As you already know, here at AVNS we’re huge fans of natural alternatives when it comes to beauty and health-care products. We believe using natural ingredients like essential oils, apple cider vinegar, and plant derived butters on hair and skin can help decrease the risk of allergic reactions to synthetic products, provide an option for those with sensitive skin, and interact more effectively with our bodies. Of course, if these natural remedies work so well for so many people, doesn’t it make sense that they’d work for animals too? 

Absolutely! Certain natural products can be used on pets for a plethora of helpful benefits such as, keeping your pet’s skin moisturized,helping to relieve itchy skin, and even repelling fleas. You’d be surprised how many of these natural antidotes are already in your cupboard! Today I’ll be going over 5 natural remedies for pets that will help them look and feel their best!

1) Use Natural Pet Shampoo to Decrease Dry Skin and Allergies

I have to wash my hair every other day, but I have friends who only need to wash once a week. Dogs are the same way and so are other pets. According to AKC, your dog’s coat type typically determines how often they need to be bathed.

Huskies have insulated coats and over-washing will strip their fur of important natural oils. On the other hand–sorry–paw, Chinese Crested have very delicate skin and actually need to be bathed weekly.

As a rule of claw, most breeds need a bath once a month. Dogs get dirty, so dog shampoo can be packed with some pretty heavy duty ingredients and over washing your dog can lead to dry skin…which is the last thing you want for your pooch or any other pet.

This poses a problem if your dog likes mud or stink. You shouldn’t keep your dog clean inside at the expense of them not getting proper exercise…so what do you do? Just like natural shampoo for humans, our natural pet shampoo is moisturizing because of its natural glycerin content. You’ll get the same deep clean without the irritation. We’ve formulated a special shampoo bar, just for pets, but some of our “hoo-man” shampoo bars work as well!

Natural Pet Shampoo

Our long lasting 4 oz round organic pet soap is free from artificial colors, fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sulfates and synthetics, and may help restore your pet’s sensitive or allergy-prone skin to health. Your smallest 4 legged friend will love you all the more for using this safe & effective shampoo, plus you will love the sudsy lather which is effective in washing out all the grime from your dirt loving, mud rolling canine to equine. If you’re looking for natural dog shampoo, organic cat shampoo, or natural horse shampoo, you’ll love our pet shampoo bars.

In the creation of this bar, we have added specific oils, butters and essential oils which are safe for animals and will help both with skin and coat health, as well as keeping little unwanted pests away. As with all shampoo bars, this natural pet shampoo bar needs to be used with soft water for a thick sudsy effective bathing experience.

Beneficial Ingredients in Natural Pet Shampoo

Olive oil: dermal regenerator for your pets dry skin, its antioxidant effect helps nourish the cells and revitalize the epidermis.

Coconut: adds moisture to your pet’s skin and prevents flaking. It has antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial properties, which mean that it will reduce fungus and yeast when used topically.

Castor oil: not only provides a thick fluffy lather, but is effective for soothing and treating skin problems, for repelling fleas in ticks when in combination with essential oils, and for treating tumorous growths or cysts.

Shea butter: moisturizes dry, itchy skin and adds luster and shine to the coat.

Colloidal oats: act as an anti-inflammatory treatment to calm your pets skin irritations.

Essential oils of lemongrass, frankincense & cedarwood: have a multitude of benefits some of which include soothing abilities and calming effects on the nervous system, treating and repelling common pests like fleas and ticks, plus properties which have antiseptic actions that can heal the skin.

Lavender Silk Shampoo and Body Bar

Voted one of our top five best smelling shampoo bars and infused with silk peptides, this bar is perfect for a long-haired pet. Silk peptides promote smooth, shiny hair and if you read our blog last week, you’ll know that  lavender essential oil is not only safe for dogs, but may even help soothe and relax them…a definite plus if you have a fur-baby who doesn’t like bath-time!

Jojoba Silk Conditioning Shampoo Bar

This bar is loaded with naturally moisturizing oils and hair-protecting silk peptides. This is a perfect shampoo for wire-haired dog breeds, or dogs with coarse hair. This bar can also be used to give your horse a radiant mane and tail!

2) File your pet’s nails

Trimming your dog’s nails can be daunting. Many dogs get anxious if you try to trim their nails, and if you accidentally cut the dog’s quick they will bleed. Unless you know how to trim your dog’s nails, I would highly recommend letting a professional grooming service take care of it.

However, sometimes nail trims can leave your pet’s nails with sharp edges. These edges are usually filed down naturally when they come in contact with pavement during “walkies”…but if your dog can’t handle long walks you can use a typical nail file to round out your dog’s nails. I recently did this to my dog while she was napping and she barely even noticed. It saved us both a ton of anxiety and stress and I didn’t have to worry about her tearing through any furniture.

Apple Cider Vinegar as a Natural Remedy For Pets and Humans

I can’t live without my weekly ACV hair rinse.  Raw, organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar is the best curl cleanser, but it also has a multitude of benefits for your pet!

3) DIY Ear Cleaning Solution

Dogs don’t need their ears cleaned regularly. If you notice your dogs ears seem waxy it probably means that your dog’s body is working to flush something out of its system. If you let nature run its course it will probably clear up on its own. If you notice that your dog is experiencing discomfort and is shaking his/her head and itching at the ear, that’s when you can step in. A 50/50 solution of water and apple cider vinegar can be swabbed inside your pet’s ear with a cotton pad to clean out any irritant. 

4) Apple Cider Vinegar for Itchy Skin

The acidity of apple cider vinegar is useful in combating itchy skin or rashes like poison ivy or yeast. Just mix a solution of 50/50 acv and water in a spray bottle and spray down the affected area. Be careful to avoid spraying on open wounds, as this will sting.

5) Flea and Tick Repellent

Using your same spray bottle mixture of 50/50 acv and water, you can lightly spritz your pet weekly. The acv will taste extremely appetizing to any pest that decides to take a chomp on your dog!

I hope these tricks come in handy next time you’re in a pinch with your pet and need a quick solution!

Much Love,

Nora