Vet medications might work but they also come with a lot of possible side effects

There is nothing worse than having a poor little animal in pain, often times because you have no way of telling what it is that is causing the dog pain. If you figure out that the dog has an ear infection, you want to make sure that you are getting him or her treatment as soon as possible.

The thing is though; you might just want to skip out on the medications that the vet wants to give. Sure, they might work but they also come with a lot of possible side effects, just like with medications for people. This is not something you want to risk with your dog that is already in enough pain.

Using a home remedy is a much better idea because you are able to control just what it is that your dog is getting. You will also know that your dog will not be at risk for a large laundry list of possible side effects. Some of the side effects for some of the medications out there are worse than the original medical problem that the dog is seeking treatment for.

One popular home remedy for dog ear infections is a mixture of one part witch hazel to one part of some apple cider vinegar. The witch hazel will work to lower the pH level and kick the dog’s natural ability to fight off infections into full swing. Now, just how do you go about getting this solution into the dog’s ear? The answer is simpler than you may have first thought.

Start by gently pouring your home remedy mixture into the dog’s ear canal, making sure that you are filling it to the brim. Once you have done that you will want to compress the ear canal by using your fingers and your thumb. Make sure that your dog remains still as you massage the whole length of the ear canal. Do not be afraid to gently give the area a slight squeeze.

Do this for a couple of minutes and then you can let him go ahead and shake it off. You will want to make sure that you are repeating this process for the other ear as well since you just never know if it needs it. Even if the other ear does not need it, it would not hurt to just be on the safe side.

With your dog in pain and the vet looking to take as much money from you as possible, you want to make sure that you are sticking with the natural treatments. When you do this, you save money, you are staying eco friendly, and you are ensuring that your dog receives treatment without the risk of having to go through any unnecessary pain.

In December 2008, after Vice President Biden obtained a new dog from a breeder, the poor woman who owned the kennel was pilloried by PETA, and harassed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Dog breeders have been demonized as over breeding animals, inbreeding animals, and providing lousy food and living conditions. While some breeders abuse their charges, the same can be said for any business. Some people are ethical, some aren’t. This woman didn’t deserve what had happened to her.

Having said that, when it comes to protecting the environment, it does make a lot more sense to adopt a dog from a dog shelter rather than purchase a pure-bred one from a breeder. That’s because there are so many abandoned dogs out there, especially now when the economy has been so bad that thousands of pet owners have abandoned their pets because they could no longer afford to feed or house them.

If you want to get a dog from a breeder, don’t let anyone pressure you into not doing so. However, consider that there are plenty of lovable dogs and cats in shelters that will make the perfect pet.

1. Spay or neuter your pet

When you do get a dog or a cat, please have it spayed or neutered. There are so many homeless animals now, you only contribute to the problem even more if you allow your unfixed dog or cat to roam wild and breed.

2. Keep pets on leashes

Many communities have leash laws, and those that don’t really should have them. Once you’ve invested some love in a dog or cat, wouldn’t it be heart-breaking to come across their body in the street because some car ran over it by accident?

In addition, cats should be kept indoors. Outside, they kill birds, squirrels and other animals.

Cats and dogs that roam outside are in danger from other predators, and picking up  ticks and fleas (with all the diseases they bring), and so on. The average life span of an outdoor cat is less than three years; an indoors-only cat lives from 15 to 18 years.

3. Feed your pets well

Don’t buy pet food unless it contains FDA-certified, food-grade meat. Otherwise, it’s simply not healthy for your cat or dog. And don’t try to turn them into vegetarians. They aren’t.

So check out natural and organic pet foods that use meat raised in sustainable, humane ways without added drugs or hormones, minimally processed, and preserved naturally.

4. Pick up after your pet

If you’re walking your dog and it squats and poops, do you clean it up? You’re supposed to. Otherwise, some poor person  is going to come along, and step in it, and have that aroma on their shoes for the rest of the day. Or another dog is going to come along and roll in it, as is their wont.

If you don’t want to use your dog’s excrement as compost, at least ensure that you encase it in biodegradable bags.

For cat owners, clay litter is not a healthy choice. Make sure you use eco-friendly cat litters.

5. No bunnies or chicks for Easter

Lots of kids want a pet bunny or a chick for Easter, but most of them don’t want to care for the little creatures – at least not once they reach adulthood and lose their cuddly cuteness. Many careless pet owners release their unwanted pets into the wild, which is a cruel thing to do. Better not to purchase them at all.