There is little doubt that it is the golden age of the internet, and for many of us, that means turning to a search engine or favorite website for answers is second nature. Using the internet to diagnose and even treat ailments in our pets is just as common, but the results aren’t always in our pet’s favor.
DIY pet remedies have their place, but only with guidance from your pet’s primary healthcare provider. And in some cases, certain treatments should never be home remedies!
Let the team at BEEVET walk you through the pros and cons of DIY pet remedies, and how to make sure your pet gets the best possible care.
The Dangers of DIY Pet Remedies
We recently posted about how to find credible online health advice. While there’s plenty of vetted pet health websites out there, when it comes to pet home remedies you see online or read in books you should always take the information with a grain of salt.
There are some serious risks associated with DIY pet remedies, such as:
- Waiting too long – Depending on the situation, relying on a home remedy could delay you from seeking professional medical treatment for your pet. Waiting too long for professional care could create a more serious and expensive situation, and force your pet to suffer longer.
- Toxic ingredients – Pets and people have very different physiologies, and some substances, such as certain herbs or essential oils that are beneficial for humans can be toxic to pets. Just because you find a recipe for a pet home remedy does not mean that every ingredient is safe, always check with your veterinarian first.
- Interference with other treatments – Depending on the ingredients, home treatments can adversely interact with your pet’s prescribed medications, and can interfere with our attempts to treat your pet after the fact.
- Using the wrong treatment – Using human-grade medications on pets, or using species-specific medication on the animal it wasn’t intended for can have drastic results. Never give a human medication or a medication intended for a different species to your pet.
A Grain of Salt
It wasn’t too long ago that most pets and farm animals were treated at home, and in some non-emergency cases it can make sense to try a few things yourself before bringing your pet in to see us right away.
Whenever you choose to treat minor ailments at home, please contact us first. Your veterinarian has had years of schooling and professional experience, and should be your primary source of information when it comes to your pet’s health.
