HERBS AND SPICES FOR YOUR DOGS HEALTH



In this article...
1. An Introduction - Herbs and Spices for Your Dog
2. A Simple Sampling of Herbs and Spices For Your Dogs Daily Diet
3. How To Incorporate Herbs into Your Dog;
4. A List of Herbs and Spices That are Safe For Dogs
5. A List of Herbs and Spices That are NOT Safe For Dogs
6. General Guideline for Daily Herbal Intake

1.0 An Introduction -
      Herbs, Spices for Your Dog

 1.1 Herbs and Spices safely, effectively used for thousands
       of years...


Humans have used herbs and spices to add flavour to their food and to treat ailments for thousands of years. So, it should not be surprising that there are many herbs and spices that are good for dogs.

Holistic medicine for dogs includes the use of herbs and spices to treat wounds, ameliorate and remedy ailments and diseases. This is the approach that I take with my dogs. I use herbs, spices and neutruceuticals to treat and remedy ailments. I dont rely on antibiotics, steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) chemical-based drugs, etc. to treat and remedy ailments. In most cases these conventional drugs are not intended to or capable of providing remedy for a condition. Instead the drugs mask the condition, may even accentuate the condition (the drug Reconcile is one such example) or create a secondary condition. Conventional drugs usually provide a band-aid approach to the condition, typically accompanied by an array of minor, moderate and severe adverse side effects. Allopathic veterinary medicine is by nature a discipline that is designed to excel at emergency medicine, whereas day-to-day health - diet, nutrition, wellness is not the traditional realm of allopathic medicine. 

Herbs and spices offer a natural and effective alternative that can be used in a strategic fashion to support health in a strategic fashion...

1.2 When Used Properly Herbs and Spices Offer:

1) Support for daily health when integrated into the daily
    diet;
    1. Brain function health;
    2. Bone, ligament, tendon and muscle health;
    3. Cardiovascular health;
    4. Dental and oral health;
    5. Detox
    6. Endocrine health;
    7. Gastrointestinal health;
    8. Immune system health;
    9. Gastrointestinal health;
    10. Fur and skin health, including
      1. Shampoos, rinses; 
      2. Paw soaks; 
    11. Urinary tract health;
    12. etc.
2) Support for temporary conditions for example: 
    1. Anxiety and stress; 
    2. Candida;
    3. Ear infections;
    4. Eye Infections;
    5. Depression; 
    6. Detox after vaccinations, etc.;
    7. Diarrhea;
    8. Fungal infections such as ringworm;
    9. Insect repellent and protection;
    10. Parasite preventatives;
    11. Toxicity; 
    12. Motion Sickness; 
    13. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
    14. Wounds that require healing;
    15. Viruses
3) Ingested and topical support for treating chronic disease
    and conditions such as:
    1. Allergies;
      1. Environmental;
      2. Food;
    2. Asthma;
    3. Arthritis;
    4. Cancer;
    5. Candida;
    6. Gastrointestinal conditions such as colitis;
    7. Fatty tumors - Lipomas;
    8. Gingivitis and infected teeth;
    9. Renal issues;
      1. Bladder and kidney stones (uroliths);
      2. Kidney and liver damage, etc.
    10.  etc. 
Your dog’s best defenses against ailments and diseases is healthy immune system. A healthy diet supports a healthy immune system. Fresh foods can be an excellent addition to your dog’s daily diet - fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, eggs, yogurt or kefir, cheese, herbs and spices. In addition to the health benefits, dogs do like the taste of many herbs and spices. Homemade  food including grain-free nutritionally complete meals, broth, smoothies and treats can include  healthful herbs all of which can boost the immune system.

Herbs and spices should not be indiscriminately given to dogs. Some herbs and spices are very powerful and can have side effects will others are mild and less likely to cause issues. Before you decide to give a herb or spice to your dog make sure you know its use, side effects, toxicity (if any) and safe dosage. 


2.0 A Simple Sampling of Herbs and
      Spices For Your Dogs Daily Diet
 
2.1 On a Daily Basis...

My dogs (various sizes and breeds) get all of the following herbs either in their food or added to their food...Aloe Vera, Anise seeds, Basil, Caraway Seeds, Ceylon Cinnamon, Flax Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Garlic, Ginger, Rooibos Tea or Green Tea (decaffeinated), Mint, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage and Turmeric. 
 
These herbs are all non-toxic and beneficial for dogs, but like any other food stuff should always be provided in a safe amount and you need to consider any health conditions or conventional medications that your dog may be taking. While these herbs are non-toxic, they can interfere with conventional western medicines - this is discussed further below.



Out for a walk with some of my dogs
2.2 Highlighting a Few of Those Daily Herbs...

