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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Resilience (California) on 07/01/2023
★★★★★
Skin clean and healthy with raw apple cider vinegar
I recently acquired a pug puppy. Her facial skin folds were a little red. And she even had a little blister possibly from heat. She would scratch and try and rub her face on different surfaces. I tried a few wipes specifically for dog folds or wrinkles and they did not help and may have irritated her even more..
So I remembered my organic raw apple cider vinegar. It's supposed to help balance pH and is good for the skin. Looked it up here on earth clinic. Then I made a solution of 1/2 distilled water and 1/2 raw vinegar and keep it in the fridge. 3 or 4 times a day I dipped a cotton makeup pad (about the size of a stridex pad) half way into the diluted vinegar wring it out and wipe her folds with it being careful not to get it in her eyes. Then I use the dry side to gently dry the folds. I started doing the same thing for her ears and they are clear. It works so well that I now just do it right before bed and sometimes in the day if she's been playing alot outside.
I also make up a cup/mug of cider vinegar again half and half with water, tap water for this. And dip her toes in it for a full minute or two when they start to smell like corn chips. I pour the left over solution over her back and work it into her fur and her fur is very clean and shiny. I don't rinse it off just dry with a towel. I only rinse or wash her when she is visibly dirty. Her skin is beautiful and soft. Not dry or flaky. No visible irritation at all.
Sometimes she takes a little sip of the cider water when I'm soaking her feet. I just let her. I usually give her a couple of treats to encourage her to stay still. A minute is a long time for her. I am down to only a couple paw soaks a week.
Note: She only smells like vinegar while she is wet. No smell when dry. No perfume or chemical smell either. Just clean soft shiny puppy that I love to cuddle and is allowed on the furniture.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Bryan, Tx) on 12/12/2013
★★★★★
I tried ACV for a hot spot on my dog's paw, and within a few days it was gone. All I did was put some ACV on a cotton ball with just a tiny bit of water, and rubbed the spot twice a day. By the next day, it was not oozing, and appeared to be drying up. After about another 2-3 days it was gone. It saved me a trip to the vet and the cost of prescription topical spray.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Om (Hope, Bc Canada) on 03/20/2015
Hi --- H202 = hydrogen peroxide is too valuable to shuck out. Try a solution of 1%. Three % is also good but try on your skin first. This percentage is also inhaled by humans.
I have always used H202 on my rescue animals. I would like to point out that today's salesmen for big pharm. always discredit H202 while it has been used for many years in hospitals and privately. The reason? H202 is cheap, effective for many kinds of needs. So it is being discredited and it seems, people swallow this deception. Even in my own personal experience, whenever I spilled 35% on my skin -NO PROBLEM. I have sensitive skin and just wash the white stuff off with cold water. Pain? hardly worth mentioning. Do research and you will find that H202, Borax, turpentine and kerosene are all discredited for the same reason. Caution is always advised but come on, see the real reason and the meaness of profit racketeering which is also called pharmaceutical terrorism.
All the best, Namaste, Om
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bobby (TX) on 06/10/2023
It sounds like she could've used a bit too much apple cider vinegar. She should try diluting it more with water. Perhaps 1/2 cup water + one tablespoon ACV.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Karen (San Tan Valley, Az) on 04/10/2016
★★★★★
After reading about using ACV on dog hotspots, I decided to use it in my 2 year kitty, who developed two spots. One near belly button and one much lower on underbelly. This happened last spring and I took him to the vet, who gave him a steroid injection and antibiotics. This worked, but I don't want to subject him to steroids. I mixed up Apple Cider Vinegar a solution of vinegar and water put it into a spray bottle. I sprayed once about 9:30 this morning only. It is now 5:30 and I realized kitty has not chewed or licked all day. He is running and playing as usual. I love this site.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Michelle (Chicago) on 08/23/2015
★★★★★
I used 1 cup water to 1/2 Apple Cider Vinegar. My lab immediately stopped itching didn't itch until middle of the night again. Sprayed again day 2 and no scratching. her "hot spot" is already healed. She has fleas and although this doesn't kill them it helps keep them off her. Thank you ;)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Evelyn (Knoxville, Tn) on 08/19/2015
★★★★★
My dog, Jack, has been driving me crazy with his scratching at his hotspots. But I knew he was more aggravated with it than I was, because I can hear the poor baby whining. So I search the web found "Earth Clinic" and people home remedy cures. My dog now loves me again because I use the remedy of 1/2 c apple cider vinegar and 1 c water. I sprayed him down with this mixture and immediately he quit scratching. This is no joke. Try it you have nothing to lose. Except for one more night of sleep, lol.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Betsy (Toluca, Il) on 11/26/2012
