Golden Paste
Turmeric – the ‘golden spice’ – has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. It is extremely versatile: it can be consumed in food, as a drink, as a paste, or in capsules or tablets. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in humans, and now it’s increasingly popular as a supplement for dogs.
Turmeric is generally considered safe for dogs, but the dose is essential. Because of the low bioavailability low doses may be ineffective, while higher doses can cause digestive upset. Your careful preparation may be in vain if your dog does not ingest the correct amount. Always make sure that you offer the recommended amount, and that you know how much of it your dog has eaten. One last consideration when choosing between tablets and capsules or paste is shelf life. Golden paste can last for up to two weeks in the fridge, but it must be kept under optimal conditions. Feeding your dog any food or supplements that are out of date can cause vomiting or diarrhoea (or worse). Always check that products are within their date and that they’ve been stored correctly.
What is golden paste?
Golden paste is a formulation that combines oil, water, black pepper, and turmeric into a loose paste that can be given with food. By combining turmeric with fat and black pepper, it aims to increase the absorption of the active ingredients into the body.
The active ingredient in turmeric is a compound called curcumin. This compound is an anti-oxidant, and has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, wound healing and anticancer properties. I’m sure your interest has been peaked by now. Curcumin can help the battle against a variety of diseases like arthritis, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, and gastrointestinal issues.
Benefits of Turmeric for Dogs
Natural detox
Anti-inflammatory
Natural antibacterial
Promotes heart and liver health
Reduces blood clots that can lead to strokes and heart attacks by thinning the blood*
Promotes digestive health
Acts as an antioxidant AND it’s believed to be able to prevent cancer**
Offers allergy relief
Helps to prevent cataracts
Has been used in the treatment of epilepsy
Natural pain relief
Natural treatment for diarrhea
And more (read more at Dogs Naturally Magazine)
Dangers of Turmeric for Dogs
Turmeric is a natural blood thinner. That just sounds all kinds of bad, right? If your dog is on medication that thins his/her blood, speak with your vet before you add turmeric to your dog’s diet.
5 Ways turmeric can help your dog and how it may be an alternative to traditional drug treatments.
Turmeric Can Treat And Prevent Cancer
Cancer is so prevalent in pets and prevention is an area of interest for many pet parents. What we know from research is that inflammation can take your pet down the path to cancer. Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and could stop precancerous cells from becoming cancer by killing the cells and prevent more from developing.
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Treatment
Chronic inflammation is one thing we all need to eliminate from ours and our pets’ lives. It’s the root of a myriad of diseases. Not to be confused with acute inflammation where white blood cells are sent out to heal the body from viruses or bacteria. Chronic inflammation causes cancer, arthritis, allergies, kidney disease, dental disease, and digestive diseases. Turmeric has been proven to be one of the best natural anti-inflammatories.
Relieve Arthritis Pain With Turmeric
Turmeric can decrease inflammation in the body and also relieve the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. This could truly make a difference to any pet suffering from arthritis especially a senior pet.
Treat Gastrointestinal Problems With Turmeric
A healthy gut is crucial to any pet’s health and with turmeric’s anti-inflammatory effects can be effective in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. There are other gastrointestinal disorders that turmeric can help with also.
Replace Steroids With Turmeric
Steroids are prescribed to many dogs for joint issues but can turmeric take their place or work together? The answer is yes. There are studies showing that steroids can indeed be replaced with a turmeric treatment. It’s just as effective as traditional medicine and has the added bonus of your pet not having to experience the side effects of steroids.
Recipe of Golden Paste For Dogs
60 gms turmeric powder
300 ml clean and filtered water
2 table spoon ground black pepper
100 gms organic coconut oil
7 gms Ceylon cinnamon
First up you would need to add turmeric and water in a bowl and cook for 10 minutes at 90 degrees in either microwave or gas top.
Now add rest of the things mentioned above and make the temperature 100 for 5 minutes.
Now it is ready and you may store this in a container and make sure to keep it in a refrigerator.
You would need to make sure that Golden paste should be consumed within two weeks.
Dosage of Golden Paste for Dogs
Small to medium-sized breeds 250 mg 2 times a day
Large to giant breeds 500 mg (about 1/4 teaspoon) 2 or 3 times a day
ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR VET BEFORE USING ANY HERBAL REMEDIES.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth is inert dust harvested from sediments at the bottom of oceans, lakes, and rivers around the globe. It comes from diatoms – a type of single-celled algae with microscopic, beautiful geometric shells made of silicon dioxide. Over millennia, diatoms accumulate in aquatic sediments as fossils that can be harvested and dried into fine white dust, known as Diatomaceous Earth.
