Is honey a natural antibiotic for dogs

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Natural Antibiotic For Dogs (8 Effective Home Remedies)

Key Takeaways

Some of the most effective natural antibiotic for dogs include oregano oil, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil.
If your dog is diabetic, has allergic reactions, taking certain medication, or is having a more serious infection, avoid giving natural antibiotic.
If in doubt, seek veterinary advice to find out the specific needs of your dog.

Despite common belief among pet owners, prescription antibiotics arent the only way to treat infections in dogs. I myself am a big fan of natural antibiotic for dogs which are actually a really great alternative to prescription antibiotics. Have you heard of them?

Do you know the best natural antibiotics for your pup? The best alternative antibiotics for your dog that I recommend is definitely oregano oil, but there are also many more great natural remedies for infection including apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and manuka honey. When it comes to natural antibiotics for dogs, here is everything pet parents need to know.

What Are Natural Antibiotics For Dogs?

Put simply, natural antibiotics are excellent alternatives to prescription antibiotics. These alternative antibiotics are often recommended for infections and conditions that arent too serious.

Before giving your pup alternative antibiotics, you may want to talk with a vet. A vet may be able to recommend the right alternative antibiotics for your pup.

The Best Natural Antibiotics For Dogs

Many pet owners want to know the best alternative antibiotics for canines. The following are some of the top alternative antibiotics for dogs.

Oregano Oil

One of the best natural antibiotics for dogs is oregano oil. Other essential oils can actually be toxic to dogs, but oregano oil is one thats really beneficial. Since its a great source of thymol and carvacrol, this oil has been shown to successfully treat bacterial, parasitic, viral, and fungal infections. This oil can also promote optimal oral health among dogs. The reason why this natural antibiotic works is because it can effectively get rid of the harmful bacteria in your canine friends body.

If you want to use this oil, you can place a couple of drops in your dogs water bowl, apply it topically on an affected area of your dogs body, or add it to toothpaste for dogs. For anyone who is thinking about using the herb, its better to use the oil as it isnt too strong.

Apple Cider Vinegar

The second best natural antibiotic for dogs is apple cider vinegar. The product is most known for its extremely potent antibacterial and antioxidant properties. As a result, this great natural antibiotic can successfully heal dog ear infection, skin infections, gut inflammation, and wounds.

The most effective way to use apple cider vinegar is to place it in your canine friends water bowl. This also helps alleviate urinary tract infections (UTI). If you notice that your best pal doesnt like the taste of apple cider vinegar, you can mix it in plain yogurt. When you combine apple cider vinegar with plain yogurt, theres a really good chance that your dog wont even be able to taste this natural antibiotic.

If you are using this natural antibiotic to heal your dogs ear infection, you should gently flush your best pals ear with an apple cider vinegar and water solution. When you use this mixture to flush your best pals ear, youll be getting rid of harmful bacteria. Of course, youll also be getting rid of the ear infections.

Coconut Oil

Many studies suggest that coconut oil is also a great natural antibiotic. When you purchase coconut oil at the grocery store, youre actually buying a natural antibiotic with lots of antifungal and antibiotic properties. With that being said, this natural antibiotic can improve certain skin conditions, digestive problems, treat wounds, and infections (See our article: Dog Tooth Infection Home Treatment).

A great way to use this alternative antibiotic is to place a small amount in your pups dog food. If your canine pal is suffering from a skin condition, you can massage some coconut oil directly on the affected area. The alternative antibiotic has been shown to heal skin conditions such as hot spots, dry skin, rashes, and many more.

Not only will you appreciate that this alternative antibiotic treats an extensive array of conditions, youll also love that coconut oil smells really great.

Manuka Honey

Over the past several years, honey has been used as an alternative antibiotic by a wide variety of people around the world [1]. Often referred to as an excellent superfood because of its many health benefits, manuka honey is great for improving your best pals itchy throat, teeth, asthma, wounds, stomach problems, inflammation, and allergies. Thanks to its antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, this natural antibiotic is the preferred choice among many pet owners.

Since this alternative antibiotic has a sweet taste, you really shouldnt have any problems serving manuka honey to your dog. Most canines actually love eating manuka honey, so you can even give it to your best pal as a yummy treat. If your canine pal is diabetic, you may want to talk with a vet about giving it this natural antibiotic orally.

To treat a skin condition with this natural antibiotic, all you have to do is apply manuka honey to your best pals affected areas.

Olive Leaf Extract

According to much research, olive leaf extract has been shown to be an excellent natural antibiotic for pups. If youre wondering why this product works, just take a look at its incredible antibacterial, antimicrobial antiviral, and antifungal properties. Because olive oil extract has many great antibiotic properties, the product can successfully treat bacterial infections, certain skin conditions, inflammation, high blood pressure, flu, and much more.

