This year, Americans are expected to spend almost $53 billion dollars on their pets - with over $26 billion of that going to over-the-counter medicine, treatments, and vet care.
That's $26 billion dollars on things that require packaging, shipping, and are often made with synthetic, if not toxic, ingredients.
But just because we are neurotically obsessed (in the best way, of course) with our pets, it doesn't mean we have to spend boatloads of money on things that can be easily approximated, often in better form, from our medicine cabinets and kitchen cupboards which are safer than products bought online or in stores.
The following remedies are a start for taking pet treatments into your own hands with natural ingredients and much less cost to incur - all the while, keeping your carbon paw print in check.
1. Gross Out Fleas With Citrus
Ed from Ohio/CC BY 2.Fleas don’t like citrus, make your pet’s fur unsavory by rubbing it with a small amount of fresh lemon or orange juice. Bonus points for putting mostly-juiced citrus rinds to use.
A dose of brewer's yeast mixed with a small amount of garlic in dry food daily will help to repel fleas for dogs. For cats, add brewer’s yeast to food, but don’t use garlic with cats(it can lead to anemia for felines).
3. Drown Fleas With…Wait for It…Water!
4. Clean the House to Make Fleas Sad
fortinbras/CC BY 2.0Tidy housekeeping can do a lot to keep the flea community down. Frequently vacuum your pet’s favorite hang-out spot, launder pet blankets, towels and beds, and keep the floor clean with a natural disinfectant.
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5. Feed Flea Babies to the Worms
Beneficial nematode worms, available at garden shops and pet stores, like to eat flea larva. Keeping them in the garden can help keep outdoor flea populations controlled.
6. Make a Rose Geranium Tick Collar
grongar/CC BY 2.0Rose geranium essential oil is successful for repelling ticks from dogs, apply a few dabs to your dog’s collar. (Not recommended for cats.)
7. Dress Your Pup in Pants to Deter Ticks
liesvanrompaey/CC BY 2.0When romping in the woods or fields of tall grass, fashion some trousers for your pooch out of old socks, a child’s sweater, a shirt…whatever will impede the ticks from latching on. DIY doggy leg warmers won’t completely eliminate the chance for ticks to hitch a ride, but it can help.
8. Protect the Pooch's Toots with Booties
tiny banquet committee/CC BY 2.0Dog paws and ice/snow/salt are an ouchy mix for dogs. Invest in a double pair of dog booties to protect tender feet from the winter elements or for hiking in rugged terrain. Proud dogs may feel shame, but their paws will thank them.
9. Treat the Feet
Hi, I'm Sadie Shih Tzu/CC BY 2.0If your dog’s dogs seem sore from rough terrain, hot or cold pavement, or any other reason, check the paws and toes. Remove anything that doesn’t belong there, wash gently, and apply a gentle moisturizer. If bleeding, apply antibiotic ointment and gently bandage them.
10. Spray Chamomile for Icky Skin
Diamonddavej/CC BY 2.0Chamomile tea is great for alleviating skin irritations. Make tea, put it in a spray bottle in the refrigerator, and apply it to your pets raw skin.
11. Pamper the Pup with Vitamin E
ThreeDee912/CC BY 2.0A dog’s dry skin can benefit greatly from applications of vitamin E oil to affected areas.
12. Kick the Itch with Oatmeal
Lee J Haywood/CC BY 2.0Scratch scratch scratch. Scratch scratch scratch. All day, all night – it’s enough to drive a pet-owner absolutely bonky. Use baby oatmeal (or fine-grind your own), add a little water, and rub the paste onto itchy areas. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Seriously good trick.
13. Rehydrate a Sick Dog
treegrow/CC BY 2.0Flavorless electrolyte drinks, like sports waters and pediatric drinks, can help a sick dog recoup necessary fluids after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting. (Check with you vet about how much to give.)
14. Make a Happy Tummy
tjuel/CC BY 2.0Just like people, pets on antibiotics may have stomach problems as the medication wipes out beneficial bacteria as well as the sinister ones. A little yogurt (with live active cultures) with dinner will help the stomach.
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