My Top 5 Tips on Transitioning to Natural Healthcare for your Dogs

When I started making more healthier choices for myself, it wasn't long after that I wanted to learn about the same for my dogs. I thought there must be a way we can treat things naturally, without these toxic products... expensive toxic products...and expensive toxic products which have harmful side effects. I wished I had have come across something like this article, to guide me on my way! First thing first... don't run before you can walk... you won't be able to change everything over night and wave a magic wand and its all Natural and hunky dory. If you have tons of money and access to a good Holistic Vet, then yes it can be possible. Although there are more and more veterinarians moving over to the Natural and Holistic path every year, they are just still few and far between- Especially here in the UK. My first tip is: Get a Journal honestly .. hear me out. I promise a Journal will be absolutely invaluable to you. Make notes about why you want to do this transition. Set some goals you want to achieve. Then when you are actually making changes, noting down your dogs's physical and emotional changes. I will do another blog about this, because I do think it deserves it. An important part about this is setting your intention and planning out what you are going to change and when. You want as little disruption and stress as possible to you and your dogs life, so planning and preparation is key. so you know exactly what you are going to do.

Tip Number 2 Start small. In your journal, have a think about what toxins are in your dogs life. I would list them and think what little changes can be made, in your own time, working to your budget, or whatever goals you have set. Changing even a couple of things can make such a wonderful difference. Some examples of small things you can change are:

Shampoo

Flea Products Boosters Worming products Treats (Ultimately food- but that's a biggie) Ear Cleaning products etc...

My Homemade Flea and Tick Repellent, made from Neem Oil and a selection of Essential oils and hydrosols. A Toxic Free way to keep the flea's and Tick's away.

Tip Number 3 Notice the small Differences

With any small changes like the examples above, you will be surprised what great changes these will make to your dog. Remember to make a note of any changes you are noticing. These can be really subtle differences, in behaviour, energy levels, emotional responses, alertness, as well as physical differences, have allergies reduced, are their stools different, their coat shinier, maybe they have less ear wax. I'd say this is the most important tip- because when you work with natural products, the changes are very gentle and subtle, you really have to tune into what's happening, and be extremely sensitive to your dogs changes.

Being so attuned to these subtleties is also how you will learn to recognise when something isn't right- Just as much as when it is right.

I noticed that Ralph's ear wax was building more quickly over a few days, and realised that it was the start of an infection.. luckily, before any other symptoms I was able to offer some herbs and oils to settle it down before it became anything. Keeping a Journal of these things is really handy to look back on. you can track timescales, what happened, what you did, and what changes took place. Along with what your dog may be sensitive to.. after time you can start to notice patterns. maybe seasonal or during any of your emotional changes. Tip Number 4 Keep your home clean....

Whaaaat??

Think about it.. our pets are on the floor, on the sofa, on and off the bed, laying in the garden. Keeping floors and surfaces were they lay, clean, reduces the amount of bacteria and toxins they come into contact with. I'm not saying bleach everything they touch, of course cleaning products can be just as toxic. (wait for tip number 5) but the Skin is an organ. If it has an extra job of filtering all that muck that's its laying in all day, then yeah its going to get into their system.

Tip number 5 Change some of your household products. This was a no brainer for me... having a bloodhound, who's nose carries around 230 million olfactory receptors, compared to our 11 million. I have always been extremely conscious when I sprayed something or used a product which was a strong smell for me.

I knew when we got Ralph that I wouldn't be able to use half as much Zoflora and Detttol as I use to! I just love cleaning! I do use "normal" household cleaning products but I am careful on what they are and if they contain harmful chemicals which effect us. I do make some of my own, but for the most part, I use shop bought products which are eco friendly and non toxic, from my wonderful local Health food store Health Conscious.

I hope you enjoyed these tips! I'd love to know how you are getting on, and if you have any questions,

please get in touch :-) Love from Daisy and Ralph

xx