Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

Ethnoveterinary practices represent an essential component of indigenous knowledge systems that contribute significantly to animal healthcare in rural communities. However, documented evidence on such practices, particularly those related to the treatment of dogs, remains limited in Ondo State, Nigeria. This study was conducted to identify, document, and analyse the botanical resources and traditional methods employed by local dog owners in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State. Data were collected through open-ended interviews and structured questionnaires administered to knowledgeable respondents. The study revealed a range of ethnoveterinary practices that utilise various medicinal plants and manual techniques, such as hand-picking of ectoparasites, for the management of canine ailments, including tick infestation, diarrhoea, mastitis, lameness, and intestinal worms. The findings highlight the depth of indigenous knowledge applied to animal healthcare within the community and underscore its continued releva3nce in the absence of readily available modern veterinary services. Given the threat of cultural erosion and biodiversity loss, there is an urgent need to systematically preserve, validate, and integrate this traditional knowledge into modern veterinary and conservation frameworks to ensure its sustainability and potential contribution to scientific research and rural development.