Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs

Apple Cider Vinegar for dog's eye infection

I noticed my 2 yo Labrador had some gunk in the corner of one eye 2 days ago. It looked like the normal eye-boogies he gets so I ignored it until later that day when it was clear he had an eye infection, as I could see drak green/grey gunk inside the eye itself. It was a Saturday morning so I called the vet to make an appt for later that day. I really didn't want to fork out $130-odd bucks (by the time you factor in the weekend consult plus anti-biotic prescription and then the follow-up visit), so I started searching for home remedies. I've used this site before for some opinions on extra virgin coconut oil (which I now use solely as my beauty routine and for any cuts/abrasions/infections) as well as Apple Cider Vinegar (which I use for digestive balancing).

I saw all the posts about dabbing ACV on the back of a pet's neck and thought, well if this many people swear by it I'll give it a try. I tried this as well as a weak solution (just enough to colour the water) to flush my dog's eye. After I washed the eye out I applied EVCO on a cotton ball to soothe the skin and hopefully help with the infection. I did this several times over the course of the day and it seemed to improve so I cancelled my vet appt, thinking at worst I could take him on the Monday. I thought the EVCO was doing the job so I continued with this as I figured it was also more comfortable for my dog. His eye got worse again in the afternoon and was quite yucky by evening. By this time it was too late for a vet visit and I felt like a terrible "mum"!

I tried the ACV on the back of the neck again, and this time I used at least a quarter of a cup undiluted, as he has SUPER thick hair and I really had to work it in to reach the skin. Most of it rubbed off or stayed in the outer coat I think. Anyway, enough must have got in this time because he started really quickly improving, so I did one more dose before bed. This morning I very tentatively checked on him thinking it would either be much better or totally disgusting. Luckily, it was much better and today after a couple of the same treatments it's looking really good. Still some eye-boogie but the reddening inside lower eyelid has really improved. I still used some EVCO for soothing the eye area, he seemed to like that.

So he stinks like high heaven and the house smells like "rotten feet" as my boyfriend tells me, but he's just as impressed as I am and I can't believe this actually WORKED. I don't know HOW this could work but the main thing is it does so without risk of harm. As any lab owner would know, they traditionally have pretty sensitive skin, but this doesn't appear to bother him. It saved us a wad of cash and it cleared his infection quicker than anti-biotics would have. I think he knows it's working too because he willingly leans his neck toward me when I put it on now. Cute little fella! :-)

My large 105 lb. rhodesian could not urinate or very little. Vet said it was his prostate. Suggested neutering however he is on prednisone every other day so surgery was delicate. Did tests and results were good for surgery. I researched this site and tried the ACV and honey (2tbls. each) 2X a day and wow, he was urinating within 5 hours. Continued this for months and then changed to 1 tbls 1X a day. He is still doing fine and no surgery.

Thanks...what a find. He probably had stones even though vet tested and found none.

I have to share this with all of your readers. I have a yellow lab who developed "black skin" on her belly with itching and consequently sores that became inflamed and infected, and she started to lose her hair! I first started giving her vitamin E pills and rubbed her belly with Apple Cider Vinegar daily. The AVC soothed the itching. I continued doing both and then added 50 mg of zinc to her diet everyday. Within one month there was noticeable improvement, and her hair was growing back! No doctors, no medications, just simple effective home remedies that work. Today, 4 mos later, everything is gone, and she has a beautiful coat of hair! I credit using AVC 1-2X daily, and the zinc tablet!

Good luck to all... it's devastating when this happens to your beloved pet. I am a firm believer in ALL NATURAL products, with vets as a LAST resort.

Im amazed! I found your website due to my border collie has... hotspots, yeast in ears and runny eyes.. I thought it was just me... Im glad to know im not the only one. I gave a bath, sprayed on the ACV and boom she is lying next to me finally no licking and biting. I'd say if your not a beliver try it!

