Yeast Infections
Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar for Yeast Infections in Dogs

| Modified on Nov 26, 2023
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Stephanie (California) on 07/05/2017
★★★★★

My dog has yeast chronic issues and has been on medications his whole twelve years for skin allergies. Now, I just use vinegar.

EC: Hi Stephanie, can you please provide more details, such as dosage, dilution (50/50 water), frequency, and whether you applied apple cider vinegar topically or added it to food? Thank you!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Raine (Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas) on 06/20/2013
★☆☆☆☆

My 12 yr old shih-tzu battled gooby, smelly eyes, ear infections and itchy skin on and off almost her whole life. It wasn't until she began losing the fur on her chest that we finally connected the dots and began researching yeast infections. The vet was no help all these years-would just give her an antibiotic shot and put her on prednisone everytime. We distrust him so much now we are scared to take her there for fear of him shooting her up with antibiotics again, I'm scared that would be the final blow to her health. Started treating her many different ways, she was on a homemade food of brown rice, mackerel and green beans, and has since been changed to straight salmon with some yogurt. Was powdering her with a cornstarch, turmeric&clove mixture, but that didn't seem to be helping, and also the ACV 50/50 spray mixture, as well as putting it in her drinking water. NOTHING has helped!

Just learnt today that some brands of ACV contain yeast, so I'm pretty sure that is a big factor in why she has gotten worse rather than improving. I live on a small island in the Bahamas and chances of finding organic ACV are very slim. I have had this dog since I was 10 and it is literally breaking my heart to see the misery she is in. Can anyone please help? Any super cures that have been known to work well & work quickly? Stuff that doesn't neccessarily have to come from an organic or specialty store? We do have some coconut oil that they would put on her food, but she does not like it at all and would sometimes not eat her food or just eat around the oil. Maybe we need to shoot it down her throat with a syringe, can anyone give me a relative amount for a 13lb shih-tzu?

Other than all the problems accossiated with yeast (full, irritable anal gland, "old age" lumps, oozy eyes & ears) and some arthritis, she has no other health problems! We have been fighting this for I'd say at least 2 months now, and it's getting to the point where it's selfish to keep her here if we can't get her health improved. The affected skin runs on her underside from under her chin, down her whole chest straight down to her groin now. The armpits are an especially bad place. Also, does anyone know if antibiotic powder would feed the yeast? After she started licking the cornstarch mix off, we started using BNT antibiotic powder because it dries open raw wounds out in a snap.

Please please please, I am desperate and about to lose my best friend! Thank you in advance!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Chement (Oakland, MI) on 03/04/2022
★★★★★

Excellent advice. Saved me having to go to the vet. I have a 4 month old puppy and the stupid breeder gave her a bath and got water in her ear which started to smell yeasty. I bought regular cheap store brand apple cider vinegar (not Braggs organic) and mixed it half and half with distilled water and sprayed it in her ear and used cotton balls to squish it around and get the brown out. My dogs ear turned red and she was shaking her head more often so I did not repeat and do it a second time that first day. Instead, I added a little more water to the mixture and sprayed it in her ear once the next day and used the cotton ball method again. She was still shaking her head that second day but not as much and the inside of her ear was still red. I repeated the procedure again on the third day and she was shaking her head even less but her ear was still red. On the fourth day, she stopped head shaking and her ear looks great and is no longer red or smelly. THANK YOU for this valuable info. Saved me from buying those over the counter expensive solutions or going to the vet and having to spend $100 for an exam. Glad I found this post.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lilli (Kenmore, Wa, Usa) on 01/14/2013 13 posts
★★★★★

I read all the great posts here about ACV and the various uses in caring for a dog who has a yeast infection. I just had to write and share my success story.

My adopted pal, whose breed is prone to severe skin problems, developed a bad skin yeast infection. His legs and parts of his torso turned black and lost fur. He scratched 24/7 and we had to watch him constantly or he would scratch and bite until he bled. Eventually, we had to keep him in onsies and a plastic cone.

