Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs
Every home with dogs should have apple cider vinegar. It's a remedy with multiple uses for dogs: alleviating allergies, arthritis, establishing correct pH balance. You can also give apple cider vinegar to cats and horses.
As written in an excellent, 1997 article by Wendy Volhard:
"...If your dog has itchy skin, the beginnings of a hot spot, incessantly washes its feet, has smelly ears, or is picky about his food, the application of ACV may change things around. For poor appetite, use it in the food - 1 tablespoon, two times a day for a 50 lb. dog. For itchy skin or beginning hot spots, put ACV into a spray bottle, part the hair and spray on. Any skin eruption will dry up in 24 hours and will save you having to shave the dog. If the skin is already broken, dilute ACV with an equal amount of water and spray on.
Taken internally, ACV is credited with maintaining the acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract. To check your dog's pH balance, pick up some pH strips at the drug store, and first thing in the morning test the dog's urine. If it reads anywhere from 6.2 - 6.5, your dog's system is exactly where it should be. If it is 7.5 or higher, the diet you are feeding is too alkaline, and ACV will re-establish the correct balance.
If you have a dog that has clear, watery discharge from the eyes, a runny nose, or coughs with a liquid sound, use ACV in his or her food. One teaspoon twice a day for a 50 lb. dog will do the job.
After your weekly grooming sessions, use a few drops in his or her ears after cleaning them to avoid ear infections. Other uses for ACV are the prevention of muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, calluses on elbows and hock joints, constipation, bruising too easily, pimples on skin surfaces, twitching of facial muscles, sore joints, arthritis and pus in the urine. There are also reports that it is useful in the prevention of bladder and kidney stones.
Fleas, flies, ticks and bacteria, external parasites, ring worm, fungus, staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus, mange, etc., are unlikely to inhabit a dog whose system is acidic inside and out. Should you ever experience any of these with your dog, bathe with a nice gentle herbal shampoo -- one that you would use on your own hair -- rinse thoroughly, and then sponge on ACV diluted with equal amounts of warm water. Allow your dog to drip dry. It is not necessary to use harsh chemicals for minor flea infestations. All fleas drown in soapy water and the ACV rinse makes the skin too acidic for a re-infestation. If you are worried about picking up fleas when you take your dog away from home, keep some ACV in a spray bottle, and spray your dog before you leave home, and when you get back. Take some with you and keep it in the car, just in case you need it any time. Obviously for major infestations, more drastic measures are necessary. ACV normalizes the pH levels of the skin, makes your dog unpalatable to even the nastiest of bacteria and you have a dog that smells like a salad, a small price to pay! "
2 YEA
[YEA] 08/28/2007: Grace Wahlman from Chester, Illinois, USA writes: "After reading about Apple Cider Vinegar as a remedy on your site, I started given it to my Boxer, Peaches, who has had recurring allergies and skin rashes...I noticed a marked improvement in less than a week... I also give it to the Lab, Sadie, just because, and her coat has improved tremendously and she doesn't shed nearly as bad.. I have recommended ACV to many people and 99% have been helped... Thanks so much for posting this info."
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SIDE EFFECTS
[YEA] 04/13/2007: Kelly from Seattle, WA writes: "Re: ACV for allergies: I gave organic ACV to my dog, and she threw up about 5 minutes later. I only gave her a capful, but she still threw up. It was very white bubbly throw up."
EC: Firstly, ACV should always be very well diluted in water and not given on an empty stomach. Secondly, vomiting is not necessarily a bad thing. In some cases of detoxification or food poisoning, vomiting is exactly what you would want to see.
05/07/2008: Art from Newhall, CA replies: "my two year old wire fox terrier mix has a hot spot and i have been using acv diluted and witch hazel and wonder if he licks it will he get sick? the hot spot is on his right front paw. thank you all , just found this site and love, been telling everyone about it (and iam a la county paramedic)"
05/08/2008: Joyce from Joelton,, Tn replies: "The ACV won't hurt your little doggie, but it might heal faster if you make a saturated solution of Epsom salts in apple cider vinegar. To make saturated solution start wotj 4 ounces and add Epsom salts by the 1/2 teaspoonful until no more will dissolve in the ACV. This will not hurt your doggie and the only unwanted side effect you are likely to get is a little diarrhea if he licks too much of the Epsom salts. I used the same stuff on my daughter(about age 6) when she developed deep lesions that certainly resembled what I had seen on a dog (owner told me it was hot spots). The poor thing had them all over her body and I certainly didn't want my daughter to get that bad. She only had 4 or 5 at the back of her head about an inch above the hair line. I swabbed them out 4 times a day with this and it started improving the second day of use and was healed over in a few days."
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2 YEA[YEA] Wendy from Canada writes: "My Chocolate Lab Sam has arthritis and was recently attacked by a dog. I had started him on ACV before but forgot sometimes. He has been on it faithfully for the past 3 weeks now and is getting better and better. He is on a raw diet and I just mix it in. For those dog owners who have dogs with failing health I recommend you look at the BARF diet. I wouldn't have believed that a dog who I was told would be dead in 3 months from liver problems would completely turn around due to diet and supplements(including ACV). We are what we eat and so are our pets. It has been 11 months and Sammy is doing great!!"
