Everything you need to know about natural antibiotics for dogs
Antibiotics can help your dog fight off a bacterial infection or reduce the risk of getting one. In either scenario, a vet may prescribe amoxicillin (Trusted Source) or other antibiotics to help your dog.
While antibiotics can help your pet in the short term, there are side effects that come with using antibiotics. These include everything from minor side effects such as drooling and fatigue to allergic reactions that cause muscle spasms and seizures.
There’s always the risk of antibiotic resistance in dogs (Trusted Source) , too. If your dog has built up a resistance, an antibiotic used to fight off a certain type of bacteria will have no effect.
Your vet can help you weigh the pros and cons of antibiotics for your dog. On top of that, your vet can teach you about natural antibiotics for dogs that combat and prevent bacterial infections. You can get these dog antibiotics without a prescription. Most importantly, natural antibiotics for dogs may help your dog move past or avoid a bacterial infection — without putting their health at risk.
Conventional antibiotics are medicines prescribed by a vet to treat an infection. However, studies show that antibiotic resistance is an issue in pets (Trusted Source) . The more we give them medical antibiotics, the more likely they will develop resistance.
🚨 If you suspect your pet has an infection, it’s important to go to the vet and follow their treatment advice.
Alongside this threat of resistance, conventional antibiotics can also cause an imbalance in your dog’s natural, intestinal flora. Without good bacteria, your dog may develop additional problems like diarrhea and vomiting. Many vets recommend consider probiotics if this does happen.
If your pet is suffering from a severe infection, prescription antibiotics need to be used, and you should always follow your vet’s advice. In general, antibiotic resistance is rare, but repeated use of conventional antibiotics and not using a full course of prescribed antibiotics can be some of the factors that contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Some natural products have antibiotic properties. Using these natural remedies lowers your dog’s risk of resistance and gut damage. Let’s explore 6 natural products that contain antibiotics!
Honey is one of the world’s most healing foods. It’s been used for centuries by people all over the world. This is due in part to the superfood’s antibacterial properties (Trusted Source) .
Veterinarians sometimes use honey for wound care for dogs. They apply honey bandages to wounds to help limit the risk of bacterial infections. But, honey is rarely used on its own for dog wound care. And, vets may use systemic antibiotics with honey to help heal big wounds in dogs.
Manuka honey (Trusted Source) , in particular, has natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Manuka honey comes from bees that only collect nectar from manuka tree flowers. Benefits of manuka honey include
👉 While more research is underway, studies indicate that for diabetic dogs the high amount of MG may delay wound healing (Trusted Source) .
Dog owners can administer a dose in food or as a sweet treat. For kennel cough, a teaspoon of manuka honey in food can be a great solution. Most dogs love the taste! However, if your dog is diabetic, be careful of the sugar spike and avoid honey as an oral treatment.
To apply topically, simply apply the honey to wounds as a protective barrier.
Turmeric is a great natural anti-inflammatory and can benefit dogs in much the same way that it benefits humans. It may be used to help dogs dealing with chronic inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. Forget the turmeric lattes, though, your dog only needs a small amount added to their food bowl to feel the benefits of this powerful natural antibiotic.
Curcumin is the ingredient in turmeric that makes it great for your pet. It has antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin found in turmeric can have a great effect on your dog’s immune system.
If you’re using turmeric on your dog’s skin, you can create a mixture of turmeric powder and natural aloe vera gel to soothe wounds. If you’re feeding your dog turmeric, 5 to 20 mg per pound of body weight per day is a good starting point depending on their body weight.
Start with a quarter of a teaspoon for a 20-50lb dog, and less for small dogs.
👉 Too much turmeric can be hard on the digestive system and cause loose stools and tummy cramps. Don’t dose up too quickly and stop immediately if your pup doesn’t tolerate it.
You can also incorporate turmeric into your pup’s diet with doggie supplements. Some of our favorites that use turmeric as an ingredient are Premium Care’s Hemp Mobility Chews (designed to improve joint health) and Zesty Paw’s Turmeric Curcumin Bites (for everyday vitality).
Oregano oil is considered one of the best natural ingredients for your dog. This herb oil has antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antifungal properties. In fact, many farmers are using oregano oil as a natural antibiotic because it helps to keep poultry and livestock healthy. Some formulas are even made just for dogs, like this oregano oil from Garden of Life.
