One could spend a fortune treating pets at vets! We have three dogs and sometimes I am amazed at the yearly vet bill for the medicines they need to protect them from normal canine ailments.
Pet remedies are available from many sources including the internet, local department, pet and feed stores, and from veterinarians.
Interestingly, sometimes you can actually get a better price for remedies at your vet than at the variety of stores which carry them.
Personally, I am always seeking natural pet remedies as a part of my pets' total holistic health because I believe it is a much better option.
All too often, pet owners scamper to a local store and purchase a myriad of commercial remedies for their pet(s) only to find they are not effective.
Some have tried product after product only to be disappointed after spending quite a bit of money with no positive results.
Due to the cost of commercial products and a desire for more homeopathic methods of treatment many pet owners are doing as I have done; they are seeking natural pet remedies.
These remedies which aid in total holistic health are a great alternative to traditional care.
Often their cost is minimal as many of these remedies use items which most households already have in their cupboards.
For example, garlic is actually a very simple remedy which can be used to treat a dog's heartworms.
I've known of a full grown stray lab dam who was found to be so severely handicapped with heartworm the vet suggested the dog be put to sleep because she could not handle the treatment.
The owner took the lab home and treated it with herbs.
The treatment initially included a clove or two of garlic a day and eventually wormwood and black walnut tincture (garlic and these tinctures are known to repel parasites in humans as well).
Within a year the lab was doing well enough for standard heartworm treatment by the vet and within two, there was no sign of heartworm at all! An additional benefit of garlic is that it repels other parasites and even fleas.
We've all joked about being able to smell folks who eat a lot of garlic from across the room.
It works pretty much the same way in our canine companions.
The garlic metabolizes in their system and presents an odor and taste which repels fleas.
You should also keep in mind that if you are travelling to Transylvania you should wear garlic around your neck to keep those vampires away! OK, all kidding aside, you can spend your hard earned cash on over-the-counter treatments for heartworm and fleas or you can give inexpensive garlic cloves a try.
I suggest the latter myself.
There are many other natural remedies for your pet that will work.
For instance, we all know that Vitamin E is known to have a soothing effect on skin.
You can use it on your pet as well.
If your pet suffers from ear mites you might consider mixing up a solution of mineral or almond oil and Vitamin E and applying it to your pet's ears.
This will not only kill the mites but will sooth the skin that has been irritated by these buggers.