thrive. Be sure to supplement dry food with a daily serving of wet food to help keep your cat well-hydrated, and, where possible, avoid all grain in their diet – this is a naturally filler that cats do not eat in the wild.
- For dogs: Your cuddly canine companions also need a healthy source of protein, carbs, and micronutrients in order to keep up their activity levels and prevent any health complications. Just like with cats, you should always supplement dry kibble with wet food. Feel free to feed your dog the occasional cut of fish or chicken, along with healthy veggies like carrots, green beans, and peas. Be sure your dog is getting plenty of water along with their diet, too.
If your pet is suffering from more acute stress, sleep troubles, or painful side effects from medications needed for other serious illness, you may need to look beyond their diets.
Pet-friendly CBD
CBD is great for humans—it provides a natural, calming, and relaxing effect without getting you high like the THC found in ordinary cannabis. And, with many states relaxing restrictions on the herb, CBD products have become more easily available to the average consumer.
Plus, there’s good news: CBD works on pets, too! If your fur baby is chronically anxious, gets stressed out by the sudden appearance of the mailman or guests at the door, or suffers from joint pain due to old age, CBD may be the solution you’re looking for.
However, be sure that you only purchase CBD specifically made for pets. These special recipes ensure that the CBD products do not contain any additives that could possibly harm your pet, and include only the ingredients needed to deliver the pain-relieving essence to your pet.
Of course, once your pet has been naturally relaxed and has their pain relieved through the healing power of CBD, you can think about how you’ll keep them in shape to prevent any future illnesses.
Regular exercise
Just like humans, pets need to exercise regularly in order to prevent many of the illnesses that come with an overly sedentary lifestyle—think heart disease, some cancers, and diabetes. In many cases, the best remedy is prevention, so focusing on your pet’s holistic health through exercise is key.
- Cats can exercise through play, using toys like a feather on a string or toy mice, or by supplying them with equipment like a cat tower. Limited outside time can also be a great way for cats to exercise, but if your cat isn’t used to going outdoors, you’ll want to keep a close eye on them to ensure they don’t chase after a bird and get lost.
- Dogs exercise best through play too, in addition to regular walks. If you own a dog, you should take them on a walk at least once a day, preferably twice. You should also find a lawn to play fetch with them a couple times a week, too.
For serious ailments, of course, you should always take your pet to a veterinary professional—and remember that home remedies and natural supplements can be helpful to a point, too.
