The US has over 80 million dogs, making fidos the 3rd favorite choice of pet for Americans after aquatic animals and cats.
Dogs are warm, upbeat, and loving animals. When they get melancholy, often this is an indication that something might be off.
As any dog lover will tell you, having a sick pup or one in pain can really tug at your heartstrings.
With an okay from your vet, you can use natural ways to ease your dog’s pain.
Here are five go-to home remedies for dog pain.
- Massage
Humans and dogs alike can benefit from the numerous benefits of touch. Massage is useful in dogs with joint pain and conditions like arthritis.
Gently patting and massaging your pup’s joints can make them feel calm and peaceful and alleviate joint pain.
You can also use heated pads on their joints to help ease muscle tension and to increase blood circulation to their joints.
- Hydrotherapy
Soaking in water is among the oldest forms of alternative therapy that have withstood the test of time. And with good reason.
A water bath works for most types of musculoskeletal pains and aches. Warm water loosens joints and reduces pain long after the immersion.
While this takes place, it reduces the force of gravity from compressing the joint, offering all-round support for the injured part. This also decreases inflammation and swelling.
Next time your dog looks all wound up, run them a warm bath, or encourage them into the hot tub with you for 20 minutes or so. They should feel much better after this.
- Ginger
You will rarely read a list of superfoods without coming across ginger.
Ginger can help with joint and muscle pain, migraine headaches as well as indigestion pain by relieving gas and nausea.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
This plant also suppresses leukotrienes and eliminates some inflammatory genes, which possibly makes it more potent than traditional painkillers.
To administer it, grate some ginger root and add the shavings in your dog’s food and water. You can also make ginger biscuits for your pup to enjoy.
Ginger and turmeric are a powerful natural combination for pain as well. You can boil the two together and coax your furry friend to drink up.
- CBD Oil
You have probably heard about the immense benefits of CBD oil for humans. Turns out that dogs can benefit from it too.
In fact, research has suggested that dogs have a higher number of cannabinoid receptors than human beings. This means the benefits of CBD can be felt more broadly in dogs than in animals.
The dosage for this is largely dependent on your pup’s weight. Even so, talk to your vet before you begin using CBD oil for cats and dogs.
Typically, you will try out different doses until you settle on one that works perfectly for your pet.
- Home Remedies for Dog Pain: Licorice
Licorice contains glycyrrhizin which a similar chemical structure to natural corticosteroids.
The adrenal glands are responsible for the release of natural corticosteroids.
This makes licorice an effective natural herbal pain reliever. It also does its job without compromising your dog’s immune system.
If you are using drops, use 12 to 20 drops per 20lbs of body weight two times daily.
Get Pup’s Tail Wagging Again
Remember that being natural remedies, these pain relieving methods might not work as quickly as conventional methods do.
However, in time they will work, and they will do so without adversely affecting your pawed friend’s health.
Nevertheless, follow advice from experts. If you try these home remedies for dog pain with little success, it’s time to book an appointment with your vet.