These 14 Natural Remedies Can Improve Your Elderly Dog’s Health

Dogs don’t always age gracefully, and when you want to do something to improve their health and give them a better quality of life as they age, there are plenty of options. Helping your dog live its best life is entirely possible at any age. These natural remedies can greatly improve your elderly dog’s health and give them more time with you and your family.  

Chamomile Flowers

Some dogs are very anxious. And as they get older, this can only get worse. Using natural remedies is a great option because they are often easy to obtain and can be more affordable than some of the medications prescribed by veterinarians. Chamomile flowers are very effective at relieving anxiety and can even be used to calm an upset stomach. Steep the flowers into a tea for the best results.

Calendula

You can use calendula on minor wounds and scratches. Additionally, calendula is great in a tincture or tea for helping relieve ulcers and other stomach problems that older dogs may get. Calendula is known for its anti-inflammatory properties in helping to relieve skin rashes, ear infections, and even minor burns. Using a salve or tincture when your aging dog needs it can help them heal from these minor issues.

Soft Chews for Pain

Older dogs might need help chewing. Feeding them not only soft foods but also hip and joint soft chews for dogs can help alleviate pain and some of the challenges they have with eating as they age. These chews contain things like CBD or turmeric, both of which are known for their anti-inflammatory benefits. Find soft chews with as few ingredients as possible that are formulated for dogs the same size as your to get the maximum benefits.

Unsweetened Yogurt

Need to help rebalance your elderly dog’s digestive system? Try using plain unsweetened yogurt. The natural bacteria and cultures found in yogurt can help add back healthy microorganisms to their digestive tract. This can improve regularity and even reduce the incidence of accidents and diarrhea that can become more frequent as they age.

Essential Oils for Fleas

Flea and tick season ramps up in the spring and summer. This means that you’ll need something to keep those pesky insects away. Many pet owners are looking for more natural means of eliminating fleas. Fortunately, you can do this with pet-safe essential oils. Many companies make sprays that include these instead of the typical insecticides found in many flea and tick collars. Cedarwood and lavender are both very popular oils to use on dogs in the right ratios.

Brush Their Teeth

Does your dog have a bad case of halitosis? That bad dog breath can be nauseating. The good news is that by simply brushing your dog’s teeth regularly you can cut down on the smell significantly. Additionally, adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to their food or water can provide added relief from your aging dog’s bad breath.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint has several great uses. When it comes to elderly dogs, the best ones include easing stomach upset and helping reduce bad breath. You’d be amazed at how adding just a drop to their water can make such a big difference. If your dog is struggling with a sour stomach, using peppermint as a natural remedy can give it the relief it needs.

Canned Pumpkin

One of the best and easiest natural remedies to give your dog is canned pumpkin. What does it do? It helps with digestive issues naturally. Whether they have diarrhea or constipation, adding ¼ cup of canned pumpkin to their food daily can give your dog improvement within a day or two. While it’s best to figure out why they are experiencing the distress, you can use pumpkin to give them relief.

Activated Charcoal

Want a great remedy for potential poison? Use activated charcoal. No matter what your dog gets into, giving them charcoal right away can improve their chances of survival. Not only that, but this type of charcoal can also give your elderly dog relief from diarrhea. You can find these in health food stores either in a bag or already put into capsules.

Almond Oil for Ears

Some dogs get a lot of waxy buildup in their ears. This can be annoying for them, can lead to infection, and can make it harder for them to hear. Almond oil is one of the best natural remedies for ear wax that you can do at home. If your aging dog will let you, add some almond oil to gauze and rub it gently along the inside of its ears.

Nux Vomica for Car Sickness

Sometimes even your elderly dog needs to go somewhere. If your dog is known for its sensitive stomach in the car, then it’s best to use something like the homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica to relieve car sickness and reduce the chance that your dog will barf in the car on the way to the dog park.

Hydrogen Peroxide

If your dog ever gets sprayed by a skunk, you will want to have hydrogen peroxide on hand. You can make a solution to get rid of the stench using peroxide, baking soda, and interestingly enough, Dawn dish soap. This is because the spray that skunks send out has oils in it and the Dawn cuts the oils.

Enzymes for Gas

Dog farts are something otherworldly and not in a good way. The smell seems to linger forever. Be proactive about your elderly dog’s health and add something like enzymes to its food. This will help the food particles break down more easily and can improve their digestion leading to fewer and less stinky farts.

Slippery Elm

The inner bark of the slippery elm tree is used for its medicinal properties. Dogs who have diseases like colitis, IBS, or ulcers could benefit from this powerful tree. The slippery elm bark is turned into a powder and often put into capsules to make it easier to dose. Dogs who have these digestive issues can get relief and healing if they take slippery elm bark regularly.