NATURAL REMEDIES FOR DOGS, CATS WITH SORE, IRRITATED PAWS

If your dog or cat is suffering from allergies and/or resulting yeast infections of the paw (i.e. candida), or has come into contact with poisonous and/or toxic substances - giving your dog or cat a foot soak is very important to reduce discomfort, help treat the symptoms, remove harmful residue and stop your dog’s or cat’s need to lick and chew his/her paws. Toxins left on the paws can migrate into the dogs blood stream, and over time increase your dog's toxic load, compromise his/her immune system and trigger the development of cancer.

If your dog’s paws have come into contact with road salt, herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides it is very important to ensure that you remove the particulate and/or residue from these substances right away. Even if you cannot see anything on your dog’s paws - if he/she was walked on or brushed against surfaces or plants that are treated with these substances, a residue will be present on your dog’s paws, fur or skin. The toxic chemicals found in these substances can make their way into your dog’s blood stream by passing through your dog’s skin or when your dog licks his/her paws, fur or skin.

The most affective way to remove toxins (road salt, herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides) from your dog’s paws is to provide your dog with a 30 second foot soak. Depending on the size of your dog, you can do afoot soak in the bowl or basin, sink, bathtub, shower or in a small children’s pool.

It is important to note that dunking/placing your dog’s or cat’s paws in the soaking solution is not as affective as soaking the paw for 30 seconds. After the soak just pat your dog’s or cat’s paws dry - do not rub them dry as rubbing can cause irritation.

Foot Soak Recipe #1 - To Remove Toxins, Disinfect Paw Wounds, Treat Yeast Infections - Warm Water and Iodine

 

Iodine is a naturally occurring water-soluble element. Iodine is an excellent disinfectant as it has both anti-fugal and anti-viral properties, it is alsonon-toxic for dogs (but should not be ingested, just used topically). Iodine is a common disinfectant carried by most pharmacies. To remove toxins (road salt, herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides) from the surface of your dog’s paws - this soak can also be used to reduce itchy, inflamed, and other wise irritated paws…

• Fill the container you are using with warm water;
• Add enough iodine to make the water turn the colour of ice tea;
• Have your dog or cat stand in or hold his.her paw in the the water/iodine solution for 30 seconds;
• Then pat your dog’s or cat's paws dry.

Foot Soak Recipe #2 - To Treat Yeast Infections or Irritated Paws - Warm Water, Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide

 

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties(primarily from the acetic acid and malic acid in ACV). To make this paw soak combine one gallon of water with one cup of hydrogen peroxide, and one cup of apple cider vinegar. Soak your dog's or cat's paws in the solution for 30 seconds and then just pat their his/her paws dry.

Foot Soak Recipe #3 - To Treat Yeast Infections or Irritated Paws - Warm Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, fresh squeezed Lemon Juice and Peppermint Essential Oil

 

Peppermint contains cooling essential oils (such as menthol) and has antiseptic and slightly anesthetic properties. To make this paw soak combine one gallon of water with one cup of apple cider vinegar, the fresh juice of one lemon and 20 drops of peppermint essential oil. Just soak for 30 seconds and then pat your dog's or cat's paws dry. Find out more about all of the health benefits of fresh lemon for dogs, here

The Following Herbs can also be Added to the Recipes Above...

Chamomile - chamomile is a non-toxic soothing all natural additive. Just add a few chamomile tea bags to the liquid solution wait a few minutes and then soak your dog’s feet in the solution. You can also prepare the tea as you normally would (as you would to drink it), just wait for it to cool down and add it to the liquid solution. 

Green Tea - green tea (use decaffeinated only) is a non-toxic and rich in antioxidants - an aid to healing. Just add a few green tea bags to the liquid solution wait a few minutes and then soak your dog’s feet in the solution. You can also prepare the tea as you normally would (as you would to drink it), just wait for it to cool down and add it to the liquid solution.

