Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy for Conjunctivitis in Pets

Hey Jessgib!

Goopy eyes is actually fairly common in 2 week old kittens that are just opening their eyes for the first time; this has nothing to do with the accidental inbreeding between sis and bro. You should do a few things to help them get their eyes open and keep infection at bay.

First, make sure Momma cat is clean and that the nest is clean - change all the bedding and give Momma a bath if she needs it [she likely will not, but do consider if she does need a bath].

You should clean each baby's eyes with wash cloth dipped in plain warm water - do this three times a day to keep their eyes gunk free. Be careful not to pull any mats or clumps of debris away from the eyes as you could tear a delicate eye lid; just keep on soaking the gunk off with the wet wash cloth.

And, once their eyes are fully open check to see if they still have discharge in any form. If they are still gunky there could be a couple things going on - either an upper respiratory infection - you would likely hear the kittens coughing and sneezing if this were the case, or its conjunctivitis/pink eye. The UTI - IMHO-really requires a vet visit. Pink eye on the other hand can easily be remedied with home treatment.

You can try the ACV remedy for conjunctivitis from EC:

Home Remedy Ingredients

• Unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar - 2 Teaspoons
• Filtered Water - 1 Cup

Mix 2 tsp of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. Dip a cotton pad or soft cloth in the solution to wash the eyelid inside and out. You can place a few drops of the water mixture in the eye as well. You should repeat this treatment every few hours until the conjunctivitis is completely healed. Usually that will take from 2-3 days.

You can also try the advice from another poster who used the human eye remedy "Pink Eye Remedy" available at any drug store.

Good luck and keep us posted please!

Hi! I knew applecider vinegar is a miracle liqued. I used it for allmost anything from cleaning toilets to treating fungus and to nuetralize chemical cement burns taken during work, but never thought about this. I am very positive due to my previous experience with vinegar and after reading all these positive posts im going to try it on 4kittens and 3 adult cats! Yes thats right.. I had 2 cats who got it today after taking in a stray pussy with her 4 kittens. Well actually it was her deciding to move her litter from the neightboors roof into my house after me feeding her. She was so skinny the poor thing. I ofc accepted her in and am honoured by her trust. They all have conjevitus so transfered it to my other cats and my niece! Its an absolute outbreak :( probably bcos of my niece not washing her hands and playing with them.. So today ill freshen them up. Already cleansed their eyes with a salt-boiled water solution and now off to the store to get some applevinegar!! I'll defo post here to let everyone know! But bcos all of them having it I may need to resort to the not prefered anti biotics.. I'll keep in touch.

Hey Ish!

THANK YOU for taking in this stray puss and kits into your home and saving them!! The AC remedy should do the trick nicely for you! Some ideas on how to mix and other options to consider are here: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/viral_conjunctivitis.html

Hi Ish from Sao Paolo- you won't believe it but I use a dropper with my own urine two or three times and pink eye, etc. are gone. It works extremely well and is soothing so dog/cat don't object. Om

Is the apple cider vinegar diluted before applying to the skin?

Also...does anyone know how to use chamomile tea for conjunctivitis in cats? I find conflicting info from site to site, some saying chamomile is toxic to cats, others saying it's fine to use as an eye wash. My cat, Cee Cee, has had terrible conjunctivitis for three months now, and the antibiotic eye salve the vet gave us doesn't really help.

Would appreciate some guidance.

Carolroars from Cupertio

Carol, my cats, if they have pink eye get a few drops of my midstream urine twice a day for two or three days. But it works immediately and stops the pain. The rest is follow up. Om

Hey Carolroars!

You can try the ACV remedy for conjunctivitus from EC:

Home Remedy Ingredients

• Unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar - 2 Teaspoons
• Filtered Water - 1 Cup

Mix 2 tsp of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. Dip a cotton pad or soft cloth in the solution to wash the eyelid inside and out. You can place a few drops of the water mixture in the eye as well. You should repeat this treatment every few hours until the conjunctivitis is completely healed. Usually that will take from 2-3 days.

