It has long been speculated that pets are good for human health. Relieving stress and encouraging a healthy lifestyle are commonly cited as two positive effects of pet ownership. But when it comes to cats, scientific evidence suggests that their purring can be especially beneficial to their owner.
When your cat starts to behave strangely, you may start to get a little suspicious, you will probably take him to the vet for a check-up and the vet will prescribe an antibiotic, sometimes synthetic antibiotics can have a detrimental effect.
But we still have a proven treatment for our kids, these are natural antibiotics. Many people have no idea which one you choose, it really determines the quality of your cat's future health or use natural antibiotics to relieve your dear kitty.
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What is a natural antibiotic?
Natural antibiotics have been used by our ancestors for centuries. Nowadays, they are increasingly under the scrutiny of scientists. Some substances contained in herbs and known roots can be more effective than antibiotics! Their advantage is the fact that they have a broader effect, which does not expose the body to weakening and depletion.
The most important advantage is the general availability of most foods that exhibit antibiotic properties, honey, onion, oregano, basil or chamomile are found in virtually every kitchen. When consumed in moderation, they are completely safe for your cat's health and can be enjoyed practically every day.
Another advantage from a medical perspective is that they do not contribute to the resistance of bacteria. Even long-term use of natural antibiotics does not cause bacterial resistance, which has been observed in the case of synthetic drugs.
Remember!
In case of any health problems or strange behaviour of your cat, first, consult your veterinarian.
Symptoms of bacterial infection in cats
Bacterial infections in cats are always specific to the infection. Signs and symptoms, while streptococcal infections cause pain and fever, superficial bacterial infections can cause inflammation, redness, and discomfort.
Here are some common symptoms of a bacterial infection in cats:
- Fever
- Skin abscesses
- Indigestion and lack of appetite
- Skin lesions and wound infections
- Coughing and runny nose
- Red and watery eyes
- Constant vomiting
- Many infections, including skin, eye, ear, upper respiratory and urinary tract infections
- Inflammation and redness of the skin
- Pain and lethargy
- Disability
- Open fractures and pus oozing from wounds
Note*
Many types of bacteria can lead to infections. The most common ones are:
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
- E Coli
- Salmonella
- Clostridium
- Actinomycetes
- Fusobacterium
- Clostridium
Causes of bacterial infection in cats
There are different types of bacterial infections that can affect your cat and its main health condition. Age also determines the susceptibility to bacterial infections in cats. While young adult cats have better immunity to serious bacterial infections, kittens are more susceptible to infections due to a lack of antibodies.
Similarly, old cats with weaker immune systems have a decline in antibodies. This is a major factor in causing bacterial infection of the skin, eyes, ears and many other vital organs. Some of the main causes and risk factors for bacterial infections in cats are:
- Age
- A weakened immune system
- Torn skin due to abrasions, cuts or skin disease
- Poor diet
- Underlying disease
- Viral infections (e.g., FIV or FELV)
- Exposure to other infected animals
- High bacterial load in air, water, food and soil
Naturalness is also dangerous is not such a thing, that natural antibiotics for cats were treated with the same seriousness and handling as synthetic antibiotics.
This is especially true today as more and more known:
- bacteria
- fungi
- parasites
- and other infectious microorganisms
As they become more and better resistant to your trusty antibiotics (both natural and synthetic). Just because they occur in nature, it doesn't mean that naturally occurring antibiotics themselves aren't powerful and even potentially dangerous drugs. This means that you should never try to treat your cat and does him with natural antibiotics at home!
You should only use natural antibiotics with your veterinarian's approval and according to your veterinarian's dosage recommendations. Also, since natural antibiotics are freely available in healthy food stores without regulation, there are huge differences in potency and quality.
For best results, ask your veterinarian for a product recommendation.
Natural antibiotic treatments for cats
Treatment with both natural and pharmaceutical means must be under the professional guidance of a veterinarian. In this section, however, you will learn the first steps you can take at home to relieve your pet before you go to the doctor.
As research continues into the use of natural antibiotics in veterinary medicine, more potentially valuable natural antibiotics are being tested and studied. These are some of the substances that are currently being studied for their natural antibiotic properties. None of them has yet been tested on cats under controlled clinical conditions.
