Natural, Herbal Alternatives to Prednisone, Steroids, NSAIDs for Dogs, Cats

In this article:

1. Anti-inflammatory Foods
2. Anti-inflammatory Herbs – Alternative Medicines
3. Anti-inflammatory Supplements – Alternative Medicines
4. Anti-Inflammatory, Immune System Supporting Diet and Health Regimen

1.0 Anti-inflammatory Foods

Note…when adding any new food items to your dog’s or cat’s diet – introduce one new item at a time. Don’t introduce a second new item for at least several days. This gives your dog or cat time to adjust to the new item and if they have any adverse reaction to the item you will know which item she has reacted to.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Tart Red Cherries (sour cherries) - fresh or frozen finely chopped or juice;
• Apples (fresh);
• Blueberries - fresh or frozen finely chopped;
• Broccoli - fresh finely chopped, lightly steamed or cooked;
• Grapefruit (particularly white grapefruit) fresh or frozen, finely chopped;
• Spinach - fresh finely chopped, lightly steamed or cooked;
• Summer squash - fresh finely chopped, lightly steamed or cooked.
• For a more extensive list see the table below...

The table below provides a listing of the top ranked antioxidant yielding fruits and vegetables. Ranking is by Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC). Tart Red Cherries get the highest ranking of all fruits and vegetables for their anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods Ranked by ORAC Value

Ranking	Top Ranked Fruits and Veggies	ORAC Value rates: qty of antioxidants; strength of antioxidants.
#1	Tart red cherry juice concentrate	12000
#2	Dried tart red cherry	6800
#3	Prunes	577
#4	Blueberries	2400
#5	Blackberries	2036
#6	Tart red cherries, frozen	2033
#7	Canned tart red cherries, packed in water. Note – do not  use cherries packed in syrup as sugar is inflammatory!	1700
#8	Kale	1770
#9	Strawberries	1540
#10	Raspberries	1220
#11	Spinach	1260
#12	Brussel’s Sprouts	980
#13	Plums	949
#14	Alfalfa sprouts	930
#15	Broccoli (florets)	890
#16	Beets (non-GMO beets!)	840
#17	Oranges	750
#18	Grapes (red)	739
#19	Red Bell Pepper	710
#20	Pink Grapefruit	495
#21	Grapes (white)	460

Note – all of the above fruits are safe for dogs and cats with the exception of grapes. The flesh of grapes should never be given to dogs or cats. Grape seed extract and grape seed oil is safe for dogs and cats. 

This homemade food recipe for dogs and cats (puppies, kittens and senior dogs and cats) includes most of the fruits and vegetables listed above as well as herbs from the list further below. These foods can also be incorporated into your dog’s and cat’s diet in smoothie form. Serve as a separate treat or add/mix into his/her bowl with food. You can look at this recipe and this recipe for examples.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

 Choose one or two of the following options to add to your dog’s or cat’s diet…

• Fish Oil
• Cod Liver Oil - Norwegian or Arctic
• Salmon Oil - Wild Alaskan (not factory farm!)
• Krill Oil - Norwegian or Arctic
• Chia Seeds or oil
• Flax seeds (ground) or flax seed oil

For a list of benefits, dosage, cautions, interactions and other food high in Omega-3 fatty acids read here.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Coconut Oil – for benefits, cautions and daily dosage read here.

2.0 Anti-inflammatory Herbs – Alternative Medicines

The following is a list of some herbal alternatives to corticosteroids (including Prednisone). A link to a full article on each herb is provided. When using any of the herbs listed below, add the herb to your dog’s or cat’s food at mealtime. Make sure you read the articles as they provide you with information on health benefits, dosage, cautions, side effects and interactions.

Aloe Vera Juice  

for dogs and cats

Safe to use as a short-term or long-term daily dietary supplement, alternative medicine for most dogs and cats. 

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
  Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• Daily Dietary Dosage
• Read here.

Arnica

for dogs and cats

Safe to use as a short-term alternative medicine for most dogs and cats. 

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
  Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• Daily Dietary Dosage
• Read here.

Bosweilla

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Cat's Claw 

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions 
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Camomile

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon) 

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Dong Quai

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• Read here.

Feverfew

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Ginger

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Golden Seal 

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Juniper Berries

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• Read here.

Garlic

for dogs

• Health Benefits
• Preparation and Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• Read here.

Licorice Root

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Marjoram

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Rooibos (Red Bush) Tea

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Slippery Elm Bark

for dogs and cats

Safe to use as a short-term daily dietary supplement, alternative medicine for most dogs and cats. 

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here.

Turmeric and Curcumin

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here

3.0 Anti-inflammatory Supplements, Alternative Medicines

The following is a list of additional alternative medicines. A link to a full article on each alternative is provided. When using any of the below, add to your dog’s or cat’s food at mealtime. Make sure you read the articles as they provide you with information on health benefits, dosage, cautions, side effects and interactions.

