Reader Question: Are there herbs pets can take?

My dog has worms, and my cat gets frequent UTIs.  Are there any herbs that are good for pets that address either of these problems?

Thanks!

Dear Pet-Lover,

Yes. Worms in pets can be treated, with the right food and herbs.  Try these well-documented remedies:

Grind up seeds from fresh grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, or any other citrus fruit and add to food. Grapefruit seeds are a natural for killing, weakening, and repelling parasites.

Add a half capsule of cayenne pepper per 50 lbs of body weight to food daily. This can be stepped up to a half capsule per 25 lbs of body weight twice a day for one week for quicker results.

Try grinding up pumpkin seeds and add a quarter teaspoon for each 10 – 15 lbs. of body weight daily. Do this for two weeks and then add wheat bran to the dog’s diet; soak the bran in water and add an eighth teaspoon per 10 lbs. of body weight to larger animals and just a pinch for smaller ones.

Finally, find some black walnut hull at your local health food store and give your dog one capsule per day. Wrap it in a piece of cheese or something to get the dog to eat it.

If this does not seem to help, a visit to the vet is in order.

As for the cat's bladder infections, supplements of cranberry and buchu. But because a bladder infection can be so damaging to the kidneys, as well as painful for the cat, the cat and its urine should be examined by a vetrinarian.

Best of luck to you and your pets!

The Herbalist