When he lived with his previous family, we think he was given too much prednisone and too many anti-biotics which ruined his immune system. Every vet we took him too wanted to prescribe the same meds including atopica. IMHO I would never give these things to him again! Prednisone shuts down the adrenal glands which stops the itching but causes severe medical problems down the road.

We were at the end of our rope watching our poor guy suffer. Here's what worked for us:

We finally found a naturopathic vet who has been allergy testing and giving him Chinese herbs and tinctures which attacks the yeast internally but takes time to work. We changed his diet to a commercial brand of frozen raw meat with some veggies. (I would not recommend dry kibble of any kind because it is still processed and most have binders, starches, and grain products. ) He lost the extra weight, that he gained due to the prednisone, and was much livelier, but still scratching.

The single most amazing change in him occurred when I started spraying him with ACV/distilled water, 50/50. (I use organic ACV which has the "mother" in it. ) I sprayed the hot spots and black areas of his skin and rubbed the vinegar in. I kept him standing or moving until he air dried. (Do not spray it on open wounds and sores) Then I put him back in a cotton onsie. It is important to keep them from scratching and re-irritating the skin. I did this in the morning, after feeding, and the evening before bed. It reduced his scratching 75% in two days! I also mixed a little ACV in his food. (I would not recommend giving ACV on an empty stomach)

About every three days I mix a lotion of pure aloe vera with pure vegetable glycerin and distilled water and rub it on the troubled areas and let dry. (Do not use straight glycerin on skin because it traps moisture and may cause blistering) After a day or two, the lotion dries the surface yeast and it sloughs off. I clean the areas and new pink skin is underneath.

We are at day four of using this system. My dog is calmer, scratches less, and sleeps better. His skin is pinking up and I do not have to keep an eye on him all day.

(One word of caution: Talk to your naturopathic vet before starting any new remedy. Dogs can have a reaction to most anything whether it is natural or not. Start on a small patch of skin as a test before using any product on your dog.)

Thank you to everyone who posted ACV suggestions. After years of frustrating vet visits, many $$$'s spent, bad drug reactions, and the arrogance of Western medicine, a little $3.00 bottle of ACV did the trick!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 04/13/2015

Hey Kate!

A simple approach for yeast is adding borax to your pet's drinking water. For a female add 1/8th teaspoon per liter of drinking water, and do this for 7 days - then reduce to 1/16th of a teaspoon of borax for another 7 days - the take 7 days off and repeat the cycle. In addition you can also bath your girl in Ted's Anti-fungal/Anti-staph dip:

Mix 1 tbsp of MOM with 1 tbsp epsom salt and 1 tbsp borax into 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide plus 1 cup of plain water. Apply and do not rinse. This solution should knock out any staph infection or yeast infection going on in the skin.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Danielle (Elyria, Ohio) on 01/10/2013

apple cider vinager for ear infection/ yeast infection. I tried the apple cider viner water mixture and my dog started going crazy!!! She started scratching to death!! Help!! Will it help in the long run???

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Wendy (Ohio) on 08/18/2015

Please, please, PLEASE use only THIS remedy (Healthy Ear Recipe (from Arcane) for healing your dog's ears (it's been posted multiple times here on EC):

DO NOT PUT STRAIGHT VINEGAR (organic OR white vinegar) into a dog's ears if they're red/inflamed/sore, etc. It'll only sting!!!

READ THIS RECIPE VERY CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY!!!!!

It's an excellent remedy for ear infections (yeast and/or bacterial) in dogs. I've used it on my Golden Retriever's ears when she had a yeast infection. Totally cleared it up. Plus, find a new food with NO GRAIN, NO CORN, and NO RICE (rice=sugar which yeast loves).

Healthy Ear Recipe (from Arcane)

1 tube Monistat (generic is fine)
1 tube Polysporin (use the real deal - it's inexpensive)
1 tube Cortaid (generic works here as well)

Use tubes of similar size. Mix all three together in a container that can be closed well. It takes a bit to incorporate because the Polysporin is a bit like Vaseline. Once incorporated, it stays mixed.