Diatomaceous Earth is a non-toxic, safe substance made up from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life. Crushed to a fine powder and observed through a microscope, the particles resemble bits of broken glass.
Parasites DE Will Eliminate
Many internal and external parasites can be controlled and eliminated with DE. Intestinal roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are a few of the parasitic infestations which DE can eliminate. Externally, fleas and ticks can be controlled by lightly dusting the pet’s body with diatomaceous earth. DE is also used in the garden to kill ants, slugs, snails and aphids, among others. A very important benefit with using DE to control insects and parasites is that they have no means to build a resistance to the substance
Internal parasites can be controlled by giving Diatomaceous Earth internally. It is very important to note that it must be food grade – the earth used in gardens and pool filters can damage your dog.
Diatomaceous Earth is safe for humans and for pets.
Another use for Diatomaceous Earth is the control of external parasites and flies. This is achieved by dusting your dog with Diatomaceous Earth, along with his bedding area and surrounding carpeted areas.
Diatomaceous Earth vs Frontline, Panacur, Advantage?
Let’s be fair and objective: whether you decide to preventively treat your dogs (and cats) with DE or with the regular brands with their own formulas, the results will be positive.
Where Diatomaceous Earth clearly wins the battle, if not the war, is that it is completely natural and does not cause as of the latest researches, any allergy or any serious undesired side effect.
Many efficient products can act as tick and flea treatments but DE is a natural one, which can earn the favors of several organic-friendly dog owners.
To use DE as a natural and powerful external parasite control, it is even simpler. Simply rub the powder at full strength into your dog’s coat for parasites and fleas. It is recommended to also sprinkle some on your dog’s bedding, or your sofa.
Formulation of DE
Diatomaceous earth is available in a distinct powder formulation for use internally in humans and animals. Food-grade DE is safe for consumption by pets to aid in worming. Never feed DE in any other form to livestock or humans. Food-grade DE is available at most feed stores and through online retailers. Industrial-grade DE for swimming pool filtration and other uses is also available. However, this formula is toxic and can be fatal if consumed. Be very careful to read the package thoroughly to determine its contents.
Dosing for Dogs and Cats
Because food-grade DE is not a toxic agent, it is very safe to use in the recommend dosage for worming pets, even very young puppies and kittens. The following can be given once or twice daily:
Puppies and dogs weighing less than 10 pounds: .5 to 1 teaspoon.
Puppies and dogs weighing 11 to 19 pounds: 2 teaspoons
Puppies and dogs weighing 20 to 50 pounds: 1 to 1.5 tablespoons
Puppies and dogs weighing 51 to 100 pounds: 2 tablespoons
Puppies and dogs weighing over 100 pounds: 3 to 4 tablespoons
Kittens: .5 to 1 teaspoon
Cats: 2 teaspoons
Administration
DE can be mixed with your pet’s food as a daily preventive to many types of intestinal parasites. Most dogs and cats do not react negatively to the taste or texture of the powder being added to their meals. You should take care to keep yourself and your pets from inhaling DE, as it will cause irritation to the lungs due to its dehydrating effect. Similarly, avoid getting DE on your hands because it can cause severe dryness.
ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR VET BEFORE USING ANY HERBAL REMEDIES.
Natural remedies for minor wounds
To clean a minor wound, you can use a 50-50 mix of green tea and water on a clean gauze pad. “Green tea contains antiseptic properties
Natural remedies for wax in the ears
A dog getting his ears cleaned.
First, sniff and inspect inside your dog’s ear to make sure there are no signs of mites (looks like coffee flakes) or a dirty-sock smell that may merit veterinary care. Make a mixture in a bottle of one-third white vinegar to two-thirds water and a half-teaspoon of isopropyl alcohol. Shake and dab cotton balls with this solution into each ear. If your dog’s ears are not itchy — just waxy — apply almond oil on a clean gauze pad and rub inside the ears.
Natural remedies for dry or cracked paw pads
Unless your dog tolerates commercial dog booties, his paws take a lot of pounding and are at risk for becoming cracked. Dabbing those paw pads with coconut oil or vitamin E oil can naturally restore his paw pads to ideal condition. Coconut oil is also safe to apply on dry, cracked noses, as it acts as an effective moisturizer. For cracked noses, consult with your veterinarian for the underlying cause.
