DIY Organic Salve: Help for cats with wonky tummies

 

Not a cat person? 

This scrawny little dude showed up at a friend’s house, out in the country, insisting on being my friend. Couple days later, I brought him home with me and he’s been here, mostly thriving, ever since.

I say, mostly thriving because, wouldn’t you know? I rescued and adopted a cat with a gastrointestinal disorder, which convinced me of our path-crossing being a God-thing. The good Lord knew I’d be sensitive and patient with that, because, lo and behold... I’ve had a GI disorder since birth.

My sister named him Savitch, after Jessica Savitch, who ignited my love for journalism when I was in my teens. If ever I end up with another pet, I’ll name it Sawyer, after Diane, a fellow Briarhopper, whose work is equally inspiring.

Savitch, right after rescue and adoption

Wonky-gut challenges

Savitch has poor digestive function, which causes him to become easily constipated. At least, that’s how it starts. Once it’s gotten that far, the vomiting, abdominal pain, whining, hissing and drooling set in. 

The first time it happened, I was nearly frantic. We weren’t sure what was going on. He was in pain and miserable, so we rushed him to Stone Ridge Animal Care. Their small animal team is awesome and they’ve been helping us take great care of our senior quarter-horse, Touching Fire, for several years, too.

For Savitch, they checked him out and immediately administered laxatives. He spent the day with them and when I picked him up later, he was a few pounds lighter and feeling much better!

Trial and error

We didn’t learn until later that the GI challenge was gonna be an ongoing thing with Savitch. Little by little we learned what foods he tolerated and what foods got his tummy all jacked up. We switched him to a soft-textured diet but that alone proved to not be enough. He needed more help to digest his meals.

After a little research and careful experimentation, we came up with an inexpensive, simple-to-make organic salve that works great.

Blend these in a small container with a lid. It doesn't need to be refrigerated and may separate after settling. If it does, just give the mixture a stir before using.

  

   

I suggest using corn syrup that doesn't have high-fructose corn syrup as an additive. Great Value brand does not have it in their ingredients. Also it's best to go with an organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil which is also available in Great Value brand. Both are inexpensive and readily available at Walmart.

Make the mixture about half and half.

You can store it in the fridge, although I keep mine at room temp so it's much easier to apply.

Will look like this...

   

Just a dab will do and this is enough to last for months!

It's easy to apply. I just take a small amount on my fingertip and swipe it onto Savitch's foreleg and top of his paw. He's definitely not a fan of having the mix on his hair and will hop away with a limp before licking it off. 

I do this almost daily and it's cut down on vomiting and constipation, resulting in bowel blockages, about 99.9%. 

On a side note, I do recommend wiping the excess off onto a paper towel before washing your hands. Unrefined coconut oil will eventually build up in your drain pipes, causing plumbing problems.

It's been a few years since I started using this and since then, Savitch hasn't had to go to the animal clinic for a bowel blockage since the first day I began using this on him. Most of the time, unless he's caught a mouse or eaten something he doesn't tolerate well, like dry cat food, his tummy does great!

A happy, healthy Savitch!

⁷Isaiah said, “Take a cake of figs.”

They took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 2 Kings 20:7 

(World Messianic Bible)

The wrap!

If you have any experience or information you’d like to share, please leave us a comment. We’d love to hear from you! Knowledge is power and sharing is caring.

I pray you have a beautifully, blessed weekend and hope you’ll be back to visit soon.

Shalom