★★★★★
I just want to say thank you for your website! A couple of years back, I had to take my golden retriever to the vet for hot spots, which of course necessitated an injection of an antihistimine as well as medications to heal the spots. The second time I went, the vet threatened to charge me over $200 to put him out so they could shave the spot and treat it. Luckily, we ended up not having to do that. But I vowed we weren't going to go through that again! We have since discovered on your site the wonders of ACV to treat this! It works wonderfully. We make sure to keep his coat short in the warm months, and if he does develop the hot spots, we treat it with the diluted ACV. The ACV works like a charm every time to dry up the hot spots. I highly recommend it!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Wendy (Ohio) on 08/31/2015
Make sure you're spraying him with
organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV - Organic, Raw, Unfiltered, with the 'Mother' ). It will not hurt him to lick it. In fact, adding 2 tablespoons to his food, in addition to spraying him with a mixture of 1/2 distilled water & 1/2 ACV will be very beneficial for him, especially if he has any skin/allergy issues.
NOTE: do not spray any areas on his skin that are open sores or oozing because it will really sting!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Cape Coral, Fl, United States) on 10/22/2011
★★★★★
My dog started out with a mild eye redness and discharge, so I tried the ACV on the back of her neck and paws. Within a day, she was almost back to normal, and day 2 no more problem. I did this with half and half mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and water on the paws and between shoulder blades twice daily. It seems tho that the discharge had caused a big chunk of matter in the fur below the eye. Before I could properly wash her face, she had pawed it off and caused a dime sized hot spot. She wouldn't let me near her face, but after a few days and patience, I soaked a round cotton pad in acv/water in held it to the eye as long as I could and the next day she was healing. Its been 2 days and still healing. I did this only twice, am and pm for one day. Hot spots on the face are challenging, and I didn't want to have to use a cone. I am a huge believer in ACV... Thanks to EC..
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lisa (Bremen) on 09/04/2015
I just did my first application by spray bottle of the ACV Solution...for done reason she went crazy...she is now chewing the hot spots more than before and I'm not sure off I should keep going with this. Hoping this is just a reaction to a new thing..
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marlene (Buffalo, New York Usa) on 08/22/2013
I am going to try ACV. I have also found patting some cornstarch on hots spots drys them right up, when irritated. I use it on my chow/ lab mix it it works like a charm! I found this out from a holistic, breeder.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Hailey (Ontario) on 02/21/2016
Hi Salina ... Just to clarify so that someone reading your post doesn't get confused about the dosage of Benadryl when figuring it out. It's actually 1mg/kg NOT 1mg/lb ... That's why you
never exceeded 50mg for your 150lb dog ... 150mg would be far too high a dosage!
So, when calculating how much your dog needs, you calculate based upon 1mg/kg of weight. A kg is equal to 2.2lbs of weight.
Whenever I've used Benadryl, I just have a rule of thumb I go by ... Any of my little dogs under 20lbs, I use a half tablet of benedryl (same as I would use for Pepto for an upset stomach) OR a whole tablet (same as I would use for Pepto for an upset stomach) for any of my dogs over 20lbs. My biggest dog is 75lbs. And, anytime, there is access to a children's version or dosage amount (example liquid Pepto has a child dosage amts.) of anything, that is what I use. The dosage needed is more in line with the amount the dogs need or at least require less adjustment. :)
Beyond this clarification so people don't administer too much of the benadryl, I too, am going to try the ACV for hot spots ... my guys seem to have developed a few and I can't explain why. :( But, avoiding an unnecessary vet bill and medicated creams is what I'd prefer if possible! :)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rex (Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca Mexico) on 05/06/2012
★★★★★
thank you for this treatment!!! What a life saver..... My red nose pit bull suffers / suffered from terrible cronic hot spots on her but & tail... With in 3 days of using A C V it is well on it's way to being healed the hair is growing back and no more chewing or scratching she yelpped at first but now when she sees the spray bottle she wags her tail knowing it's working WOW I will pass this info on to any dog owner I can. How come vet's would never let you know about something so easy and cheap to use?? this by far is a god send for me........ REX in puerto escondido OAX. Mexico
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Elaine (Frankfort, Illinois) on 04/04/2012
★★★★★
My Schnoodle has allergies and now has developed hot spots on his entire back!
