Borax for Pets
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Borax for Pets: Effective Skin Solutions & Arthritis Relief

| Modified on Nov 22, 2024
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Discover the numerous benefits of using borax for pets, including its effectiveness when used externally in treating mange, yeast infections, and flea infestations. When used internally in a pet's water, borax can help ease arthritis symptoms. Earth Clinic's popular remedy, Ted's Hydrogen Peroxide and Borax treatment, has helped countless pet owners improve their pets' skin health.

Learn how this affordable, safe, and easy-to-use remedy can address a variety of itchy skin issues and enhance the well-being of your furry friends.

Borax for Demodectic and Sarcoptic Mange

Since 2004, thousands of people worldwide have used Ted's Mange Treatment for their dogs. This remedy is not only safe and effective but also very inexpensive. The borax and peroxide solution has been used by our readers to treat conditions like ringworm and similar conditions.

Borax for Yeast Infections

Borax is effective for treating yeast infections in pets because it prevents sugar from reaching the yeast, starving the yeast, or reducing the severity of the problem. A saturated borax solution is made with 1% hydrogen peroxide to use externally to kill the yeast. Dietary changes are also necessary.

Borax Added to Drinking Water

A small amount of borax, typically a pinch, is added to a dog's water dish for internal use. This is another way borax helps treat skin conditions and other issues, including ringworm, yeast overgrowth, parasites, and more. See Ted's post below for measurements.

Note that 1/8th teaspoon of borax contains approximately 56.5 mg of boron. Twenty Mule Team Borax powder contains about 11.3% boron, which is how mg is calculated.

Borax for Fleas

Borax sprinkled on carpets dries out flea eggs so that they can't hatch and perpetuate the flea infestation. Outside areas can also be treated for fleas with a mixture of 4 parts of borax, 1.5 parts of salt, and 1.5 parts of baking soda.

Continue reading below to learn more about the use of borax for pets, and please let us know if you've tried using borax on your pet!

Related Links:

Cat Mange Natural Treatment
Photos of Mange Dogs Cured with Ted's Remedies
Ted's Borax & Peroxide Mange Treatment for Dogs
The Powerful Health Benefits of Borax: Natural Remedy for Wellness

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Arthritis

1 User Review
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Posted by Pat (Merseyside) on 09/17/2022
 ★★★★★

RE: BORON WORKS FOR DOGS

I have a bordeaux who is now 10,3 yrs ago her hip went. Out the blue she was in excruciating pain it was heart breaking I thought my dog can't cope with this pain. The painkiller off the vets wasn't touching it. She couldn't get up 1 stair and sleeps on my bed so I had to stay downstairs with her she couldn't find a position that eased her pain, she never slept for 3 days she just stood panting it was so bad. Then I remembered Boron which I take myself daily and gave her 10 mg Boron caps daily to begin with and it was a miraculous result within 2wks she was in less pain and it got better every day. You still couldn't touch her back without a yelp but wow I was amazed.

That was 3yrs ago and she is 10 now, still sleeps on my bed every night jumps up. She has no problem touching her hips no pain and she will run round chasing squirrel's anytime. I was so amazed at how effective it is I saw it.

Replied by Cfitz
(Georgia)
09/25/2022

Pat:

How much does your dog weigh, please? I need to determine how much to give my 22-lb dog.

Replied by Jamie
(Sabin, MN)
03/01/2023

BORON OR BORAX?

EC: A boron supplement.

Replied by Margaret
(Sydney Australia)
11/25/2023

Arthritis treatment for an elderly little dog

Hi, My little dog has had two ACL operations and is now showing signs of Arthritis. I see that Borax works well for arthritis, she weighs about 6 kilos, about 13 pounds am open to any remedies to give her quality of life.

Arthritis, Fluoride Poisoning

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Posted by Jim (Sherman, Tx) on 02/07/2018
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have a 10 yr old boxer. I put a very small amount of borax in "our" bottled drinking water (He got sick from tap water $177 vet bill). Cheaper to give him bottled water. After 3 months he and I are doing better. So there you have it from two old bachelors. Parts are starting to work better. We don't look at the stairs and then look at each other, we just climb them.

