Many herbs and plants have broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and can be applied to the affected area, veterinarians have found that a natural antibiotic can help your pet fight infections. There are many types of herbs and plants that are effective natural antibiotics for cats and dogs, including garlic, manuka honey, turmeric, echinacea and so on. These herbs offer excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and can be applied to the affected area. It will inhibit the growth of bacteria and will speed up the healing process.
The overuse of antibiotics is a concerning topic nowadays, not only for human health but also for livestock, poultry and pets. Compared with synthetic drugs, a natural antibiotic is effective against all types of infections and it is safe to use on your cat and does not contribute to bacterial resistance. Here we will introduce some herbs that are used for natural antibiotics.
Note: The following we compiled are commonly natural sources used as feeding additives. We do not recommend specific dosage and use. The specific application should follow the recommendations for cat or dog food packaging. It is not a medical manual and the authors do not offer medical or other professional advice to individual readers.
Oregano Oil
Oregano, native to the Mediterranean coast, North Africa and Western Asia is considered a powerful natural antibiotic, and studies have shown it can even fight a strain of super Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that currently does not respond to any antibiotics. The antioxidant properties of oregano are superior to those of many other herbs, with the USDA ranking it as having four times the antioxidant capacity of blueberries, 12 times the antioxidant capacity of oranges and 42 times the antioxidant capacity of apples.
Oregano is a phenolic essential oil obtained by steam distillation from its leaves with a herbaceous, strong, camphor-like odor. Oregano oil contains carvainol and thymol, which have powerful antiseptic and antioxidant properties and can be added to cat or dog food to kill bacteria and boost immunity.
Turmeric
Genger
Turmeric is a powerful antibacterial and can be an excellent topical anti-infection treatment. It can also be mixed with almond oil for external use. Aside from being a powerful antioxidant, turmeric also has many other beneficial properties. It can be applied topically to stop skin infections and other affected areas to reduce the growth of bacteria. It also stimulates the liver and is helpful in treating irritable bowel syndrome. While it is not a great antibiotic, it is an excellent topical disinfectant. Turmeric is also helpful for gastrointestinal disorders and irritable bowel syndrome, you can try turmeric as a homemade treatment for your pet.
Garlic
While garlic can be harmful to dogs if consumed in large quantities, it is safe to use in small amounts. Both of these are excellent natural remedies for mild infections. Conventional antibiotics can have negative side effects and often kill off good bacteria, which can lead to secondary problems. A large number of experimental studies have proved that the antibacterial and anti-infection effects of garlic are mainly realized by participating in cellular immunity and improving the activity of lysozyme in serum. In addition, allicin extracted from garlic species can stimulate appetite, increase gastric juice secretion, enhance gastrointestinal peristalsis, and has a strong role in inducing food and promoting food digestion.
Note: This is just an introduction to ingredients, large amounts of use or in rare cases can cause allergic reactions.
Yucca Schidigera
Yucca was originally used to reduce the production of ammonia in animals’ urine, feces and intestines because yucca polysaccharides have a strong affinity for ammonia, a major source of pet odor.
Yucca saponin is a natural steroid saponin extracted from natural yucca. It is a natural intestinal cleanser and surfactant, which can remove an intestinal wall and significantly increase the length of intestinal villi in pets, and facilitate the fermentation and degradation of cellulose in the posterior segment of the digestive tract. It has been reported that yucca saponins also have a broad spectrum of antibacterial effects, which can increase the disease resistance of cats and dogs. It has a strong inhibitory effect on hemolytic Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic streptococcus, diplococcus pneumoniae, dysentery bacillus, Escherichia coli and common pathogenic skin fungi.
Echinacea
Another natural antibiotic for cats and dogs is echinacea. This is one of the most popular types of antibiotics in human medicine due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The ingredients in Echinacea supplements are natural, non-toxic, contain no artificial ingredients, are believed to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. It is also known to improve the immune system, is a great addictive for the topical application to prevent infections, and aid in the healing process.
Basil and thyme are two other herbs that are excellent topical disinfectants. But be aware that natural antibiotics do not replace a veterinarian. It is important to consult your veterinarian before using any of these products on your cat, as these are not clinically tested for effectiveness and safety. You should always check with a veterinarian first before giving your cat or dog any type of antibiotic.