Research is ongoing regarding oregano oil and other essential oils for dogs and whether they’re safe for them. Science shows the health benefits of oregano oil may come from two specific ingredients known as carvacrol and thymol (Trusted Source) . As with any other essential oil, it’s important to consult with your vet before giving your dog oregano oil.
Be sure that you are using oil of oregano and not the herb itself. The oil is necessary to ensure that your pet gets the benefits of carvacrol and thymol. To use it, dilute 2 or 3 drops in another carrier oil like olive oil, and administer it topically.
⚠️ Avoid giving oregano oil to dogs who experience seizures.
You may have heard of apple cider vinegar (ACV) as an ingredient in fad diets. While research is still ongoing, apple cider vinegar has antibiotic properties and may help to fight gut inflammation and infection. This may help your pet feel more comfortable when digesting their food.
Use one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and one cup of warm water and put it into your dog’s ears to help flush out an ear infection. This flushes out any debris or bacteria. Make sure your dog’s eardrum is intact before you flush your pet’s ears. It’s important to note that apple cider vinegar — even when it’s diluted with water — can destroy the sensitive, inner tissues of the ear, including the ear drum. There’s also the risk that it will irritate your dog’s ear canals and cause inflammation, leading to a worsening ear infection.
👉 It’s critical to consult with your vet before administering apple cider vinegar.
Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial. It can help heal wounds, and it’s a great remedy for cracked skin and paws as well as chapped lips. Additionally, some pet parents use it for hot spots, and to help clear up rashes.
Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and antifungal.
You can add a teaspoon to your dog’s food for gut and digestive health. Alternatively, coconut oil can be massaged into the skin.
Olive leaf extract may be a safe and natural antibiotic for your dog. Research suggests oil leaf extract may help reduce inflammation. The active ingredient in olive leaf is called oleuropein (Trusted Source) which holds antioxidant properties and makes olive leaf extract magical as a natural antibiotic, especially for skin infections.
Olive leaf extract has antioxidant properties. It can reduce inflammation due to its polyphenolic compounds. These compounds have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities.
Depending on your dog’s weight, you can add about half a teaspoon to a teaspoon of olive oil to their dry food.
Yes, natural antibiotics for dogs are safe for your pet if you use them correctly. Some pets with certain conditions should avoid certain natural remedies, so carefully research each option thoroughly and speak to your vet before administering anything to your dog.
No. Medical antibiotics can have undesirable side effects, but sometimes using them is necessary to cure an infection.
A great natural antibiotic is more effective when used as an initial measure, or a preventative measure to stop any infection or inflammation from getting worse. You should always consult a vet before switching medical antibiotics for natural ones.
There are a few scenarios when you wouldn’t want to opt for natural antibiotics such as if your dog has specific medical or health conditions, already takes medication, is seriously ill, or has a history of responding badly—or has an allergic reaction—to natural antibiotics.
The good news is that there are many great natural antibiotic options for dogs. They include foods, oils, herbs, and plants with antibacterial properties. These foods and essential oils may help prevent bacterial infections and create useful home remedies for your dog.
👉 Remember, consult your vet before administering any natural antibiotics to your dog.
Debate is ongoing about the natural antibiotic that works the best for dogs. To date, two natural antibiotics stand out from the pack: manuka honey and turmeric.
Manuka honey is considered one of the strongest natural antibiotics for dogs. It is used to treat wounds and lesions. Manuka honey also helps reduce inflammation.
Some experts believe turmeric is among the best natural antibiotics for pets and people. Turmeric contains a lot of powerful ingredients that are beneficial to overall health. Plus, it’s been shown to help heal bacterial and fungal infections.
Here are the 4 biggest benefits of using natural antibiotics to help prevent infections or complement antibiotics used by your vet:
Ask a vet about the benefits of using natural remedies for dogs versus conventional antibiotics to help you decide which options are the right ones for your pet.
You can buy over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotics at a pet store or online. These antibiotics are available without a prescription. It’s important to remember that different bacteria can cause the same symptoms, and OTC antibiotics may not treat the infection your pet is dealing with, or get rid of it entirely. Because of this, the results of OTC antibiotics for dogs vary.
If your dog is dealing with a severe infection, err on the side of caution by going to a vet. At this point, a vet can diagnose and treat your dog and prescribe antibiotics as needed.