Borax Dosage

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Posted by Kristain Armer (Muldrow, OK) on 08/05/2023

Can dogs take borax? I have a small dog that has IVDD and his disc is putting pressure on a nerve. From what I can tell this is because of calcification of the lining of the disc that ruptured and is stabbing the nerve. I know borax breaks down calcium deposits. Do you have a dosage for a 14 pound dog if they can take it?

Replied by Katzie
(Cancun, Mexico)
08/10/2023

Kristain, I would start using DMSO on her. It helped and healedy two crushed discs after 6 months of use. Please read the threads here on this site about it. On a cellular level DMSO has been studied and shown to correct DNA back to its intended function. Eg. I haven't had to use DMSO on my discs in 3 yrs, because it healed it; so it was a cure, not a treatment. For your dog I would use no more than 1/8 tsp in 1 litre of water, refrigerate it in a bottle and give her a steady supply. It's what I have always used for dogs anyways. Best of luck to you and your sweetie.

Replied by Hollyhock
(America)
08/10/2023

Katzie, did you dilute the dmso or use it straight? I have 3 herniated discs. I've used diluted dmso for years, if I use it straight it leaves blisters. But it's never healed my discs. You are very lucky to be out of pain! :)

Replied by Katzie
(Cancun, Mexico)
08/11/2023

Hi Hollyhock. I always use DMSO straight, however, I always always always use a layer of oil first; for me its Castor Oil. Lemme tell ya, I used it straight on my sore knees two days in a row, and lived to regret it as it is harsh on the skin. I had to kiss-up to that skin for a few days to make up for it, finally healing it back to normal with aveeno. So I have never forgotten since then! Olive oil and coconut have stood in for Castor oil a few times and work also. Ya don't have to slather it on, just a nice thin coating will do. And the amazing thing I noticed about DMSO was that, unlike a pain pill, I never noticed the pain leaving; it would be about 1/2 hr later when I'd be like "oh, the pain is gone". As to my healing time (6 months'ish) is that I had been warned I'd be feeling pain soon by a chiropractor, so when I felt the annoying toothache-like pain in my discs, I started the DMSO right away! Heal quickly, Hollyhock!

Borax Dosage
Posted by Colleen (Florida) on 02/07/2017
 ★★★★★

Borax is very good for animals and humans alike in the right dose. It does help arthritis - joint problems. One word of CAUTION! I started taking a very small amount diluted in water ( 1 tbsp per gallon water) I took 1 tsp of water a day. Being 2 years into menopause, no periods, I had a "period from hell". It does affect your hormones. I stopped taking it. Will wait a year and try again.

Borax Dosage
Posted by Sharec (Texas) on 05/22/2016
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have used Borax in my RO water at a rate if 1/8 teaspoon per gallon and also add a pinch of grey salt. In my entire immediate family, there are 19 canines and 5 cats. All of them have been drinking this water for 21 months and we have not had any issues.

In fact, our older dogs seem to move less painfully. Hope this helps :)

Replied by Sam
(South Africa)
08/23/2024

Hi all,

Please assist with borax dosage for 65kg Lab with arthritis.

Borax Dosage
Posted by Melissa (Ohio) on 09/26/2015 9 posts
 ★★★★★

Just a note on the dosage of Borax added to the drinking water. Ted has posted that the size of the dog doesn't matter because of the amount of water intake but has specified 1/8 tsp per liter for females and 1/4 tsp per liter for males. This goes for human as well.