If you would like to give natural canine antibiotics like olive oil extract a try, simply mix it into your dogs food. You can also apply this as a natural topical antibiotic to your best pals affected areas.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a wonderful natural antibiotic for pups too. Boasting several really great properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant, this excellent natural antibiotic can benefit your best pal in many ways. For starters, turmeric can drastically improve your best pals immune system. The natural antibiotic can also play a major role in getting rid of infections, healing wounds, relieving arthritis pain, supporting the gastrointestinal system, and treating liver disease.

Similar to many of the previously discussed natural antibiotics, turmeric can be mixed with your dogs food. Turmeric is also available as a supplement, making it even easier to give your dog this antibiotic. You can find these turmeric supplements at major pet stores and online.

Do you want to use turmeric to treat your dogs skin condition? You should mix turmeric with aloe vera, and then rub the mixture on your best pals affected skin.

When using turmeric as an antibiotic, you shouldnt give your dog too much. If your dog consumes too much turmeric, it may experience severe stomach problems.

Calendula

Also known as pot marigolds, calendulas are beautiful flowers that youve probably seen outside. Aside from being really pretty, calendulas also have many incredible healing benefits for pups. With great anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties, natural antibiotics like calendulas can significantly improve your pups severe discomfort, wounds, and skin infections.

The easiest way to use calendulas as excellent alternative antibiotics is to combine some dried herbs into your best pals food. You can also create a lotion. The mixture should include key ingredients such as table salt, water, and calendula tincture. After creating this mixture, place the lotion on a cloth, and then carefully dab it on your canine friends wound.

Yarrow

While yarrow isnt a common alternative antibiotic for dogs, it actually contains some incredible antibacterial properties. This excellent alternative antibiotic can treat a condition known asstaphylococcus. In addition, this great alternative antibiotic can heal wounds, inflamed skin, and even severe burns.

Do you want to use yarrow as an alternative antibiotic? If so, youll need to create yarrow tea. After boiling a pot of water, throw in some yarrow. Let the mixture steep for about five minutes. As soon as the mixture cools, pour some of it onto a cloth and then use it to treat your dogs skin conditions.

When Should You Avoid Giving Your Pup Alternative Probiotics?

If your dog is diabetic
If your pup had a bad reaction to alternative probiotics
If your canine friend is taking certain medication
If your pup has a severe condition or infection

As a general rule, you should talk with a vet before giving alternative probiotics to your pup. By doing so, youll protect your pup from severe complications.

Related article: How To Stop Dog Nail Bleeding

FAQ

What is the strongest natural antibiotic for dogs?

Many experts would say that the strongest natural antibiotic for dogs is oregano oil. A safe alternative antibiotic for pups, this oil has been shown to successfully treat viral infections, bacterial infections, colds, parasites, and much more. If you want, you can also use this oil to significantly improve your pups oral health.

According to many experts and pet owners, olive leaf extract and apple cider vinegar are tied for the second strongest alternative antibiotics for pups. You can talk with a vet to get more recommendation regarding the strongest alternative antibiotics for your dog.

How can I treat my dogs bacterial infection naturally?

Pet owners have many options for treating their dogs bacterial infection naturally. The top natural antibiotics for effectively treating a dogs bacterial infection include manuka honey, turmeric, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.

If you want an extremely easy way to treat your best pals bacterial infection, consider giving it turmeric supplements.

What can I give my dog for bacterial infection?

If your dog is suffering from a bacterial infection, the best thing that you do is give it natural antibiotics such as oregano oil. Much research has shown that oregano oil is one of the most effective natural antibiotics.

In order to get rid of your dogs bacterial infection as soon as possible, place one to two drops of this potent oil into your dogs water bowl.

If you want to drastically improve your best pals oral health, brush its teeth with toothpaste and oregano oil.

Once you give your dog this oil, you may even notice that your dogs immune system is improving.

How can I get antibiotics for my dog without going to the vet?

If you want antibiotics for your pup, you should first ask yourself if natural antibiotics are okay. A great benefit of natural antibiotics is that you can get them from the local grocery in most cases.

A few natural antibiotics such as turmeric supplements are also available over the counter at major pet stores and even online pet stores. There are also several over the counter antibiotics available too. You can call a vet to get great over the counter antibiotics recommendations.

Natural Antibiotics For Dogs To Fight Off Infections

If your pooch has an infection, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to treat it. But if youre keener on using natural antibiotics for dogs to fight off infections, weve got some suggestions for you. Because theyre natural remedies, they reduce the risk of gut damage and resistance.

Oregano oil is the most potent natural antibiotic that helps to treat bacterial infections in dogs. Other natural options to fight off bacteria in canines include apple cider vinegar and olive leaf extract, both of which work well and are generally safe to use.