I have 3 little dogs, Cleatis, a Dashound who weighs like 15 -20 pnds & Tucker, who is the smallest a long haired rat terrier weighing maybe 7 pnds.Holly is my Min Pin who weighs between 15 -20 pnds.Holly has very dry itchy skin.I'm so excited to use the Apple Cider Vinegar to bath &rinse her in. I have a half gallon bowel that I keep their drinking water in, I usually have to refill the water bowel every couple days.To prevent reinfestation of fleas how much Apple Cider Vinegar do I add to the half gallon of water?Can I add the Apple Cider Vinegar to their water that is left out at all times and how much Apple Cider Vinegar do I add to a half gallon bowel of water??Also since it's a half gallon bowel will it still help get rid of the fleas???Thanks for all the great ideas! Iv been desperate to help Holly stop itching & chewing, she's been misreable.So thanks to yall she will b itch free & hopefully they will b flea free too! 😄

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.

Re: Airbmac in Spokane, WA on 02/10/2011: I know this is an old post but if anyone comes across that post they need to know to NOT GIVE THIER PET STRAIGHT APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. Seriously, try that yourself. It's good for you but when you drink it straight IT HURTS because IT BURNS. It can also eat away the lining of the esophagus, which causes immediate acute problems of its own. This is why you are supposed to - and why every direction says to - DILUTE IT. I cannot emphasize enough how much pain you will put your pet in if you are cruel enough to force undiluted ACV down their throat.

Which brings us to another issue. "She was not happy with me" is the understatement of the century and your pet's unhappiness and pain could have been completely avoided. If you give your pet something new you need to research it; find out what it does and how, how to give it, what side effects it can cause, what the right dose is for your pet's weight, age, and even gender. If you do your due diligence, you sometimes find out that something would be bad for your pet in particular, or the side effects are worse than the original problem. In the case of ACV, you'd find out that it hurts when given or taken straight. So obviously no due diligence was done, and this pet owner just decided to give their pet something they heard about on the internet that they didn't research first. Always, ALWAYS do your own research - on everything.

My dog is 10 yrs old and has bad hips, I put him on glucosamine and chondroitin a couple months back and that made a big difference, but three days ago I added a cap (not a cup, a cap) of ACV to his water and he didn't seem interested to drink it, so I literally hand fed him some water and he took it. Now for the last two days when he drinks his water, he drinks long. This morning we went for our usual walk by the river and he actually ran! He has not been able to run for 6 months. ACV is working wonders and I did not give him a large dose, just a cap full which is about a teaspoon. Fyi - he is 72 lbs - a big guy. THANK YOU EARTH CLINIC!!!

Tried your solution for our dog ( ACV ) for ears with great success!! We are very grateful to have found you on EarthClinic Natural Cures.

Its always best to start out weak and move up to stronger solution... I suggest, after my own trial error and research to take 4 quarts of water to 1 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar (u can add 2 tbs of scent free tear free baby soap especailly for sensitive or irritated skin) this mix should last a 25# dog over a week.

For broken or irritated skin sponge or cloth on solution until coat n skin are damp and air dry. repeat daily until skin is healed, you can use more solution if needed just remember slowly increase the amount of acv, pat dry with towel wet dogs until damp then air dry, and never place dog where its under 70 degrees until its completely dry. ;) good luck

I had to say something about feeding dogs vegan. Fruit and bread is way too much sugar for a dog, or a human. A diet that is best for a dog is meat. Adding vegan to the meat is fine, but in no way vegan should be a primary food for a dog. There are dogs that do great and live long lives on any food, but those that have problems must be on their natural diets to stay healthy. The answer to a healthy dog is not a veterinarian, but it's natural to a dog or cat diet and chemical free life

This is a wonderful home remedy, which I discovered on this site. I take it everyday and haven't gotten sick, not even a cold, but I am posting to help pet owners whose dogs get acid reflux. My 11-yr-old Golden mix had a gurgling stomach frequently. I have been giving him a capful of ACV w/his meal and the gurgling has ceased. If I ever hear his stomach churning a bit, I give him a droper-full and it goes away within the hour. This stuff is great!

Ha! I was looking for itchy feet remedies and came across my own post. I forgot to mention, unless it was removed, the name of the good dog food. It's Canidae.

Robert in Pennsylvania, your dog had Lyme but dogs are "almost all" immune to Lyme? You must be a very unlucky person.

A lot of the advice in this comment is extremely dangerous and irresponsible. If you choose to feed your pet a raw meat diet, please take some time to read up on food borne illnesses. Flesh is fine, but it isn't a magic cure. Just as dogs suffer from Lyme and other tick borne disease, they are susceptible to food borne illness. Buying low grade meat and handling or storing it improperly is very likely to make you and your pet extremely ill. Keep in mind also, dogs require a significant amount of bulk if fed raw food. My 50 pound dog, for example, needs 2 pounds of meat daily to maintain his weight. I only buy meat (his and my own) from local organic ranchers who I know and trust. This means my dog's meals cost on average $20 a day. Doing this properly is extremely expensive. Doing it improperly will make you and your pet very sick, and could easily kill your pet.

Further, enzymes in meat and abrasion from chewing raw bones may help with plaque control but they absolutely do not "clean" tartar from teeth. Failing to provide your pet with proper dental care is extremely irresponsible, and a sure way to shorten the animal's life. Why spend over $7,000 a year feeding a pet who is slowly heading toward (preventable) sepsis? A little of the information here is fairly reasonable, but the majority of Robert's advice is sure to hurt your pet, and quite likely yourself as well.

My vet said that chicken in the dogs meal will cause them to itch.

Try any other meal; Bison, lamb, veal, salmon are best just check the label to make sure there is not chicken in it as well.

My dog(2 yr old, female, American Pitbull Terrier) was having terrible problems w/itching, chewing herself raw & constantly licking her paws & rubbing & scratching herself on anything available I switched her to Canidae when the store was out of the food I had been feeding her & although she still has skin issues I could see a HUGE improvement in her phydical conditon as well as her emotional well being. Now Canidae is all she eats

I use apple cider vinegar on top of my dogs food, diluted with water. I may add some olive oil or blackstrap molasses to hide the taste. My dogs coat shines within hours. It is lush and soft.

My chickens look shiny with a dash of ACV in their drinking water.

I found a link to Organic Pet Digest that lists the amounts and benefits.

http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar.html

I am very happy with the Apple Cider Vinegar. My dog was recovering from a stroke, so I have been very critical with the food he eats. The stroke apparently derived from an ear infection and his equilibrium was affected by the stroke. His heads is slightly tilted. Anyways, instead of taking him to the vet to try to cure his ear infection, I took the liberty to do my own research. Taking him to the vet only to get a pharma drug was only going to beget another drug, and so on which eventually will lead to major problems. I didn't want a temporary cure, nor can I afford to keep throwing money away just to hear that he may have to be put to sleep or a major surgery to look into his brain which will cost me over $3,000 . Well, I found this site and tried apple cider vinegar and mix it with his food at 2 tablespoonfuls. He eats twice a day, so I add to his dish and he chomps it down. I also clean his ears with ACV, probably about 2 tablespoon 50/50 spring water to dilute for each ear. So I make this a habit to clean his ear twice a week and add ACV twice daily on his food 3-4 a week. My doggie is doing great!! No vet. His UTI is diminishing after 2 weeks of doing this, his hearing is improving, his disposition is way much better and I feel he's getting healed as I see plenty of improvement. His eyes are getting better too. My dog is 8 years old. I cannot stress how thankful I am to be educated about ACV. I now make this part of his daily or at least 2-3x a week habit to include ACV in his dish. Also, I forgot to mention, I give him plain yogurt twice a week and he luvs it! Thank you Earth Clinic!! :-)

Very important fact people!!! Yes ACV is alkalizing to humans and benefits our health. Remember that our body maintains a blood Ph of 7.4

The human digestion system is very different than that of a dog. Their system is much shorter and more acidic. Seriously this is animal nutrition 101. Remember they are mainly carnivores. Check their teeth and then look at yours. DONT give them ACV for extended periods of time.

I have a Boston Terrier who has dandruff and eye boogies with red eye close to the bottom lid. Vet says it's allergies. I just came across this website and would like to try the apple cider vinegar. What part of the neck do you apply the Apple Cider Vinegar to? What is EVCO? Thanks for the tips.

My lab has an itchy irritated back for a long time.. I've tried so many methods, and at this point inthe game, I have to wonder if some of the methods which most have said "works". I have to wonder if they didn't make it worse in some way.

I just got back from the store & have my bottle of apple cider vinegar & trying to convince myself to dab a bit on his back for the first time. I also picked up some greek plain yogurt, can't find any that doesn't have at least 8 grams of sugar in it, but otherwise it says it's natural & no flavoring. I let him lick a dab off my finger just to start small and see how he likes it & if it agrees with him, in a very small amount............ If this Vinegar helps relieve or even clear up his rashy back....... I will be FLOORED & will ... Do something to celebrate, because this has been HALF the stress in my life for a long time. It's heartbreaking literally to not be able to help him knowing it itches that bad. Vet did nothing but LOOK at it, talk a bit, ask questions & charge me 185.00 and gave me some pills which, after reading possible side effects, which the worst was Death, I was too scared to give him a pill , so............... vet trip was just about worthless.

WISH ME LUCK lol I pray the ACV at least HELPS, I hope.

Not all vets are so nice, or that ethical. I took my cat to the vet multiple times for tapeworms. They were just so hard to get rid of. She had four paste wormers, and one shot. After about 6 months of this she peed this horrid red stuff. I took her to the closed vet, not my normal one, and it turned out she had a tumor in her bladder, kidney failure, and liver failure. The red stuff was Liver juice. I ended up having to put her down because too many organs had gone too far. All because one vet was an idiot and never checked her organs for damage, and just had be keep coming in and getting her wormed. I know she had worms the first time, because I saw them in her litter box. The other times I went were for dehydration. I wish my vet had been like yours, then I would still have my best friend with me.

To "Jessica": It is unfair to broadstroke accuse people who love their animals of being "cheap". We are not against vets, we are against the propaganda we have been fed that states that vets because they are educated, know what's best.

That being said, why don't these "educated" vets tell us that dogs don't need to be vaccinated every year, that 1 out of 10 dogs may suffer a reaction and in the case of my dog, die as it did this summer from over vaccination? My heart aches every day for my Willis, who was the picture of health until he got his booster shots, which caused kidney failure.

These "educated" vets won't tell you that most vet schools are funded by the big dog food companies, and they provide kick backs to sell their food, and their "good food" is chemically-enhanced kibble, with a life span of up to 25 years!! So much for "natural". What dogs ate 50 years ago, before vet-recommended kibble was invented, was more wholesome, natural food. But of course, there's no profit in that.

I know people that work in the vet industry and they have said they've lost good vets and vet techs over constantly butting heads with the hospital owners who are in it for the bottom line - the profit margin, not your dog's ultimate health. That's why they want your dog coming in every year for unnecessary vaccinations - it's their biggest source of revenue, since the vaccine only costs about 90 cents, yet they charge up to $50. My dog's best interest? I think not.

The vets work for us, not the other way around.

Be careful with pets and Baking Soda. I read that it is toxic for them to ingest it.

I used acv after reading about it on the website and my doggie who was suffering from terrible skin problems, started looking so good, her hair was growing , there was no more scratching. She is looking great. All the medications never brought her to full recovery but acv is just great and has done so much good for my doggie.Thank you so much.

I've been giving my pets a dose of apple cider 3 x a week, and it reflects well on their coat!

Our Tibetan Mastiff/German Shepard mix puppy had really itchy dandruff and a really dull coat. I started feeding her about 5ml of apple cider vinegar once or twice a day. She really doesn't like it, and when I add it to her food, then she doesn't want to eat her food. Instead I put it in a syringe and feed it to her that way. Her coat improved in about two days, and now it is thick and shiny and not much dandruff. She also had weepy eyes and now she doesn't. Other dogs from the same litter have thin hair and patches coming out. Our landlord was so impressed that they started using it themselves! They said that our dog looked like a different dog altogether.

Wonderous in its effectiveness.