If ears are gunky, inflamed or smell bad, start with using a pea sized dollop twice a day. Use your finger to gently push it into the ear. Rub. Dogs will only shake their heads once or twice! It's a creamy, very soothing mixture. Once you have the ears under control, lessen how often you use it till you're only using it once a week. Once a week, it keeps ears from getting bad again.

My doctor (human) is the one that came up with this as her dogs were having ear issues that weren't really under control from the things her vet was prescribing! Anyone that I know that has gone to using it has had remarkable results and the dogs are much happier and SAFER than using anything with alcohol in it. I was told by my vet that alcohol just dries the ear out - which includes drying out the ear drum AND that if there is even the tiniest of perforations in that ear drum, it can let alcohol down into the middle ear where it can do permanent damage. That's why this cream is SOOOOO good! There's nothing "liquid" about it. It goes in and melts its way down to where it's needed. No alcohol to cause drying or damage and it will take care of anything yeast, bacterial etc...


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Atticus (Wellington, New Zealand) on 04/14/2012
★★★★★

I have been using vinegar for a few days, before reading a post for getting rid of cat and dog yeast smells on the carpets and pet bedding. 50/50 vinegar and water sprayed on carpets and the next morning doggie and kitty smell gone! The vinegar smell evaporates. I also used this in the rinse when washing dog blankets today. Finally got rid of the smell which putting disinfectant in the wash hadn't resolved in the past.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kathy (Atx) on 11/14/2015

I noticed someone saying not to use ACV to help treat a yeast infection in their dog because of the sugar in apples but if one does their homework they will know that apples are on the LOW glycemic list of foods. My daughter has candida overgrowth and I have found that a lot of the remedies for her also work on the canine children. Here is a link for low glycemic foods and their glycemic ratings. Note that raw carrots are lowest while cooked are medium and canned are high. So, as long as you feed raw carrots you should be good. Sweet potatoes are also low. When starting out you want to eliminate all of it because of the natural sugars then slowly add back in one at a time. Figuring out along the way which ones trigger a reaction.

http://www.the-gi-diet.org/lowgifoods/


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Belkis (Elizabeth) on 04/03/2015

My dog suffered from yeast infections in ears and body for three years straight. She was so bad that after thousands of dollars on vet bills and meds that would make her sicker and showed no improvements I started with home remedies that though worked better would still come back. Finally I found two things that got rid of everything and shes been symptom free for two years. This dog was so bad I was seriously considering putting her down. She looked like she had soars all over and haf to wear a cone of shame all the time. I put her WELL BALANCE CORE NO GRAINS WHITE FISH FOOD. I also started her on DINOVITE. Dinovite clearly says she will get a little worse the first two weeks while everything gets expelled but stick to it. Sure enough after two weeks I started to notice improvements and within a month her hair had already grown back. I still almost three years later have her on both the core wellness white fish no grains diet and dinovite and she has never gotten another yeast ear infection or those horrible yeast scabs she had. Vet visits are just for physical and vaccines. Shes healthy and happy now.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Diann (Parkersburg, USA) on 08/31/2008

I agree, DO NOT put your dog to sleep because of this!

Your dog may be allergic to the stuff going on with your RENOVATION. The particles and dust may make his allergy worse.

Try giving your dog Activia-maybe 2 big spoonfulls of the PLAIN-NOT SWEETEND Activia in his food or in his bowl, whatever once or twice a day-depending on his size, as I do not know what size he is.

Make a mixture for his food of:
5 ounces of Olive Oil
1 ounce Flaxseed oil
1 ounce of Cod Liver oil
1 ounce of Wheat Germ Oil-I found it at tractor Supply
Mix it all together and put in a glass bottle. You can also put in a sprig of Rosemary and a teaspoon of garlic powder (My dogs do not like those two ingredients, so I quit adding them)-I used an old Olive Oil bottle and used a thing to get it in the bottle (can't think of what it's called but they use it for oil changes to put oil in....)
For every meal, drizzle some on his food. You will help increase his Omega 3 oils and help to get him the nutrients he needs.