You can also try the advice from another poster [scroll down for original post]:

12/08/2013: Bluejade4 from Houston, tx: "I used a drug called Pink Eye Remedy for humans on my cat. You can get this at any drug store. My cat is 1 year old and she had eye redness with swelling very teary and little yellow puss like discharge at the corner of one eye. And just redness in the other eye. She was not playing much and would hide and sleep most of the day. I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar and the Neosporin they helped a little but was not effective enough. I bought the pink eye remedy cleaned her eyes with a wet warm face cloth. Held my cat down had my daughter drop 2 drops per eye. I did this twice daily for three days. My cat is all better now she is playing and is her old self. Her eyes are clear bright and normal."

My cat (Max) does indeed have conjunctivitis and I have been giving him the apple cider, now for about 8 months! It does keep away, and recently I cut him back from twice a day, to once a day! I did try to cut him back again, only to have a recurrence! How long does it normal take before your kitty can come off permanently?

Hey Marnie!

Have you ever taken your cat to the vet to find out why your cat has reoccurring eye infections?

Conjunctivitis - pink eye - can be bacterial in nature or viral. If he is being contaminated with bacteria, he needs to be kept out of whatever is causing the reinfection.

Its also entirely possible he has Feline Herpes - which manifests as a viral form of conjunctivitis, and if so the eye infections may be life long/chronic and additional nutritional support such as lysine is likely indicated.

You may find some ideas here:

https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/feline_respiratory_disease.html#intro

And also more info here:

http://pets.webmd.com/cats/conjunctivitis-pinkeye-cats-types-symptoms-causes-treatments

Why do you put the vinegar and water on the back of the neck of the cat or dog for an eye problem?

It absorbs into the skin or they ingest it by licking and it changes the ph in their bodies so the conjunctivitis can't thrive. Absolutely works. It is very acidic and can burn their mouths. Dilute it 50/50 with water. I put it in a spray bottle and drench their fur a few times a day until better. You can also take cotton balls and dip them n the solution and clear their eyes. It will sting but just for a second. Keep their eyes closed and do this three times a day for the first day and then twice then once a day till better. It truly works, good luck!

I'm not usually one for reviewing products/methods but this time I just have to. As an herbalist I'm quite open to experimenting with natural remedies on myself but have always been a bit hesitant when it comes to trying things on my cats. However, my elder male, Mr. Fitch, turned up with some variation of conjunctivitis this week that rapidly progressed to the point of gluing his eyes shut. Not having any eye ointment on hand and, as others here have mentioned, being very tight on finances I did some research and found the apple cider vinegar remedy here. Along with gently swabbing his eyes with a cloth soaked with warm water as frequently as possible without completely alienating him, I soaked the back of Mr. Fitch's neck with full strength organic apple cider vinegar twice, 3 hours apart, last night. I applied none during the day today prefering to see how he reacted to last night's dosing.

I have to say that we are not out of the woods yet, but the improvement between last night and tonight is quite noticeable and a relief, for me and him I believe. Mr. Fitch just received another ACV application a little while ago and Mr. Fitch willing I'm planning on two more tonight. He certainly doesn't seem to mind them very much. Here's hoping the improvement continues and he'll be clear again before the eye ointment I ordered arrives on monday.

At this point I'd say that, while certainly not guaranteed, this remedy is certainly worth a shot. Thank you Earth Clinic for making it available.

This stuff is a miracle!

My 10-year old Shih Tzu has had eye issues for years. The vet says he is 75% blind (not sure I believe that from the testing I have done at home) due to leakage from his corneas to lubricate his eyes. They have always been leaking nasty yellowish stuff that literally glues his left eye shut in the morning. And the whites of his eyes are bright red. He's had oodles of antibiotics and gunk that costs $84 for a tube the size of my pinky - and about 10% of that farts out air the first time you use it - that I have to use 3 times a day. I've spent over $1000 on vet visits and medicines to control it.

SO, I read this thread. Cleaned his eyes (AGAIN! - it's my second profession - if I got paid for it I'd be rich - or at least able to pay vet bills... ) with boric acid (1 tsp to 1 cup water, then I use cosmetic pads to wipe them well). Then I doused the back of his neck with 1/2 water and 1/2 apple cider vinegar from a spray bottle.

Holy $%^&!! He woke up the next morning with nothing! Nada! I couldn't believe it and kept checking his eyes for days. It's been almost a week and I douse the back of his neck before I shower every morning (so I can wash off the smell - yuck! ) and his eyes are 95% better. Next to no discharge.

