Natural remedies for pets are growing in popularity because they may reduce side effects, lower costs, and support overall wellbeing—sometimes even replacing prescription drugs altogether. That said, it’s essential to consult the right type of licensed Veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s medication plan.
What type of Vet does my pet need?
There are different types of Vets; Holistic Integrative Veterinarians will more often recommend natural alternatives, while Conventional Veterinary Practitioners tend to focus primarily on prescription medications.
Table of Common Pet Symptoms and Natural Alternatives.
| Symptom | Diagnosis | Desired Outcome | Pet Medication | Natural Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry cough, exercise intolerance | Heart murmur, Mitral Valve Disease, DCM | Strengthen heart, delay CHF | Cardisure (Pimobendan) | CoQ10 (Dogs 2–3 mg/kg BID; Cats 1–2 mg/kg daily) Taurine (Dogs 500–1000 mg BID; Cats 250 mg BID) L-Carnitine (Dogs 50–100 mg/kg/day; Cats 50–250 mg/day) Hawthorn extract (Dogs 5–10 mg/kg BID; Cats 1–2 mg/kg daily) |
| Wet cough, fluid belly, breathlessness | Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) | Reduce fluid overload, ease breathing | Frusemide (Lasix) | Dandelion leaf tincture (Dogs 0.5–1 ml/10 kg BID; Cats 1–2 drops/kg BID) Parsley & Nettle (Dogs 1 tsp/5 kg daily) |
| Chronic cough, wheeze, airway inflammation | CHF airway irritation or airway disease | Reduce inflammation, suppress cough | Cortisone / Prednisone | Omega-3s (Dogs 100 mg/kg EPA+DHA; Cats 30 mg/kg) Curcumin 95% (Dogs 22 mg/kg with fat; Cats 50–100 mg/day) Licorice root tincture (Dogs 0.25–0.5 ml/10 kg BID ≤2 wks; Cats 0.1–0.2 ml/5 kg daily) CBD oil (Dogs & Cats 0.2–0.5 mg/kg BID) |
| Itchy skin, paw chewing, rashes | Allergies (food, fleas, environment) | Stop itching, heal skin | Antihistamines, Steroids | Quercetin (Dogs 11–22 mg/kg BID; Cats 5–10 mg/kg daily) Omega-3s (see above) Nettle leaf tea/capsules (Dogs 2 mg/kg BID) Calendula or oatmeal baths (topical) |
| Lameness, difficulty rising, stiff gait | Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia | Reduce pain, improve mobility | NSAIDs (Carprofen, Meloxicam) | Glucosamine + Chondroitin (Dogs 20 mg/kg daily; Cats 250 mg/day) MSM (Dogs 50 mg/10 lb daily; Cats 50 mg/kg/day) Curcumin (see above) CBD oil (see above) |
| Frequent urination, thirst, weight loss | Diabetes Mellitus | Normalize blood sugar | Insulin | High-protein, low-carb canned diet (esp. for cats) Chromium (Dogs 20 µg/kg/day) Cinnamon (Dogs ¼ tsp/10 lb daily; ⚠️ avoid in cats) Fish/Krill oil (see above) |
| Recurrent ear shaking, discharge | Ear Infection or Ear Mites | Kill yeast/bacteria, relieve pain | Antibiotic/antifungal drops | Apple Cider Vinegar rinse (diluted) Olive oil + Vit E drops Calendula/garlic oil (Dogs only) Castor oil for mites (Cats: 10 drops BID for 7 days) |
| Seizures, twitching, collapse | Epilepsy | Reduce seizure frequency | Phenobarbital, Potassium Bromide | CBD oil (Dogs & Cats 0.2–0.5 mg/kg BID) Magnesium (Dogs 10 mg/10 lb; Cats 5–10 mg/kg/day) MCT oil (Dogs 1 tsp/10 lb BID; Cats ¼ tsp BID) |
| Runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing | Cat Flu (Herpesvirus) | Reduce severity, shorten duration | Antivirals, Antibiotics | L-Lysine (Cats 250 mg BID) Elderberry syrup (100 mg/10 lb BID) Honey (½ tsp/10 lb BID – safe for dogs, not kittens) Chamomile/Euphrasia eye rinse |
| Vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite | GI upset, IBD, food intolerance | Settle stomach, restore gut balance | Imodium, Pepto, diet trials | Slippery Elm (Dogs 20 mg/lb BID; Cats 100–200 mg/day) Pumpkin (canned) (Dogs 1 tsp/10 lb; Cats 1 tsp/day) Probiotics (per label) Peppermint or Chamomile tea |
| Scratching, hair loss, “flea dirt” in fur | Flea infestation | Kill fleas, reduce itching, prevent anemia | Spot-on insecticides (Advantage, Frontline, etc.) | Brewer’s Yeast (ingested) – creates odor on skin that repels fleas. • Dogs: 1 tsp per 10 kg daily mixed with food. • Cats: ½ tsp per cat daily (some cats dislike taste). Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) – microscopic silica fossils that dehydrate flea exoskeletons. • External use: Lightly sprinkle and rub into coat (avoid eyes/nose); repeat weekly. • Internal use: For intestinal parasites – Dogs 1 tsp/5 kg; Cats ½ tsp/day mixed with food. (Must be food-grade, never pool-grade). |
| Scooting, visible worms, rice-like segments near anus | Intestinal Worms (Tapeworms, Roundworms) | Expel parasites, prevent re-infestation | Dewormers (Fenbendazole, Pyrantel, etc.) | Pumpkin seeds (ground) (Dogs & Cats: 1 tsp/10 lb daily) Papaya enzymes (Dogs 1 tsp/10 lb daily; Cats smaller doses) Food-Grade DE (ingested) (see above, binds to intestinal parasites). |
The purpose of the table above is so that you can have a discussion with your chosen Vet about all of your options.
Please don’t self-diagnose your pet, as you run the risk of mis-diagnosing them and delaying their proper treatment, causing them more harm or could be fatal. Vets have the tools and years of training to do xrays, fecal tests, urine analysis or blood tests to understand your pet’s health in detail.
Notes on Brewer’s Yeast & Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
- Combination approach: DE sprinkled on pet bedding + flea combing + vacuuming gives the best flea control without chemicals. Don’t allow them to inhale it.
- Brewer’s Yeast: Best as a preventive flea repellent, not a full cure. Some dogs respond better than others; not reliable for severe infestations.
- DE (food-grade only): Very effective against fleas, mites, and intestinal worms. Works mechanically (dehydrates pests), so fleas cannot develop resistance. Always use light dusting externally to avoid inhalation. Internally, stick to vet-approved dosing.
Note:
- Cats are more sensitive — avoid essential oils and herbs unless proven safe.
- Natural remedies can support, complement, or reduce drug side effects but in many cases do not fully replace lifesaving medications (for example insulin, furosemide).
Remember: The top things you can do to help your best furry friend live longer is;
- brush their teeth daily (prevents gum disease which flows into the blood stream)
- fresh water daily
- fresh balanced food (protein meat and vegetables)
- daily exercise
