KAREN
GOLDRICK
is a holistic veterinarian
at All Natural Vet Care,
Russell Lea, Sydney.
T: 02 9712 5844
W: naturalvet.com.auOrganic apple-
cider vinegar will
balance the pH
of your pet’s skin
and help to treat
yeast infections.Natural topical treatments for skin
N
atural topical treatments may be
used as an alternative to medicated
shampoos or antibacterial or anti-
inflammatory creams for pets. Dogs
and cats have furry coats which make using creams
challenging. Fur should be carefully clipped from
hotspots or wounds. The underside of the trunk,
axillae, under the tail and feet are usually relatively
hairless and so ideal for topical treatments. Natural
products can also be used as full-body rinses.
Dogs and cats will want to lick off anything you put
on them, so distract for at least 10 minutes to allow
treatments to work. However, anything potentially
toxic shouldn’t be used. Many essential oils like tea
tree, pennyroyal, camphor, citrus oil, clove oil and oil
of wintergreen can be toxic to small dogs and cats.
Always patch-test anything new, especially in
pets with sensitive skin. Apply a small amount of
cream to an unaffected area such as the inside of
the ear. Wait 24 hours and check for a reaction.
Dogs with allergies to plants in the Compositae
family will be allergic to products containing
chamomile or calendula. I’ve also seen dogs react
to products containing oatmeal. As chamomile tea
contains coumarins, it is not ideal for cats.
Find below a few suggestions for natural
topical treatments for your pet. Before trying
these alternatives, please check with your vet first.Oral care
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids
which have an antibacterial effect and also make
a useful substrate for toothpaste. Add sodium
bicarbonate powder for grit to assist with plaque
removal and apply with a finger brush to teeth
and gums. Bicarb can also be added to
a mouth wash (½ tsp to 1 cup of rinse)
for older pets or those undergoing
chemotherapy that might leave
them with a dry mouth.
Rinse away toothpastes
with green tea, which is full
of antioxidants. Dogs and
cats cannot ingest too much
caffeine, so prepare as
follows: add 1 cup of just-
boiled water to 1 organic
green teabag and steep
for 2 minutes, then discard.
This eliminates much of the
caffeine. Then add another cup
of just-boiled water to the same
bag and cool for 20 minutes. Store
unused tea in the fridge for 24 hours.
Aloe vera gel, applied topically to gums
using a cotton bud, can help soothe gingivitis
or oral ulcers. Fresh aloe vera plant is ideal
and one of the easiest healing plants to grow.
Cut a washed leaf lengthways then scrape out
the inner gel, leaving the outer fibrous part of
the leaf (this latex contains potentially laxative
anthraquinones). If you are using an aloe vera gel
product, look for one with at least 11.25mg/mL
acemannan and low levels of anthraquinone.Yeast skin infections (Malassezia
or candida)
Organic apple-cider vinegar will balance the pH
of your pet’s skin and help treat yeast infections.
However, it can burn or sting if used undiluted.
Dilute apple-cider vinegar to at least 30 per cent
with water in a spritz bottle and spray on your
dog’s feet. You can wipe some on the outside of
your dog’s ear but check with your vet first before
using inside ears. Wash off after 10 minutes to
prevent irritation.Bacterial skin infections (hotspots
or superfi cial pyoderma)
Tea-tree oil (Melaleuca species) was a traditional
remedy used by indigenous Australians. The
leaves were crushed and used topically to
treat skin infections and wounds. Tea-tree oil
is potentially toxic to small dogs and I never
prescribe it for cats. It may also be a skin irritant
and should always be patch-tested first.
Tea-tree oil has antibacterial, antifungal and
anti-inflammatory effects. Products containing
1–2 per cent tea tree oil should be safe to use in
dogs; up to 10 per cent has been prescribed but
can occasionally have adverse effects. You can
prepare a 1 per cent tea-tree rinse by adding
5mL tea-tree oil to 500mL water. Shake well each
time you use this to suspend the oil and spray on
affected areas. Use on hotspots or to treat yeasty
paws after cleaning with tea.
I frequently prescribe teas (black, green,
chamomile or calendula) as rinses or
compresses for inflamed skin, hotspots and
superficial bacterial infections. Prepare tea
as above (no need to discard chamomile or
calendula tea). The used bag can be used as
a compress on acute oozing hotspots or for
red itchy eyes and the tea as a rinse after
shampooing or to bathe wounds or hotspots.
I also spray teas “underneath” to remove grass
residues that may lead to contact allergies.
Witch hazel contains catechins and has
antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
It can be used to treat anal irritation (under the
tail), skin-fold dermatitis, bruises and inflamed
or swollen skin. Prepare a mix by pouring
1 cup of just-boiled water over 1 tsp dried leaves
and bark and allow to steep 20 minutes, then
strain. To make a simple cream, mix 50mL of the
decoction with 50g of vitamin E cream. Use
a small amount on affected areas.Dry itchy skin
You can use a vegetable-based vitamin E cream
on hairless, dry and itchy skin. Simply rub
a small amount of cream on affected areas.
Alternatively, use evening primrose oil, which
is rich in gamma linolenic acid and may have
anti-inflammatory effects. To moisturise the coat,
make a moisturiser with ½ cup softened coconut
oil and 2 capsules of vitamin E. Rub over your
dog’s skin and coat after a bath. You can add
15 drops of lavender oil to calm itchy skin. Photography^ GettyImagescolumn
PET CARE146 | wellbeing.com.au