I am now frequently being asked about natural remedies to help with common ailments in GSD's so here are a few of the best that I routinely use at home. We will be constantly adding to this list so if you have any tried and tested remedies, please let us know.

Organic Turmeric

You will all be familiar with turmeric, it's the stuff that stains your clothes when you spill your curry down you.

Well hold onto your hats because this magical yellow stuff really is the spice of life and has exceptional health benefits, it really is anti-everything.

There have been many scientific studies conducted on turmeric and the most exciting results have shown that this wonderful spice may help prevent cancer because of its antioxidant effect. In the USA they have also demonstrated that the active ingredient in turmeric which is called curcumin, cannot only inhibit tumour growth but it also shrinks tumours.

Turmeric is also a very potent anti-inflammatory so can help your dogs who are suffering from painful arthritis. It does this by oxidising free radicals which cause damage and inflammation in the arthritic joints.

Turmeric can be used for treating wounds as it is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent so will 'disinfect' the affected area. It's best made into a paste using honey (preferably Manuka) as this will stick nicely to the wound and honey also has antibacterial properties. The trick then is to stop your pooch licking this tasty treat off his wound!

Turmeric lowers LDL levels (bad cholesterol) so helps both the heart and liver in addition to thinning the blood thereby reducing the risks of blood clots.

We are all increasingly being exposed to toxins and of concern to our pets is glyphosate being used in the food chain and being sprayed all around our agricultural areas. Commercial pet foods are particularly bad for toxins, especially junk kibble. Turmeric helps the liver function by increasing bile production which helps the liver get rid of waste products.

Other benefits of turmeric.

• Weight - because it helps with fat metabolism, it will help your dog maintain a healthy weight.
• Helps with epilepsy.
• Help diarrhoea by acting as a binding agent.
• Anti-parasitic.
• Doggy depression - yes it really can help treat your depressed dog.
• Very helpful for treating allergies. More natural treatments for allergies.
• Helps prevent cataracts.
• Generally helps heal digestive disorders.

Turmeric is rich in vitamins and high in fibre so make sure your dog has a plentiful supply of water to drink.

Dosage is 1 teaspoon per 40lbs body weight and please only use organic otherwise it will be sure to contain pesticides etc. You can buy fresh root turmeric but it tastes like soap so I'm not sure dogs would willingly eat that - although you never know!

Apple Cider Vinegar - Raw and Unfiltered

This is a wonderful natural product that has many health benefits for your dog when given both internally and used externally. You can place a tablespoon of ACV in your dogs drinking water, they don't seem to mind the taste. Internally it will help with arthritis, act as a flea repellant, tummy upsets, it breaks down plaque on teeth but it is also highly beneficial in relieving skin itching and helps bring your dogs' skin and coat back to its normal state - nice, shiny and healthy. It can also improve the growth of hair.

Externally you can use ACV on itchy skin to alleviate discomfort but it's best to dilute 50/50 with water as it may sting if the skin is broken and sore.

ACV is both antibacterial and antifungal so perfect for bacterial and fungal infections.

Dogs with skin allergies usually get ear problems too and ACV can also help when used to keep the ears clean.

It is claimed that ACV also acts as a urinary tonic so clears urinary tract infections and prevents the formation of kidney and bladder stones.

Remember that raw ACV also has many health benefits for us too and you should consume on a regular basis.

Only buy raw unfiltered organic which contains the 'mother' which is natural enzymes created by the fermentation process. The 'mother' also contains healthy nutrients, minerals and friendly bacteria. Crossgates do a wonderful range of raw organic apple cider vinegar including one with turmeric. Buy Crossgates Apple Cider vinegar

Colloidal Silver - anti-biotic, antifungal, antiviral.

This is the type of colloidal silver generator I purchased in 2011 - the Silver Puppy

Throughout the centuries, silver has been used to fight disease and it is a powerful anti-fungal, antibiotic, antiviral agent which can be used internally and externally to help fight fungi, yeast, viruses and bacteria. We take it ourselves and we use it for our dogs.

So where would you use colloidal silver? Anywhere where you would normally have used an antibiotic, anti-fungal agent or antiseptic agent.

Antibiotics are dished out like sweeties by vets and doctors these days, which is why resistance has developed. Resistance doesn't happen with CS. Colloidal silver is very useful for all of the following:

• Ear infections
• Eye infections
• Skin infections
• Bacterial infections - both internally and externally - CS is broad spectrum so you shouldn't need expensive, toxic antibiotics prescribed by a vet on top of which, there will be a consultation fee.

Why is CS not advertised more? Because it is cheap, it can't be patented and it won't make billions for Big Pharma.

If you don't want to make your own I would suggest that you contact Uwe at Colloidal Silver Online who will give you lots of advice and supply a quality product. I would suggest the highest strength you can buy which is usually around 25ppm. If you make your own, you can generate strengths of 40-50ppm

Please ignore the disinformation on the internet about CS. You won't turn into a Smurf unless you really do take an awful lot of colloidal silver.

