Winter Herbs – The Perfect Winter Remedies for Dogs

​With winter right around the corner, the cold weather can aggravate arthritis-related aches and pains in dogs. Since they stay in heated indoor areas, drink insufficient water and don’t get enough sunshine, it can result in dryness of the skin and affect the condition of their coats too. 

In addition, they may become more susceptible to bacteria and viruses; which makes it even more important to help them build their immunity levels. One of the simplest things to do is to create a small garden where you can grow some herbs that will be beneficial to the health of your dog. You can add herbs to your pet’s meals; this will help them greatly with mobility issues, improve their overall wellbeing and the flavour of their meals as well. 

Some indoor herbs to grow during the winter months

1. Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm

This herb is excellent for older dogs as it:

• Neutralizes gas in the stomach
• Helps strengthen memory
• Helps promote the nervous system 
• Has calming properties that reduce anxiety -which makes it beneficial for hyperactive dogs
• It has deodorizing properties which help maintain a very fresh and clean odour in the indoor spaces

2. Parsley

Parsley

This herb helps in a number of ways such as:

• Freshens doggy breath
• Helps improve digestion
• Improves liver issues
• Assists in urinary & arthritis issues
• Excellent diuretic as it helps eliminate wastes from the body
• Helps to maintain a very good pH level which is essential for disease prevention

3. Basil

Basil

This is another highly beneficial herb that has these properties:

• Antibacterial 
• Antifungal 
• Anti-inflammatory 
• Packed with antioxidants
• Rich in essential minerals & vitamins
• Has a calming effect because it lowers stress hormone levels in your dog.

​4. Sage

Sage

Sage is very beneficial in a number of ways:

• Full of antioxidants- helps keep your dog strong and healthy
• High vitamins and minerals content 
• Eases digestive issues 

5. Calendula

Calendula

This herb is excellent because it:

• Is very good at healing wounds-promotes tissue repair
• Excellent for rashes
• Helps to ease inflammation and pain caused by insect bites, itching 
• Helps in dry skin problems and eczema
• Has natural anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties 

All these properties make it a great addition to your first aid kit. 

6. Echinacea

Echinacea

This herb benefits dogs as it:

• Boosts their immune system
• Helps their bodies fight viruses and bacteria 
• It’s a great herb to help protect against and fight against a range of infectious diseases including urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, and kennel cough

How to add these herbs to your dog’s winter meals

Many pet parents wonder whether their dogs will actually take these herbs happily. Most herbs have a distinctive aroma and taste that some dogs may not find very palatable. The one way to ensure your dog consumes these beneficial herbs is to cleverly incorporate them into their meals. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Make a fish, chicken or meat and vegetable casserole in a slow cooker. This will keep well for a few days and you can add a few chopped herbs fresh from the garden daily. They will blend in well with the other flavours. 
• Brew some herbal tea with the preferred herb- then soak some of your dog’s favourite kibble in the concoction for a delicious and comforting meal.
• Cook a wholesome broth and garnish it with some fresh herbs from your garden.
• Bake a few doggie biscuits and add some herbs to the mix.
• Whip up eggs and combine them with a few chopped fresh herbs- not only is this protein-packed meal delicious but is very nutritious as well. 
• Make a few mini meat hamburgers; add a beaten egg, vegetables and some chopped herbs to the mix. These can be frozen individually, defrost them as needed- they make a tasty small meal or snack for your dog. 
• Sprinkle some herbs on any of your dog’s regular meals

How K9 SWiM can help 

If you are unable to grow fresh herbs or source them easily, simply use the dried variants. Our K9 SWiM Hydrotherapy and Wellness Centre also has a well-stocked herbal section, where you can source dried culinary/medicinal herbs in quantities even as little as 50g in weight. Feel free to contact us to make an appointment to discuss as we can create some tailor-made herbal blends to complement the requirements of your pet. 

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