Avoid Using This on Your Dog and Cat's Wounds, Hydrogen Peroxide Slows Healing
★ 4 min read
In this article:
- How Hydrogen Peroxide Inhibits Wound Healing
- Natural Alternatives to Cleanse Wounds and Promote Healing
- Natural, Healing Wound Cleansers
- Natural Paw Soak Recipes
- Natural Ear Infection Treatments
- Natural Treatments for Oral Care
Are you using hydrogen peroxide to clean your dog or cat's wounds? Are you using hydrogen peroxide to treat your dog or cat's paw or skin issues? Ear infections or oral care issues?
Commercially produced hydrogen peroxide (e.g. pharmaceutical and food grade, sold in pharmacies) slows healing. It can also prevent healing. In this article I discuss why I recommend you avoid using hydrogen peroxide as a personal care product for your dog and cat.
To clean and sterilize insect bites, cuts, scrapes and wounds, treat ear infections and oral care issues, use natural alternatives. Examples of natural alternatives are provided in this article.
1.0 How Hydrogen Peroxide Inhibits Wound Healing
1.1 Lack of Differentiation Between Good Bacteria and Pathogens
Commercially
produced hydrogen peroxide (e.g. hydrogen peroxide sold in pharmacies)
doesn't differentiate between pathogens and healthy cells.
- Kills pathogens (e.g. bacteria).
- Does not discriminate between bad bacteria and good bacteria.
- Kills good bacteria naturally present on the skin. The good bacteria produces enzymes that are necessary to support skin health.
- Kills healthy cells that are required to heal wounds.
1.2 Hydrogen Peroxide Causes ATP Depletion
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a molecule that exists in all living organisms on earth. At the cellular level, ATP is the main energy source for your dog and cat's key biological functions including:
- DNA and RNA synthesis requires ATP
- Muscle contractions
- Nerve impulse transmission, including proper functioning of the brain
- Protein synthesis
- ATP stores energy. When energy in a cell is required, ATP breaks down to make the energy available to the cell.
- Hydrogen peroxide depletes the level of ATP in cells.
- Without ATP, your dog and cat's body cannot produce new cells nor repair damaged cells.
1.3 Disruption of Connective Tissue
Hydrogen peroxide reduces the body's ability to produce connective tissue.
Connective tissue helps move nutrients and other important substances between other types of tissues to heal your dog and cat's wounds.
1.4 Hyaluronic Acid Depletion
Hydrogen peroxide reduces the body's natural ability to produce hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid supports your dog and cat's eye, joint and skin health.
1.5 Proteoglycan Depletion
Proteoglycan are a type of protein that occur naturally in your dog and cat's body. Proteoglycans help regulate cellular processes. The body requires protoglycans to enable healthy functioning of connective tissue.
Hydrogen peroxide reduces the body's ability to produce proteoglycans.
1.6 Damaged Molecules and Compounds
When hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with the body's cells it causes the release of damaged molecules and compounds that interfere with healing and blood vessel formation. Healthy blood vessels are necessary to support healing of your dog and cat's wounds.
So, what should you use on your dog and cat's wounds instead of hydrogen peroxide?
2.0 Natural Alternatives To Cleanse Your Dog and Cat's Wounds and Promote Healing
2.1 Natural, Healing Wound Cleansers
Below, examples of effective natural alternatives to cleanse your dog and cat's wounds:
Calendula
- Calendula is a medicinal herb. It a natural antiseptic with antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, healing properties.
- Learn more about calendula and how to use it, go to this article.
Colloidal Silver
- Colloidal Silver is a natural anti-septic, disinfectant with anti-microbial, antibacterial, anti-fungal anti-viral, properties.
- Learn more about colloidal silver and how to use it, go to this article.
Iodine
- Iodine is a natural antiseptic, astringent with antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
- See recipe #1 Warm Water and Iodine in this article.
Marjoram
- Marjoram is a natural antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial properties.
- Learn more about marjoram and how to use it as a cleansing rinse, go to this article.
2.2 Natural Paw Soak Recipes for Your Dog and Cat
Calendula Paw Soak
- Recipe, health benefits and instructions for use in this article.
Himalayan Salt Soak
- Recipe, health benefits and instructions for use, in this article.
- Use Himalayan salt soak to soothe inflamed, irritated or infected paws, not for open wounds.
Rooibos Tea Paw Soak or Rinse
- Recipe, health benefits and instructions for use, in this article.
- Use rooibos tea soak or rinse for dogs whose paws are inflamed, irritated or infected due to with food or environmental allergies.
Herbal Paw Soak, Spray, Rinse Recipes
- Rooibos Tea and Lemon Anti-itch Rinse Recipe
- Chamomile and Green Tea Soothing Rinse Recipe
- Lemon Balm and Nettle Leaf Refreshing Healing Rinse Recipe
- Peppermint, Fennel and Rose Sensitive Skin Rinse Recipe
- Floral Antibacterial, Soothing Rinse Recipe
- Calendula, Antibacterial, Healing Rinse Recipe
- Marjoram Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Cleansing Rinse Recipe
More Natural Paw Soak Recipes
In this article.
2.3 Natural Treatments for Ear Infections in Dogs and Cats
Ear infections can occur due to various underlying issues. It's important to identify the underlying reason for the infection and choose a suitable natural treatment.
Learn about:
- Symptoms.
- Common causes.
- Natural treatments for ear infections.
- How to address and resolve underling issues.
Go to this article.
2.4 Natural Treatments for Oral Care in Dogs and Cats
Coconut oil and herbal toothpaste recipe:
- Go to this article.
Natural treatments and recipes for:
- Bleeding and/or infected gums.Oral rinses.
- Plaque softener.
- More toothpaste recipes.
- Foods and fresh herbs to support oral health.
Go to this article.
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.
🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE
📱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.
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food, supplements, or other products.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.
Article by Karen Rosenfeld.
