Mommy Greenest Approved: Dr. Willard’s Natural Pet Care
We adopted Foxy as a two-year-old puppy more than 10 years ago. And since we lost her best friend Sugar at age 18, she has taken her role as the single dog in our household very seriously. She snuggles proficiently, barks her alerts with aplomb, and curls up at just the right place behind your knees. So when Foxy got sick a few months ago, our entire home went into mourning. Luckily, we finally got help!
Beginning in November, Foxy developed large cysts all over her body that would fill up with blood and fluid. Our longtime vet would lance them, then put her on multiple antibiotics, but the cysts always came back. After a few months of this, Foxy was partially bald, had lost half her body weight, obsessively chewed on hot spots, was covered in scabs and sores, and yelped when we picked her up.
She also hated the damn cone.
I got her a t-shirt to cover the sores, but that didn’t help much, either.
Finally, we were referred to a brilliant animal dermatologist—yes, there is such a thing—who took one look at Foxy and diagnosed her with Panniculitis, an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own fat cells. After a few weeks of medication, Foxy started to get better; she’ll be on a low dose for the rest of her life.
It was about this time that I discovered Dr. Willard’s natural pet care products, which have been featured in The Whole Dog Journal, The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet care, Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog and Dog Training for Dummies, among others.
A family-based company that manufactures products for people, plants and pets, all of Dr. Willard’s products are cruelty-free and contain no artificial colors, flavors, parabens, phthalates or petrochemicals. And they all include Dr. Willard’s Water, a formula patented more than 40 years ago that’s said to increase the ability to absorb essential vitamins and nutrients.
A few weeks ago, I started using Dr. Willard’s trio of pet care products on Foxy. I sprayed the Rejuvenating Skin and Coat Spray generally; it can also be used to neutralize hot spots, as can the Soothing Aloe Gel for Pets. I also used the Vibrant Pet Water Drops in her water.
Today, Foxy is a happy, healthy dog again. See?
Her hair is growing back, her weight is up, and she no longer needs a shirt or cone. I’ll keep giving her Dr. Willard’s in her water, and will keep the spray and gel on hand in case those hot spots come back.
Dr. Willard’s Natural Restorative Pet Care Kit gives a portion of proceeds to rescue organizations that shelter dogs like Foxy. Enter here to win one of four Dr. Willard’s Pet Care Kits worth $39.99!
This post was sponsored by Dr. Willard’s natural pet care and meets the standards I’ve established to endorse a brand as “Mommy Greenest Approved.” Click here for more about Editorial Standards.
34 Comments
JoAnn Heaton
Great Post
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Tanya Frazee
I have a resident dog expert – my 9-year-old daughter. She loves to read about how to take the best care of our dog, Larry. She knows every “people food” he can’t eat (not that we feed him people food – we’re just messy in the kitchen and drop food on the floor all the time on accident – she’s constantly on watch for chocolate chips and pieces of onion!), not to mention a lot about how we can tell how he’s feeling. I love seeing how compassionate she is with him.
Rachel Sarnoff
Oh I love this so much!! My eight-year-old is so attentive to Foxy, as well. It’s so sweet to see how patient Foxy is with her–she used to get dressed up in doll clothes!! Thanks for sharing Tanya 🙂
Ange B.
Great post Rachel. I am a professional dog walker/pet sitter. I will share the info with others in my field as well as my clients. Love to hear about alternative treatments and approaches for the animals in our lives. Thanks for including pet care on your site 🙂
Rachel Sarnoff
Thanks so much for reading and sharing, Ange!
Katherine Breton
I give both my rescued girls colostrum (powder) twice a day. One of them has food sensitivities and both have seasonal allergies. The colostrum seems to work just as well as benadryl and I don’t have to worry about the long term effects of suppressing their immune response.
Rachel Sarnoff
I haven’t heard of that for dogs, but I’ll keep it in mind if we have to deal with something like that. Thanks for the tip!
Sarah
I’ve had a couple of dogs through the years who have had skin issues – a Golden with recurrent hot spots & a Coonhound with very sensitive skin – so I understand how important it is to find relief for the member of the family who can’t speak! Luckily, my current girl -a Czech Shepherd – doesn’t have any skin problems. These products sound wonderful; thank you for bringing them to our attention.
Rachel Sarnoff
It’s so hard to diagnose because they can’t talk, right? I’m so glad your current pup is okay!
Kim Cage
By feeding good food, Blue Buffalo for small breeds and walking twice daily and yearly check-ups at the vet
Rachel Sarnoff
I don’t know about Blue Buffalo, will have to check that out. Thanks Kim!
Alice Forbes
we feed our dogs Blue foods and always have plenty of fresh water available. we have been lucky with our dogs, one has low thyroid but that’s the extent of our troubles now
Rachel Sarnoff
Is that Blue Buffalo, like Kim was commenting? Now I really have to check it out!
Shawna R
I keep my pets fit and happy by only giving them a high quality food, filtered water and yearly vet checkups with bloodwork, etc. 🙂
Rachel Sarnoff
Good job, sounds like they are lucky pets to be part of your family!
Emma Smith
… do you know if it is vegan? I know that’s a weird question to ask about something for animals, but I would just like to know what sort of testing it has been through. Don’t want to hurt another animal to make one feel better….
Thank you so much!
Rachel Sarnoff
No animal testing, of course! I think it is vegan but would have to check the site to make sure… I totally agree with you!!
Angela Stevens
We feed them only good quality food and research things not just taking the word of everybody who offers opinions, we go to a good vet.
Rachel Sarnoff
Very smart, Angela. I thought my vet was good but was so disappointed 🙁 So glad to have found a good one though!
Blake
My dog could use the products 🙂
Rachel Sarnoff
Oh know, is your dog okay? I hope so!!
Denise L
We take our dogs for walks several times a week so they get enough exercise.
Rachel Sarnoff
Good for you, Denise!
Laura
My dog is a healthy, happy well loved little mixed breed. I am always happy to hear about natural food and pet care products for her!
Marlene V. (Enelram)
regular vet visits, no table food and we walk her often
Rachel Sarnoff
The table food is so hard. She does love a little scrap slipped under the table 🙂
Charlene
Our dog is on a plan at the Vet so we are able to take her when ever we’re not sure about what’s going on.
Koren
Regular checkups and lots of fresh air outdoor time
Linda Kish
I take him to the vet when I think he needs to go or they send me a reminder. He is on a health plan for senior dogs.
Rachel Sarnoff
Good for you!
Sharon Meagher
My dog has cysts on her and is very itchy. My vet can’t figure out why. I will have to show him this article.
Rachel Sarnoff
Is she part chihuahua, Sharon? Apparently it’s common to that and some other smaller breeds. Oh I hope that it helps!! Please let me know. Thanks so much for commenting 🙂
Ericka Coello
With regular checkups at the vet and by not giving him table food