Also you may want to give him a half a childrens multivitamin to help him like every other day or so.
Also I have seen this stuff called Yeast and Fungal Detox by Natures Sunshine Recommended. Supposedly it works well.

I would think with the ACV, the Activia, the oil supplement, the multivitamin, and the Yeast and Fungal Detox, you should be good to go.

Also you need to find a Holistic Vet.

HTH!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tizalee (Sonora, Ca.) on 07/22/2012
★★★★★

I use AC Vinegar as a rinse for my dog who has systemic yeast infection-remember people many times the yeast infection can be a secondary infection due to something else going on. In my dog's case it was staph (in fact MRSA)-I had to put her on antibiotics-no choice-30 days of it-but I also gave her pro-biotics, omega 3 & milk thistle. Bathed her in Malseb with the vinegar rinse. She is a Doxie I found 7 months ago curled up in a ditch, thought she was dead. She weighed 8lbs and was covered in sores & scabs. She's now 14lbs, her hair has grown back in and we may have the staph licked. My vet tried to say it was allergies-didn't listen-that is the usual diagnoses. I did put her on Precise holistic grain free food though as I didn't want anything yeasty in her system. Good luck folks yeast is a tough one to conquer!!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anna (Ottowa, Canada)
★★★★★

Our 13-month old female Black Lab-Rotty mix dog Maya has been suffering from recurrent eye and ear infections for the last 7 months. When we first took her to the vet 7 months ago, the diagnosis was ear mites. We treated her with Revolution - twice. The infection seemed to get better at first, but then returned quickly. I then treated her ears with Yellow Dock for a few months, it seemed to keep the infection under control, but had not cleared it. Last month, Maya got a very severe ear infection and we took her to emergency - the test showed NO MITES - YEAST infection! It meant that I have been treating her all this time for the wrong cause - thanks to the vet who did not perform any tests the first time around and simply "guessed" that Maya had ear mites.

To cut the long story short, the emergency vet gave us some antibiotic cream, which helped at bit at first, but then we saw no improvement, especially around the eyes, so I found this website and decided to treat Maya with an organic ACV (half and half with water). I sponged her back (she had a few lesions there as well) and her ears twice a day, I let her shake and then wiped her ears dry. I sponged her eyes gently as well. Her eyes were circled by an elephant-like skin with no hair, and it seemed that like would never go away! Within 2 days we noticed a great improvement. I continued the treatment for a few days twice a day, and her conditioned improved 99%. I've read that it takes 3-6 weeks for it to clear up completely and that it is suffice to do it three times a week.

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jane (Cambridge, Ma) on 08/29/2016

Hi Eileen,

Sounds like an allergy of some kind, either food or from the enviroment. Nibbling paws is usually a yeast issue.

Two suggestions, one is to wipe off his feet every time he comes in from the outside with a wash cloth soaked in warm water that has a hint of dog shampoo in it. I've been doing this regularly with my dog who also chews his paws at certain times during the year (fall and spring) and it has helped immensely.

Other suggestion is to look into possible food allergies. Get him on a grain free diet. if that doesn't work, have him tested at the vet to see what food allergies he has. He might also be having an allergy to something outside so the washing off of paws should help. Good luck!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tracey (WI) on 10/20/2023

