Already have an account?
Get back to the
Animals

5 Quick and Natural Remedies for Your Pet’s Summer Woes

These pantry cures will keep you pal cool and healthy all summer long.

Tags:

As temperatures rise and our fur babies get outside more, keep your pet healthy and happy with these safe and easy tips.

Relieve raw paws with aloe vera gel.

If your dog is holding up his paws or licking them frantically, the culprit could be contact burns from hot asphalt, sidewalks or sand. To soothe his irritation, dab 100 percent pure aloe vera gel on the affected areas. Note: A small amount of aloe vera gel is safe for dogs, but keep pets away from aloe plants, which may be toxic and lead to an upset stomach.

Outsmart hair balls with ‘tuna cubes’.

When the weather gets warmer, you want Whiskers to drink enough water so she doesn’t hack up hair balls or get backed up. An easy trick: Freeze the excess water from a can of tuna in an ice-cube tray, then slip a tuna cube into her water bowl. She’ll eagerly lap it up in no time!

Cool an overheated pup with strategic towels.

If you notice Spot panting a lot, cool him off fast by placing damp towels on his paws, under his legs and on the back of his head, areas key to lowering body temperature. Then pour cold water over his back and place a fan in front of him. Note: If he keeps panting, vomits or gets glassy-eyed, call your vet ASAP.

Prevent mosquito bites with a quick catnip spritz.

New studies show the active ingredient in catnip, called nepetalactone, is just as effective as DEET at warding off mosquitoes. Simply keep a few catnip plants around the yard, and as your sweetie brushes against them, her fur will get coated with the natural repellent. Or to make a spray, boil four cups of water; let cool for about one minute and add 1 tsp. of dried catnip. Steep for a few minutes, remove the catnip and let cool. Pour into a spray bottle and spritz your pal.

Soothe a bee sting with baking soda.

While exploring your flower bed, your furry friend got stung! If you see the stinger, remove it by gently scraping the area with a credit card. (If you’re doing this with a cat, swaddle her in a towel.) Next, mix 1 Tbs. of baking soda with a bit of water to make a paste, and apply to the sting. The alkalinity of the baking soda will neutralize the acidity of the bee venom, reducing pain. If you notice swelling, your pal may be having an allergic reaction. Some vets advise administering Benadryl, but check with your vet before dosing.

This article originally appeared in our print magazineWoman’s World.

Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items. Use right arrow key to move into submenus. Use escape to exit the menu. Use up and down arrow keys to explore. Use left arrow key to move back to the parent list.