Natural Remedies for Dogs That Really Work
Every dog owner should have natural remedies for dogs in case they can’t afford a vet. 
For most dog owners, their pet is an extension of their family, treated no differently than if they were another child. In essence, a lot of people are under the impression that their dogs are little people with fur.
Like having kids, dogs need routine medical attention to prevent illnesses and other health problems.
Unfortunately, unlike the emergency room, a vet is not open 24 hours of the day, every day of the year, although for extreme emergencies, larger cities often have emergency veterinary hospitals.
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Sometimes minor emergencies come up and pet owners need to take action into their own hands in order to attend to their pets’ medical needs. A dog may have a case of fleas, or perhaps has a problem with body odor.
There are many natural remedies for dogs that pet owners can try before taking their dogs to the vet and incurring a sizable bill.
Get Rid of Those Fleas
Flea infestations present one of the most common problems a dog owner will face with their dog. Fleas are small, parasitic insects that feast off the blood of the dog. They can also infest humans as well, so it is vital to remove them immediately.
Many natural remedies for dogs with fleas exist. One of the most effective ways to get rid of and prevent fleas from attacking your pet is to add supplements to the dog’s food. These additives release scents that are repulsive to fleas as they are metabolized by the dog.
The smells are undetectable to humans, but potent to fleas. One teaspoon of brewer’s yeast can be added to each serving of dog food in order to ward off fleas. In addition, one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar can be added to each feeding.
Many dogs will find this unpalatable though, so the vinegar may be added to bathing water instead. Fleas are also sensitive to the smell of essential oils such as lavender and cedar.
These can be bought in a health store and mixed with water to create a homemade flea spray that will not only help to protect the dog, but give it a pleasant scent as well.
Treating Canine Cancer
Another problem that dogs face is cancer. Cancer is a dire diagnosis and often hard to treat in dogs. The main weapon of choice against canine cancer is surgery to excise tumors.
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However, pet owners can also augment regular treatment with some natural remedies for dogs with cancer. One of the easier natural remedies for dogs with cancer is supplementing the dog’s diet with flax seed oil.
Flax seed oil is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acid, a key component in boosting the immune system. Flax seed oil cannot be broken down readily in a dog’s body without it having been combined with cottage cheese or yogurt.
The sulfur compounds in these foods bind to the Omega-3 fatty acid, allowing the dog’s body to absorb it. A dog should be fed one tablespoon of flax seed oil that has been mixed with an equal part of cottage cheese at each feeding.
Controlling Bad Breath
Natural remedies for dogs with bad breath also exist. Unlike humans, dogs cannot brush their own teeth, which can lead to a buildup of food particles that odor causing bacteria feast upon.
A veterinarian can clean a dog’s teeth, but often the dog needs to be sedated, which can be a traumatic experience for the dog (and an equally traumatic experience for the owner upon receiving the bill).
One way to clean a dog’s teeth is to mix a paste of baking soda and water and then gently rubbing the dog’s teeth with a finger or dog toothbrush. Most dogs trust their owners enough to allow them to do so. If the dog does not allow this, feeding the dog breath freshening bones as treat may be an option to consider.
Conclusion
It is important to realize though, that natural remedies for dogs cannot cure all ailments. There are times when a dog needs immediate emergency treatment, such as when there is severe trauma or difficulty breathing.
However, in many matters of health, natural remedies for dog save time and money and can be equally as effective as conventional veterinary treatments.
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