Borax Feedback

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Posted by Angie (South Africa) on 11/22/2023
 ★★★★★

I give my giant schnauzer a tiny pinch of borax in his food every day . 2 years ago, he was diagnosed with chronic arthritis, he whimpered every time he got up, walked with a limp. Now he runs around like a puppy, no pain, no limp - he is 11 years old. (i also give him turmeric and black pepper, so it is hard to know which is working the best, but he has had no side effects)

Borax Feedback
Posted by Cindy (Montana) on 03/25/2022
 ★★★★★

My grandmother raised kittens for 40 years and when they would get guppy eyes she would mix up the boric acid ( 1 tbls to a pint of warm water ), which she keep on hand in the cupboard, she'd wipe out their eyes numerous time in the day she used it for years with NO side effects to the kittens or us if we had something in our eyes that needed to be washed out

Borax Feedback
Posted by Shari (Texas) on 10/23/2015
 ★★★★★

My pug, Dottie, gets a "good rinse" with Warm Borax solution before she's done with her bath. No one fleas, no itching, And she smells good.

Borax Feedback
Posted by Lisa (Windsor, Canada) on 03/11/2015

You say borax is safe for dogs but everything I am reading on the internet says it very toxic and should seek a vet if ingested. I need a cure for yeast in a 4 year old chocolate lab but I'm afraid to use your suggested rinses of borax. Borax in the drinking water???? Am I missing something or is there a different borax than what is at the grocery store used for cleaning?

Replied by Om
(Hope, Bc Canada)
03/11/2015

Hello Lisa --- google Walter Last

I needed education years ago. That was when I visited EC for the first time. This link has a few more pages of valuable info. Not what is in the media or gov't or what doctors tell you. You are lucky to get to know the truth.

Namaste, Om

Replied by Theresa
(Mpls., Mn)
03/12/2015
★★★★★

Editor's Choice Hey Lisa!

You are definitely missing something :-)

Borax has the same toxicity as table salt; take in too much table salt and you will get very sick. Same with water; drinking too much water *will* kill you.

If your dog ingests borax by licking it off it's coat, if it gets *too much* it might get diarrhea. 1/4 teaspoon borax in the drinking water - a common dose for humans and pets alike - may cause stomach upset if you take it all in one go in 8 ounces of water, but in a liter of water taken by a sip here or there throughout the day generally poses no upset.

I use borax both in my laundry - and orally and externally for me and my pets and all with good result.

Replied by Lac806
(Branford, Ct.)
05/04/2015

I just want to make sure the borax is safe for a 5 month old yorkie pup that weighs 4lbs. before I put it in her drinking water or try on her skin with the peroxide to treat demodex?

Replied by Theresa
(Mpls., Mn)
05/05/2015

Hey Lac806!

Borax is 100% safe to use on the skin of your puppy. If this were my puppy I would wait on adding borax to the *drinking water* until the mange was cleared to avoid over stressing her - just me.

Replied by Jb
(Atlanta)
05/31/2015
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Be careful of dosage. Dosing a German Shepherd vs a Yorkie is different. Start at lower dosage.

Also, NEVER confuse or use Boric Acid instead of Borax. Two completely different products. Boric acid is toxic.

Do your research!

Replied by Redfeather54
(Springtown, Tx)
06/20/2016

Do not confuse Boric Acid (which is very toxic) to Borax (find on laundry soap isles in Walmart)

Beta
(Sky)
10/13/2021

Boric acid and Borax are the same thing, BUT boric acid is ground into powder, whereas Borax is more coarse. So it can't be measured the same. Both Borax and Boric Acid are used in eye washes and contact solution. So dangerous ha ha. You would get a lot more boric acid if you tried measuring it the same. Just like you get a stronger cup of coffee, if it is ground into powder. Stick with Borax, and you will know the correct measurements.

Jean Holley
(Louisville, KY)
03/08/2022
27 posts

No, they are not the same. Boric acid is created from the mixture of borax with other naturally occurring minerals such as boracite and colemanite. God only knows what those two minerals are and what type of chemical reaction would happen in the process of combining them together. My dogs will never be subjected to it. This information comes from the 20 Mule Team site.

Amanda
(Olympia)
06/22/2023

Boric acid and borax are not exactly the same things, although they are related and share some similarities.

Boric acid (hydrogen borate H3BO3), is a white crystalline compound that is derived from boron mineral deposits. It is a weak acid.

On the other hand, borax, also known as sodium borate (Na2B4O7·10H2O), is a mineral compound that contains boron, sodium, and water molecules. Borax is a naturally occurring substance that is mined from evaporite deposits.

