Natural Remedies for Cataracts in Pets

| Modified on Aug 26, 2024
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Bilberries

As pet owners, it’s difficult to watch our beloved companions age, especially when age brings along health challenges like cataracts. Cataracts, which cause cloudiness in the eye’s lens, can significantly impair your pet’s vision and quality of life. While cataracts are often associated with aging, they can also develop due to poor diet during pregnancy, hereditary factors, or health conditions such as diabetes mellitus.

Understanding Cataracts in Pets

Cataracts cause the lens of your pet’s eye to become cloudy, leading to blurry vision or, in severe cases, blindness. Early signs of cataracts include a grayish hue in the eyes, which may progress over time. While conventional treatment often involves surgery, several natural remedies can help manage and potentially slow the progression of cataracts in your pet.

Top Natural Remedies for Cataracts in Pets

Here are some of the most effective natural remedies to support your pet’s eye health and manage cataracts, listed in order of importance:

1. Bilberry

Bilberry is one of the most powerful natural remedies for cataracts. Rich in antioxidants and anthocyanins, bilberry supports eye health by protecting the eyes from oxidative stress and improving blood flow to the retinal vessels. You can find bilberry supplements designed for pets, or incorporate fresh or dried bilberries into their diet. Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate dosage.

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA found in fish oil, are essential for maintaining eye health. These healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties that can help slow the progression of cataracts and support overall eye function. You can add fish oil supplements to your pet’s diet or choose foods rich in omega-3s, like salmon or flaxseed oil.

3. Sulphur

Sulphur is a well-known homeopathic remedy that can be particularly effective in the early stages of cataracts. It helps reduce the cloudiness of the lens and supports overall eye health. Adding Sulphur to your pet’s diet can slow the progression of cataracts. Be sure to consult with a holistic veterinarian to determine the correct dosage for your pet.

4. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, which can damage the lens and accelerate cataract formation. Supplementing your pet’s diet with Vitamin C can help support the immune system and slow the progression of cataracts. Look for pet-safe Vitamin C supplements or include fruits and vegetables like bell peppers, strawberries, and kale in their diet.

5. Senega

Senega is a homeopathic remedy often used for pets that have undergone cataract surgery but still experience issues. It helps manage persistent cataract symptoms and can prevent further clouding of the lens. Consult your veterinarian to see if Senega is a good option for your pet, particularly if they’ve already had surgery.

6. Silicea

Silicea is another long-term homeopathic remedy beneficial for managing cataracts. It supports connective tissue health, which is vital for maintaining the integrity of the eye’s lens. Silicea can be used as part of a long-term strategy to slow cataract progression and support overall eye health. Work with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate use of Silicea for your pet.

7. Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that can cross the blood-retina barrier, providing direct protection to the eyes. It helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which contribute to cataract formation. Astaxanthin supplements can be added to your pet’s diet to support eye health and slow the progression of cataracts.

Final Thoughts

Cataracts in pets can be a challenging condition, but with the right combination of veterinary care and natural remedies, you can help support your pet’s vision and overall health. Early intervention is key, so start these natural remedies as soon as you notice any signs of cataracts. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian will help monitor the condition and adjust treatments as needed.

Have you used natural remedies to help manage your pet’s cataracts? Share your experiences and tips! Continue reading below for advice from Earth Clinic readers who have explored various remedies for cataracts in their pets.


Can-C (N-Acetylcarnosine Drops)

1 User Review
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Posted by Karin (California) on 08/22/2022
★★★★★

Thanks for your input on Can-C for dogs. I accomplished the same for my 125lb shepherd with a product called NuVet, a 1-a-day wafer from a company by the same name. It took 1 month and he went from mistaking my finger for a tasty carrot treat to leading the way on a moonless desert hike in unfamiliar terrain. I recommend the product highly for anyone whose dogs are getting those white glazed over eyes as they age.


Castor Oil

4 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
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Posted by Carolyn (Canada) on 05/13/2021

Only use "organic cold pressed" castor oil as the kind sold in the pharmacy is processed differently.


Castor Oil
Posted by Victoria (California) on 03/12/2021
★★★★★

I used food-grade castor oil in my dog's eyes, 1 drop daily each eye, and it completely cleared his clouded cataracts.

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Replied by LoriE
(Missouri)
03/15/2021

Victoria, can you tell me what brand of castor oil you used for your dog's eyes and is it in a glass bottle or plastic? Thank you.

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Replied by Nancy H.
(Owingsville Ky)
11/15/2023

Castor oil

Which type is best for my dog? 12 lb. Shih Tzu. He's almost blind. He has cloudy eyes and has already had an ulcer that almost burst. Dr was able to keep from bursting and has meds for dry eye. Thanks for your help. His name is Gizzy.

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Replied by Cailin
(Ireland)
11/20/2023

Can anyone tell me how long I should apply castor oil drops to my dogs' eyes before I will notice an improvement in his cataracts please?

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Replied by Cailin
(Ireland)
11/20/2023

Hi Victoria, Can you tell me how long were you applying castor oil drops to your dogs' eyes before you noticed improvement please?