Grapefruit Seed Extract  

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here

Grape Seed Extract

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here

Quercetin

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here

Tart Red Cherry Extract 

for dogs and cats

• Health Benefits
• Dosage
• Cautions
• Side Effects
• Drug Interactions
• General Guideline for Daily Intake
• Read here

6.0 Anti-Inflammatory, Immune System Supporting Diet and Health Regimen

6.1 Anti-Inflammatory, Immune System Supporting Diet

Make sure you dog or cat is on an anti-inflammatory diet. Many commercial dry, wet dog foods and treats and veterinarian prescribed dry and wet foods contain multiple inflammatory ingredients - known allergens, toxins and carcinogens. Inflammatory ingredients include:

• Grains and refined grains
• Ingredients containing high pesticide residue – i.e. corn, soy and derivatives
• Chemical preservatives
• Chemical-based food colouring
• Low omega-3 fatty acid content
• Etc.

Diet Matters

Make sure you support your dog and cat’s health from the inside out. Don’t get fooled into feeding a poor diet. Yours and your companion animal’s best defence against illness and disease is knowledge. You can read the following articles to gain insight into what makes a dog and cat food good or bad, healthy or unsafe.

Learn about a species appropriate diet for dogs and cats. Go to this article.

The best diet for a dog or cat is a raw or gently cooked and fresh food diet. An example recipe is provided in this article.

6.2 Health Regimen

If your dog is suffering from an inflammatory disease the health care choices you make can add to the serious deterioration of your dog or cat’s health.

Insect and Parasite Preventatives

Do not use chemical-based insect and parasite preventatives unless 100% necessary as you will be increasing toxic load, suppressing the immune system, introducing carcinogens and more -  you can read why in detail here. There are many natural alternatives you can employ, for example:

Natural, Herbal  Flea, Tick, Mite, Mosquito Repellent Sprays, Rubs, Dips for Dogs and Cats go here.
 

Natural, Herbal Flea, Tick, Mosquito Spot-On and Collar Drops for Dogs and Cats 

go here.

DIY Natural, Herbal, Homeopathic Dewormers for Dogs and Cats

go here.

Foods That Help Your Dog, Cat Naturally Repel, Eliminate Insects, Parasites

read here.

Antibiotics 
Don’t put your dog or cat on antibiotics unless 100% necessary. Antibiotics suppress the immune system leaving your dog or cat more vulnerable to viruses, diseases, insects and parasites and even behavioural issues due to disruption of healthy serotonin levels. 

 

There are many natural alternatives you can employ for example:

Dental Care 

Gingivitis, Oral infections Natural Remedies for Dogs and Cats – read here.

Ear Infections

Natural Remedies for Dogs and Cats – read here.

Eye Infections, Conjunctivitis

Natural Remedies, Cures for Dogs and Cats – read here.

Paw Infections

Natural Remedies for Dogs and Cats – read here.

Shampoos and Rinses for Dogs and Cats 

Natural Herbal Recipes – read here.

Urinary Tract Infections

Natural Remedies for Dogs and Cats – read here.

Stress and Stressors

Stress is an inflammatory condition that can trigger:

• Suppression of the immune system - thereby leaving the body more susceptible to:
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Insect and parasite infestation
• Viruses
• etc.
• Low serotonin levels - thereby affecting brain function and behaviour
• Disruptions in the endocrine system
• Fatigue and pain as a result of all of the above

For all of these reasons it is important to do your best to minimize the amount of psychological stress that your companion animal is exposed to - particularly if your dog or cat is already suffering from an acquired inflammatory condition.

 

Dogs are very insightful communicators - much more so than the average human. The significance of this is huge. Because dogs can sense and discern to a degree that exceeds that of an untrained human, It does not matter what you say as much as what you feel. 

How you feel at any one given moment instantaneously transmits itself to:

• Your body in the form of body language:
• Facial expression.
• How you hold yourself - how one part of your body relates to another part of your body, your posture, etc.
• How you occupy your space, how you occupy the space you are located in - were are you in that space, how are you positioned, what footprint are you occupying, how you move, etc.
• How you present yourself.
• Your breathing.
• Your adrenal level.
• Your heart rate.
• Your blood pressure.
• Your blood sugar.
• Your scent.

Your thoughts and your emotions drive your body language.

For more information on understanding stress in your dog and supporting calm you can read here.

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat

For information about my holistic diet, nutrition and wellness services, visit my holistic wellness services page.

Maintain good health | Address acute and chronic health issues | Pre and post surgery support and recovery

My holistic wellness services are available worldwide via video consultation.

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📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page.

 

Holistic Behavioral Services for Your Dog

For information about my holistic behavioral services, visit my holistic behavioral services page.

For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.

My behavioral services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page.

 

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✓ I'm not aligned with any companies. 

 

Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld.