Homesteader Depot

Tag: dogs

  • 3 Ways to Protect Your Dog With Neem Oil

    3 Ways to Protect Your Dog With Neem Oil

    We’re all looking forward to the return of summer’s warm weather, but nobody’s excited about flea and tick season! Whether your pet is your hiking trail buddy or the king of your homestead’s acreage, it’s unavoidable he’ll be exposed to fleas and ticks. Even dogs who spend most of their time indoors can become unwitting hosts for these parasites. Unless daily tick checks are your idea of fun, a good repellent is an absolute necessity.

     

    However, the mainstream options for protecting your pet aren’t without risks of their own. Flea collars, sprays, and other products are often made with potent pesticides and chemicals that pose just as much risk to your pet as the flea or tick itself. If this conundrum has you feeling frustrated and wanting to keep your pet in a bubble, try neem oil, a natural alternative! Here are three simple recipes for safe and effective pet protection using neem oil:

     

    Neem Oil Rub

     

    Ingredients:

     

    2 tablespoons vegetable oil

    1 tablespoon aloe vera gel

    1.25 ml (20 drops) neem oil

     

    Mix all ingredients together and put into a dropper bottle. Apply a few drops to your palms and rub through your dog’s entire coat, reapply oil to hands as needed until whole coat is treated.

     

    Neem Oil Spray

     

    Ingredients:

    2.5 ml (40 drops) neem oil

    1-2 ml (about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon) of mild soap or detergent

    2 cups warm water

     

    Mix water and soap first and then slowly add neem oil. Add to spray bottle and use immediately. Discard after use as neem oil will break down and lose its potency after 8 hours. Be sure to protect your dog’s eyes when applying!

     

    Neem Oil Shampoo

     

    Add neem oil into your pet’s usual shampoo at a rate of 1-5 ml (about ¼-1 teaspoon) for every 100 ml (8 ounces) of shampoo. Use only 1 ml of neem oil for a preventative maintenance shampoo. For a pre-existing or severe infestation, use 5 ml neem oil. Massage shampoo thoroughly into the coat. It will leave an odor that will continue to repel unwanted pests. Treat weekly or more often for effective control and lasting protection.

     

    Tips

    Neem oil has a very strong smell, which is this natural alternative’s only drawback. For use on cats, use neem leaf tea as neem oil is considered unsafe for feline use. Make small, frequent batches of each treatment as their shelf life is very short.

    If you enjoyed this, you might also like….

    Can You Defend Your Family When SHTF?

    Natural Healing Secrets You Need to Know…

    Effective Primal Diet Hacks…

  • 3 Ways to Save on Raising a Dog

    3 Ways to Save on Raising a Dog

    Dogs can be expensive to keep, but they don’t have to be!  You can maintain a high quality of life for your dog while cutting costs at the same time.  Here are three ways to save money on raising a dog.

     

    Selection

    The first cost to consider is the price of the dog itself.  A specialty breed can easily cost you thousands of dollars, and that’s just to get the dog.  Then there are the health complications that go along with dogs that have been bred for specific traits.  One the other hand, you can get a rescue dog from your local shelter, through the newspaper, or on Craig’s List  $100.  Not only will you have saved hundreds of dollars off the bat, but you will save thousands in the long run as well with a solid mutt that has a not been inbred for generations.  You will also save a dog’s life, and reduce the demand for unhealthy inbred dogs.  Large dogs also cost more than small dogs, they eat more, need more medicine, destroy toys faster, and can have more joint issues as they age.

    Alternative Medicine

    Medicine for dogs can be expensive.  But there are alternatives to the typical products for common ailments.  One common and expensive medication for dogs is heartworm treatment.  Depending on the size of your dog, you can spend $500 a year or more on heartworm treatment alone.  And then there are intestinal worms, and other parasites.  A money saving alternative for all parasitic worms is to go to your local farm supply shop or look online for Ivermectrin for cattle.  The active ingredient for nearly all anti-parasitic medicine is the same, only the dosage and price differ.  Be careful when using Ivermectrin with Collies, some people report that their collies have died after treating them with Ivermectrin, but some also report this with standard heartworm medicine because they both contain the same active ingredient.  Do some research into using Ivermectrin with your breed online; pet owner and farm forums can be quite helpful To get accurate dosage and save money on supplies, get diabetic syringes.  The medicine can be given orally, but you need a syringe to remove it from the sterile packaging.

    Toys

    One of the most commonly overlooked costs of a dog is toys.  Quality of life is important! Also, you don’t want an unhappy dog, for one it will cause you trouble by digging holes, destroying furniture, and being more difficult to train.  But store bought dog toys are ridiculously priced.  The cheapest alternative is the age old stick.  Wood is great for dogs to chew on, as are bones.  They clean their teeth and provide them with the satisfaction of destroying something.  Dogs love destroying soft fluffy overpriced toys, but they don’t know what you paid for them so go to the thrift store and grab some second-hand stuffed animals instead.  You can also add a level of fun to the basic game of fetching a ball by putting the ball in an old sock and tying a knot to keep it there.  This will allow the dog to shake it the way it would prey after catching it.

     

    Dogs are great, for companions, security, or working dogs.  Don’t let the potential cost keep you from enjoying all the benefits a dog can bring into your life.  A little planning and thinking outside the box can greatly reduce the costs of keeping a dog, while maintaining all the benefits.

    If you liked this, you might also enjoy…

    Natural Healing Techniques Doctors Don’t Want You to Know…

    The Weight-Reducing Magic of Yoga…

    The Ultimate Woodworking Course..

  • 3 Dog Breeds to Consider for Homesteading

    3 Dog Breeds to Consider for Homesteading

    Dogs have the reputation of being man’s best friend for good reason.  The possible benefits of having a dog on your homestead, whether it be urban or country, are virtually endless.  But domestication of dogs has led to a wide array of physical and behavioral traits.  Over breeding for desired traits has also led to genetic issues, for this reason a “mutt” is always preferable since it will have less health issues.  For this reason, when selecting a dog that is right for you, you should consider what breed you are looking for, and search for a mutt that has that breed’s characteristics displayed.  This will allow you to have a dog that has the traits you desire, and a healthy genetic code, saving you vet bills, and promoting “rescue” over “financially motivated breeding”.  These are 3 breeds that have excellent traits for a homestead dog:

    Pitbull

    Probably the breed with the most undeserved bad reputation is the Pitbull.  But the reality is that Pitbull owners deserve the bad reputation.  A well cared for and loved Pitbull has no greater tendency to attack its owner than a Golden Retriever.  That being said, when a Pitbull feels threatened, or feels that it’s owner and family are threatened, it is much more capable of offering physical protection than other breeds.  With a ridiculous bit strength, high pain tolerance, and intimidating appearance a Pitbull is one of the best breeds for physical protection, which should be a consideration for a homestead in any setting.

    Heeler

    Heelers, or Australian Cattle Dogs, are a great option for a working dog on a homestead.  Heeler’s a robust breed, with high levels of intelligence and trainability.  Guarding and herding come naturally to a Heeler, but with high intelligence and high energy Heelers can be trained to do whatever task you have for them.  For those who want only one dog, a Heeler is a great option, they do not always get along with other dogs, but bond well with their owners.

    Terriers

    Terriers have become a popular breed for people with small spaces, but the reality is that Terriers will do better in an open environment with room to roam.  With a Terrier on your homestead, you are unlikely to have a rat problem or strangers approach without a load warning.  Being a smaller breed, Terriers require less food and will have less joint issues as they age.

     

    This is not at all the only dogs that could offer benefits on a homestead, but only a short list of some common favorites.  Remember, not only are you helping out a creature that can’t help itself when you get a dog that would otherwise end up at the pound only to be euthanized, but by avoiding a dog that has been breed for sale, you are avoiding a dog that will likely have genetic issues that will lead to high vet bills and shorter life span.

     

    If you liked this, you might also enjoy…

    Natural Healing Techniques Doctors Don’t Want You to Know…

    The Weight-Reducing Magic of Yoga…

    The Ultimate Woodworking Course..

  • Why Your Homestead Needs A Dog

    Why Your Homestead Needs A Dog

    One of the reasons many people want to homestead is to find a safe place to get away from it all, and wait it out if civilization happens to crumble.

    Of course, even before the proverbial feces hits the fan, there are many reasons to keep a homestead safe. For one, there will always be natural predators who may be very interested in what you have growing in your garden or sleeping in your hen house.

    We can’t all afford to make mini-compounds out of our land, and of course, there are many options when it comes to fencing and homestead security. But there is one amazing animal you can get who will take the security of  your homestead as seriously as you do:

    A Guard Dog

    What is a homestead or farm without a trusty dog? Or three? Dogs are not only wonderful companions, they’ll happily and loyally guard your homestead from human and animal predators alike.  Dogs are pack animals which means when you’re they’re owner, you’re part of their pack. They will see you as the pack leader and be eager to keep you and the rest of the pack, your family and other animals, safe and aware of any threat. All that barking dogs do is for a reason! And if you train them to “bark with a purpose” so to speak, they won’t just bark incessantly for no reason-they’ll do it to warn you.

    What kind to get?

    Some breeds are better suited for guarding or fighting off attackers or prey, respectively, but of course for a homestead the classic breeds are sheepdogs or laboradors. Pit bulls get such a bad rap but raised right, they are insanely loyal, territorial, and fierce, so they can protect your homestead, will ruthlessly fend off any furry attackers and will also be gentle and sweet to your children.

    Puppy or adult?

    It’s probably best to pick the breed you think would be best suited for your homestead (adopting is always cheaper and more humane than buying purebreds though) as a puppy and train them to guard as well as leave your other animals alone. If you adopt an older dog, make sure it’s one who has already spent time around other animals and is well-trained to guard and hunt themselves.