I mixed ACV & water (1/2&1/2) and put it in a spray bottle. ( I used tepid water)
Day 1 Skin red and irritated. Used anti itch first, then sprayed ACV 3 times thru out the day.
Day 2 NO REDNESS and looking promising! Whoo Hoo!! Sprayed 3 times but no anti itch today.
Day 3 OMG we have nothing but scabs left!!
I will continue the spray for another day then I will give him a gentle bath with oatmeal shampoo.
I gave him a special treat after treatment cause he let me do this and I know he was hurting.
PLEASE NOTE: IF RED & RAW YOU SHOULD DILUTE MORE CAUSE YOU ARE APPLYING ACIDIC WATER ON OPEN SKIN. THIS HURTS!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cj (Jackson, Tn) on 04/29/2012
★★★★★
I came to the internet searching for options to help remedy my dog of her hot spots. Every few years she will get a hot spot (she's a pug). So, I decided to try the vinegar and water method. First of all, I gave her a bath in an oatmeal shampoo for dogs to help her overall itching. I made sure she was completely dry. Then, I used a solution of half ACV and half water. I had an old spray bottle (a previous "hot spot" medicine) and put the solution in this bottle. I sprayed this on her twice yesterday and put a cone around her neck overnight. This morning............... WHAT A DIFFERENCE! She has two hot spots, both of which are dry this morning. Yesterday, they were draining and red and inflammed. Today they are no longer red and dried out. I'm a believer! Thanks!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kate (Massachusetts) on 03/16/2016
How do you keep dog from licking it off?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Salina (Sumner, Ga United States) on 06/26/2012
★★★★★
I tried ACV for hot spots on my 150lb lab and it works great! I have a little advice. My lab was absolutely raw with chewing and licking her back and tail area. I was terrified to use Apple Cider Vinegar on it because she was biting me just when I was cleaning it. I gave her benadryl 3 times a day for 2 days before starting the acv. It was instrumental in stopping the extreme itch all together and allowed her to heal enough so I could use Apple Cider Vinegar without the extreme burning. You can use Benedryl up to 3x a day in pill form. 1mg/for each lb of weight, exp 20lb=20mgs I didn't excede 5omgs. My lab 150lbs=50mgs. You can look up Benedryl for dog online! It stopped her itch all together with the use of a hydracortisone spray! This has been a godsend. Thank you so much.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Andrea (Idaho, US) on 03/19/2015
Please, please for the love of God, do not use hydrogen peroxide on your animals skin. Especially when it is raw and open. It will eat a hole in their skin. My vet told me never to use that on your animal. Use a mild antibacterial soap and then treat with the ACV.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Janet (Manchester, Ky) on 10/25/2012
If you want to stop fleas, use garlic in their food, humans can too. Flees wont get on a dog or humans if they have garlic in their system. We found this out when my husband ate a lot of garlic bread just before him an his troops spent the weekend outside in the woods. The guys where covered with flees an ticks an he wasn t at all! Not one. so we tryed it on our dogs putting garlic in their food, and it worked.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Shannon (Rockport, Tx) on 02/20/2015
★★★★★
I have a rat terrier with struvite stones that has caused me to search out help for her without expensive prescription diets. She also has had flea and seasonal grass allergies. Long, long internet searches has brought lots of help. (am excited about this site I just found). Anyway, on the garlic, it must be finely chopped and needs to sit about 10 min. before adding to food. After about an hour, it no longer has the power to help. This is my 3rd month without flea medicine and my dogs are doing good. I also give them a teaspoon of ACV (must have the Mother in it to be effective). I have never had a sick animal and after spending close to $1000 for surgery and vet bills I found that if you love a pet, you will find the time to help them - not give them away........