This forum has saved my dog. The vet wanted $800 to remove his eye. He came very close to being put down and my sons would have been completely heartbroken. This wonderful but (formerly) miserable dog acts like a puppy again!! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!

Ain't Google grand? :>)

Yes, yes, yes, it worked overnight. I used straight acv. Twice at night and twice in the morning. Our pets have the most urgent need for gentle, safe, effective remedies as they cannot tell us where it hurts. My little pom started winking her eye and washing at it with her paws right after a bath, so l knew she had gotten shampoo in it. I tried a gentle saline rinse, which helped a little, but by bedtime, l came running to earthclinic. By ten this morning, her eye is open, though it needs another saline rinse to get the little overnight goo. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences to help me and my dogs.

Where did you get the cat antibotics without going to vets? My cat has conjunctivits and can't afford vet bill.

You used to be able to buy FishMox (but now you cannot in certain states) Read it -- it will say amoxicillin on the label. This is the same amoxicillin that your doctor or vet will prescribe for you. You may still be able to get it in a pet store depending on your state. I also ordered online from Calvet Supply and other online sites will have it too. It is perfectly safe - I have given to my pets. However you need to adjust the doseage depending on your cats weight. I would also suggest following up with Acidophyllus (you can get at walmart). It is also in Yogurt and they put in some milks (it will say on the front label). I think its important to follow up with acidophyllus because antibiotics often wipe out the good bacteria as well as the bad - and this can cause yeast and other infections. Good Luck!!

The Amoxicillian was mine, capsule form. If you don't have that, get the fishmox. I am going to get it just to have on hand. Thanks.

I have a 3 yo lab who has a thick glue-like substance running from his eyes at all times. The vet flushed his eyes and gave me an antibiotic to apply with no improvement. I tried Organic Apple Cider Vinegar but it did not work. I have been applying it several times per day. I was very disappointed after reading all the successes! I am curious about what it is about the vinegar and its application that makes this successful for some?

Dog eye problems

My miniature white poodle (6 years old) was a rescue. She had horrible breath and weeping eyes with awful stains on her face. After using a product called Angel's Eyes her horrid breath is gone and her face fur stains and weepy eyes are gone!! It is not expensive for the results you get. It took less than 2 months for her face stains and weepy eyes to go away and less than a month for the bad breath. Google for cheapest price. I get mine off Ebay with free shipping at less than $15 for a 3 month supply. Honey weighs about 10 lbs so I am able to keep her in check for about $5 a day. I sprinkle on her dry food and she eats it up. I would not recommend putting it in water though. No ill effects at all and just a happier looking dog.

This product can be used on cats AND dogs successfully provided they don't have a different kind of eye problem. The bad breath is a bacterial infection and the eye weeping and discoloration is bacterial also. I don't normally endorse a product but this one is for real. I did try ACV and that did nothing for her bad breath or weeping eyes.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Also, using H202 CAN be corrosive so be very very careful as you CAN chemically burn your pet. You can buy food grade hydrogen peroxide at a health food store for about $20 a pint. Don't handle this with your bare hands but use an eyedropper instead or you WILL get a chemical burn!!! Do not take internally without REALLY diluting it either. I take it myself and found you must gradually increase the dosage over a period of time starting at one or two drops a day!! If you take too much of this you WILL experience a burning sensation in your arms and legs like your blood is burning!!! Be very careful giving this to your pet. VERY careful. If 10 drops in a cup of water does this to me, just think what 10 drops will do to your pet.

A general FYI - Angel's Eyes product for tear stains active ingredient is Tylan; this is an antibiotic. Tylan - under the name Tylosin - can be obtained at most farm and fleet supply stores; this can be given orally to dogs and the bulk product Tylosin is far cheaper than the branded Tylan product sold as Angel's Eyes.

Angel's Eyes is a low dose antibiotic product that is first given daily and then once the stains are cleared up given intermittently on a maintenance schedule - it is not intended to be dosed on a daily/forever basis.

Most veterinarians will not hesitate to recommend this product as the antibiotic dose is very low, however those who have concerns over long term antibiotic use for cosmetic purposes [tear stains do not hurt the dog, but many find them unsightly] may wish to consider exploring other alternatives, ie ACV in the water, Ted's alkalizing remedies, changing diet to a brand with no coloring agents, or washing the eyes and face daily.