Natural remedies for a dry, flaky coat
.Add some Omega-3 fatty acids to your dog’s diet to restore natural oils in the coat. Look for liquid Omega-3 products that are human-grade and independently tested to be free of mercury and other possible toxins. Check with your veterinarian for best dosage for your dog.
Natural remedies for minor sunburn or hot spots
Apply the gooey gel from an aloe vera plant on your dog’s skin pinkened by the sun’s rays or early signs of an itchy hot spot. Aloe vera acts as a great natural skin soother due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
However, beware that the white sap of an aloe vera plant (called latex) is toxic to dogs. Consult your veterinarian before using any commercial aloe vera creams.
Natural remedies for bad dog breath
After ruling out any serious dental issues like gingivitis or a broken tooth, you can add one to two drops of peppermint or spearmint oil into your dog’s water bowl to freshen up his breath. See more home remedies for your dog’s bad breath right here.
There are many less invasive and more natural alternatives to conventional veterinary products that you might want to try. Here is a list of natural dewormers, from the safest to the harshest. It’s important to remember that some herbal substances can still be harsh on the body, so consult with a good holistic vet or herbalist if using the herbs that come with warnings.
Dog Friendly, Natural Dewormers
The starting point for preventing and treating worms is always a healthy immune system. A balanced intestinal environment prevents disease, including parasite infestations. Recent research has linked gut bacteria to many health conditions and the type and balance of bacteria in the gut can actually influence the lifespan of intestinal worms. Avoiding antibiotics and processed commercial foods – and adding dietary probiotics like Lactobacillus sporogenes – will help maintain the delicate ecosystem in your dog’s gut, making it less habitable for worms.
Garlic
When fed in moderation, garlic can boost the immune system and help fight worms and giardia. A recent scientific study found garlic to be just as effective as the veterinary dewormer, Ivermectin. (Ayaz et al, Recent Pat Antiinfect Drug Discov. 2008 Jun) Give a half clove to two cloves daily, depending on the size of your dog.
Fruits and Vegetables
Adding some of the following fresh foods to your dog’s diet can also help make his intestinal tract less attractive to worms: grated raw carrots, fennel, shredded coconut and papaya.
Pumpkin Seeds
Raw, organic pumpkin seed can help prevent or expel worms. You can feed them as a treat or grind them and place them in his dish. Give a teaspoon per ten pounds of your dog’s weight.
Chamomile
This herb and its cousin pineapple weed can work to prevent and expel both roundworms and whipworms.
.Wormwood
This classic worming herb works on all types of worms including tapeworms. Like black walnut, wormwood’s tannins can be hard on your dog and irritating to his liver and kidneys. The FDA lists wormwood as unsafe for internal use. It should never be used in dogs who suffer from seizures, kidney problems or liver disease and should not be used in pregnant or lactating dams. Wormwood should be given only for a few days at a time and preferably with the expertise of a holistic veterinarian.
Liver Support
If you need to resort to Oregon grape, black walnut or wormwood, it’s important to understand that they can be harsh on the liver. Giving milk thistle seed at the same time can help protect the liver from their toxic effects. Milk thistle is best given in a tincture, starting at a 1/4 teaspoon per 20 pounds of body weight.Grated carrots, watercress, greens, squash, fennel
Any of these veggies added to food can help get rid of worms
1 tsp per 10 lbs of body weight per day
Cucumber
Add grated or chopped cucumber to food, or use fresh carrot, beet, and cucumber juices mixed into food
For the following fruits, give 1 tsp per 10 lbs of your dog’s body weight per day. You can add to your dog’s food or give as a separate snack, maybe with some yogurt.
Pineapple (including the stems)
Full of bromelain, an enzyme that digests proteins
Papaya
Contains papain, another enzyme that can help combat worms.
Pomegranate
Useful in treating tapeworms
Overall, you can give fruit and veggies up to about 20% of your dog’s diet. If your dog’s not used to eating produce, start gradually to avoid digestive upset.
Other Pantry Items To Treat Worms
Beyond fruits and veggies, there are other pantry items that can help get rid of your dog’s worms.
Garlic is safe to give your dog in moderate amounts
Use 1 clove or 1 tsp of chopped raw organic garlic per per 30 lbs of body weight per day
Isn’t garlic bad for dogs? No, it’s actually really good!