Midge608
(Pensylvania)
01/18/2024

NO, they are not the same thing!

Replied by Victoria
(Seminole, Fl)
06/28/2016
★★★★★

Yes it is 20 Mule Team Borax, and is safely used internally when properly diluted. We take 2 tsp. of the following solution daily:

mix 1 teaspoon borax with a quart of water. It's about as toxic as table salt, just use responsibly.

Replied by Diamond
(Ma.)
07/06/2016

http://www.three-little-pitties.com/dog-mucus.html... Here is a web site I use and is very safe all around, I have healed a very sick dog almost close to death is now running an playing. This site is trust worthy.

Replied by Suseeq
(Sydney, Australia)
07/07/2016

Thanks, Diamond lots of good info there you can never know enough.

Replied by Jennette
(Beaufort Sc)
07/06/2017

Hi Mike..

I'm learning about Borax and I want to treat my yard with it.. I sprinkle it all over my dog's bed, can he lay in it? Thank you!

Replied by Candice
(Il)
09/04/2017

Hi My cats and dogs drink out of the same bowl. Can I use the teaspoon of borax for both pets?

Replied by Theresa
(Mpls., Mn)
09/06/2017

Hey Candice,

I use 1 tsp per liter of water [this is a high dose IMHO] for both my cats and dogs at certain times of the year.

Replied by Bj
(Michigan)
09/21/2017
★★★★★

Borax is the only safe element which a very small amount will interact with Fluoride and NEUTRALIZE IT. Why Fluoride is in are drinking water, who knows. Fluoride was NEVER SAFE for human consumption ever..... Read the warning on YOUR tube of fluoride toothpaste. "swallow ONE drop" "call poison control" I use Borax as part of water filtering process. They are adding chemicals in bottled water now. I couldn't find Absopure. and decided I'll just do my own.. and Fluoride free. Recipe on you tube

Replied by Irene
(Ontario)
11/08/2017
★★★★★

Small amounts are required in dogs and humans.. many people supplement this daily.. and the laundry borax is very commonly used.. it is a naturally mined mineral.. in large amounts it's an ant killer..huge amount of information online.. very beneficial to arthritis.. very popular

Replied by Lynlee
(Brownsville, Or)
02/24/2018

I add water to my dog's food - could I add the borax to this rather than the water bowl? She has several water sources but in her food I know how much she is ingesting each day.

Olissima
(Md)
03/10/2021

Hi! How much Borax do you add when you bathe your dog?

Replied by Lydia
(Florida)
09/07/2020

I've noticed everyone on the internet who says Borax is dangerous is trying to sell something. Also, what could be more dangerous than the poisons in flea and tick control products.

Replied by Deb
(Columbus, Ohio)
06/07/2021

It's actually Boron that is needed in small amounts internally. Boron is in borax but in very small amounts.

Dano
(Idaho)
07/27/2022

Borax contains 11.76% Boron.

Replied by Shirley
(Texas)
09/07/2022

Ma'am the diarrhea is actually a Herx reaction. Bc there's a sudden die off of the parasite in a pet and people alike.

Normal process not due to "overdose"

Hollyhock
(America)
09/19/2022

Thank you for this! My golden has lyme disease and its now affecting her hips, I will definitely give this a try!

Connie
(ND)
09/19/2022

How much does she get now and how often? My dog also suffers very pain in back area.

Stacie
(Cincinnati)
10/11/2022

Have you administered doxycycline for your dog's active Lyme disease? It will suppress the disease and further development of symptoms.

Replied by Sandy
(Guntown, Mississippi)
04/15/2023

Is the protocol safe using 20 mule team borax? What is the directions for adult cats, to give them in their drinking water? I can't find where I read that. Thank you for giving me hope.

Sarah
(California)
04/21/2023

I have the same question. I have used borax myself for a few years and it completely took away my arthritis. My cat has hip dysplasia and it can lead to arthritis. I hope someone knows the answer.

