Herbal First Aid for Dogs: Essential Herbs for Your Canine's First Aid Kit
Herbal first aid for dogs? You read that right! You can make an effective first aid kit for your dog using nothing but herbs. These natural remedies are powerful, effective, and a fantastic addition to any dog’s first aid kit. Unlike typical antiseptic, antibacterial, and immune-suppressing products, these amazing herbs offer short-term relief and protect your dog's immune system from long-term damage caused by harsh chemicals.
Are you ready to learn about the essential herbs for your non-medicine cabinet? Here are the top five topical herbs to include in your canine first aid kit.
Essential Herbs for Your Canine First Aid Kit
Before building your kit, consider the common issues your dog might face:
- Cuts and scrapes
- Insect bites
- Rashes
- Muscle aches and pain
- Bleeding and bruises
- Burns
- Abscesses
An herbal first aid kit can handle more than just minor injuries. Being prepared for various common issues will help you avoid chemical-based products.
Top 5 Herbal Remedies for Dogs
1. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula is a powerful healer for skin issues. It regenerates skin and prevents scarring with its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
- Uses: Apply as a salve or tea for cuts, burns, bites, scrapes, abscesses, and fungal infections.
- Caution: Avoid applying to open, infected wounds as it heals so quickly that the infection may get trapped.
2. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Known as "bone knit," comfrey excels at fast tissue healing, including skin, muscle, tendons, and even bones.
- Uses: Apply as a salve, poultice, or tea to speed healing for sore joints, burns, and swelling. Use dried comfrey as a styptic to stop bleeding.
3. Plantain (Plantago major)
Plantain, a common weed in North America, is a great wound healer and anti-inflammatory.
- Uses: Use directly on the affected area as a poultice for insect bites, stings, poison ivy, and burns. It can also draw out foreign bodies from paws and ears.
4. Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera is renowned for its ability to soothe irritated skin and heal burns.
- Uses: Apply fresh aloe for burns and soft tissue wounds to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
- Caution: Avoid using on deep or infected wounds, or severe burns.
5. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is anti-inflammatory and helps build new tissue while stopping bleeding.
- Uses: Use as a salve, poultice, or tea for bruises, sprains, strains, cuts, bites, burns, and stings.
Home Remedies For Dog Wounds
Preparing A Homemade Herbal Salve
Here’s a dog salve recipe that’s very easy to prepare and contains three basic ingredients:
- Herbs (8 to 10 oz)
- Coconut Oil (2 to 3 cups)
- Beeswax (1 oz)
Instructions:
- Grind herbs into a fine powder.
- Place the coconut oil and powdered herbs in a small crockpot. Set to low or warm (100 to 140 degrees). Let warm for a day or two.
- Strain the herbs from the oil using cheesecloth.
- Mix 1 ounce of beeswax for every 8 ounces of strained oil. Melt together in the crockpot.
- Pour the salve into a wide jar and store in a warm cupboard.
Preparing A Topical Herbal Tea
To prepare an herbal tea:
- Place 8 tablespoons fresh herb or 4 tablespoons dried herb in a teapot.
- Add a quart of boiling water and steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain out the herb and allow the tea to cool.
- Pour the tea into a spray bottle and spritz on your dog’s affected skin three to five times a day. Keep remaining tea in the fridge.
Bonus Recipe: Herbal Flea Rinse
Use this rinse to keep fleas away:
- Yarrow flowers, leaves, and stems
- Celery seeds (freshly ground)
- Feverfew flowers
- Mullein flowers
Instructions:
- Add the herbs to a teapot and cover with boiling water.
- Allow to stand until cool and strain before use.