Safe Herbs for Dogs

Several herbs that aid in the health of humans also benefit man's best friend. Herbs are easy to implement into your dog's diet. Many herbs help prevent disease or infection, eliminate toxins or parasites and improve the immune or digestive health of your dog. Herbal treatments for dogs don't require complex recipes or mixers. It's often as simple as giving the herb to your dog without food or adding the herb to your dog's meals.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a powerful healing herb rich in vitamins and minerals. It functions as a kidney tonic, laxative, diuretic and blood purifier. It's often used to treat urinary tract infections, kidney infections, ulcers, improve liver function and digestive disorders. Alfalfa works as an enzyme for improved digestion in dogs. Give 2 tsps of chopped alfalfa sprouts to your dog with each meal every day for good digestion.

Black Walnut Hulls

Dogs with digestive troubles and parasites can get some relief with black walnut hulls. It treats heartworm and prevents it. Place one drop of black walnut hulls in your dog's meal each day. You can also use the powder form and sprinkle one capful onto your dog's meals each day. Do not allow dogs to eat the walnut hulls.

Blessed Thistle

Blessed thistle has been praised for its success at shrinking brain and oral tumors. According to Herbs for Dogs, dogs given blessed thistle to treat oral tumors experienced either shrinkage of the tumor or the tumor completely vanished following four to five months of treatment. Dogs with brain tumors received similar treatment using blessed thistle and the tumors had shrunk after five months of treatment. The treatment for a small- to medium-sized dog involves measuring one cap of powdered blessed thistle and adding it to your dog's meals the first month in the mornings and evenings, or use the powder in plain yogurt or goat milk; during months two and three, use one cap only in the evenings; don't use any powder during month four; and in month five, apply one cap of powder to your dog's meals each day.

Parsley

Parsley rids the body of bladder and kidney infections, cleanses the blood, operates as a blood thinner, builds the immune system, prevents cancer and improves stomach and liver functions. Although parsley shouldn't be used while animals are nursing, it's beneficial to help dogs stop lactating and to treat afterbirth pains. Parsley is rich in vitamins, potassium and other minerals. Once or twice a week, parsley can be added to your dog's daily meals. This will cleanse the kidneys and help fight disease.

Wormwood

Pets attract many parasites. Wormwood helps the body eliminate those parasites properly. If you use wormwood capsules, take one capsule, open it and place a pinch of it on the dog's dry food for one week. About 200 mg to 300 mg of wormwood is contained in one capsule.

References

• Herbs for Dogs
• Herbal Medications For Dogs
• Care2

Resources

• Herbal Parasite Remedies
• Natural Dog Health Remedies