Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: A Safe Remedy

Written by: Bojana Radulovic
Apple cider vinegar can treat many different conditions in your dog, from itchy skin, hot spots, and even bladder infections. Learn how to prepare it and what's the proper dosage.

More and more dog owners are switching from chemically based products to more natural remedies. This trend comes as no surprise, especially when you think about non-toxic alternatives that you can easily find in your kitchen. No chemicals? No artificial ingredients? No adverse reactions? And best of all, it can be made in just a few seconds! Let’s dive into.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs

Apple cider vinegar for dogs is the same apple cider vinegar that is used by humans. So, yes, that’s the same apple cider vinegar that can be found in every home. Lately, this commonly seen kitchen necessity is getting more attention in the last years for how it can improve both human’s and dog’s health.

Moreover, apple cider vinegar also referred to as ACV, has impressive healing properties for both dogs and felines. Furthermore, pet parents around the globe are more than excited about results they are finding by using ACV both externally and internally on their animals.

Apple Cider Vinegar: A New Trend Or A Real Deal?

Many are worried that ACV is just another trend and that it has no benefits for canines. However, ACV is safe and beneficial to furry friends when used properly.

In its essence, ACV is quite similar to white vinegar. The main difference here is that ACV is completely made through the process of fermenting apples. The result of the fermentation process is a substance rich in iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and many other essential minerals and vitamins.

With all of the health benefits, it comes as no surprise that the medical use of ACV is not a new concept. But, truth be told it did blossom recently. ACV has deep roots back to 400 B.C. when Hippocrates was said to use the concoction in treating colds and many other ailments.

Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs

Apple cider vinegar can be used for several different uses, and also it’s easy to find, and it’s inexpensive. Actually, for dog owners that prefer keeping things all-natural, ACV is a commonly used supplement. So, let’s look at the primary uses of apple cider vinegar for dogs.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: A Natural Flea Killer

Apple cider vinegar is considered to be an all-natural tick and flea repellent. Face it, you will have to deal with your dog getting fleas at one point or another. Simply, said, pests are everywhere, even the climates you wouldn’t expect. Although many pet parents are not fond of the idea of treating their dog with chemicals every month, they still do that because they want their dog to be safe. Here’s where ACV comes in.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: Treating Itchy Skin

If your dog has been suffering from itchy skin for a long time and nothing seems to work, you would think about using ACV for treating this issue. ACV really might help. In general, when it comes to the itchy skin in dogs, ACV can help ease rashes and soother the itchiness caused by yeast. Also, ACV can prevent the spread of yeast and even prevent some possible infections.

As you probably know, there are dogs that are prone to skin conditions, including Pug and German Shepherd. So, for dogs that are prone to various skin conditions, sarcoptic mange or demodectic mange are often seen and ACV treatment showed great results.

How ACV helps here actually? ACV contains naturally-occurring acids that easily help eliminate dead skin cells to expose healthy ones. Interestingly, many holistic veterinarians suggest treating dog skin with ACV because it will dry to the hot spot and there won’t be the need for shaving your dog.

How to prepare ACV for applying? According to pet owners who already tested this approach, a 50/50 mix of ACV and water in a spray bottle should do the work. Once you mix it just spray it on dog’s skin, open wounds or hot sport – the acid will sting the raw skin. If applying ACV on the skin directly is not possible for some reason, there is another approach. You can feed your dog with ACV via food or water. However, in this case, you should advise with your veterinarian when it comes to proper dosage.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: Great Ear Cleaner

In most cases, itchy skin is followed by itchy ears. In a way, that’s how yeast works. ACV comes with some powerful antibacterial properties and it makes it an effective way to keep the dog’s ears clean and free from dangerous bacteria and free of yeast. A mix of water and ACV should do the work in this case and even prevent ear infections from spreading.

Firstly, check the dog’s ears for regular gunk and wax. Secondly, clean out anything that shouldn’t be there. You can clean the dog’s ears by using cotton balls soaked in the solution. Continue the process until no more gunk comes out on the cotton ball.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: Fighting Infection

ACV is great when it comes to treating different types of infection. Moreover, ACV has natural antibiotic and antiseptic properties that are capable of preventing harmful bacteria and viruses from entering the dog’s body. If your dog is not infected, it’s still ok to use ACV in some dosages. This way you can help prevent infections from developing.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: Tear Staining And Coat Treatments

ACV is great is for want to make your dog’s coat more shiny and fresh. So, even if your dog is not affected by some type of infection, you can still use it for different purposes, such as bringing his dull coat back to life. Also, ACV can be used to wipe away brown saliva stained fur and wipe away tear stains.