    There’s nothing as reliable as another creature that is as committed to the security as your homestead as you are, and they will probably do more to keep your homestead safe than any fence or weapon.

    Click Here To Get The Best Survival Medical Course…

    Check Out These Mind Blowing Survival Skills…

    See what is happening in this country and what you can do to protect yourself…

     

  • Tried-and-True Recipe for De-Skunking A Dog

    Tried-and-True Recipe for De-Skunking A Dog

    Country dogs are by far the happiest dogs. Dogs take pride in protecting your other animals and maybe even helping to herd them. They will take their status as guard and protector seriously, and if you’ve got small animals that wild prey would very much like to eat, like rabbits or chickens, dogs will surely keep these predators at bay.

    Unfortunately, sometimes dogs will try to keep a skunk away and get sprayed. We still appreciate their duties as skunks can be predators too, but the skunk’s natural defense system,a putrid-smelling veil of wid-reaching spray, can be very unpleasant and difficult to get rid of.

    Fortunately, there is a surefire method for deodorizing a skunk-sprayed pooch. The classic method is a tomato juice bath, and this can definitely help, especially if you’d like to go a more natural route.

    The following recipe is still very non-toxic, depending on what ingredients you use. It is a scrub made of simply baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. If you use eco-friendly, non-toxic dish soap, it is still very effective and perfectly natural. However, if you need a little extra power, blue Dawn dish soap works wonders.

    A quick note on blue Dawn: If you keep one non-natural cleaning product in your home, it should  be blue Dawn dish soap. It’s a powerful de-greaser, so this is useful not just for skunk spray, but also if you spill petroleum products on your clothes or hands. There’s definitely a reason they brag that it’s used for oil spill clean-ups.

    So, in the case of dog deskunking, the choice of soap is entirely up to you, but you and your dog might really appreciate the extra effectiveness of Dawn soap.

    What You Need: 

    • Dishsoap
    • Baking soda
    • Hydrogen peroxide

    What You Do: 

    1. Combine the ingredients in an open container
    2. Put your dog in the bathing area, either a bath or outside by the hose (if its warm enough)
    3. Without wetting the dog, spread the mixture all over him or her, from their collar to their tail. Apply to the head very carefully, avoiding the eyes as the hydrogen peroxide can burn them
    4. Rinse thoroughly. Smell the dog and repeat above process as needed
    5. Rince one or two more times, then shampoo with a pH-balanced dog shampoo

    Remember, removing skunk smell can be quite unpleasant, but having skunks kill your chickens would be worse, so make sure to let your dog know how much you appreciate his loyal protection of your homestead.

    If you like this, you might also like:

    Advanced Gardening Course To Accelerate Your Food Production…

    Survival Medicine & Wilderness Survival…

    Survival Techniques From Long Ago, Re-purposed For The Modern Era…

  • Homemade Dog Food

    Homemade Dog Food

    Our dogs are our best friends, and they deserve homemade meals too!

    Unfortunately, a lot of store-bought dog foods have a lot of preservatives and additives that you might not be so thrilled for your canine companion to be consuming. And high-dollar dog food, with real food ingredients, can be really pricey.

    So a great alternative is to just make your own at home!

    First, you’ll want to determine what the best nutrition is for your dog. Not every dog is going to have the same nutritional needs, but in general, dogs need protein, like from meat, fish, dairy and eggs, fat, like from meat or oil, carbohydrates, calcium and fatty acids. Grains are not always good for dogs, you might want to opt for sweet potato and vegetables as a carbohydrate source.

    A good starting place is to talk to your vet. The two of you can discuss what ingredients would be best for your dog, and if he has special health or nutritional needs that should be met and how to do that.

    >>>Brain Training for Dogs (Unlock That Hidden Intelligence

    Next, pick a recipe that fits your dog’s specific needs. There are a lot of homemade dog food recipes on the internet, so odds are you will find something that suits you.

    A really great basic recipe consists of sweet potatoes, frozen peas and carrots, and chicken breast, at a 1:1:2 ratio. Cook all the ingredients in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours and then stir, let cool, and distribute into bags to freeze. You can pull out a bag every few days, thaw, and bam! Easy, healthy, delicious and nutritious homemade food for your dog.

    While this probably isn’t ideal for daily meals, making sure your dog gets regular helpings of raw meat is also crucial. Once or twice a week, throw your dog some raw ground beef. Occasional organ meats are also incredibly beneficial, but should not exceed 15%. Also, bones are great for their health, but try to get them from a butcher, not the pre-packaged ones that are full of artificial flavoring and preservatives.

    Our dogs are members of our family, and they deserve healthy, whole, real food ingredients too. Consider making your own dog food today!

    If you like this, you might also like:

    Advanced Gardening Course To Accelerate Your Food Production…

    Survival Medicine & Wilderness Survival…