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Use raw, organic, unfiltered vinegar
¼ to 1 tsp per day in your dog’s water or food creates a more alkaline digestive system that’s less attractive to parasites
Coconut oil (use organic, virgin coconut oil)
This is especially helpful to eliminate roundworms, which tend to clump together in the intestines and cause an obstruction
Start gradually and work up to 1 tsp per day per 10 lbs of body weight
Parsley
Cook fresh parsley down and strain out the solids, then freeze it into ice cubes
Give one cube daily
ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR VET BEFORE USING ANY HERBAL REMEDIES.
ITCHY SKIN
The good news is that there are many readily available natural topical products that will do the job well. In fact, you may have many of these itch fixes in your home. When you nip the itch in the bud, the problem is most likely to get resolved unless it’s systemic.
- Calendula Officinalis
calendula officinalis
This herb is a favorite first aid treatment among herbalists, and for good reason.
It has an almost magical effect in healing wounds. Calendula has a more powerful ability to hinder bacteria than many antibiotics.
Importantly, it also has the benefit of having an anti-inflammatory effect while it promotes new healthy cell growth. It also helps eliminate fungal infections.
Calendula tincture diluted with water from 1:5 to 1:10 is effective and dependable for the treatment of itchy spots and it can stop a hot spot in a jiff.
You can purchase the tincture of calendula from a health food store or an online herbal or homeopathic supply store. After diluting and mixing the tincture you can apply it with a spray bottle or just pour some on the area and rub it in. - Baking Soda
baking soda
Baking soda can work wonders! It has a soothing effect due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, it acts as an acid neutralizer and creates a more basic pH that truly helps to relieve itching. It’s easy and effective.
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a little water to make a paste. Place the paste on the areas that are itchy or reddened. Leave the paste on for a few hours. Then wash it off.
You can also make a baking soda spray by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with eight ounces of water. Place in a spray bottle and use when necessary. Shake before using.
The paste solution very helpful with dogs who have itchy, irritated feet. Put the paste between their toes and on the tops of their feet. Baking soda is safe if it dries and falls off on your carpet and can be vacuumed up easily. - Aloe Vera
aloe vera
There’s a real difference between the gel you can buy in the store and the live plant. The live plant has important enzymes that last for less than three days in the refrigerator.
Those special enzymes are not present in bottled gel. Importantly, these enzymes are incredibly powerful and work rapidly to heal itchy skin.
Each aloe leaf contains a jelly-like substance, which rapidly regenerates damaged tissue. This plant increases the rate of healing in the cellular matrix and decreases inflammation. It also has antibiotic and coagulating agents in it.
You can find aloe plants at plant nurseries; they need little care to maintain in your home. Place a terra cotta pot with an aloe vera plant on your window ledge and it will always be available to you.
Fresh aloe gel can be obtained by splitting the leaf. Use the hard cuticle of the leaf to apply the green tinged clear jelly that’s inside the leaf to itchy areas.
It can also be used for wounds, fungal infections and insect bites. If you cut a leaf and use part of it, store the rest of it in the refrigerator. Again, after the leaf is cut, the ingredients remain active for less than three days. - Witch Hazel
witch hazel
Witch hazel, also known as winter-bloom or spotted alder, is a flowering shrub common in North America.
The leaves, bark and twigs of witch hazel are high in tannins. Tannins are found in any natural astringent because of their ability to tighten, dry and harden tissues.
The witch hazel liquid easily purchased for just a few dollars at any drugstore is actually a steam distillation of the bark, leaves and twigs of the shrub itself.
When applied directly to the skin, witch hazel helps reduce swelling, repair broken skin and also fights bacteria.
Some wonderful things about witch hazel are that it’s 100 percent natural, smells fresh and doesn’t stain furniture or carpets when you apply it to your dog.
Simply soak a cloth or cotton ball with witch hazel and rub it on your dog’s skin. Witch hazel works awesomely for soothing itchy skin.
It’s also great for itchy paws. You can put some in a plastic bowl and dip your dog’s feet in it and then pat dry.
While not every one of these remedies will work perfectly on every dog, there’s a very good chance that most of them will work on most dogs. If one solution isn’t effective, don’t hesitate to move to another one.
You probably have some baking soda at home already, and it’s easy to find the other products so you can stock up.
If your dog tends to get itchy spots in the summer, I would suggest having some of these solutions on hand and ready to go in your first aid kit. Whatever’s itching him, the trick is to nip it in the bud.