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Replied by Katzie
(Cancun, Mexico)
11/22/2023

I don't know that any of us could accurately tell you that, as we don't know how advanced they are. I jumped in here to recommend to you DMSO eye drops. That will also definitely help! There is plenty of info on this site about DMSO!

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Sonya
(Florida)
08/26/2024

Hello, I am trying to decide between DMSO drops or Castor Oil. I went on Amazon, and saw the DMSO drops, do you have a recommendation of what brand to buy? Also for your dog, how mature was their cataract?

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Replied by Mock
(Monroe Union County)
03/03/2024

I am a huge fan of Castor Oil. We have 2 senior dogs 11 and 13 years young both dogs now have cataracts we are wondering if using eye dropper and administering a few drops of castor oil in each eye will help remove cataracts improving eye health, vision etc…

Love this website! Thank you in advance for your prompt atttention to my question.


Castor Oil
Posted by Anne Marie (Chatham, Ontario) on 11/17/2019

Which organic and hexane free castor oil do you recommend for me to use on my dog's eye?


Castor Oil
Posted by Jazmine (United States) on 02/22/2019

Castor oil remedy for cataracts in dogs: I am just starting my dog on castor oil in each eye 2x a day before bed and before I leave for work in the mornings. She is starting to lose her vision at 13 and I'm used to a happy, begging, jumping papillon. I hope this helps in a couple of weeks. I don't have the surgery money nor do I want to take that route. Does anyone have any success using castor oil?

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Replied by Karen
(Western Australia)
12/18/2021

How is your fur baby doing today, has the CO made any difference?


Castor Oil
Posted by Kewpie (California) on 01/12/2014
★★★★★

My older dog was getting cloudy cataracts. After looking at this site and seeing the castor oil in the eyes remedy, I tried it by using the Now brand in an eye dropper. I put it in his eyes once per day for a few months. The cataracts are gone! If they aren't completely gone, I can't see them.

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Replied by Theresa
(Mpls., Mn)
01/12/2014

Kewpie this is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

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Replied by Ana
(New York)
05/17/2017
15 posts

So glad for you, please be aware that some of us or even dogs can be allergic to anything, even castor oil (although not very common), my one dog reacted by a swollen ear and congestion reaction, her eye amazing was fine, she also started sneezing, so a test area on the back and then near the mouth is always safe first for people and dogs, or check with your vet. I would continue to use it and keep in mind it also grows back hair.

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Maddy
(Ny ny)
08/13/2022

Do not give castor oil near the mouth, it is toxic to dogs and cats it is not to be eaten... Giving it as an eye drop is okay but it should not be ingested

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Replied by Shaka'ki'
(Branson, Mo)
03/18/2018

I wondered if you continued the castor oil for your pet's cataracts? When reading your analysis of the first use being an "allergy" ~ I had to think of how all natural healers and people who heal their self from many, even lethal, diseases, the initial response is to feel ill in some way. Perhaps the swollen ear was not allergy but just getting rid of a toxin via ear tissues and skin pores and the sneezing was caused by this exit of toxin. Detoxing in any way is well known amongst healers that "less is more" to get the process started and then as body gets used to treatments, increase to the "super" healing amount.

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Replied by Noah
(Ca)
07/11/2018

Where can one get this product? is it safe to put in their eyes? thank you.

Noah

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Concerned Grammy
(Washington state)
12/22/2021

Amazon has it. So does PCC market in the naturopath section.

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Replied by Noelle
(Elkhorn, NE, USA)
10/24/2023

My 8yr old standard dachshund has recently been diagnosed as diabetic. The internal medicine vet said, “He will get cataracts from the diabetes. It's not a matter of ‘if', it's a matter of ‘when' “ I am anxious to try castor oil as a preventative! Just a thought about people who might be struggling with eye-droppers. I think a bit of castor oil on a cotton ball and rubbed across their eye will easily do the trick.


Castor Oil
Posted by Mister (Los Angeles, Ca. Usa ) on 03/18/2011
★★★★★

Optional: Before you attempt this: If your animal is nervous, while you rock them and sing or hum, wrap them loosely in a towel where they still have enough freedom to have their paws in a natural position, yet they feel the towel "around" them. Do this for a number of times day/night, whatever, until you're both comfortable. As they get "into it", bind them a little tighter for a few minutes and sing a song or do your thing, rock them, etc. When you feel they're okay with this then go to the next step:

Next step: Have your eye dropper ready to go: This works for me by myself but if you can get an extra pair of hands, that might be good depending upon your pet's nervous threshold, size, weight. I've never had a problem and it works for all kinds of situations.

Next: Take that familiar (by now) bath towel and gently but firmly wrap your pet, binding them so their legs/paws don't interfere with their therapy.

I usually nuzzle my nose, by gently pressing it against my pet's, telegraphing that it's o'tay! Before and after the first eye and after the 2nd eye - While they're still wrapped up, signaling that it's not a bad thing to get acquainted with - (feeling bound up without fearing it). I hum directly into their body for a minute or so and gently begin releasing the pressure of the towel.

This is drawn out but some of you with nervous pets can also relax knowing that you can take your time and you'll both learn from each other.