I've used this remedy twice now to cure "Pink Eye" in my Jack Russell Terrier. I soak a cotton ball with ACV (I use organic) and put it on the back of her neck. I try to hold it there for 5-10 minutes. I do this once or twice and always it goes away within an hour. It has saved me quite a bit in vet bills and my dog the aggravation of applying gooey stuff to her eye for a week or more. Highly recommended!

so I just simply have to rub the Apple Cider Vinegar on the back of his neck and I should see results..... Should I rub some acv/mixed with water on his eye or should I flush them with eye drops.... Thanks for ur help

ACV for Eyes: I have a dog and 4 kittens that all came down with eye infections at the same time. My vet bills lately have been out of this world. Also, I live in the mountains so you have to travel quite a distance to get to the vets, then they charge a fortune because they are the only ones around. Anyway, I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar on the nap of the neck and to my joyus surprise the dogs eyes were cleared up the next day and the kittens were markdly improved and I believe within a day or two they should be good as new. Thanks for the tip and my pets thank you tooooo!

Hi I used Apple Cider Vinegar on the back of my kitty's neck after I saw greenish/yellow eye boogies on one eye. I first wiped her eye with a warm wash cloth and then applied 1/2 water and half Apple Cider Vinegar solution with cotton ball on the back of her neck. Her eye discharged just a tiny bit a couple more times that nite and each time I wiped it clean. In the morning there was just a little brown eye speck and I repeated the procedure today. Looks like her eyes are getting better in just 24 hrs!!!! YAY

I've also had amazing results using Apple Cider Vinegar to treat my dog's eye infection! Last week my chow x Samoyed had green goop leaking out of his left eye so I swabbed it with a very weak salt and water solution directly around the eye. I then went on earth clinic and read everybody's results using the vinegar and decided to give it a try. On the first day I applied a dilution to the back of his neck about three times and kept cleaning his eye with the saline. The next day there was significantly less muck coming from his eye but it was still a bit red. He was also trying to scratch it now so I applied the vinegar to his paws also. On the third day he was back to normal! The white of his eye is clear again and there's a normal amount of dark eye discharge!! I could tell he felt better as soon as I got up in the morning, as he was happy and wanting to play again! Thanks so much everyone, this has saved me a huge amount in vet bills, and also saved us from using antibiotics for small ailments which I think is unnecessary in pets and humans!

I have regular apple cider vinegar, will it still work even though it isn't organic? Thanks!

Emmanuel is my therapeutic animal, he is mainecoon, approx. 5 yrs. All of his shots are up to date and he is neutered as required for rescue adoption. He is nationally certified. Long story short, we were surprisingly snowed in with my wheelchair last week. I kept him as dry and warm as possible in his carrier. A week later Christmas day, he has what appears to be conjunctivitis in his right eye. He is a Whiskas cat... He won't eat anything else. I keep Temptations treats and Whiskas fish foil dinners for traveling and convalescence. He normally eats 1 c. Dry at 12 lbs weight daily

After reading all of your helpful comments I decided to use the following:

I use hypoallergenic baby wipes with approx 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar. I wipe them on the back of his neck and his paws. I plan to repeat this twice daily. I also gave him 1 tsp of cider in his foil dinners twice daily. I use a small amount of triple antibiotic cream and swab it under his eye with my finger daily, being careful not get it in his eye. I will report how he is taking to his treatment plan. Thanks for all of the helpful information.

Kelly I have a Corgi and she has really bad skin irritation and has scratched so much that her eye is swollen. My question to you is you just rub the ACV on the eyelid or where. I wonder because doesnt it burn?

I HAVE 5 SWEET LITTLE MANX KITTENS, THEY ARE ABOUT 7 WEEKS OLD. I NOTICED THAT THEY WERE GETTING "COLDS IN THE EYES". I REALIZED THAT IT WAS MORE THAN A COLD. I WAS STARTING TO PANIC BECAUSE IT WAS NOT GETTING ANY BETTER, AND I JUST CANT AFFORD A VET BILL. I CALLED MY VETS OFFICE, AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO BRING THEM IN. $$$$$ TIMES 5. SO I DECIDED TO LOOK FOR A HOME REMEDY. I SAW THE SAME REMEDY-- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR----
I REALLY DID NOT THINK IT WOULD HELP, BUT FOR A $1 ITS WORTH A TRY. I FOLLOWED THE 'RECIPE' AND AFTER THE FIRST DOSE, I WAS AMAZED. THERE WAS A NOTICED IMPROVEMENT THE SAME EVENING. I AM GOING TO CONTINUE THIS TREATMENT FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. I AM REALLY SEEING AN IMPROVEMENT AND THANKS SO MUCH.