Chlorexidine Gluconate sells in big gallon jugs Online!!! Wonderful in the bath for their yeasty feet or soak their feet in Chlorexidine mixed with water in ice cream pale...so you can lift paw into it.. Also use More ACV if putting in food for bigger dogs. I've done 1/4 C for 70 lb dog... and I Use FOR my Canine ear infection: ""****Monistat from female aisle****""(generic Brand is ok)...but only use generics for "Monistat only" not other brands bcuz of side ingredients. BUT Rinse off a face wipe then wipe ear out to get Any brown out of their ear FIRST. Do Not confuse that with any lysol cleaning wipes..These are For human Skin Wipes I mean...Chlorexidine Wipes are Best... Even one dot of brown Could be yeast and then apply monistat. Sometimes you must use an oil like coconut oil comes hard from grocery stores to get brown dot loose Using face wipe...Maleleuca ointment or TC3 oil any form through maleleuca only buy from online or individual. In ears or paws topically of course. Plz post all this helps


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Patty (USA) on 02/19/2022

Also follow Dr. Jones his utube channel ( Veterinary Secrets ) He very good and does a lot of natural treatments. Hope it helps!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lisa (New Jersey, US) on 09/07/2014

I have a westie - a breed well-known for skin issues. I have struggled to help him since he was 3. He forms scabby bumps that break open and ooze, will develop red rashes around his rear-end, his arm pits and legs even scabbing on his face. Its been so difficult.

The best thing I have ever done for him is got an RX shampoo called Ketochlor. In one washing I saw an amazing difference!! Not kidding! I also found virbac makes a similar leave-on lotion that really helps.

But I am dealing with 2 things: skin allergies and yeast. For the yeast, I add probiotics to his food...just break open a cap and put in on his food.

For food he gets chicken or beef with venison. I add either olive oil or fish oil to his food because his skin is also dry and he needs the fat.

If the yeast gets really bad, I put desitin ointment on those areas.

Its a constant battle but it works!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mons (Chattanooga, Tn) on 11/02/2011
★★★★★

I have a 6 yr old daschund and he has been having a horrible time with yeast infections in his ears and all over his body. I just found this site yesterday looking for a home remedy because we just can not afford the vet bills. We gave him a bath last night and right before we got him out we poured a little ACV diluted with water over this back but did not rinse him after that. He did not itch at all for the rest of the night, it was amazing. However he did wake up in the middle of the night itching again, I know it takes awhile to completely clear up so we are gonna continue this for a few weeks and hope it continues to give him relief. Also, wanted to put some ACV drops in his ears but was not sure how much. I think I will just try to put a couple of drops in each ear tonight and see if that helps. Thanks so much for this site, this has helped answer a lot of my questions.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lavender (Edmonton, Ab, Canada) on 04/25/2011

Hi there, I was reading thru posts about ACV and would like to try for paw chewing. Someone asked if pill form works rather than liquid. I did not see an answer to this. If this will work what would the dosage be and what is the difference between liquid and pill form? Thanks

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kathy (Atx) on 11/14/2015

It would be great if everyone who posts on here was thorough in their directions and specific on their ingredient amounts.

I read an article (can't remember where at the moment) that stated to put a teaspoon in their water twice a week. It also stated that if they consume too much it can cause kidney stones. I put some in my dog's water a couple of days ago and she lapped it up. I was concerned she'd detect it and wouldn't drink it. I have also changed her food from Iam's Proactive Health Adult Mini chunks to Zignature Trout and Salmon Meal Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Dog Food.

I have also purchased an anti-fungal anti-microbial shampoo from Pet Meds. It's called "Be Super Clean."It's extremely thick so I diluted it a bit. It also doesn't lather much. It seemed to be working but now my Basset is still itchy after baths and soaks of water, peroxide and white vinegar. this mixture is good for foot soaks too.

I actually read the ingredients in Mane and Tail Shampoo and found nothing that will add to the yeast issue (sugars, oats, etc).

I continue to find solutions as it seems one thing work for awhile and I have to then try something else.

Good Luck!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Saundra (Townsend, Ga.) on 04/16/2009

I adopted 2 dogs over a year ago. One ot the dogs has a yeast infection and I have spent many dollars at the vet on him. On your web site ya'll keep mentioning ACV. Could you tell me what ACV is. I have learned a lot from you site and I am going to try some of the remedies you have said might work or would work. This precious baby is in total missery all the time.Please let me know what to do. I also have 4 other dogs all rescued or given to me so I can not afford a real expensive dog food but if you can give me the best to use let me know. I have been feeding them Beniful and pedigree.

