Herbal Remedies for Cats The number of cats in households has grown drastically over the last decade with many pet owners optioning for smaller pets that require less maintenance. But one thing is for sure from time to time your pet/pets will get sick and require treatment, and yes, there are times when the veterinarian will be the best choice. That said, there will be other times when herbal or homeopathic remedies can be a safe and effective choice worth considering. A few reasons for opting for herbal remedies for cats are their effectiveness, lack of side effects, and their ability to boost immune system function. Additionally, some would argue that since cats have naturally sought out plants for thousands of years as a way to replace lost nutrients, regulate digestion, and soothe stomach upset not only are the most natural choice but the best choice as well. Others might argue that blending the use of herbal remedies and fast acting pharmaceutical solutions, such as antibiotics, is a better option since herbs generally work slower but may produce longer lasting results. Why don’t we take a few minutes to walk through four ways herbs can benefit your cat. Urinary Tract Infection Infections of the urinary tract are the most common reason for veterinary visits according to one pet insurance study. While antibiotics are generally the best way to treat an urinary tract infection herbs and homeopathic ingredients can be very helpful for prevention, reducing the incidence of recurring infection, and curing infections of the urinary tract when/if antibiotics have failed to provide the expected result. Uva-ursi is the most useful herb in treating cat bladder infection because of its antiseptic and diuretic properties. Astragalus is another herb sometimes mentioned. Astragalus is a powerful multi-use herb that works primarily by boosting immune system function. Homeopathic ingredients which have shown to produce good results in the treatment and management of urinary tract infection in cats are Berberis vulg, Cantharis, and Staphysagris. Anxiety Our feline companions can become quite nervous especially is their environment has been changed or modified in some way. Some herbal treatments that naturopathic experts favor for reducing cat anxiety are lemon balm, oat straw extracts, chamomile tea, and valerian root. And yes don’t forget about catnip which is known for relieving cat anxiety. Skin Conditions There are no shortage of herbal remedies to treat common skin problems such as allergies and sensitive skin. Fleabites are always a concern and can cause allergic reactions in some cats. Topical application of aloe vera to bites or itchy spots is a simple inexpensive way to provide your cat with relief. If you want to add a little extra pungent punch to your new found topical remedy for skin irritation mix in a little garlic juice. Garlic is a natural antibiotic that will fight off any infection and the vitamins C and E found in abundance in aloe will soothe irritation and promote healing. Additionally, some cat owners may want to take it one step further by adding a dash of peppermint due to its analgesic and antibiotic properties. Digestion As our cats age their ability to digest food and eliminate waste decreases. Many pet food manufacturers have recognized this and developed specialized food choices especially for easy digestion. That said, cats have been munching on grass for years to help with stomach upsets and digestion much to the chagrin of their owners who have the honor of cleaning up after them when they eat something that fails to agree with them. A couple of herbs that help with cat digestion are ginger root and slippery elm bark. Other herbal remedies for cats that can be used for digestive concerns are caraway for diarrhea, dill for nausea, and parsley for constipation. In conclusion we have just scratched the surface in discovering more about herbal and homeopathic remedies for cats. If you would like to view a full list of herbal and homeopathic remedies for cats Click Here. |
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