You can also use antibiotic ointment for the eyes. Not in the eyes! You just rub some in the fur just under the eyes 3 times a day until the eyes clear up. I did this for a recue kitty 3 years ago(I still have him). I was using a warm wet cloth several times a day and it helped but not cured. Someone who worked in a no kill shelter told me about the ointment. It worked. In a week, the little eyes were clear and beautiful blue!!

Ok so this is my first time here and I ran across it looking for a cure for eye infection in my yorkie. I just tried 1 tbsp of water to 1tbsp of ACV. I am hoping to see a difference in his eyes tomorrow. I had brought him to the vet and she said his sister probably bit him because it looked like a bite. I explained it started as a little pimple loking bump then it got a tiny hole in the top but she wrote it off as a bite. The next day after doing the twice daily hotpacking and anitbiotic on his eye followed by oral antibiotics I noticed his other eye looked goopy too. Now if it was a bite it wouldn't spread and it looks like my nephews eye when he got eye infection but I have decided to keep using the antibiotics and eye packs and tonight just tried the ACV. Hopefully my bright eyed bushy tailed little man comes back to normal soon. I hate seeing him like this.

Mickey & Spike

Mickey; As it was stated in previous messages it isn't all too good to use antibiotics on animals too often, but if so you should use a probiotic which is non-fat-plain yogurt, it's some-thing all animals love especially on hot summer days, but also helps to support the immune system. Good luck

One of my dogs came down with conj. as well, believing it started as a reaction to pesticides sprayed by a professional company to eradicate a flea infestation that came into my residence courtesy the neighbor's pets who are not flea-treated (note: yes, my dogs are flea-treated via vet Rx, and I will be speaking to said vet about it as that shouldn't have happened, right?).

In any event, I've 3 dogs, 2 JRTs which are fine but were sneezing for a bit after the pesticide treatment, with my Chow being even more sensitive--not only sneezing but also developing red eye, which has since developed into Conj. (irritated red eyes which he pawed at (itch), followed by tearing and soon a mucous discharge in both eyes). As this occurred over the weekend, I irrigated the eyes by flushing thoroughly with water, wiping the area clean with cotton pads soaked in a warm saline solution which seemed to bring my guy some relief. I continued this regimen overnight (about 12 hours), contacting the emergency vet by phone to explain what happened, and to check whether it was safe to use an antibiotic eye wash. They said "no" and suggested I bring him in immediately, saying it was likely a corneal ulceration and if so that antibiotic drops or creams would worsen the condition. This theory/diagnosis did not make sense to me, but I held off from using the wash/ointments just in case.

However, so far as both eyes (not just one) are affected and seem to be improving with simple irrigation and saline washes (which I was told can't hurt in any event), I also held off from rushing to emerg, believing it to be conj. (irritation/allergies and/or bacterial); obviously, to be confirmed by his regular vet on opening which I thought we could wait for, with emerg always being an option if needed.

That said, I've continued with the saline solution every couple of hours or so, it now being almost 48 hours since I first started the saline, and his eyes have continued to show improvement. Namely, they're no longer seriously bloodshot, nor seemingly itchy as he's no longer pawing at them (that said, I put an inflatable collar around his neck on starting his at-home treatment as a precautionary measure to prevent him from pawing/scratching at his eyes, which could just as easily explain that). He is otherwise in great health, acting normally and his eyes do not appear to be light sensitive either, such that I believe it's resolving on its own, with help from the irrigation and saline wash, and will continue to monitor him.

As such, I don't see any reason at this moment to take him to the vet, at least not at this time, thanks to this simple regimen (thanks). Should his condition change, I. E. , if I fail to see continued improvement or, should his condition take a turn and worsen, then off to the vet he shall go and I will report back. Otherwise, so far so good, and thanks also for giving me comfort. Cheers.