Loving your pet will come naturally to you, but caring for them might require some knowledge and practice. There are some simple tips and tricks that can make daily life with your canine or feline companion much easier. In fact, many products that are already in your pantry or medicine cabinet can be used to address some of your pet’s needs.
Here are our favorite pet home remedies for dogs and cats – from how to keep their coat shiny to how to clean up a carpet accident.
4 Pet Home Remedies for Dogs
From a pee accident on the carpet to itchy hot spots on the skin to burs trapped in their coats, dogs can cause some trouble for themselves and for their owners. Here are our favorite pet home remedies for dogs, all made from items you probably have on hand right now:
- Oatmeal paste to support skin comfort
- Dryer sheets for reducing static in your dog’s fur
- Baking soda, vinegar, and water for neutralizing odors and swelling
- Vegetable shortening for removing debris trapped in your dog’s coat
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Oatmeal Paste for Itchy or Dry Skin
We use oatmeal as an ingredient in our Itchy Pup CBD Dog Shampoo because this ingredient is known to hold moisture to the skin and keep your pet’s largest organ feeling healthy and supple. If your dog has hot spots or patches of skin that are itchy, dry, and flaky, you can also make an oatmeal paste that can provide some relief. You’ll definitely want to ensure your dog’s skin issues aren’t caused by an underlying infection or health condition like ringworm before using this pet home remedy for dogs.
Once you’re confident your pet’s skin just needs a little extra TLC, mix up finely ground oatmeal flakes with a little water to create a paste-like consistency. Place it on the irritated area for up to 10 minutes, then rinse well with warm water. It’s okay if your dog eats a little of the paste because oatmeal is safe and even healthy for dogs, but you should try to keep the paste on the irritated area as long as possible for the best results. If your dog’s skin irritation is so severe that they won’t let you apply the paste or touch it, you should consult a veterinarian.
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Dryer Sheets Can Reduce Static in a Dog’s Coat
Thunderstorms can be traumatic for a dog, and while the loud booming thunder is usually the culprit of their distress, sometimes static electricity in the air can also contribute to their panic when a storm rolls in. Some pet owners have found that stroking their pet’s coat with a dryer sheet helps reduce the static electricity that builds up in the dog’s coat. This is one of the easiest pet home remedies for dogs who are afraid of storms. Just be sure to use fragrance-free dryer sheets, as your dog might be irritated or annoyed by a floral scent all over their coat.
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A Homemade Poultice for Bee Stings – and Cleaning Up Accidents!
Baking soda is a magical ingredient that most people have in their kitchens. Many folks put it in their refrigerators because it’s a natural odor absorber – which also makes it great for cleaning up stains from dog accidents in the house.
To make an all-natural pet stain cleaner, mix one cup of water with one cup of white vinegar and a couple of teaspoons of baking soda. Shake it all up to dissolve the baking soda and place it in a spray bottle. After cleaning up any excess with a clean towel or paper towels, spray the stained area with the mixture and let it sit for ten minutes. Dab dry with a towel. If the stain is particularly odorous, you might want to increase the amount of baking soda in the mixture to create a paste instead of a spray and leave that on the stain for a while.
A baking soda, vinegar, and water paste has another great function as a home remedy for dogs: it can be used to treat bee stings. Be sure you’ve removed the stinger from your pet’s skin before applying the paste and let it sit for ten minutes to reduce swelling and provide comfort. Wipe the area clean with a warm cloth. Note: If your dog is displaying any signs of respiratory distress after a bee sting, they’re having a severe allergic reaction and need to be taken to the veterinarian immediately.
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Use Shortening to Clear Your Dog’s Coat of Burs and Debris
Vegetable shortening is usually used to make delicious baked goods, but it can also be used to help you clean your dog’s coat after a hike or outdoor activity. Burs are famously annoying when they get into a dog’s fur – especially for our canine companions with long hair. Other things tend to get caught up in their coats, too, such as twigs and leaves. While you want your dog to be able to explore the wild when you go on an adventure, getting them clean enough to come inside afterwards can be a hassle. Crisco to the rescue!
If your dog has some stubborn debris in their coat, use a dab of vegetable shortening to grease up their hair and make it easier to remove unwanted objects like burs. It’s important to give them a bath after removing the debris, though, because a dog covered in shortening will leave oil stains all over your house.
3 Pet Home Remedies for Cats
Cat owners are often plagued by hairballs and the occasional kitty scratching fight. Here are the best pet home remedies for cats using easy-to-find ingredients and tools:
- Proper grooming and butter for hairball defense
- Saline solution or baby shampoo for cleaning scratches
- Cranberry juice for bladder health
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Pet Home Remedies for a Cat with Hairballs
Hairballs are a part of life with most cats, and they tend to be pretty gross. Limiting the number of hairballs your cat coughs up is not only good for the cleanliness of your house, but also for the cat themselves. They don’t like coughing up hairballs any more than you like finding them!
There are a few simple at-home tricks for reducing hairball production. First, of course, is keeping your cat properly groomed. Daily brushing will ensure your cat doesn’t have too much excess hair to swallow when they’re doing their personal grooming. You can also wipe down your cat’s coat with a moist cloth each day to catch all of the excess hair that might’ve been missed by brushing. If your cat has excess shedding, you might want to consult your veterinarian.
Another one of our favorite pet home remedies for cats is feeding them a half teaspoon of butter each day to help your cat pass hairballs. This is also a fun treat for your kitty, but be sure to keep it to no more than half a teaspoon to avoid cat obesity.
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Clean Cat Scratches at Home with Baby Shampoo and Salt
Cats can be moody, and if you have more than one feline friend in your home, there might be the occasional disagreement resulting in a scratch or nip that creates a small wound. As long as these cuts are treated properly at home and don’t become infected, they don’t need to be a big deal.
You can clean the wound with a light saline solution made from a tablespoon of salt dissolved in a quart of warm water, or use a little bit of baby shampoo mixed with water. You might want to trim the fur around the cut so you can keep a close eye on it and ensure it’s healing properly. This approach should only be used for minor, superficial cuts – if your cat has a serious injury, they need to be taken to the veterinarian.
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Cranberry Can Help with Bladder Health
For cats with recurring bladder issues like urinary blockage, a daily addition of a little unsweetened cranberry juice can be the perfect pet home remedy to keep them healthy. You can add a little of the juice to their water bowl or drizzle it on their food. If your cat is super picky, you might need to give them cranberry capsules or squirt the juice directly into their mouth.
Cranberry increases the acidity of your cat’s urine, which reduces the likelihood of blockages and other urinary or bladder issues.
Don’t Avoid the Veterinarian’s Office
While pet home remedies for dogs and cats are useful in a pinch and can help you avoid unnecessary vet visits, you don’t want to risk your pet’s health in the pursuit of convenience and simplicity. Before using a pet care hack, you should call and consult your veterinarian about your animal’s condition and the risks associated with at-home care. Always put your pet’s health and wellness first, but keep these tips and tricks in your arsenal for simple safety and comfort year-round!
