Earth Clinic Mobile: Home Remedies for People and Pets

Recent Pet Posts

Apple Cider Vinegar and Yogurt for Allergies

Posted By Tracys (Livermore, Ca) on 04/16/2011

"We wanted to thank all of you that have posted about curing "allergies" in dogs. We have a 7 yo Lab who has suffered immensely for the last 4-5 years from what we are told are allergies. Itching constantly with sores all over his body. We even tried the expensive allergy shots and daily prednisone steroid. Nothing helped. It's gotten worse over the last year too.

We found your posts and started giving him daily Apple Cider Vinegar spray on his skin with half water mix, twice daily. We also give him about 1/4 cup of plain yogurt in his food twice a day. He used to smell like yeast, he was dx with a yeast infection a month ago. He had a yellowish color that would come off his skin in the shower from it. Within a few days we started noticing less itching and the smell went away. We have been doing this remedy for two weeks now and it's a true miracle!! He itches maybe a few times a day now, if at all. His sores are healing and going away and his skin is clearing up. He no longer smells too. We are amazed that we have spent thousands on curing him and the Dr never mentioned this remedy. He is like a new dog. More energy and sleeping through the night!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of you who posted on this!! WE and our dog appreciate it and are forever grateful!!!"

Posted By Linda (Nyc, Ny) on 11/13/2011

"I have a cat that had an allergy: he started sneezing so hard that the blood would comes out from his nose. He got this allergy one day, later I found out that he went on the stairscase when they just polished the floor there and he got this on his tummy - the allergen. I took him to the doctor a few times, gave him different antibiotics that didn't help. And I decided to wash him with baby shampoo (I do it monthly) and all allergies disappeared!"

Posted By Debbie J (NC) on 02/02/2021

"I have a male Scotty, 8 yrs old - who for the last three years has had skin, yeast, eye infections - he has been to the Vet numerous time - alot of freaking money - with NO real fix - just pills & expensive shampoos!!!!

I've changed his dry food to a salmon w/ ancient grains - he was doing fine until these past holidays when my husband decided to give him a Prime Rib bone - I know, I know!!! Now my little guy is paying for it, chewing & biting himself - so my question is - how long do I keep giving the ACV & yogurt - before trying something else?

He started on Saturday!!! Please if anyone knows something - please tell me - I'm at my wits end, I want my little protector back with his beautiful black fur & his feisty demeanor!!!!"

Posted By Deirdre (Earth Clinic) on 02/02/2021

"Hi Debbie,

One of my dogs had the most severe skin issues for 5 years. He's now 15. At one point in 2019 and 2020, he lost most of his fur in the front after having an allergy shot (Apoquel) and the fur did not grow back for months!

What finally fixed his skin allergy issue 100% was putting him on a freeze dried raw food diet. He is now the fluffiest boy in town and no longer itches AT ALL.

He was miserable for a long time before I figured out it was all caused by food, even grain-free expensive formulas. I tried many different brands, trust me.

Because he gets IBS from the freeze dried raw, I have been adding a bit of kibble each meal to prevent that. Works well.

If you have a big dog, this diet is extremely expensive unless you make raw food yourself. I did that for years (went to Costco and got ground beef, made up their meals with additional ingredients and supplements and then froze them) until both dogs started getting stomach issues as they got older from the defrosted raw food. Shortly thereafter, one of them started having these horrendous skin issues when I went back to kibble.

They both absolutely thrive on the freeze dried raw formulas. Make sure to rehydrate with lots of hot water. You then have to let the food sit for a while to cool down.

Please let us know if you try this diet!"

Posted By MissM (New York) on 02/02/2021

"Try PetMD benzoyl peroxide shampoo, they also have an anti fungal one. And it’s way cheaper than vet stuff.

My Westin has terrible yeast and skin allergies.

Do what the humans here do, I did with my dog. Get a spray bottle, distilled water mix one part apple cider vinegar vinegar the 3 part distilled water. Spray on affected skin. Yes it smells like vinegar and first then goes away.

It does work!

Keep up a a dash of apple cider vinegar in food or water, and yogurt. It’s a process.

These dogs are sensitive regarding food and skin issues. What other foods has he been on that you think might be suspect to cause the itchies?

Have you washes the bedding and dried on high heat? Maybe mites! Try the shampoos and spray above. Be consistent."

Posted By beverly (Texas) on 02/16/2025

"Thanks for the tips. One of my mini Aussies had bad breath I noticed and could not figure out why. He had a large rubber bone that he gnawed on like it was his security blanket. He started scratching his mouth a lot and I noticed it was red and enflamed like maybe lip dermatitis so I took the bone away. It has gotten even worse looking from the scratching. I had thought about putting some of my aloe leaf on it and some manuku honey.............only thing sometimes to relieve the itching he roots around on the carpet. I don't want honey all over my carpet. So Apple Cider Vinegar in his drinking water and bulgarian yogurt from the health food store sounds like a good start.

Thanks

bev