Home Remedies: Myths or Facts?

[Kaluig]

From the list below, which home remedies are considered myths (and potentially dangerous) or facts when giving to our lovely GSD?

Myths: it does not provide any benefits or is dangerous, not good to be given to dogs at all as it is poisoneous

Facts: benefits are visible (what are the uses/benefits?), it works as intended and is safe for dogs


I will provide my feedback first:

1. 1 clove garlic/day - MYTH -I tried one day, cut it in small pieces and mixed with my dog's food, Igor did not like that at all and threw up 30 min after eating
2. 1 tablet of human vitamin C 500 mg/day - have not tried yet, heard is good for inflamtions as it is an antioxidant
3. 2 capsules of human cod oil liver/day - FACT - gave to him before in lieu of oil fish and benefits were visible on his fur
4. oil fish with mint flavor - MYTH - i think my dog got allergic to the mint and did not see the benefit as noticeable in the human cod oil liver
5. organic apple cidar vinegar - FACT - have not tried yet but used white vinegar with warn water to clean his ears
6. brown rice with some onions in - i have given to him before but I tried to remove the onions before and later decided to make it w/o onions for us as well to so he could eat it as is, not sure if rice should be given often or once in a blue moon
7. apples - he does not seem to like it
8. greek yogurt - he loves greek yogurt!
9. papaya - he LOVES papaya!
10. cantaloupe/melon - he likes melons!
11. carrots - he did not like that much
12. milk - he would drink but he would have diarrhea or very soft stool
13. greenies (not human but would be good to know) - he LOVES greenies but I am concerned about some of its non natural ingredients

Any others?
What would you recommend and what benefit/results have you seen?
What would you not recommend as a big "no-no"?

[llombardo]

No onions and I think Greek yogurt is not good for them, it has higher something then regular yogurt(I can't remember what right now). Apple Cider Vinegar is good for the PH in the pee, so it doesn't turn grass brown. Apples with no seeds, seeds are poisonous. Stay away from milk.

[Jax08]

I don't think you can base Fact/Myth off your own experiences. As far as the cod liver oil capsules, be careful with those. That is loaded with Vitamin A which is not water soluble and can lead to toxicity.

Important Cod Liver Oil Update

[Kaluig]

Thanks for the info, especially the one about cod liver oil, kind of scary...i have not given that to Igor in years so I should be safe there, I was giving him fish oil with mint flavor but I guess he did not like that much and maybe gave him some respiratory allergy.

As far as greek yogurt, I would really like to hear more about it. We all know about the positive effects of probiotics found in yogurt but I am now very curious to find out why greek is not as recommended as plain yogurt for dogs.

How about garlic clove and human vitamin C? Any experience there? And greenies?

I believe we are what we eat and that applies to dogs as well. I switched his dry food from Science Diet and Eukanuba to Blue Basics Turkey and Potato for seniors. He actually liked the regular Blue adult formula of Lamb & Brown Rice but I have inquired Blue if he should stay with senior formula or not since he is 11 years old.

[Jax08]

Vitamin C is good. Make sure it has rose hips in it so you are getting the "whole" component. I've read studies that only giving the isolated component without the bioflavonoids can be damaging. I don't feed greenies. I give them chicken feet, bully sticks, dried tracheas as chews. Yogurt is fine to give. However, if your dog has been ill yogurt does not have a high enough culture count to repopulate a system so you will have to give probiotics.

[shepherdmom]

re: milk Many years ago Buddy licked one of those poisonous toad they have in Arizona and was in great distress. As it was a night time weekend there were no vets open. We called a friend and trainer who had had experience and she said to give him milk. We did. OMG with in a few seconds Buddy who had been shaking, wobbling and peeing all over the place was fine and playing. If you live in an area with those frogs, keep some milk on hand. I believe it saved his life.

Re Greek yogurt what is wrong with it?

[Jax08]

There is nothing wrong with greek yogurt. It's just strained more than regular yogurt. It has higher everything than regular yogurt...protein, calcium, cultures...

A spoonful won't hurt them. Yogurt is an extra...not to be considered part of their meals. But still keep the calories in mind if your dog is overweight.

[llombardo]

Its something to do with high oxalates I believe. Something to do with hurting the kidneys/liver or something like that. I just don't give it, because whatever was said about it made it stick in my head that they shouldn't have it. I'm sorry I don't have any more info

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by llombardo

Its something to do with high oxalates I believe. Something to do with hurting the kidneys/liver or something like that. I just don't give it, because whatever was said about it made it stick in my head that they shouldn't have it. I'm sorry I don't have any more info

Is this along the lines of what you read? due to possible kidney stones?
Dog Urinary Tract Issues and Dog Treats

Personally, I dont' feed it to the dogs because it's expensive and it's not a main part of their diet. Jax only gets yogurt when I feed her honey for her allergies.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Jax08

Is this along the lines of what you read? due to possible kidney stones?
Dog Urinary Tract Issues and Dog Treats

Personally, I dont' feed it to the dogs because it's expensive and it's not a main part of their diet. Jax only gets yogurt when I feed her honey for her allergies.

No, I never read that. It was someone talking about it with their dogs, but it was pretty much the same idea with the kidneys.