7 Ways to Care for Your Dog Naturally

Change Up the Food

Serving your dog the same dry kibble "is like me telling you to eat saltine crackers every day," says Randy Klein, owner of Whiskers Holistic Pet Care in New York City. Add fresh beef or chicken to a quality dry food like Innova (innovapet.com), made from human-grade chicken free of hormones and antibiotics.

Don't Over-Bathe

"Animals don't need to be bathed as often as you'd think," says Roger W. Valentine, D.V.M., a holistic veterinarian in Santa Monica, Calif. Once a month is plenty (unless he has fleas. See next page). Go for a gentle alcohol-free shampoo to preserve fur's natural oils.

Fight Fleas Naturally

"While chemical flea preventatives can be helpful, in most cases, they’re not needed,” says Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M. Before reaching for a spot-on pesticide, try this three-part natural prevention approach. 
1. Bathe your pet at least once a week using an herbal flea control shampoo containing citrus oil, which is a natural repellent, says Messonnier. After lathering, keep the suds on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. In between baths, repel fleas with an herbal flea spray, an herbal collar containing citronella or an herbal powder containing natural pyrethrum from chrysanthemum flowers. 
2. Regularly vacuum your floors and furniture and wash your dog’s bedding in hot, soapy water to eliminate any flea eggs or larvae. “This is the most important part of flea control because 95 percent of the fleas you’re battling are in the environment, not on your pet,” says Messonnier. Apply citrus oil sprays to baseboards or sprinkle diatomaceous earth (available at garden centers) on carpets. Outside, spray your lawn with beneficial nematodes; these microscopic worms eat flea larvae and can be purchased online or from garden centers. 

3. Fight fleas from the inside out. Sprinkle Earth Animal Internal Powder (earthanimal.com) on your pet's food. This blend of dark brewer's yeast, garlic, and B vitamins makes pets unappealing to fleas, ticks, and mosquitos.

Ease Anxiety

Does Fido suffer from separation anxiety? Take the edge off with Whiskers Own Gentle Nerve (1800whiskers.com). This herbal liquid is made with extracts of valerian, catnip, and hops that won't "zombify your pet." Or try Rainbow Light GreenDog Naturals Complete Calm. The real-chicken- flavored chewables help relax and calm with organic chamomile, valerian and lavender, plus pumpkin and ginger to soothe nervous stomachs. Bonus: They’re certified organic by Quality Assurance International and reviewed by a board-certified holistic vet. (rainbowlight.com)

Try a Multivitamin

Boost your pet's diet with a daily multivitamin like The Missing Link (onlynaturalpet.com), a vitamin powder loaded with probiotics, essential fatty acids, enzymes, and phytonutrients.

Brush Your Dog's Teeth

If your dog has bad breath, make sure he has had a thorough physical to rule out dental problems, such as periodontal or gum disease, which affect 80 percent of dogs over the age of three. In older dogs, an ammonia-like smell on the breath can indicate kidney disease. There's also a slight chance your dog has a mouth tumor or an infection that you can't see. Once you've ruled out any medical reason as the cause of bad breath, you can proceed with the following:

1. Brush your dog's teeth. Brush the front and back of your dog's teeth as you would your own for about 30 seconds on each side. If you start doing this early and regularly, before disease sets in, you'll save his or her teeth. For large breeds, try Benedent or Top Performance brushes. For small dogs, try Petrodex or Drs. Foster & Smith finger brushes. All four are widely available in pet stores or online. 

2. If you can't get your dog to enjoy having his teeth brushed, give him a large hemp rope or rope toy to chew on—it acts as a sort of toothbrush, rubbing away food. (First soak the rope in beef broth.) Raw knucklebones are great for big dogs. Don't use them with small dogs who are not able to get their back teeth around the bone. 

3. Cut your dog's facial hair. Keep your animal's hair trimmed and washed. Facial hair collects saliva and bacteria-causing odor around the mouth.

Buckle Up

You buckle up for safety (and to avoid tickets); and your dog should follow suit. A survey by AAA found that almost 60 percent of dog owners have driven while distracted by a free-roaming pooch. Curb dangerous driving with these restraints: Roadie Canine Vehicle Restraint: This vet-approved, super-strong harness comes with a strap that attaches to your car’s seat belt system and doubles as a leash during pit stops. ($45 and up; ruffrider.com) Kyjen Outward Hound Car Booster Seat: Smaller dogs will love the view from this bucket seat, and an adjustable tether attaches to a harness or collar. ($39; kyjen.com) Firstrax NOZTONOZ Sof-Krate: This light, foldable crate has front and top doors, side windows and rounded corners to protect your car’s interior. ($85 and up; amazon.com) CLIX CarSafe Harness: This is a dual-purpose lead and harness that easily clicks into the car’s seat buckle. ($18 and up; amazon.com)

Starter Pets

Hamsters and guinea pigs require less of a time commitment than a dog or a cat, so they can be great “starter pets” for children. Peter G. Fisher, D.V.M., a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Exotic Companion Mammal) explains how these two breeds differ:


Hamsters 
Lifespan: 18 to 24 months
Digs: Best by themselves in a large cage (hamster cages typically aren’t big enough)
Traits: “They’re soft and can be personable, but they like to explore and are escape artists,” says Fisher. Hamsters also tend to run on their exercise wheels into the night, which could be a downside if you’re a light sleeper.
Chow: Hamsters are granivores that like pelleted food.