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1 NAY[NAY] Anonymous from Los Angeles writes: "Apple cider vinegar didn't help my dog. However, I found that keeping his eyes clear of discharge by using a clean index or thumb finger pad as often as possible cured the issue. You must be very gentle! At first your dog may not particularly like this being done. However, if you are very gentle with the process, your dog will soon allow you to clear his/her eyes and will be forever grateful for this ritual."
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2 YEA[YEA] 02/17/2007: FE from Laguna, Phillipines writes: "I've been giving my pets a dose of apple cider 3 x a week, and it reflects well on their coat!"
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3 YEA[YEA] 09/21/2007: Debra (TOOTSIE8589@yahoo.com) from Morganton, North Carolina writes: "
Mandy and I just moved into an area where pets are allowed, which in itself is a rarity. Fleas are an issue. Mandy is my only (baby) still at home and she's a 14 yr old schnauzer. She depends on me for everything as it should be. I depend on her for "lovin' and cuddlin'" and she's very good at it. Anyway, I've only recently discovered (lemon) flea killer, however, after using this half and half mixture leaves me to wonder. Did I do this right because this smell is almost unbareable it really smells like wet dirty dog, but not on Mandy only where she's been ie under coffee table, her bed' etc... Can anyone tell me how I messed this up because I don't see how??
Also, I have used the vinegar solution (one (1) part vinegar to two (2) part water) for a yeast build-up in Mandys ears and as of this day I'll swear by how well it works three (3) or four (4) days in a row then weekly treatment, amazing, and no vet bill nor chemicals which is a bonus for us as well as the world. THUMBS UP!!!"
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I measured her pH balance and noticed that it was too alkaline (around 8). This helps yeast to grow, so we started adding a bit of vinegar to her food to stabilie her ph balance. We've also implemented other dietary restrictions that are typical with yest
Overall, we've definitely found success with ACV, and I hope that other dog owners would be able to learn from us to help their furry kids."
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10 YEA 1 NAY[YEA] 03/01/2008: kim from sebring, florida writes: "I got my german shepard from wretched people, they had taken him off his mother at 3 weeks old, the feeding and watering was horrific. I immediately began him on mothers milk for 4 weeks.
Later when he was 4 months old, i bathed him and treated him with flea treatment. IMMEDIATELY he broke out in a terrible rash with lesions and such. The odor made me physically sick. My dog is allergic to flea treatments, AND fleas. It was so bad, that i considered putting him down, it broke my heart to see him suffer so much. what kind of life is that? always constantly itching and bleeding. I found this site, i bathed him in acv and sprayed him down three times a day. all gone. now he is 9 months old. my son flea treated him for me while i was out of town. BAM, horrible, and i do mean horrible rash blood red, lesions, sores, constant itching and crying. I immediately sprayed him down with the acv solution and he fell asleep in about ten minutes, relief from the itching. I began just two days ago adding it to his water, and I can not believe the difference. A dog that is allergic to the chemicals in monthly flea treatments AND allergic to FLEA's has a miserable life. Thankfully due to the acv my dog has a chance at a good itch free life. I cannot thank you enough. It made me cry to see him in such torment. thank you to everyone who shares their stories, it saves lives and the quality of those lives."
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1 YEA[YEA] Ellen from Charles Town, WV writes: "About a 2 months ago, I began using apple cider vinegar in Lady's water; 3T. to a gallon of water and also spraying it diluted on the areas that she had licked and chewed until they bled. I added brewers yeast and olive oil to her daily meal and used a cone on her head when I wasn't with her to stop the licking. I used a plain aloe and olive oil balm on the skin after the vinegar dried. She doesn't need the cone any more as her skin is great and her hair is growing back in."
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1 YEA[YEA] 02/12/2006: Trudy (BIGGUYSBMX@aol.com) writes: "I have had absolute success using Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with water and Borax power. My dog was suffering with mange or terrible flea allergies last October. Well I used this combination regularly for several months and now he has all his fur back, and no itching. I sent in my testimonial back in mid January 2006, it is under the Cure for Demodetic Mange / Remedy #2 Reader Modification by Trudy Barton, in Cynthiana, Ky. I do believe this treatment I gave my Max would not have had nearly the great results if I had not used the organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Please post this cure under the Apple Cider Vinegar cures for dogs. P.s. If my cat were to have a similar problem, I sure would use it on the cat too! You can post my e-mail address."
