Oregano for Cats & Dogs (2023)

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)is one of the best all-around or "cure-all"herbs. It's a natural antiseptic and is potent against bacteria and fungi both acute and chronic infections especially those thataffect both the respiratory and gastral tract.

Oregano oil, isknown as a highly effective natural antibiotic and in many parts of the world is used as analternative to over the counter antibiotics due to two main compounds, thymol and carvacrol which are known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties and help prevent the bacteria or finghi from growing.

• Strong antiseptic
• Antibacterial
• Antioxidant
• Antimicrobial
• Antispasmodic
• Help combatfungal and yeast infections
• Is effective in dealing with chronic infections in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
• Can help treat gut dysbiosis
• The diluted oilcan be used to help with joint paint
• Immune tonic
• Can help with UTI's
• Helps reduce inflammation
• Can help alleviate the effects of allergies
• Can help with both toothaches and ear infections
• Can help remove internal parasites
• A source of vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, iron, manganese, and dietary fibre.
  

Oregano is not safe for cats and it's unlikely your cat will ever seek this plant out. Avoid using oregano with your cat asyou're likely to encountertoxicity problems.

Oregano the fresh plantis safe foryour dog if givencorrectly and in small amounts Make sure any plant you give has not been treated with pesticides and is ingested in small dosages.

If using the herbal oil, just know that it is a strong tastefor pets so it may need to be diluted down with a fattycarrier oil. See below for more details.

Avoid using oregano essential oil as an aromatherapy oil.

The fresh herbal plant is not known to cause any side effects however as with all herbs, do not overdo it. A little and often goes a long way.

Do not burn in a diffuser,feedor apply topicallyoregano essential oil to yourcator dog. Oregano essential oil isincredibly toxic and is not worth the risk to your pet. If you want to reap the benefits of oregano with your dog, stick with the fresh or driedplant.

Caution needs to be taken if you're using oregano herbaloil.

Caution needs to be taken if your pet is on certain medications. Check with your holistic vet before feeding.

Do not give to pregnant pets

May cause diarrhoeaor nausea in some pets.

May cause skin irritation in some pets.

A small percentage of dogs can not tolerate oregano even as a fresh plant so proceed with caution when giving this it your beautiful dog.

Not recommended for puppies.

Do not use the oil or tinctures if your dog has epilepsy or seizuresunless under the guidance of your vet.

Forms of use:

• Tincture (please avoid alcohol-based tinctures when giving this to your pet)
• Decoction
• Infusion
• Oil
• Feed raw

Administration can be via

• The leaves can be added directly tofood
• Made as a tea and given orally
• The tincture can be given orally
• Used as an external poultice for the skin
  

Do not feed to cats.

Oregano is an excellent herb butis a potent plant so should be given in small dosages. How itis administeredwill depend on what issueyou're treating.It's best to consult with your integrative or holistic vet for your pet's individual health needs to ensure healing occurs.

General-purpose guidelines;

Fresh Herb: This is a great herb to have in your kitchen garden and to be used in rotation with other herbs. The easiest way to include this into your dog's diet is to finely chop a few leavesand sprinkle themdirectly to your dog's food. The fresh leaves are full of antioxidants that will benefit your pet and off all the ways to give oregano to your dog, this is by far the easiest and safest way.

Dried herb: Finely chop up or grind thedried leaves, thiscan be mixed into your pet's food. Alternatively,make a tea (about 1 tsp of dried leavesto a cup of water,and let it steep for 15 minutes and let the tea cool.

Add a very small amount (a few drops of the tea)to your pet's food.Any leftover tea can be kept in the fridge and used the next day. Alternatively,the tea once cooled can be used asan antiseptic wash on wounds or sores.

Tincture: Flow the guidelines of the manufacturer as it will depend on their product and the ailment you're treating. Avoid alcohol-based tinctures when giving to pets. Again proceed with caution and give in small dosages. If you're using a tincture ensure you are working with your holistic vet so they can monitor the health of your dog. Don't forget it's a potent herb so you don't want to create discord in the body especially if your dog has underlying health issues.

Herbal Oil: Oregano herbal oil is derived from the leaves and flowers of the plant so ithas a very strong taste andit's spicey. Please be careful with the quality of the oil you use as there are a lot of poor quality oregano oils sold in supermarkets that do not contain thehealing properties as they've been cheaply produced for maximum profit, and not for quality ormedicinal use. Stick with buying the pureOriganum vulgare oil that is of excellent quality and not adulterated.

It is essential you dilute down the oregano oilwill with a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil before applying this to your dog. Do not use the pure oil without diluting it or use it only under the guidance of your integrative vet if you're trying to treat warts etc. Pure oregano oil is warming and spicy socan have a burning effect. Make sure you know what you're doing whenusing it undiluted or that you're using itunder the guidance of your holistic vet when applying this in its undiluted form.

As a guide try1 drop of oregano oil to 5 drops of coconut oil. Do a tiny test sample on your dog's skinand wait 24 hoursto ensure your dog doesn't have a reaction to the oil. If all is well, you can apply this mixture topically in small amounts to affected areas, sores or wounds.Remember the skin is the largest organ in the body andthe oil will be absorbed into the body so it's essential to use small dosages orairon the side of caution.You can also use this oil combination mixture to apply as a poultice on the affected or inflamed area, joint etc. and wipe down afterwards rather than leavingit soak into to skin.

If your dog begins to have a reaction then apply morefatty oil to dilute the oregano oilfurther. Do not usewater as it will cause the oil to seek to escape thereby goingfurther into the skin. If all is well, thenapply a chamomile poultice to the affected area to help soothe the irritated skin.

Essential Oil: Do not burn, feed or apply topically to pets. Oregano essential oil can bevery toxic for pets, especially cats.

Always use real plantswhere possible, the healing may take longer but it will be more in harmony with the body. Rotate your herbs and feed them in line with the seasons in order to strengthen all your pet's systems.

Planting a herb garden for you and your pet is one of the most powerful things you can do towards having optimum health. Click here to see 12 culinary herbs you can start with today that are safe for you, your cat, and your dog.

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Resources

Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine - Andrew Chevallier
The Way of Herbs - Michael Tierra
Bontanica Oculta, Las Plantas Magicas - Paracelso
Native American Herbalism and Essential Oil Encyclopedia - Dr. Scott Glandstar & Dr. Christina Zielinski
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324860#how-to-use
https://mountainroseherbs.com/marshmallow-root
https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/marshmallow
https://www.herbier-du-diois.com/en/la-guimauve/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/marshmallow-root/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324860#how-to-use
https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/herbs-digestive-health/
https://www.holisticandorganixpetshoppe.com/marshmallow-root.html