Aloe Vera  
 
Aloe Vera juice (100% food grad) contains amino acids, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, C and E. It has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy agents and is an anti-oxidant. 100% pure Aloe Vera juice can also be taken internally to boost the immune system, help reduce the symptoms of allergies and to help the healing of wounds. Aloe Vera gel can be used topically to help wounds heal - 100% Aloe Vera Gel is best. Daily dosages for my dogs are as follows ½ tbs for my 4lb dog, 1tbs for my 8 lb to 25 lb dogs and, 2 tbs for my larger dogs 30 to 70 lbs .

For detailed information on aloe vera juice - health benefits, uses, dosage, cautions and interactions read here.

Basil 
Basil is rich in essential vitamins, minerals, phyto-nutrients, electrolytes and oils that are essential for optimal health. Basil is an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant. Basil is well known for its multiple disease preventing and health promoting properties. You can use fresh basil or dry basil.

Caraway Seeds


 
Caraway Seeds are rich in dietary fibre, vital vitamins, and minerals, anti-oxidants (cancer and disease fighting). Caraway seeds are considered a warming herb - meaning they help the body stay warm. Caraway seeds are also good for muscle health (anti-contraction).

Ceylon Cinnamon
Cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon) is an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-septic, warming and soothing, calming, carminative (anti-flatulent). Cinnamon is said to have one of the highest anti-oxidant levels of all food sources. Cinnamon can help remove the alfatoxins present in foods. Cinnamon is also good for keeping teeth clean and fighting bad breath. I use the powder form (ground cinnamon).

For detailed information on Ceylon cinnamon - health benefits, uses, dosage, cautions and interactions read here 

Flax Seeds

Flax Seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, anti-oxidants, nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimal health. Flax seeds also help pass toxins out of the body.  Use ground flax seeds not whole flax seeds. There are two types of flax seeds - brown and yellow (golden), both are similar in nutritional value. Daily dosage should be in the range of:
1/2 tsp for tea cup dogs 2 to 4 lbs;
1 tsp for toy dogs 5 to 15 lbs;
1 tbs for small dogs 16 to 25 lbs;
1.5 tbs for medium-small dogs 26 to 39 lbs
2 tbs for medium-large size dogs 40 to 70 lbs
2.5 tbs for large dogs 71 lbs to 90 lbs 
3 tbs for x-large dogs 91+ pounds

For more information on flax seeds - health benefits, uses, dosage, cautions and interactions read here 

Fennel Seeds
 
Fennel Seeds are rich in dietary fibre, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamins, minerals. They also help protect the body from infection, disease and cancer. Fennel seeds are good for the urinary tract. They also help in the absorption of food stuff - thereby helping to keep your dog’s teeth clean and helping with digestion.

Garlic
GarlicYou may have heard that garlic is bad for dogs. Well, garlic has been used for many years by holistic veterinarians. The confusion about whether garlic is good or bad seems to have arisen from confusion with its close cousin, the onion. Both garlic and onion contain thiosulphate, the substance responsible for causing ‘Heinx Factor’ anemia in dogs. However the amount of thiosulphate found in garlic is much lower than in onions, in fact the amount in garlic is barely traceable!  The fear of garlic is a new one - propagated by rumour on the internet and not proven by any facts or study. For an extensive list of foods that dogs should not eat you can click here.

When garlic is ingested in reasonable amounts there are no harmful effects, but there are plenty of beneficial qualities...
  • Garlic contains germanium - an anti-cancer agent;
  • Garlic helps to regulate blood pressure;
  • Helps strengthen the bodys defences against allergies;
  • Helps regulate blood sugar levels; 
  • Garlic is high in vitamins, minerals and nutrients:
  • Calcium, Potassium, Zinc;
  • Protein;
  • Vitamin A, B, B2, C;
  • Garlic is an aid to fighting and treating:
    • Diabetes; 
    • Liver, heart and kidney disease;
  • Garlic is a natural flea repellent and de-wormer.
Please do not add garlic in a mixed form to your dogs diet (i.e. garlic steak spice - this is not pure garlic and can make your dog very ill). When I refer to garlic I am talking about garlic in its pure form - garlic cloves. A safe dosage for garlic is 1 clove/30lbs of body weight per day. I use finely chopped fresh garlic. You can read more about garlic here.

Ginger

Ginger is an anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, carminative. Ginger also Ginger helps in the absorption of food stuff - thereby helping to keep your dog’s teeth clean and helping with digestion. Ginger also helps in treating nausea such as motion sickness. Ginger helps boost healthy blood circulation, so it is very helpful for a dog that is prone to vascular damage of the extremities. My Boxer, Robbie has very short fur and is particularly susceptible to vascular damage (i.e. frost bite of the extremities, including ears). In the winter I add about 1 tbs of finely chopped ginger root to his daily salad.  You can also use dry, ground ginger.



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