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1 YEA[YEA] 06/25/2007: Christy from Waxahachie, Tx writes: "I have a 12 year old dog named Shelby.She has suffered with hot spots and has lost quite a bit of her hair.I also have a 4 yr old named Madyson.The fleas at my house were taking over. Since trying the Apple Cider Vinegar, our lives have become better. No more fleas on my dogs or in my house. Shelby's hair has started to grow back. It has been fabulous!!! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful information. I have passed it on with hopes that many pets will live happy lives"
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2 YEA[YEA] Ted from Bangkok , Thailand writes: "My dog was dying, perhaps from old age, he's about 12 years old. It refused to eat for 3 days and was dying. What I did was instead of using apple cider vinegar, I used ordinary vinegar about 2 tablespoon on the water and bathed the dog with pure vinegar. Within 2 hours, the dog defecated ... and was back to normal within 2-3 hours. I recommended my friend's dog who was dying from some kind of insecticide poisoning and recommended the same, the dog licked some vinegar and vomited, and was cured. So ordinary vinegar works just as well."
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5 YEA[YEA] 01/01/2008: Colleen from Pinetown, South AFrica writes: "ACV CURED MY DOGS OF SCRATCHING THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for a wonderful site. I'm a Yorkie mom, who dreamed of having a Yorkie with a show coat. My two babies scratch so much that they have severly damaged their coats, and I'd all but given up on ever having long-haired Yorkies. That's till I doscovered this site. Last night, I bathed both my babies and used ACV in the final rinse water, and within 15 minutes I noticed a marked reduction in the scratching. Within the hour, the scratching had diminised by about 80%. Tonight I bathed they again, using ACV in the final rinse water, and the scratching has completely stopped. I was not sure what quantity to use, so I used 2 tot measures in about 2 litres of water. What a miracle find. By the way, the scratching was NOT as a result of fleas, as I spend a small fortune at the vet each month to keep the fleas under control, but if ACV helps with that too, then I'll be saving so much money. I've also read on your site that ACV promotes hair growth, so who knows, I may have a show-coat Yorkie after all. Furthermore, their coats are shining like mirrors!!! This truly is an amazing find, and I'm so grateful for your site and the information contained therrein. Thanks again for a wonderful site, and keep up the good work."
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1 YEA[YEA] Anonymous writes: "I had a completely white bulldog with black spotted skin. He had dark tear stains running from his tear duct area down. I tried a few of the tear bleaching products sold for dogs but none worked (besides being expensive). I also tried some suggested home remedies (e.g. hydrogen peroxide, etc.) and those were not effective either. A vet told me the tear stains were caused by the acidity in the dogs system and if I neutralized his system, the stains would go away.
His suggestion was to put vinegar in the dogs drinking water! He suggested putting just a "tiny" bit of vinegar in the drinking water for a few days (I interpreted that as about 1/4 of a vinegar bottles cap full) and then increase the amount of vinegar added until I was adding about a teaspoon to the drinking water each day (I would estimate his drinking water bowl to contain about 5 cups of water.) Each time I changed or added water to his bowl, I also added the vinegar. Within a few weeks, the tear stains were gone for good!"
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1 YEA[YEA] 09/10/2007: Shirley from Midwest, USA writes: "Borax Bath, ACV remedies -- I have two dogs; both are less than 5 lbs. One has itchy skin so I started using the borax solution bath on both dogs. In about 3 hours after the bath, the one with itchy skin was scratching again. I didn’t know what to do at that point so I rubbed dry baking soda over her whole body. While I had her on her back applying the soda under her legs, she went to sleep. It was that comforting to her. Anytime she starts scratching and it seems it won’t quit and I don’t have time to do a bath, I have been using the baking soda. She seems to love it and her skin stops itching for at least 3 days.
While she was in her comfort zone of no itching, she was walking better, running and playing and wasn’t so scared all the time. So the itching was causing some social behavior problems too. I have tried both recipes of borax and peroxide and then I’ve done borax and ACV, Her skin still itches after each but she does seem a lot better then before, not quite as much scratching going on. One question though.
Do you think if I added some baking soda to the solution that would help her since the dry soda does wonders for her? They do not have mange or fleas. Also I have been putting a teaspoon of ACV in their drinking water all summer. Their water bowl holds 2 & 3/4 cups water. I do add about 1/16 teaspoon of baking soda to the vinegar. For a couple years I was putting the medicine on their backs for fleas and ticks. Ticks are the worst problem here. I decided to put the ACV in their water and I then stopped the spot on- medicine. They have gone the whole summer without getting one tick on them. We live in a heavily wooded area with lots of tall grasses where ticks love to wait for a host to walk by so they can latch onto them. Both dogs play in the woods a lot because they are always looking for something to chase Using the ACV water instead of the medicine has saved me a bunch of money and made both dogs a lot healthier."
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URINARY ISSUES: BLADDER INFECTIONS, CRYSTALS
[YEA] 05/06/2006: Carole from NJ writes: "I have an 11 lb. Chihuahua. His urine was always at a pH of 8 with crystals forming. I put him on a urinary acidifier tablet for a couple of years and it did not do anything. I tried 1/2 teaspoon of ACV once a day and in only one week his urine pH went down to 5!!! Even the doctor was amazed when I told her what I did."
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