Deana
(GA)
05/19/2023
2 posts

Hi Sarah, Can you please tell me your protocol used for clearing up your arthritis. I have it in my hands and I am a nurse. Cannot make closed fists anymore. Want to start this ASAP. Thank you!

Riccirak
(White Lake, Michigan)
07/31/2023

Hi Deana, I got rid of arthritis by using the boron and organic sulfur. I actually mix both in a jar of distilled water and a pinch of Celtic salt. I put about a teaspoon daily in my morning coffee. For a while I also took boswellia to help rid body of inflammation. It takes time to be where you want to be but I noticed one day that a "twenty yr old" knuckle had actually returned to almost perfect size again! Hope this helps

Replied by Kasey
(Arizona)
11/21/2024

No need to give this amazing natural remedy 1 star if YOU failed to research the dose, that's on YOU. Does NOT negate the powerfulness of this powder

Replied by Katzie
(Cancun, Mexico)
11/22/2024

Yes, you are missing something. In fact, if you believe your top 4 or 5 google results and look no further, that's on you and you're missing alot. Did you even read the borax/arthritis posts on E.C.? Placed here by those of us who have experienced significant and real results after using it? Did your google search tell you that borax is simply a salt mined from dried up salt-lake beds? I mean, c'mon, ya gotta try harder than that. I use borax for múltiple things and I make sure to put a pinch of it in my water daily, 'cause if I don't, my arthritis symptoms come right back. I'm sorry that you didn't bother to look further into it and did not believe and/or read our posts on it. Good luck.

Borax for Cats

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Posted by Kay (Minerva, OH) on 10/19/2020
 ★★★★★

Is it safe to use Borax on cats?

EC: HI Kay,

Yes, please see the article and feedback on our cat mange page here. Borax and peroxide is the top remedy.

Borax for Cats
Posted by Tisha R (Canada) on 12/02/2018 5 posts

HI I see someone asked if safe for cats but no reply; I use it as a cleaner and would really like to know if they walk on it or lick it they will not die!! Please respond..appreciate thank you

Replied by Theresa
(Mpls., Mn)
12/05/2018
★★★★★

Hey Tisha,

Borax is a type of salt. You can bathe your cat in it if you so wish. I use it all the time for bathing my dogs and they splash and my cats have walked through it without harm. I do use Ted's Borax protocol for dogs now and then and so my cats drink the same spiked water as the dogs and myself. If for some reason your cat were to ingest a goodly amount it might get loose stools; licking off the feet here or there should not do that.

Borax for Small Dogs

Posted by LMS (Miami) on 05/04/2021

I am interested in nano protecting my 7 pound pomeranian with borax. Any idea of the amount of borax to put in her filtered water?

Borax Safety

Posted by Mark (Exeter, United Kingdom) on 08/22/2015 12 posts

Hi, I submitted a post that contained emails confirming safty of borax from a supplier named intralabs.

Could you also apply it to the PETS section of borax as little info seems to be in that section except for people thinking its toxic. Thanks, Mark

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

Below is my email to intralabs and their reply stating the safety of borax, the only toxic effects apply to unborn babies whose mother ingests. The 'powers that be' have left that bit out to make us think toxicity applies to all of us, hence shops removing borax and replacing with borax substitute (which really is toxic!! ). Email intralabs yourselves for reassurance. They are very cheap too. Label warnings of dangers and toxicity are put on Borax by law.

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

From: mark speed Sent: 24 October 2014 06:26 To: [email protected] Subject: Borax or Borax?

Hi, Im confused about 'Borax' mainly as my nan used to drink small amounts to rid herself from arthritus, also using it as shampoo then rinsing afterwards with citric acid, she fed her plants with it as every living organisms cells require borax! So I dont understand why yr Material Safety Data Sheet says it is toxic ingested and a skin irritant?

She is still alive & free from arthritus and swears by the stuff. When talking with a few oldies at my mums residential care home it became clear that a fair few in their generation used borax on skin and ingested with no problems, I think the borax product was called '20 mule' or similar.

Please could you tell me why yours is so toxic please?? Also...I always understood that borax and boric acid are the same substance apart from one of them has more water molecules than the other, any advice on this lol?

