Herbal remedies for dogs

With pet owners being aware of harmful side effects of prescription drugs, they are now investigating herbal remedies for dogs. Since herbs were the first medicines humans used to cure their aches and pains, not to mention that herbal remedies have stood the test of time to be safe for humans and now dogs as well.

A large majority of the time, herbal remedies are used to treat some kind of arthritis. Some of those herbs include: boswellia, devil’s claw root, feverfew, and yucca. There are others however, such as dandelion and nettle that have a more general healing power.

Boswellia is the gummy resin of a large tree in India. It has been used for a long time in India to treat osteoarthritis, certain types of rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lower back pain.

Devil’s claw root, is found in southern Africa mainly. It has been tested and proven to be effective at reducing inflammation and swelling caused by arthritis. It is a very popular treatment for arthritis in Europe.

Yucca is native to deserts of southwestern United States. Yucca contains a therapeutic compound that studies have shown to be effective in reducing arthritis symptoms in humans such as stiffness, pain and swelling, and is now considered an alternative treatment for pets.

Feverfew is a member of the sunflower family, and is native to southeastern Europe. It has been used for centuries as medicine. In humans, it is mainly used to treat migraine headaches. However, it is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, since it has an anti-inflammatory.

Nettle is considered one of the herbal remedies for dogs because it is packed with nutrients which include: vitamin A, beta-cartone, B-complex, vitamin C, and vitamin D. It is considered a powerhouse because it also contains minerals such as: magnesium, calcium, phosphors, potassium, and iron. It helps to relax muscles, and has a history of use in human medicine, and is suggested in animals also.

Dandelions can be found just about anywhere and are high in lecithin which has pain reducing elements, and therefore can be used as a mild painkiller. Some pet owners dry the flower, and sprinkle on their dog’s food, however, you do not want to use if the flower has pesticide on it, as this can be harmful to your pet.

Before starting any herbal remedies for dogs, always consult with your veterinarian or an alternative-medicine practitioner who specializes in pets.