EC: ACV = Apple Cider Vinegar. Try Googling any abbreviation and you will usually find the answer right at the top of the search results.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Teresa (Olympia, Wa) on 10/09/2008

I have a 13 yr old golden retriever/lab mix who developed a yeast infection while with my ex-husband. He got tired of the vet bills and dumped him at my parent's home. I have incurred $$$$ in vet bills battling this. He has another infection to include his ear this time. I am trying him on the tablet form of Acidoph. I am concerned about his ear, however. I have been cleaning it regularly but the vet will not prescribe anything for it unless I bring him in again. What can I do to make him more comfortable and clear up his ear?

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jr (Sauk Rapids, Mn) on 12/18/2009

there is an enzyme solution you can buy for ear infections that is amazing. I have a rescue basset hound with big hot ears who had terrible smelly ear infections fromt he day we got her. we did several rounds of antibiotics from the vet with the infection coming back as soon as the drops ran out. And she would cry when you put the drops in ther ears, must burn or something. I found it cheapest on Amazon. The one I used has lysozyme, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase in it with hydrocortizone. she didn't mind the drops and after a week of using it her ears cleared up perfectly. Not even a hint of infection for over a year now. They also make a topical cream that may do something for the skin infections. They each run between $10-15 per bottle-cheaper than a vet visit and definately worth a try.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Halber (Omaha, Ne) on 06/07/2011
★★★★★

Kate,

I battled ear infections in our labradoodle for 5 years, probably a dozen trips to the vet, several hundred dollars and about a gallon of Animax, but it still didn't solve the problem. I found a recipe online from a cocker spaniel owner for a vinegar based solution that has been a miracle. I use it once a month and for the past four years there hasn't been a single ear infection. Here is the website: http://www.zimfamilycockers.com/EarCleaner.html


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cathy (Deltona, FL) on 09/19/2008

Try changing your food. Most allergies are caused by their food, which usually contains beef, corn or wheat. My dog also suffers from allergies and I just changed the food to _____. I also add a tablespoon of ACV to his water daily.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jodeli (Harmony, Pa) on 05/17/2011
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

FYI - Nutro has switched to using soy in their foods and MANY dogs and cats who used to be fine on it now cannot tolerate it. I switched my cat to Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance and ALL allergies cleared up within days. No more scratching, gnawing, licking. My dogs now eat only grain free food, either Tast of the Wild or Before Grain because one of them had serious seizures from the fillers (grains) in almost all dog food. Not a single seizure now for almost 3 years.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Joan (Georgia) on 08/13/2015

My Yorkie whose previous owner had tried many things including allergy testing, would gnaw and chew his back until he had sores. His skin was very oily and had a bad smell after just a day of being bathed. After trying many things to relieve his problem I happened to discover Douxo online and ordered some. I have been using it for about a year and no longer have any problem with his skin. I shampoo him weekly and although the Douxo is a little pricey, it lathers well so a bottle lasts me for 8 months or so. Apparently his probably was never allergies but a yeast overgrowth.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Michele (Roseville , CA) on 09/05/2008
★★★★★

I have a Pitbull 18 mos and he has been very itchy since i got him. He always was licking his feet, and always getting yeast infections in his ear. Someone at the dog park suggested the vinegar thing and I came home and tried it that day and he has not licked his feet in probably a week now! I couldn't be happier with the results :)

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dan (Grand Haven, Mi) on 10/02/2009

PLEASE...DO NOT USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. it kills not only bacteria but tissue. it can damage the dogs hearing. there are some good ear wash and drops on the market.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Eileen (Norfolk, UK) on 08/29/2016
★★☆☆☆

Dog nibbling feet:

Hello, I hope you can help. I've been using cyder vinegar for nearly one week. I use it on his body and feet I put a tsp on his breakfast he is a big dog, he keeps licking the vinegar off he loves it what else can I do, please help.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 08/29/2016