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cherie (Birmingham, Alabama) on 07/22/2011
★★★★★
I read the suggestions for apple cider vinegar and water to cure hot spots on dogs. I mixed water and Apple Cider Vinegar in a spray bottle and applied liberally 3 times a day and within 3 days the hot spot was scabbing. I should mention that this pup had 3 earlier spots that he went to the vet for and aside from the cost had a prescription for anti-biotics and a shot. So glad there is an easier and safer remedy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Country Girl (Modesto, Ca) on 10/17/2012
I have a 20 lb. Pekingese and cannot use a collar so I use a newborn t-shirt so he can't chew on his hot spots. Just cut the sleeves off a little and works like a charm.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Betsypear1 (Toluca, Il, Usa) on 07/22/2010
★★★★★
A few months ago, after reading these successes with ACV, we used some ACV in water in a spray bottle on our dog's hot spot on the side of his face. I'm sorry that I don't know the exact proportions but it was one of the suggestions here. My husband only used it 2 or 3 times because the spray bottle broke. . . But the hot spot healed up very, very nicely and we didn't have to pay the $200 to get him sedated and shaved at the vets, as was being threatened! Very nice. :)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Diane (Uniontown, PA) on 07/16/2009
★★★★★
Three nights ago I noticed a severely inflamed quarter-sized oozing patch on my cat's neck. Within an hour, that thing had tripled in size! Of course I came to Earth Clinic right away, where I read about the symptoms of hotspots and the ACV treatment. I used about a tablespoon of ACV diluted with another tablespoon of water, on the first day, three times a day. Now I'm doing it twice a day, morning and evening. It is no longer swollen, oozing, or bleeding, just very crusty where it is drying up. After reading about some of the treatments people have had for hot spots from vets, I didn't want to go that route. (Are you aware that steroids can cause diabetes in felines?) The only con is that as another person said, she does smell like a salad! hehe! Thanks again, Earth Clinic!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Donna (Harrisburg, PA) on 05/26/2009
★★★★★
Hi, I tried your ACV treatment on my golden Jack who suffered from hotspots for many years. After trying all kinds of drugs from the vet and trying to care for them myself I found your website. The ACV remedy worked on Jack just after three days of applying 1/4 Acv and 1/4 water. I would mix a new batch for every cleaning. Cleaned his wounds with antibactrial soap rinsed well then dried the areas and dabbed the mixture every few hours for the first few days. It is day five now his sores are dry he seems much more comfortable. And now only applying twice a day. And also I'm amazed at all the other topics you cover. Thanks So Much, Sincerely, Donna from Harrisburg, Pa
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tim1313 (Sarasota, Florida) on 05/09/2009
My rottweiler mix samson recently had a terrible hot spot on his neck. He was tearing himself to pieces and it was terrible watching because I felt so helpless. I tried so many things, nothing worked very well. A friend told me about apple cider vinegar. i thought it sounded like a wives' tale, but figured I can't lose by trying. I applied a diluted mixture of ACV and water and he has completely healed inside of a week. The benefits are truly incredible. I have been mixing a teaspoon in his food everyday, and he has started speaking English. Just yesterday he recited his ABC's flawlessly. Thanks apple cider vinegar!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ken (Gettysburg, PA) on 11/24/2008
★★★★★
After much research on the subject, I was AMAZED at the results i got after using ACV to treat my Goldens' hot spot. A problem 3 times in his 6 years, this last time it would just not clear up. Three trips to my highly respected vet over 2 months, 2 different anti-biotics, cremes, even steriods, still left this one annoying spot about the size of a half-dollar on his face which just wouldn't heal, constantly oozed, and looked like he had ebola or something. I came across this site which recommended the ACV and I have to admit I was skeptical at first but was reluctant to give my best friend another round of medicines that appeared to do nothing to solve this problem while the doctor himself appeared to be stymied suggesting allergy testing, change of food, even suggesting that it was the Goldens' lot in life to suffer this affliction.
WELL, after 2 days of ACV application, the hot spot crusted over, but I had seen this before over the prior 2 months only to have it start bleeding & oozing within 2 days. But this time it stopped bleeding/ozzing and a few days later the spot started to heal & decrease. Now 3 weeks into the treatment , the spot is just a bit smaller than the size of a dime. Sadly though, i wonder if it will ever totally disappear as the hair in this small area has not grown back. I'm now using ACV to clean his ears and i even put a small cap full in his food. After reading of ACVs other benefits, I have started to take some myself. Thanks to all who took the time to research and report back on this treatment.