I want to purchase from you but not if you sell a toxic form as im removing all mainstream pollutant chemicals from my home, then just using borax, citris acid, soap flakes, soda crystals, bicarb of soda and white vinegar for everything from hardcore cleaning, laundry, personal hygiene, pet and my shampoo, insecticide etc (the oldies convinced me there is no need for the squillions of products poisoning us everyday just so some fat cat corporate ****rs can rake in the profits at our expense).

Hope you can help me aquire the borax I talk of if you dont supply the safe version, all I can find is a substitute which my gran says is not borax either!!

Thanks in advance Mark

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

Sent: Friday, October 24,2014 at 4:27 PM From: "Intralabs - Dan" To: "'mark speed'" Subject: RE: Borax or Borax?

Hi

Borax was reclassified 4 years ago as Repro-toxic by the EU which means that it could damage fertilitiy or an unborn child if eaten.

Borax is not toxic to your general health (other than that just stated) and is actually less toxic than table salt.

This is the reason why your relative is quite well and not ill. 20 mule team borax is the same as the borax we sell, the only difference is that it's not classed as repro-toxic by US law but is by EU law.

20 mule team is a brand of borax, it's all the same.

Kind regards Dan

Intra-Laboratories, Unit 5, Devonshire Meadows, Broadley Park Road Plymouth, PL6 7EZ

Tel: 01752 724109, www.intralabs.co.uk

Does Borax Help Parasites?

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Posted by Kira (Thailand) on 09/16/2019

Hi, I'm just wondering if borax can be used to tackle blood parasites caused by ticks? My dog is presently on IV fighting for her life after contracting the E. Canis parasite from a tick. It wasn't picked up in the initial blood test they did, now it's in the critical advanced stages. She is lame and her body has developed large lumps where the parasites are literally eating her alive. The doxycylin is yet to make any improvement, any chance I could try borax?..Or any other ideas? Many thanks.

Replied by Cara
(Washington State)
11/15/2019
★★★★★

Give one organic raw egg per meal 🥚 Which is the full amino acid spectrum and naturally detoxes & absolutely use the borax in your pets water !!! Very sorry to hear about your dog however it can be reversed... you can do this Kira!

Replied by Julie
(Hanover Pk, IL)
02/25/2020
★★★★★

For tick born bacteria, I mixed liquid garlic extract, apple cider vinager and colloidal silver (no specific amounts) to kill the bacteria after my senior dog showed signs of dementia and slight paralysis. I found a tick on him and after removal, I continued to give the colloidal mixture every hour and within hours, he showed tremendous improvement! I have used this three times in four yesrs. For worms, I add Diatomaceous Earth, Food Grade to his food.

Replied by Jamie
(Minnesota)
03/01/2023

Hello how much borax do you put in the water for your dogs? I have 2 large dog's 1 Rottweiler that's been very ill he has torn ACL right now and I believe has cancer has surgery in 2 weeks for acl and our lab/springer is pretty healthy but am concerned about our water where we live very high levels of manganese and obviously fluoride and we were also told Plastics 😳! So what amount would I put in the water? And would anything help my Rottweiler (Chopper) with his torn ACL? I know it helps with arthritis but does it help with maybe the ACL? Thank you in advance I know this is an old thread hopefully you will see this!

Replied by Lori
(Winnipeg)
10/09/2023
★★★★★

Just start off with only a pinch in his water then increase it slowly. I only ever do about three or 4 pinches when I'm at max.

Replied by ButterBreath
((218))
10/11/2023

I would have that dog on MMS as soon as possible. I am just getting started with the Borax remedies, but MMS is very good at cleaning up the blood stream and destroying parasites and many other toxins for removal from the system. My elderly lab would be long gone years ago if not for MMS/DMSO after a decade of tickborne illness, misdiagnoses, and harsh antibiotic prescriptions from the hot shot vets that left him blind, deaf, and brain damaged.

Go here for an excellent group that can help you get going.

https://mmstestimonials.co/component/search/?searchword=dog&searchphrase=all


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