Hey Eileen,

Upgrading the groceries usually helps. Also consider treating the drinking water with borax or baking soda. This advice from Ted:

"Sometimes we are dealing with internal/systemic yeast or an internal fungal infection - and sometimes despite the best nutrition out there we will experience an individual that for some reason is deficient in a mineral such as boron. If the dog is low in magnesium quite often allergies will arise. If you are dealing with yeast try adding 1/16 teaspoon of epsom salt in 1 liter of drinking water for 2-3 days - max; this is not intended for long term use, just to nip a break out in the bud. When you stop the epsom salt in the water you can then start adding 1 teaspoon baking soda to 1 liter of water; do this for 5-7 days. This is a 'break out' or crisis dose. After a week you can cut it back to a maintenance dose of 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the water. If you suspect a fungal component you can add 1/16 teaspoon borax along with the baking soda in 1 liter of water. In acute and extreme cases 1/4 teaspoon of borax in 1 liter of water is indicated. Many humans take 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon borax in 1 liter of water daily as a detox and antifungal/antiyeast, so long term use is not an issue, however all these remedies are something you should 'play by ear' and should be adjusted as you see fit. The water additives address mineral deficiency issues and should be addressed first."


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Davida (Birmingham, Al, Usa) on 07/28/2018

The ratio of Apple Cider Vinegar / Greek yoghurt to mix with food?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Patty (USA ) on 02/19/2022

Try even the off brand of woman's yeast cream. You can rub a small amount into their skin.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anna (Los angeles) on 06/30/2022

My dog has been on antibiotics for 3 months already because he was getting hot spots. What the doctor did is gave him antibiotics whenever he got hot spots. I was so mad because antibiotics weren't good for his health and she kept prescribing him antibiotics. I took my dog to the dermatologist and he said he has fungus around his neck and head. He has been prescribed ketoconazole medication for two weeks. He still takes it and it seems to help him. And there is this mouse called Douxo S3 PYO Antiseptic Antifungal Mousse for Dogs. Try this mouse hopefully it will help.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rayrmjaj (Bancroft, Idaho) on 05/18/2013

My dog's yeast infection is in her vaginal area. And she has a lot of hair. I have never shaved a dog in that area. Where can I get some help on how to do this. I don't believe I can get the vinegar and water to where it needs to be unless I do this. Can you use people medicine on her for the same ailment? The dog food I feed her is low fat low ash "Pride".

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gena (Pasadena, California) on 05/18/2013

Hi, I would be careful shaving that area. Only a professional should do it. I think that if you bathed her first that would be sufficient. Make sure the ACV is well diluted... More than 50% water may be necessary. More important is to put ACV in her food, also mixed in with water. My dogs don't like ACV, but they will eat it after it's been mixed with water and soaked in their kibble for a few minutes. Probiotics may also help the dog's issue, but if it it is caused by the food, which it sounds like it might be, you will need to find another brand. Please let us know how she is doing!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kate (Orange) on 04/12/2015

My dog has a yeast infection due to the change in her diet we had to implement as she has liver shunt. There aren't a lot of options we can find in the way of food, and have been feeding her the hills LD dry food, plus some cottage cheese/boiled vegetables/white rice as instructed by the vet.

I'm now thinking the carb content in the white rice AND the potato they told us would be fine is actually bringing on this yeast infection!! We can't feed her any animal protein so raw meat and bones are out of the question. Her health is great - no seizures etc - except this yeast!!

Any suggestions? I really don't want to put her on steroids :(


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Posted by Tanya (Plano, Tx) on 10/26/2015

Hello. We have been searching for something to help our yorkie out. She has struggled for some time with yeast infections in her ears and all over her body. She has had the same problem that you mentioned of losing hair on her legs and parts of her body becoming black in color. We really want to find her some relief. Nights are especially hard for her. Can you please tell me more about the diet you switched your dog to and the mixture of ACV you used? We reluctantly gave in to steroid treatments and antibiotics after taking her to several vets in our area but would really like to find a more natural way of helping her. Any help would be so greatly appreciated.