Note that each pooch may have a unique reaction to antibiotics even natural ones. But if you need ideas on the best natural antibiotics for dogs to fight off infections, here are our top picks for you to choose from.

11.Oregano Oil

Oregano oil has been touted as the strongest natural antibiotic both for human and canine use. It is antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, and antiviral. The thymol and carvacrol compounds in this herb are what make it potent for killing harmful microbes and bacteria in the body.

Use it topically to clean and treat wounds on the skin. It is also excellent for addressing mild infections but be sure to use the oil of oregano instead of the herb since the former has more thymol and carvacrol in it. And most importantly, dilute it with a carrier oil since its too strong and can burn the skin.

10.Apple Cider Vinegar

Its great as a salad dressing or a warm beverage, but did you know that apple cider vinegar is also a natural antibiotic for dogs? It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can treat wounds and skin infections.

But the best way to use apple cider vinegar is to flush out ear infections. Mix warm water with a tablespoon of ACV, then let it cool. It should be ready to use to remove debris in your pets ear that causes infection and irritation.

9. Plantain

It may be just a humble, common weed, but plantain is actually a potent natural remedy to fight off bacteria and inflammation. Allantoin is a powerful phytochemical found in plantain, which kills germs, stimulates skin growth, and hastens the healing process.

The best way to use plantain for pups is by making a lotion out of it to treat rashes, sores, or any forms of skin irritation. Alternatively, steeping the weed to make tea and allowing it to cool is great for treating ear infections in dogs.

8. Calendula

These bright orange and yellow blossoms beautify your garden while providing natural remedies to your canines ailments. It is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal and is used to heal wounds and relieve pain. As a bonus, its one of the few natural antibiotics for dogs to fight off infections!

Calendula can be used in many ways, such as by making a tincture out of it for topical applications or by simply mixing some dried herbs into your dogs food. But for wounds and itching, applying it to the skin is the best way to address these issues.

7. Yarrow

Yarrow is another common weed that boasts impressive antibacterial properties. In particular, it is a powerful natural solution for bacterial infection, specifically staphylococcus. It also works well for inflamed skin, wounds, burns, and cuts.

As an antibiotic alternative, you can make some yarrow tea. Add some dried or fresh yarrow in boiled water, let it steep for a few minutes, strain and allow to cool. Transfer the liquid into a spray bottle, and you have a natural treatment for canine skin issues!

6. Goldenseal

Goldenseal is packed with berberine, which gives this plant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. No wonder its one of the best natural antibiotics for dogs to fight off infections!

When applied topically, it is a great disinfectant for wounds, cuts, and burns. But when ingested, goldenseal helps with influenza, kennel cough, giardia, and worms. It has a bitter taste, though, so you may want to mix it in with your poochs food to conceal the less-than-pleasant flavor.

5. Manuka Honey

Honeys healing power dates back to ancient times when its been regarded as a natural treatment for infection, inflammation, and fungal issues. No wonder its a superfood, which your pup can definitely benefit from, too!

Since Manuka honey has a delightful, sweet taste, it should not be too difficult to give it to your pup. Just be sure to limit the amount of honey you give to your pet, especially if he has diabetes.

4. Garlic

They may have a bad rap when it comes to canines, but garlic is safe for dogs only when given in small amounts. A moderate amount is even considered to be beneficial, especially for preventing tumors and deterring pests. Whats more, its a great natural antibiotic for dogs to fight off infections.

Garlic is antiseptic, so you can use it to treat fungal infections. The allicin in garlic is what makes it effective for fighting bacteria and parasites, as well as different strains of E coli. Make sure you give a small amount of garlic to your pooch and avoid administering it to very young puppies or pregnant canines.

3. Olive Leaf Extract

Another natural antibiotic for canines, the olive leaf extract, is packed with antioxidants that makes it effective for reducing inflammation. Its active ingredient is oleuropein, which helps to compact infections caused by bacteria and parasites.

You may either administer olive leaf extract topically or internally to your pooch. Add half a teaspoon or one full teaspoon of this potent extract to your pets dry food to help fight off infection.

2.Turmeric

A powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial herb, turmeric helps boost the immune system and speeds up the healing of wounds, scratches, and scrapes. It also fights off the infection, thanks to the curcumin found in turmeric.

When treating skin issues, you can mix aloe vera gel and turmeric powder to create a paste that you can directly apply to the affected area. You can also feed a small amount of turmeric to your pooch, with the amount depending on your pets body weight.

1.Coconut Oil

Moisturizing, soothing, and anti-bacterialcoconut oilis one of the most trusted natural antibiotics for canines (and humans)! It is also antifungal and can treat wounds, dry skin, and infections. Plus, it smells good, too!

The best way to administer coconut oil for your pups needs is by adding and mixing one teaspoon with your pets food. You can also massage the oil directly into the skin, which is ideal for rashes, hot spots, and dry patches.