1 Vitamin E will work on your dog’s dry skin just like it works on your wrinkles. I like to break open a capsule and rub the oil directly on my dog’s dry, itchy areas. Not only does the oil feel good to her, but also the massage action warms her muscles and helps the Vitamin E penetrate faster to problem areas.
- Yogurt Feeding your dog plain, low-fat yogurt keeps the good bacteria in your dog’s intestines in balance and helps keep yeast infections at bay. A little bit of yogurt in your pet’s diet is not only a healthy treat, but can boost the immune system so that skin and ear yeast infections can’t take hold. When my itchy dog was a puppy, I would give her a teaspoon of yogurt daily to help build immunity and prevent diarrhea. Alternative- Feed your dog a grain-free food with probiotics. We recommend the one from Nulo
- Chamomile tea & Herbal Tea soaks, chilled in the refrigerator, can alleviate any minor skin irritations when sprayed on sensitive, itchy spots. The chilled tea kills yeast and bacteria on the skin and relieves inflammation. When my itchy dog starts gnawing on her paws, I like to either spray them with the chamomile or just have her soak her paws in a small tub of the cold tea. Warm chamomile tea bags can soothe itchy, irritated eyes for both you and your dog. You can also try green tea and calendula. Read more about preparing foot baths
- Ground oatmeal poured into a bath or a shampoo, is an age-old remedy for itching, inflamed skin. You can either use the baby oatmeal cereal found at your local grocery store or grind it yourself in your food processor or coffee grinder. Your dog will love sitting in a warm bath containing oatmeal because it brings immediate relief to irritated area. Alternative- buy colloidal oatmeal shampoo and conditioner all ready mixed and ready to go.
CBD Oil For Dogs
- CBD Oil –It naturally helps reduce inflammation in all parts of the body, which can reduce the symptoms irritation and itchiness. In addition, it helps reduce a dog’s anxiety and calms them. Many times dogs work themselves into a frenzy with the constant scratching. CBD oil can reduce this. To learn more about this new holistic oil that’s exploding in popularity, visit our recommended brand CBD Dog Health.
- Epsom salt soaks and heat packs can reduce the swelling of itchy paws and inflamed sores. A bath of warm water and Epsom salt also speeds up the healing time for any small, open sores, particularly when combined with veterinary antibiotics.
- Evening primrose oil, an essential oil,has active anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties. You can apply primrose oil directly to your dog’s skin to treat dry or itchy skin issues. Likewise, giving your dog evening primrose oil by mouth helps calm allergies and boosts the immune system – and it only takes a few drops on her food or in her water to do the trick.
- Treats with supplements What dog doesn’t love a meaty treat? (All dogs everywhere!). Look for treats that contain ingredients like omega fatty acids which are really good for a dog’s coat and immune system. We recommend these treats developed specifically for skin & coats
- Essential Oil Shampoo – Add a few drops of eucalyptus or pennyroyal essential oil to natural shampoo or castile soap. Rinse your dog with clear water. Rinse again with vinegar-water (1 tbsp. to 1 pint warm water). This easy-to-make shampoo and rinse removes soap residue and prevents the dandruff that can result in itchy skin. Alternative: Buy a an all natural eucalyptus shampoo that’s already mixed and ready to go. make sure that it’s real eucalyptus essential oil, and not a fragrance.
- Natural Skin Tonic – This lemon-based tonic not only repels fleas, it works as a general skin toner for itchy pets. Thinly slice a whole lemon, including the rind, and steep it overnight in a pot of boiling water. The cooling water draws out d-limonene, vitamin C, and other healing ingredients found in the whole lemon. The next day, sponge it on your dog’s skin and let the solution air-dry. You can use the lemon tonic daily for cases of heavy flea infestation. Alternative: targeted anti-itch sprays made with essential oils and herbs that can focus on specific itchy spots on your dog and bring immediate relief to irritation and inflammation.
- Feed your dog coconut oil – Every night I mix up my dogs food with some coconut oil. In the summer it’s really easy because the oil is liquid due to the hot weather. In the winter it solidifies so you have to microwave it a few seconds before putting it on your dog’s food. Coconut oil is excellent for your dog’s coat and general health. You don’t need a dog specific coconut oil, a high quality human brand will do. You can also checkout treats that have the coconut baked right in.
ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR VET BEFORE USING ANY HERBAL REMEDIES.