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Posted by Clp (NC) on 11/16/2015

Sorry ... what is MOM? Thank you!

EC: MOM is Milk of Magnesia.


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Posted by Bw (Bellevue, Wa) on 01/13/2013

Hope you didn't apply it full-strength. That would have hurt badly and he's probably scratching from pain. Did you read the other posts on this site about the amount of dilution to apply? You should see what the vet can find from looking into the ear, then you would know what kind of remedy to try.


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Posted by Susan (Ca) on 08/17/2015

It is supposed to be white vinegar, not apple cider vinegar.


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Posted by Glamm (Usa) on 02/06/2016

i just made this, bathed him and applied to his neck and ears he whined Lil when put in ears I cleaned all the gunk out gently and his ears were red and inflamed.. I hope and pray this works, thank you


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Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 02/07/2016

Hey Glamm,

Red and inflamed ears may benefit from garlic infused olive oil before treatment with ACV. If this were my dog I would use the garlic infused olive oil twice to three times per day to both calm the ears and clean them. When the ears are less 'ouchy' I would then use the diluted ACV treatment to continue to clean out the gunk as well as quell the infection.


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Posted by Wendy (Ohio) on 02/08/2016

To Glamm: Do not put the Arcane ointment on his neck. Only put it in the dog's ears.


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Posted by Mia (Ca) on 01/15/2017

My dog, an 11 yr old Akita/Retriever mix, has had a tough year of a recurring ear infection in 1 ear only.

He has had ear infections in the past - but its always in the same ear. This year, the ear has taken a turn for the worse. He was having dark, waxy stuff coming out of his ears and was in pain, so we took him to the vet, but his inner ear was so inflamed she could not even see down it. The vet prescribed a cocktail of anti inflammatory/anti fungal/anti everything medication, including Zymox.

I noticed an improvement while he was on the meds, but after 2 very expensive rounds of these medicines, we are back to a painful ear - especially at night (2am). I don't want to go back to the meds since they obviously didn't treat the underlying condition.

I have switched him to a grain free diet since then, but he needs relief ASAP.

Can I use ACV if his ear is this inflamed and painful? Would the Arcane solution work better in this case? I am willing to try ANYTHING at this point as my dog is in pain and now his hair is starting to fall out in clumps - just brushed out enough hair to fill a grocery bag, poor guy. Does this sound like an underlying yeast issue-turned-infection? I was thinking of trying the Arcane solution topically and putting ACV in his water or food instead of on his ears.


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Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 01/17/2017

Hello Mia,

If this were my dog I would not hesitate to use the Zymox as it can be applied to a dirty sore ear - no need to clean out the gunk first. This to immediately address your dog's pain.

You mention you switched to grain free only after your vet prescribed the cocktail of meds that worked only temporarily; if the diet was the issue - the underlying cause of the problem - then the meds could only work so far until the diet was switched. You certainly could try the Arcane formula, which is an OTC cocktail of very similar medications that your vet prescribed. I would use the Zymox first if at all possible because it is a thin formula that can drip deep into the ear while the Arcane formula is more of a cream or gel and it takes some time to slowly melt into the ear.

As to the underlying issues - you changed the diet, and that is a good first step in the right direction. Other steps include getting a handle on the systemic yeast that thrived on the old diet. Consider Ted's Borax Protocol for dogs and also alkalizing the drinking water; when mine get gunky allergy ears [and like your dog, seems on only one side - the side that they sleep on! ] I alkalize the water in varying doses of baking soda for 3-4 weeks, and will do course of the borax water in between. This seems to really help knock the yeast down. Keep in mind that if your dog is sensitive to something in the diet or environment that staying on top of this yeasty ear will be an ongoing issue - there may be no permanent cure for it, only keeping any yeast infection at bay with constant cleaning and paying careful attention to diet.



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