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If you live with pets (or children!) You know there are times when things just happen. Our dogs and cats can find themselves in a difficult position that results in minor injuries, small cuts or upset bellies. Whether your dog suddenly has inexplicable soft-lap poop or your cat has decided to hit that pesky bee, it’s up to you to decide how best to help your furry companion feel better.
Of course, there are times when you have no choice but to take your pet to the emergency vet. And when in doubt, it is best to play it safe and make an appointment with your veterinarian right away. But sometimes there are little things that we can address with simple home remedies. Whether it’s quick diarrhea or dry skin, here are some home treatment options that are veterinarian approved.
A ‘quicked’ nail
Trimming nails can be stressful as you run the risk of cutting the nail too short. If you accidentally cut your dog’s nail too short, the fast (See blood) don’t panic! Keep your calm and calm your pet by giving them a gentle, calming touch and a few treats. Then make sure the area is clean and dry. Gently run water over the area and pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Use ice cubes in a plastic bag wrapped in a clean towel or a small ice pack covered with paper towels and gently apply the cooling bag to the area to relieve pain. Dip the nail in a little flour or baking soda, applying light pressure to stop the bleeding. That behaves like typical powderand helps stop the bleeding.
Practice to avoid problems with nail cuts in the future fear-free nail care Periodically so that you and your pet get used to the process.
Minor cuts and scratches
For quick First aid For minor cuts and scratches, there are a few things you can do at home to relieve pain and aid the healing process. You should always clean the wound with fresh, running water and then pat dry with a clean towel. If you can’t easily rinse the cut or scrape, you can fill a spray bottle with fresh, lukewarm water and a tiny piece of Dawn dish soap and gently spray the area.
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To help prevent infection and relieve pain, you can put a little bit of antibiotic cream on, says Alicen Tracey, DVM, veterinarian at The Herder Veterinary Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. “You can put a small amount of triple antibiotic ointment on the wound unless it’s thicker than a scratch,” she says. “Anything deeper than a scratch requires veterinary advice.” You can also apply an ice pack or ice cubes wrapped in a clean towel to the area to relieve pain and swelling.
A little diarrhea
For a dog who has mild diarrhea from teething or a sensitive stomach, there are often some helpful options right in your kitchen. If there is some diarrhea (and also constipation), you can try adding something pure pumpkin (Not Pumpkin mix or spice!) Or a little brown rice for dinner. Combine 1–4 tablespoons (depending on your dog’s size and weight) of pure pumpkin with your dog’s dry dog food and add a little lukewarm water. Then mix to make a nice broth. If your pup doesn’t like the taste of pumpkin, you can try mixing in 1/4 to 1 cup of cooked brown rice. It is a good idea to make sure that you are feeding your dog more mild diet and avoid heavy treats or large meals until the stomach problems are better, suggests Lawrence Putter, MVD, medical director at Lenox Hill Vets in New York, NY
Make sure you consider how long your dog has had this problem or if they have any other symptoms before trying to adjust their diet or add new food. If your dog’s diarrhea persists or worsens, be sure to make an appointment with your veterinarian.
“The next time you ingest your pet’s poop, pause for a moment and see if it looks normal. Also, be sure to get a fresh sample the next time you visit your pet’s vet to make sure it’s clear.” from parasites, “notes the American Animal Hospital Association.
Bee stings
We need bees to keep our planet healthy, but boy, bee stings aren’t fun for anyone, including your pet. If your pet was unlucky and was on the receiving end of a stinger, you can help them at home before you decide to see the vet. Look at the location of the sting and see if the sting is still there. If it does, you’ll need to remove it with small tweezers. Once removed, run lukewarm water over the area and then apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to reduce swelling and pain. If you’re concerned about an allergic reaction or appear to have swelling, Tracey recommends giving your pet Benadryl 1 mg per pound – but call your veterinarian first.
“There is evidence that xylitol is added to certain Benadryl mixtures – which is toxic to dogs – so these should be avoided,” said Tracey, who is also a member of the Daily Paws advisory board.
For reactions that look severe and may include inflammation and redness, hot skin, itching, or shortness of breath, your pet should get an emergency medical attention right away.
Dry skin
We all experience the annoyance of dry, itchy skin, especially during the cold months. Our dogs and cats can experience dry skin at certain times of the year or as they age. To calm their coats down, you can try offering a bath time with oatmeal. Oatmeal is an ancient remedy for our troublesome skin, and many dog shampoos and conditioners contain oatmeal as an ingredient to help relieve irritation. You can grind oatmeal and mix it in a warm bath water and leave your dolls on for 15 minutes. You can also make an oatmeal paste from warm oatmeal water and apply it liberally to the fur and rinse off after 15 to 30 minutes. However, this option is cluttered so it might be easier to keep one Oatmeal based shampoo at hand.
If your pet’s dry skin has sores, hot spots, a lot of itching or severely peeling skin you need to see a veterinarian.
It’s important to remember that while many minor ailments can be treated at home, it’s always best to consult a veterinarian before trying anything new. Never give your pet medicines made for humans or Googled medicines without the approval of the veterinarian. Simple things can get worse quickly, says Tracey, so it’s always best to play it safe.