Easypeasy.....worked a treat with our elderly (16 years) miniature poodle. Only slight problem was that he hated the taste so I added a little honey to 4 teaspoons of Organic Apple Cyder vinegar in 1 litre of purified water then shook it well until it was combined. We gave it as his normal drinking water which he now drinks without any hesitation whenever he goes to it.

We also tried the topical (neck scruff and paws) with the 50/50 ACV/Water dilution but the smell was too strong and we feared damage to the carpets, furniture and bedding. We now apply it only when he is to be confined to his own area and being totally blind that is his portable child's playpen for his own safety.

Recommend this treatment....CERTAINLY and without reservations.

Please share our new Earth Clinic video - How to Use a Topical Application of ACV for Dogs & Cats - with friends and family who might benefit from using ACV on their pets. It's safe, gentle and effective!

https://youtu.be/A9vJypG3E_M

I have a 5lb 12 years old poodle that just developed a tumor on his hip, the vet said to just watch it and that it would probably keep growing but wasn't cancerous. How much ACV should I put on it for his weight? Do I mix with water and dab it on the tumor with a cotton ball or what? Help! He also moves much slower now but I have no idea how much ACV to try giving him orally, he's picky and I know won't drink it in his water. Thank you for any help!!

Posted by Theresa

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Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and  fueled  her quest for the knowledge held in lore,  and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

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How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.  

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

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(Mpls., Mn) on 02/26/2015

Hey Martyn!

Heintz ACV is pasturized, so does not have the benefit of the probiotics. If you are using it to clean your floors or wash your dog it is fine, but for medicinal or nutritional purposes you need the raw ACV.

In Thailand you could try Tops Supermarkets in Bangkok or Max Valu stores. You specically want to see RAW, unpasturised, unfiltered, organic, "With the Mother" on the bottle.

Posted by Theresa

×

Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and  fueled  her quest for the knowledge held in lore,  and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.  

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

Close

(Mpls., Mn) on 02/19/2015

Hey Latasha!

If the medications are not working, I would schedule a check up with the vet who first prescribed the meds as you may be dealing with ear mites as opposed to yeast or bacteria.

That said, yes - flush the ears as you if you were using EpiOtic solution. If the ears are tender and sore I would use 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water OR use garlic infused olive oil until the skin heals as the vinegar can sting abraded skin. If the skin is not broken you can use 1 part each vinegar, water and rubbing alcohol.

Very common reaction that most people dont expect and I am very sorry you and your dog endured this. I to learned the hard way... I talked to my grandfather, my native american friend, and my vet and they agreed that sensitive skin is not always linked to sickness or fleas its most common in white animals from kittens to horses, the whiter the hair the higher the sensitivity.

Try these solutions...

1) Never use Apple Cider Vinegar bath or spray after a shave or short groom ( would u use it as after shave? Nope cause it'd burn)

2) Always start with dilluted mix 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar to 4 quarts of water and spray, sponge, or wash cloth it on. less or more the solution based on results.

3) If it's safe enough for toddlers it's safe for your dog. Try mixing the vineger and water with tear free baby/toddler bath avoid using sweet or fruity scent.

4) Let your dog choose water temp. What's warm for one might be too hot or to cold for another. This is a trail and error task so be patient. Your dog will tell you. I figured out all four of mine are different by taking them to the river. The larger collie n boxador like to swim when the water is just a tad warmer then my body temp, but my boxers they prefer the water temp much much warmer (spoiled girls).

FYI just because your dog shakes doesnt always mean its cold... Hope I helped.

My 5 yr old pom was experiencing blood in her urine, and not with a load of money to go to the vets, I turned to this website and read that ACV was the cure for her ailment. I began giving her the recommended dosage along with yogurt and noticed a difference, and believed she was on the mend. However; shortly after stopping, the problem came back with a vengeance and where there was just a tinge of blood her urine was red as a ruby. I took her to the vet to find out she has kidney issues and had I treated it earlier the outcome wouldn't have been so severe or costly. I feel the ACV may be a good course of follow up, but I feel you owe it to your pet to at first get a professional diagnosis.