The recipes listed above should be used three or four times a week if you are treating a yeast infection, or irritation due to allergies.

Foot Soak Recipe #4 - To Treat Yeast Infections or Irritated Paws - Warm Water, Rooibos Tea and Lemon

Rooibos is a naturally anti-allergenic and also contains a significant amount of AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) making rooibos tea an aid to the healthy growth and maintenance of skin. To see the recipe for rooibos foot soak and read about the benefits of giving your dog rooibos tea as part of a daily diet you can read this article 'Rooibos Tea for Dogs - Immune System Health, Cancer Inhibitor, Allergy Mediator' 

You can also use plain apple cider vinegar between foot soaks - just put it in a spray bottle, spray your dog’s paws and then pat dry.

Don't bother with fancy store bought concoctions. They are not necessary and not better…you have what you need to work an excellent treatment with just the simple off-the shelf items I have mentioned above.

Lathering your dog’s paws with ointments, salves and lotions may make the irritation worse as allergens, toxins and dirt can get trapped underneath the ointment. It is better to use one of these soaks and then keep your dog’s paws dry and clean.

If your dog does have a yeast infection (i.e. candida) you really need to treat the symptom (i.e. itchy, irritated paws that may smell like corn chips), as well as the issue. It is important to note that in the case of a yeast infection Prednizone and antibiotics can make the condition worse as they further suppress the dog’s immune system and antibiotics kill the good bacteria in a dog’s gastro intestinal tract (GI tract) - further allowing the candida (bad bacteria) to flourish.

A kibble which is primarily grain based can cause an overproduction of candida in a dog's digestive system and this leads to yeast infections. Also if he/she has sugar in her diet it can destroy the good bacteria in her digestive tract. Good bacteria prevents bad bacteria from taking over - an over abundance of bad bacteria causes yeast infections. To understand how to choose a good kibble for your dog you can read this article.

If your dog does not have a super sensitive stomach, you can add a little plain yogurt to his/her diet. This will help increase the good bacteria in the gastro GI tract. Adding other fresh whole foods, coconut oil and herbs also boosts the dog’s immune system which helps fight off infections.

Related Articles…

Rooibos Tea for Dogs - Immune System Health, Cancer Inhibitor, Allergy Mediator

Symptoms of Dog Poisoning and Treatments

Fresh Whole Foods for Your Dog’s Health

Herbs and Spices are Good for Your Dog’s Health

Coconut Oil is Good for Your Dog’s Health

How to Choose a Good Kibble for Your Dog

Foods That Your Dog Should Never Eat

SYMPTOMS OF DOG POISONING AND TREATMENTS

 Pet Poison Help Line 24/7 (800-213-6680)

Dogs can suffer from poisoning for many reasons - some foods are toxic to dogs, if you do not know what foods can harm your dog you may end-up accidentally poisoning your dog. Some times dogs are accidentally exposed to chemicals (i.e. household cleaning products), or toxins such as anti-freeze. Dogs can suffer poisoning from snake bites, ingesting poisonous plants or rodent poison, eating grass that fertilizer, herbicides or pesticides have been applied to, ingesting and/or surface contact with road salt (de-icer), etc. Some dogs are intentionally poisoned by unhappy neighbors. 

Dogs can inhale or ingest a poisonous substance. For example a dog may absorb poison by inhaling tiny air-borne particles. Toxins may enter there blood stream via surface contact with  the pads of their paws. They may directly ingest a toxic substance or may inadvertently ingest it by brushing against/walking or lying on a toxic substance and then licking/grooming themselves.

It is always better to be pro-active, accidents happen, and so too, intentional cruelty by others - by familiarizing yourself with the symptoms and treatments of poisoning you can save your dog’s life.

