Changes in weather can often bring out health problems in our furry friends. From itchy eyes and ears to joint pain to hair balls, our pets deal with all sorts of ailments (and usually don’t complain about them). So, it’s up to us owners to notice the problems and find ways to alleviate them. These natural pet remedies may offer your sweet pup or kitty powerful relief in no time at all.

Note: Consult with your veterinarian to make sure these natural remedies are best for your pet.

Poor Buster! One of his eyes is watery. The likely reason? A blocked tear duct caused by allergies. One of the best natural pet remedies to help him feel better and alleviate a watery eye: dip a cotton swab in coconut oil and wipe it around the inner corner of the eye. (It’s okay if a bit of the harmless oil gets in his eye.) The oil will stimulate tears, which help unclog the duct, putting an end to watery discharge.

If your sweetie seems stiff, her achy joints may be acting up. To help her feel better, drizzle safflower oil over her food. The dose some vets advise (but ask yours): 1 teaspoon of oil per 10 pounds of body weight. Do this daily for three days, then repeat once a week until you see an improvement. The oil’s omega-6 fatty acids may help ease joint pain.

As soon as the weather gets warmer, your kitty coughs up hair balls. Ease her discomfort by dabbing a bit of petroleum jelly on her nose. Fluffy will lick it off, and the petroleum — an ingredient in many hair-ball remedies— will add lubrication to help hair balls pass easily.

While petting your kitty, you see blackheads on his chin. The tip some vets recommend to eliminate the bumps so they don’t become infected: Each day, disinfect your cat’s chin with Betadine antiseptic (available at drugstores), then apply Manuka honey, which has skin-healing properties.

Note: The breakouts may be due to allergies or stress — ask your vet to ID the cause.

If your dog is constantly scratching his ears or shaking his head, he may have ear mites — pesky organisms that thrive in moist environments. To help him feel better, mix 4 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of water. Then, pour the mix over a stack of cotton rounds in an airtight container. Once a week, use one cotton round to swipe around your pal’s ears. The alcohol dries out the ear canal while the vinegar kills mites on contact.

Does your cat or dog need an extra pick-me-up, or do you just love spoiling them? Regardless of the reason, finding the right products to pamper your pet is a must. Check out our team’s favorites:

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This article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.

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