Hope this helps.


Castor Oil
Posted by Brooke (Montgomery, Tx, Usa) on 12/05/2010
★★★★★

Castor Oil

The only thing that I know for sure is that my mother used this remedy on her dog! It is an Edgar Cayce remedy though and he recommended it to a lot of people. He also recommended that you put the scrapings of potatoes on your eye as well. Sorry I don't have more information from a first party trier, but when I told my mother to put a couple of drops in her dogs eyes, it really helped his condition tremendously. He passed before the treatment totally healed him, but he could see again before he went to the other side.


Turmeric

1 User Review
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Posted by Vincent (Pennsylvania) on 05/16/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have started my female pitbull of 13 yrs old on turmeric for an internal lumps in her throat I was told from my vet it was a blood filled cyst, just started 2 weeks ago with a little sprinkled in home made bone broth soup to early to tell if it's working but something amazing is happening that I didn't expect.

A few months ago I noticed her eyes were getting very cloudy getting worse by the day and I feared she had was developing cataracts or glaucoma and now since I've been adding turmeric to her diet her eyes are clear as glass.

So thankful I found this remedy. Hope this helps!

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Replied by Tauni
(California)
05/10/2018

How do you use the turmeric? do you sprinkle on your dogs food? or in a capsule? and how much to help with cataract?

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Replied by Kay Lee
(San Diego, Ca)
09/30/2020

That's amazing. What brand turmeric are you using? Thank you!

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Replied by Kathy
(Idaho Falls, Idaho)
02/11/2024

After reading your post I am very interested in using turmeric for my dog's cataracts.. Please share how much turmeric you used in bone broth?


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Replied by El
(Toronto, Canada)
08/24/2012

To dissolve cataracts, drop 1-2 drops of cold-pressed flaxseed oil in each eye every evening. Warm the flaxseed oil to body temperature before using. Refrigerate flaxseed oil or it can turn rancid.

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Replied by Linda
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
11/08/2011

I found success with RAW carrot and RAW sweet potatoe, after 2 years of feeding it cooked, within 2 months of the switch 90 percent of my dogs cataracts have cleared. She is on a raw diet with 25% veggies, which also includes brocolli and kale. ( I have since stopped feeding her cooked oats) She also gets Salmon Oil but she always got that. I googled natural remedies for cataracts for humans, and applied those I could to a dog. There are a few others that one could also try.

Wheat Sprout Extract

1 User Review
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Posted by Steve N (Westlake Village, Ca) on 08/25/2018
★★★★★

I purchased wheat sprout extract and started giving it to my dog that has cataracts. Today my wife excitedly commented that the cloudiness in the dogs eyes was gone - no white/grey milkiness was visible. My wife was surprised since I hadn't told her that I had started giving the dog the wheat sprout extract. I looked at the dog's eyes and two dark eyes looked back at me. I hadn't even bothered to check the dogs eyes since I had only given her the wheat sprout extract for 6 days. I was hoping that maybe at the end of 30 days, that there might be some visible improvement. What an amazing change in so short of time.

Since the wheat sprout extract is 4:1, I gave only 1/4 teaspoon once a day.

Wheat Grass Reverses Cataract-Associated Cloudy Lenses

It also restores the thymus gland. Here is the abstract for the wheat sprout study:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16333758​

Abstract:

Neonatal thymus graft and thymus calf extract (TME) in vivo treatment exert similar corrective actions on different mouse age-related alterations. The aim of the present paper is to investigate whether a vegetal extract, wheat sprout extract (WESPRE), could mimic the thymus action on recovering age-related alterations and if this extract can cure an age-associated pathology, the cataract in dogs. Present experiments were carried out by using WESPRE and TME in vivo in old mice to check their ability to recover the altered DNA synthesis in hepatocyte primary cultures. Old mice treated with WESPRE and TME showed a recovery of hepatocyte DNA synthesis levels when compared with the old untreated ones. The increase of DNA and protein contents observed in aged animals is reduced by WESPRE treatments to levels observed in young mice hepatocytes. We measured also WESPRE phosphorylation activity by endogenous kinase: it was from 10 to 40 times higher with respect to wheat seeds. Old dogs were orally treated for a month and the lens opacity analysed before and after the treatment. Results showed a reduction from 25 to 40% of lens opacity. The efficacy of wheat sprouts in the recovery of age-related alterations and in treating age-associated pathologies could be due to the contemporary presence of small regulatory acid peptides, a remarkable level of highly energetic phosphoric radicals and antioxidant molecules, peculiarities that may be, to some extent, related to the aging process regulation.

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Replied by Anne
(Oh)
10/21/2018

Is the wheat sprout extract a powder or liquid? is it the same as wheat grass powder?

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Replied by helen
(australia)
04/15/2021

Sorry, I know this is 2 years later, but I am wondering if this was a Dr wheatgrass? and did you give this orally? Thank you for your time. I have a 14 yr old Standard Poodle. Looking forward to hearing from you.

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Kjetil
(Norway)
09/12/2023

Hello

Did you try Dr Wheatgrass? Trying to figure this stuff out before it's too late,