Symptoms of Poisoning

Absorbed, ingested and/or absorbed poisonous/toxic substances can cause a wide range of reactions such as…

• Breathing difficulty;
• Bleeding disorders;
• Bleeding from various parts of the body;
• Chemical burns;
• Coma;
• Death;
• Diarrhea;
• Drooling;
• Elevated temperature;
• Hallucination resulting in over-reaction to sound or light;
• Heart and organ failure;
• Kidney or liver problems;
• Loss of appetite;
• Loss of balance - staggering;
• Lethargy;
• Mouth irritation;
• Muscle tremor and rigidity;
• Seizure;
• Skin rash;
• Swelling of the tongue;
• Vomiting;
• Weakness;

Some toxic substances result in immediate signs of poisoning, typically signs of poisoning are apparent within 3 days after contact with the substance. However, some poisons/toxins can be insidious - toxic load may take weeks, months or years to build-up before symptoms surface.

The earlier you notice symptoms and the quicker your dog receives treatment the lesser the chance of permanent damage or death. But there are some poisons for which there is no cure.

Treatments to Mitigate the Affects of Poisoning

The following provides a list of some of the interventions that your veterinarian may ask you to do, they may also request that you bring your dog in ASAP.

To induce vomiting, give your pet 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (1 tablespoon per 15 pounds of the dog’s body weight) with an eye dropper, syringe, or turkey baster by dribbling the liquid onto the back of his tongue or into his cheek pocket until swallowed. Collect any vomit and take it, along with the poison container or other substance that you think you dog may have ingested and take it to the veterinarian

To dilute caustic poisons such as pine oils, detergents, bleaches, and swimming pool chemicals, feed your dog large quantities of water, milk, or egg whites. Activated charcoal (or even burned toast) may be recommended to absorb insect repellents like DEET.

To remove absorbed poisons...absorbed poisons are substances that get on your pet’s paws and coat and are absorbed through the skin. Road salt is one of the most common of such substances and can cause serious and lethal damage over time. Remember your dog walks, on lies on and licks the floor - don't use chemical based cleaners to clean floors, other horizontal or vertical surfaces that your dog comes into contact with. Absorbed poisoning can happen through ingestion when the animal grooms himself. For oil-based toxins (petroleum products) use a gentle dish washing liquid like 'Dawn'. Dust or vacuum powdery poisons away because water can activate certain toxins. If the poison is in your dog’s eye, carefully flush the eye with water or a sterile saline solution. To remove toxins from a dog's paws you can use the following Foot Soak Recipe...

Warm Water and Iodine - Foot Soak Recipe, To Remove Toxins

Iodine is non-toxic for dogs (but should not be ingested, just used topically) and is anti-fugal and anti-viral. To remove toxins (road salt, herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides) from the surface of your dog’s paws - this soak can also be used to reduce itchy, inflamed, and other wise irritated paws…

• Fill the container you are using with warm water;
• Add enough iodine to make the water turn the colour of ice tea;
• Have your dog stand in or otherwise keep their paw in the the water/iodine solution for 30 seconds
• Then pat your dog’s paws dry.

‘Inhaled poisons’ include aerosol sprays, carbon monoxide, gases, and other fumes inhaled by your pet that you may not consider poison to dogs because you use them safely on a regular basis. Quickly get your dog into fresh air and administer Rescue Breathing if necessary.

For snakebites, carry your dog if at all possible, to prevent increased circulation of venom throughout his body via walking. Get him to an animal emergency centre ASAP.

For insect bites, administer 1 mg of Diphenhydramine (i.e. Benadryl), an antihistamine, per pound of your dog’s body weight—but do check with your veterinarian first. Applying a cold pack to the bite can alleviate swelling, but immediately seek professional medical help if you detect breathing problems. You can also wipe or spray the bite with Apple Cider Vinegar.

If You Think Your Dog Is Suffering From Poisoning

(food, chemicals, insect/snake bites)

If you think your dog is suffering from symptoms related to poisoning from food, plants or chemicals call your veterinarian or contact a pet poison control centre right away.

Pet Poison Help Line 24/7 (800-213-6680)