For some, we still need to learn which bacteria they work against and how they work. In the future, when we understand them better, veterinarians may even prescribe them in appropriate concentrations to treat common infections.
You can also try apply a clean cloth soaked in warm water or a warm compress to the site. keep it on the wound for a minute or two at a time. Applying hydrogen peroxide directly to open wounds is not recommended and it may cause further tissue damage. Never use alcohol on an abscess.
In the meantime, this list is intended only to provide insight into the natural antibiotics that are of most interest to the scientific community today.
The 5 best natural antibiotics for cats
1. Thyme
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With its antimicrobial, expectorant, and antispasmodic properties, thyme is great for dealing with coughing problems such as
- bronchitis (chronic and acute versions)
- asthma.
It is also a cure for sluggish digestion and abdominal pain.
Externally, thyme is a powerful antiseptic, widely used to treat wounds.
2. Manuka honey
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Manuka honey comes from the pollen and nectar of the Manuka tree native to New Zealand. Like all types of honey, Manuka honey has antibiotic, disinfectant, and antiseptic properties that can be easily used. What makes this type of honey unique is what is called Unique Manuka Factor (UMF).
This is simply the relatively higher antibacterial quality of this honey compared to the rest. As such, honey is preferred for the treatment of ;
- skin diseases
- ulcers and abscesses
- wound healing
- diabetes in cats.
3. Bee Propolis
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Bees make propolis to seal cracks and crevices in the hive - much like humans use sealants and grout to seal windows and bathtubs. Propolis is a mixture of just two substances: bee saliva (yes, bees have saliva!) and tree resin.
Interestingly, this super simple formula results in a substance that is full of amino acids, polyphenols, natural steroids and has powerful antimicrobial and antibiotic properties. Bee propolis is not a new treatment - archaeological evidence indicates that this treatment has been used to treat humans since 350 BC.
The National Institutes of Health reports that bee propolis is commonly used for upper respiratory infections, colds, infections with flu-like symptoms, wound healing, burn treatment, skin eczema, herpes simplex, dermatitis, candida (yeast overgrowth), parasitic infections, and even as an aid to fight cancer and tumors.
- For cats, bee propolis can also cure
- infections of the upper respiratory tract,
- cold symptoms, and skin wounds (such as bites and abscesses).
- Some forms of arthritis may also respond well to bee propolis.
4. Oil of oregano
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Oil of oregano has shown antibiotic activity in laboratory conditions against common dangerous infectious pathogens, including salmonella, E. coli, and staphylococcus. Along with tea tree oil, cassia and white thyme, it is now used in the treatment of livestock feed and pet food, and for disinfection and sanitation purposes.
- Some veterinarians are beginning to use oregano oil (diluted for safety) to treat infections of the
- ear and mouth infections
- fungal/bacterial/parasitic infections
- wounds
- Burns and rashes
- abscesses and boils and for cold and flu symptoms
5. Chamomile
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Chamomile is famous among humans as a virtually universal remedy - it has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, decongestant (consumed in the form of an infusion), sedative, anti-allergenic... And that's not the end of the list of benefits.
But is chamomile as good for your cat as it is for you and does it work the same way? Not exactly. If your cat eats larger amounts of chamomile, he may get diarrhea. Also, don't use it to wash your cat's eyes - for this purpose, for example, eyebright is much better. Chamomile can be allergic to cats and thus cause inflammation and swelling. In small amounts, however, it can actually help cats - it has a calming effect.
Comment
Everyone is familiar with the saying that cats have nine lives. While it is true that cats are strong and independent animals that come out of many troubles unscathed. That said, there are times when you need to intervene and go to the veterinarian.
Having a furry friend is not only fun but also a responsibility and duty that fall on us. Remember, that healthy cat is happy, so take care of his health.
First of all, remember about regular visits to the vet, which can prevent the development of many diseases. If you notice any disturbing signals between visits, like wheezing, decreased appetite or constant sneezing, go to the specialist as soon as possible, who will diagnose the problem.
The most vulnerable to diseases are cats very young or older, which we should surround with special care. Only quickly diagnosed diseases can be cured. Only specialists familiar with cat diseases can correctly assess the condition of the cat and choose the right therapy, which can be a multi-week struggle for the recovery of your pet.