According to some pet owners, ACV is a great way to reduce dander. Just rub in the ACV before shampooing it and you will see the results soon enough.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: For Digestion

Yes, ACV an even help your dog when it comes to healthier and better digestion. If your dog had any problems in that department or suffers from constipation or diarrhea, adding ACV to his drinking water once a day can do wonders. Thanks to healthy enzymes in ACV his stomach will be much better and ACV will also help reduce bloating and gas.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: Supporting Dental Health

According to veterinarians, if you want to have your dog around you as long as possible, you should take care of his teeth and gums. Dog’s dental health is just that important. Simply said, ACV can help to prevent tooth decay. Furthermore, it’s believed that the acidity levels in ACV can help to break down plaque and remove tartar that can be often seen on the dog’s teeth.

Maintain the dog’s dental health by adding just a teaspoon of ACV to a dog’s drinking water and dog’s food. In this case, ACV can only be an addition, while you should properly groom your dog with regular tooth brushing and weekly check-ups of the tooth and gums. Gums and teeth are indicators of general health.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: Easing Joint Discomfort And Arthritis

When used internally, ACV can strongly help reduce joint inflammation that can easily be caused by arthritis. Joint inflammation is often seen in senior dogs. So, adding ACV to senior dog’s food twice a week can help with breaking down calcium deposits that are found around the joints and help wase pain, discomfort, and stiffness.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: Preventing Utis

ACV comes with numerous antibacterial and antiseptic properties that can make it effective at preventing and even treating numerous infections. This is especially beneficial for dogs that suffer from urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract infections appear due to bacteria that invade the urinary tract from an over-alkaline system. Moreover, the acidity of ACV can help neutralize the dog’s pH levels and is useful for both relieving current infections and preventing new ones from developing further on.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: For Bruises And Muscle Sprains

When used topically, ACV can help reduce a pet’s sore muscles, bruises, and many other injuries. Use a cotton ball, apply a 50/50 concoction of ACV and water to your dog’s body. If necessary, reapply as many times as possible and needed.

A Vet’s Opinion On Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs

According to professionals, pet owners shouldn’t be too excited about applying ACV to their dogs, because there is no much science behind the beneficial claims of ACV.

Veterinarians agree on one thing and that’s that ACV is not toxic for dogs. They also claim that there are many safe and proven medicine that ease dog’s many health problems, including infections, allergies, and fleas. On the other hand, holistic veterinarians claim that ACV comes with the beneficial side that should be put in good use when it comes to treating common dog’s conditions.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs: Proper Dosage

Before you learn about proper dosage, you should be informed about ACV use if your dog has a history of bladder stones – in that case, it’s not advised to give your dog cider vinegar. But, if your dog is healthy and he has no troubles with bladder stones, the recommended dosage is as it follows:

  • Small to medium dogs – 5ml or 1 teaspoon
  • Medium to large dogs – 10ml or 1 dessert spoon

It’s also a great idea to start with an even smaller dosage that it’s recommended. After all, you are implementing a new supplement and it should be done step by step. This is also a great way to avoid any harm to your dog. Simply said, there is no need to rush.

Best Apple Cider Vinegar: What To Search For?

It can be overwhelming choosing the right product nowadays with so many different options available. Even when it comes to ACV you can choose from different manufacturers, different procedures and you can even choose between organic and non-organic ACV. When it comes to treating your dog with ACV you want the best, and best include organic, raw, and unpasteurized form.

In the majority of local stores, you can find ACV similar to apple juice, and in most cases that ACV is commercially manufactured, and it’s not a truly traditional ACV, because it’s highly refined and heavily processed. The ACV that you want has a more cloudy structure and will probably have stringy matter floating around inside. So, be sure always to know what you are buying so you can be sure that your dog will get all the necessary benefits.

How Long Does ACV Take To Work?

There is no one and right answer here. The amount of time for ACV to start working will depend on the specific conditions that you are treating. For example, if you are dealing with digestive issues, you will see results in just a few days. However, if you are fighting an infection or even a skin condition you will need to wait for more days to see results.

Luckily, the ACV is working, so you should just be patient. Never increase the recommended dosage if you don’t see an improvement right away.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs: Key Takeaway

So far, probably the best thing about ACV is that if you introduce it to your dog’s diet is that it won’t hurt him. But, scientifically watched it’s still unclear how much does it help. Make sure that you stay informed. After all, that’s the best way to make educated decisions for your dog’s well-being. If you know with what you are dealing with you will know how to address the issue and how to apply ACV in the best way possible.

Using ACV is all about personal choice and personal preferences. Make sure that you check with your veterinarian how safe the choice for your dog is safe. And don’t forget to always mix ACV and water. Always.