If your dog has been given long-term antibiotic treatment, it may be wise to add a high potency probiotic to their diet. One that I have used is Prevent which is sold by Trinity Consultants. This company also does a wonderful whole body and liver tonic called L94 which tastes yummy! Phillipa is a GSD owner and is happy to advise.

Diatomaceous Earth

There are many benefits to feeding your dog food grade diatomaceous earth as well as taking it yourself. DE contains 15 trace minerals: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, phosphorous, selenium and people who regularly feed it to their dogs note better skin health and beautiful shiny coats.

DE also detoxes and scientific evidence shows that it absorbs nasties like viruses, e Coli, mercury, pesticide residues, drug residues and endotoxins.

It has also been reported to aid digestion, cleanse the colon and gets rid of nasty bacteria

Not least, DE is brilliant both internally and externally for ridding your dog of parasites without having to resort to toxic chemicals.

For internal use give dogs over 35lbs 1 tablespoon of FOOD GRADE DE mixed in their food.

Safe and Natural Treatments for Fleas, Ticks, Worms and Mites

Raw Organic Garlic

But garlic is poisonous to dogs isn't it? No, it's not unless you were to give over 4 whole garlic at once to your dog. This disinformation has come from studies that didn't use raw, organic garlic but instead used extracts used at excessive doses with unnatural delivery methods.

Caution - never give to puppies under 6 months as at that age, they don't produce red blood cells. You can start giving after 6 months but half the dose.

How much? - for dogs over 30 lbs give 1 tsp of crushed fresh garlic and it's best if you let it sit for 10-15 minutes before feeding to your dog.

Drug interactions - immunosuppressive agents such as Atopica, chemotherapy, some heart medications, warfarin, insulin (diabetic dogs), drugs for high blood pressure and antacids. Hopefully, your dog will not be on any of these toxins!

It is important that you only use fresh organic garlic crushed or chopped which then releases two very important enzymes called alliin and alliinase which then combine to form allicin. This is the magic ingredient that gives garlic it's anti-cancer, antioxidant, antiviral and antibiotic properties.

Avoid garlic grown in China (even organic) as it has been shown to be contaminated with heavy metals. 

The benefits of garlic for both you and your pets include:

• Antibiotic, antifungal and antiparasitic - deters fleas, ticks and mites.
• Anticancer - helps prevent tumours and has shown great promise with cancers in the colon, lung, stomach and rectum.
• Detoxes - stimulates the lymphatic system to remove waste products, supports beneficial bacteria in the gut but eliminates harmful ones. It also helps the liver as it breaks down waste before it enters the bloodstream.
• Antiplatelet so prevents blood clots.
• Anti-cholesterol - stops arteries clogging up.
• Contains vitamin A, C, B complex and minerals such as selenium, magnesium, manganese and germanium. 

Diarrhoea - Slippery Elm

Diarrhoea can have many causes and if it is chronic, it may be a lengthy process of finding out the cause. If your dog is in good condition, a days fasting may be enough to eliminate the problem but make sure you give your dog plenty of water to drink. To the water, try adding a TBSP of apple cider vinegar and try and encourage your dog to take frequent licks of Manuka Honey 15+ to 25+ strength around 5 - 6 times per day.

Pure honey is the best antiseptic as it is impossible to grow bacteria on it. Resume food the following day with something light such as chicken with rice or mashed potato.

Alternatively, add some powdered slippery elm which will also help. It has a very odd smell but dogs love it. Slippery elm is very good for human digestive problems as well. Dosage is 1/4 tsp for every 10lb body weight.

Slippery elm is very soothing,anti-inflammatory and a lubricant, it is also packed with vitamins A, B complex, C and K as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium and sodium.

Slippery elm not only helps with diarrhoea, it also eases constipation because of it's lubricant effect. It can also help the respiratory system and can ease the pain of coughing due to kennel cough and bronchitis. You can make a cough syrup by boiling 1 teaspoon of slippery elm with one cup of water for a couple of minutes to which you then add 1 tablespoon of honey. Leave to cool. Dose - for dogs over 50lb give 1/4-1/2 cup 4 times daily. 

The appearance of diarrhoea is important as it gives information as to it's potential cause. If it contains a slimy mucus this can be a sign of colitis caused by something ingested. Products containing beef can often be the culprit. Natural remedies are all about treating the cause and not masking it, like conventional medicines do.

Maybe some of us are a little too quick to nip off to the vets for ailments that could easily be managed with a natural remedy that will be not only cheaper, but less toxic and safer for your dog.

Donations are all ways welcome

Please help us by making a donation so that we can help re home more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs. Donations can be sent to Jayne Shenstone, German Shepherd Dog Rescue, Little Vauld, Marden Hereford HR1 3HA. We also accept Paypal payments - just click on the Paypal button below. Thankyou.