Guinea Pigs
Lifespan: 5 to 7 years
Digs: Adopt in pairs. Guinea pigs also like having a high box in their cages to hide in.
Traits: Guinea pigs tolerate handling and like being out of their cages, but they don’t have the adventurous spirit of other rodents. “They just tend to hang out,” Fisher says.
Chow: Guinea pigs require fresh hay as well as plenty of vitamin C; they can develop scurvy and swollen joints if they don’t get enough.

Feed Your Pet Right

Murphy, an orange tabby, was 12 when he first developed diabetes. Owner Laura Del Rosso began giving him daily insulin shots, but his condition steadily worsened--and his vet warned that he might need more frequent injections. Concerned that her work schedule wouldn't allow it, Del Rosso turned to the Internet.

There, she discovered felinediabetes.com, a website that suggested she change Murphy's diet from a high-carb dry food to a high-protein wet food. Almost immediately, Murphy regained weight and ceased suffering from excessive thirst and urination. Now, two years later, his blood sugar levels show he no longer needs insulin. "Technically, he still has diabetes, but he acts like a kitten," Del Rosso observes.

Cases like Murphy's are surprisingly common, says holistic vet Barbara Royal, D.V.M., of Chicago's Royal Treatment Veterinary Spa. "I've seen dogs and cats recover from digestive problems, allergies, seizures, and behavioral issues with nothing more than a diet change," she says.

Every animal has different needs, but if you follow these general guidelines you can ensure the food you feed your pet improves her energy and wellbeing.

MIMIC YOUR PET'S WILD DIET

Because cats are carnivores, they have trouble digesting plant-based proteins. Dogs are carnivores too, but they're also scavengers, so they can adapt better to some plant ingredients. Still, the fewer grains the better--and it's best to avoid wheat and corn altogether, says Royal. In nature, animals eat uncooked food, which is why a growing number of pet nutrition experts recommend a raw foods diet; ask your vet if it's something you should consider.[pagebreak]

CHOOSE A PROTEIN-RICH FOOD

Both cat and dog food should be at least 30 percent protein, says Royal. Check the label, since even all-natural varieties can come up short. Unless you're buying from a trusted brand that divulges the source of all its ingredients, choose food with muscle meat not meat meal. Meat meal is made from organs and other animal parts and the quality varies greatly.

PICK THE RIGHT FORMULA

If you're home during feedings, serve wet food. Cats get most of their water from food (in the wild, they eat prey with a moisture content of about 70 percent), so a wet formula will keep them from getting dehydrated. Many dog owners think dry food will help combat tartar on teeth, but Royal says the opposite is true: Since most kibble is higher in carbs, it will stick to teeth. If you choose dry food (which can be left out all day), serve a low-carb kibble.

KNOW YOUR CARBS

Common carbs in pet food include corn, bran, spelt, gums and pectin, and soybean hulls (they'll be identified in the ingredient list). If you choose a formula with carbs, look for one made with bran or beet pulp--they're the least likely to cause stomach upset. Barley, sweet potato, and rice are also acceptable choices, says Royal. (Avoid wheat gluten--many of the pet foods recalled in the past contained contaminated wheat gluten.)

How can I get rid of foot odor naturally?

ODOR-PRODUCING bacteria are to blame for your stinky feet, says Neal Kramer, a podiatrist in Bethlehem, Pa. These bugs thrive in the environment your feet provide--hot, dark, and moist. Follow these five steps to wipe them out.

1. CLEAN YOUR FEET. Scrub your feet with soap and water and dry them thoroughly, using a quick blast from a hair dryer to remove all moisture. Doing so will "cook off all those bacteria," says Jeanne Rose, an herbalist in San Francisco.

2. CLEAN HOUSE. Washing your feet won't help if the bacteria remain on your tub floor or in your socks. Scrub the tub every time you bathe, and only wear clean socks.

3. SPRINKLE ON POWDER. Rose suggests deodorizing with pure powdered sage (Salvia officinalis); sprinkle the herb on your feet daily before you slip on socks.

4. GET GOOD SHOES. Opt for open-toed shoes when possible and avoid rubber and plastic ones. Don't wear the same pair two days in a row; it takes them at least 24 hours to dry.

5. LEARN YOUR ANATOMY. A structural defect like a flat sole or high arch could cause your feet to work harder and therefore perspire more, Kramer says. Perspiration doesn't necessarily lead to smelly feet, but bacteria love the moisture. Consider seeing a podiatrist for a fitted shoe insert that will allow your feet to relax and, in turn, give off less heat.