Summer is already here! Along with it come different kinds of allergies, rashes, flea, and dry skin. Your pet, both canine and feline, could face different kinds of allergens in and outside the house! The best way to prevent this is to prepare possible home remedies.

 As admitted by many pet owners, their pets end up consuming chemicals such as plant fertilizers and defrost toiletries and human pills. Such accidents may require immediate medical attention from a professional veterinarian. In common cases such as allergies, rashes, and flea bites, a pet owner can diagnose the conditions and administer homemade remedies accordingly.

 Get in touch with Urban Pet Hospital, the best pet hospital in Des Moines to find possible home remedies for allergies, rashes, indigestion, flea and tick, and other problems.

Home Remedies for Common Pet Problems

Here are home remedies for some of the most common pet problems. 

FLEA INFECTION

• A mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and Salt can make an effective flea spray. Dilute 6 cups of apple cider vinegar with 4 cups of water, and then add a dash of sea salt. You can spray the mixture directly onto your dog's coat.
• You can place a flea collar in the bag of your vacuum cleaner. This way, any fleas you sweep up will remain inside.
• Flea collar is sprayed with insecticides. If you resist using insecticide, you can use active ingredients such as cedar, lemongrass, rosemary, and marigold. This will help deter them.
• A regular flea bath to your dog during spring, summer, and autumn with limonene shampoo, and flea-comb will help prevent any flea infection.
• Add a teaspoon of vinegar to each quart of the animal’s drinking water. It acts as a flea deterrent and it helps keep pets free of fleas and ticks.
• As an organic approach, you can stock your garden with off-leaf larvae-eating nematodes. These can help to bring down your Japanese beetle population.
• To keep your home free of flea, you can consider spraying your window and door screens with distilled water containing several drops of bitter orange essential oil.

ITCHINESS & DRY SKIN

Dry skin and itchiness are common in pets during spring and summer. During summer, you must restrict your pet from staying outdoors for a long period of time.

 An Oatmeal bath is one of the most common and effective home remedies to prevent itchiness. Prepare a bath by adding uncooked oatmeal or rolled oats into a sock or nylon stocking. Run a tubful of warm water over it. Next, you can soak your pet in the water for 5-10 minutes before rinsing them dry. As an option, you can also buy Oatmeal-based shampoos from the pet stores.

 Using aloe Vera gel is another way to prevent itchiness. Start with break off a piece of the plant and apply the thick gel onto the raw area or the skin. Beware; your pet mustn’t lick the area. Ingesting aloe vera can cause vomiting. 

CUTS, SCRAPES & ABRASIONS

Cuts, scrapes, abrasions are common during any time of the year. If your pet is active and runs around places, or forages into the dustbin, it is more likely to get cuts and scrapes.

 Mix together 1-pint water, ½-teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon calendula tincture. Next, you can soak the injured part in the solution. An injured paw can be soaked into the solution while the wound on the body requires applying the solution through a squirt bottle. Gently apply the solution to the infected area. Repeat the process every 4 to 6 hours for the first 24 hours.

BITES AND SCRATCHES

If your pet gets serious bites and scratches, you must immediately take it to the vet.

• For smaller wounds, you can start with rinsing it with the following solution: 1-pint water, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon Echinacea/goldenseal tincture.
• As an option, Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean wounds, but it can hurt delicate tissues.
• In the case of felines, cat wounds are infamous for forming abscesses. If the abscess is draining, you should clean it with Echinacea/goldenseal solution. Wear a protective layer or latex gloves while handling an abscess.

TISSUE TRAUMA

Tissue trauma is common in pets after they fall from a height, get stepped on, or are in a fight. 

• As an effective home remedy, you can apply common homeopathic remedy arnica which speeds the recovery.
• You can administer two pellets of arnica 30c once per hour for three hours following the injury.

PET INDIGESTION OR LOOSE STOOL 

Indigestion or loose stool in pets is mostly after they eat something they shouldn’t have. If your dog scavenges from the dustbin or kitchen bin, you should start keeping it away from their reach. Most often scavenge for food items outside the house. This can lead to the ingestion of food or items that can affect their digestion.

• Certain food items can irritate the bowel, creating nerve impulses that signal the gut to speed up. If the food moves too quickly, the result is loose stools.
• You can prevent this by inspecting what they eat all the time. Don’t over-feed supplements such as Vitamin B which can lead to loose stool.
• The herb slippery elm, available as powder or capsules, can help control indigestion and loose stool.
• Ensure that you keep fertilizing, pesticide, and chemicals away from your dog’s reach. Most of these items can be poisonous and the first sign of poison is often loose stool.

SKUNK SPRAY-ON PETS

Skunk spray is common during summer and spring when your dog plays outside the house. The nosy practice of dogs often lands them in trouble. A skunk sprays the allergic liquid when they detect a threat.

• If you notice that your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, you can start with bathing them in a mixture of one-quart hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon liquid soap.
• The stench of skunk spray is another problem to get rid of. You can use tomato juice, to remove the smell. Leave it on for several minutes before rinsing it off. For a large dog, a single wash can require several cans of tomato juice, so be prepared for this.

GET RID OF PLASTIC FOOD DISHES

 Plastic utensils are often allergic to pets. Hot spots around the face can be caused by plastic food bowls. You can start by replacing the plastic food and water bowls with stainless, glass, or ceramic bowls. Clean the bowls often to remove any decay.

 Most pets are prone to bacterial allergens which develop into puppy acne or feline acne and a rash or pimples in the face area such as nose and chin.

 Urban pet Hospital & Resort is the Best Doggy Daycare in Urbandale and premier pet hospital in Urbandale. Get in touch with for the best doggy daycare and assistance from a certified veterinarian.