Over Medicating Our Dogs 

Antibiotics and steroids seem to be the answer for everything wrong. 

Most antibiotics and steroids being given to our dogs are doing very little to actually heal them. They just suppress the immune system (which is only trying to do its job) until

the next episode. Later the disease reappears in a worse form, wreaking more havoc with your dog’s delicate system. One of the most common reasons dogs are given antibiotics is skin issues like abscesses and bacterial and fungal infections. However, antibiotics have a number of real drawbacks. Antibiotics kill not only the harmful bacteria, they also indiscriminately kill the good gut bacteria like lactobacillus, which are necessary to crowd out candida (yeast) and other harmful pathogens. This is why dogs suffer skin issues so often after getting

antibiotics. This is even true with topical antibiotics for dogs …they destroy the good bacteria on the skin and disrupt the skin microbiome.

Unfortunately, antibiotics are routinely given after dog bites, abscesses or surgery without any evidence of infection, *just in case” and this is a problem because antibiotics will weaken, rather than strengthen, the immune system, setting your dog up for more serious problems later on. This is especially true if one antibiotic is given after another, or if they’re given long term. Instead of risking the downside of antibiotics for those “just in case” scenarios, why not reach for natural antibiotics instead?   

There are many effective natural alternatives that will work with – and not against – the body’s own healing abilities.

Here is a list of our four favourite natural, topical antibiotics for dogs. Why not try these natural, safe antibiotics first and save the antibiotics for the last resort?

Hypercal

Hypercal is a mixture of Calendula and Hypericum. Calendula has great antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, while Hypericum will help with healing and pain.

Manuka Honey

Manuka honey shines as a topical antiseptic for cuts, wounds and abscesses. Its antibiotic, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties also make manuka honey an effective remedy for kennel cough, ringworm, and many other conditions.

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver can safely be used to help prevent those early puppy illnesses along with a good natural immunity building program. Has been known to help with wounds, cuts, infections, and many known canine diseases. Colloidal silver is a great natural health booster to use daily as a preventive as well. Just add it to the water bowl to help clean plaque from teeth and prevent low-lying pathogens from every having a chance to invade your pooch’s system.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and can be used topically for skin issues or given orally to support the immune system.