Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs: Natural Remedies for Common Issues
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.
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!
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!!
EC: For topical use on pets, Apple Cider Vinegar should always be diluted with water. No more than 1/2 Apple Cider Vinegar.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
Posted by Baby_girl_can (B.C., Canada) on 09/14/2014
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.
Posted by Everett (Indianapolis, IN) on 08/31/2014
Jest found your site and hope everyone with a pet finds your site! My pit bull is sleeping like a puppy after her first bath with 2 cups Apple Cider Vinegar to 4 cups water she's sleeping like a puppy. Thank you and keep up the good work.
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.
Check your dog for a liver shunt or liver issue... High Alkalinity can be a symptom of hyperammonemia, caused by the dog's liver not working (or a liver shunt which means the blood bypasses the liver entirely and isn't filtered). This is seemingly misdiagnosed a lot. Do some online research see if your dog has any other liver symptoms... and then ask your vet for a liver bile acids test...
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.
I totally agree: Do research before you play doctor with your dogs [or kids]. The suggestion of PH strips is awesome!!
This was encouraging to read - from the same article you quoted/sourced:
"Are adverse side effects likely? If a dog is allergic to vinegar, he might vomit, scratch furiously, or have a similarly obvious reaction. Although there is much debate on this issue, some believe that vinegar may worsen chronic ear infections.
“You have to apply common sense, ” says Sue Ann Lesser, D.V.M. “Most dogs are notoriously over-alkaline, and cider vinegar will help them. If a dog's system is overly acidic, you'll see clinical signs, such as obvious symptoms of illness. I know quite a few dogs that take cider vinegar according to the directions in Wendy Volhard's book [one teaspoon to one tablespoon twice daily for a 50-pound dog] , and I don't know of any that have had bad results.”
The article goes on with this info on testing and dosing:
Per the book "The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog", author Wendy Volhard recommends using pH paper strips to check the dog's first morning urine. Readings from 6.2 to 6.5 are normal/healthy and do not warrant supplementation; readings of 7.5 or higher indicate the system is too alkaline: ADV and dietary changes will reestablish the correct balance. Volhard recommends one teaspoon to one tablespoon twice daily for a 50-pound dog.
Actually, no, when I was living in South India, I observed how those strong yellow short haired dogs were fed by their owners. Mung beans, cooked and possibly other vegetarian things, again vegan, as dairy would probably not be given to them. But when owned by a responsible owner, they are content, strong and super healthy. They are fed betel leaf for deworming, especially for puppies. Considering the size of fleas in that hot climate, it is amazing how well these dogs looked. Sadly, the strays are another story. As of the present time, animal rescue is also doing some good now but it will take time yet to make a noticeable difference.
I think it is important if a dog is used to meat from puppyhood onwards, it would be best to feed meat. But small amounts with loads of blended veggies and supplements. Dairy and meat is full of poisons these days; one can educate oneself well online about the present state of food the world over. The "vitamins" in pet foods are synthetic and useless for the upkeep of health. Except the animal will eat loads because the body is needing the vital, natural elements which is provided by nature, not by the pet food companies, who know what they are doing.
Good quality grass fed/organic meats are awesome. I read Dr Pitcairin and Dr Becker's book on holistic feeding. Dogs can not survive well on a vegan or commercial grain dog food. That kind of diet will catch up to them causing health problems down the road. We test our dog's blood every 6 months to make sure we are staying on track. We supplement as well which helps. Thanks for the ph testing suggestions.
Posted by Shaun (Portsmouth, England) on 10/05/2012
Update Interesting observation which may help Have for sometime used apple cider vinegar on my pet ears. Luke seems to have bouts of infection/soreness in his ears, always round the entrance to his ears and the problem comes and goes, but have noticed is more of a problem when there is pollen about and when he rolls in the grass. Have always used a good quality brand, here in the UK I use Aspalls Cyder Vinegar and make up a solution of 1 part ACV to 2 parts water.
Some months ago I needed to restock and saw my supermarket had their own brand of ACV, cheaper and a larger bottle, so being wise I changed over to the supermarket brand. This month Luke had a real problem with his ears so followed my usual patten applying my ACV solution and although it seems to curtail the soreness it's never completely went when usually after applying my ACV solution the problem is resolved quickly. I couldn't understand this, so I thought I go back to the Quality Brand. Wow what a difference, in 24 hours the soreness is drying up and one can see the healing process taken place, the ear is turning from a read colour to a pink colour. I am not into science therefore can't explain why this should be, is there a difference between cheap ACV compared to the more costly one , well £1.35 is not expensive. The more expensive brand is unpasteurised and free from preservatives. I will most certainly keep to my quality brand from now on and finally would say the best make up for Apple Cyder Vinegar is I part ACV to 2 parts water and to those who doubt ACV and even recommend against its use, I say this, I have spent a small fortune with vets and all the inflammatory drugs and antibiotics have never worked and I have had to watch Luke at times in a lot of pain waiting for this treatment from the vets to work which it never does and watched having finished the antibiotics the problem come straight back even worse. Please remember one can decrease say 1Part ACV to 4 parts water if there is a lot of soreness and then when the redness starts to fade increase the solution to 3 parts water. I now clean Luke's ears once a week with ACV, spay the solution onto a cotton wool pad or ball and just clean the ear. I do this 3 times a day if I see any problems.
Posted by Shaun (Portsmouth, England) on 10/05/2012
Lisa---Thanks for the reply. So there you have it everyone for the best results cheap is not always the best.
Update--Now 2 days since I started using the up market ACV again and the result are just unbelieveable . Please remember 1 part ACV to 2 parts water or even 1 part ACV to 3 Parts water if there is bad soreness or open wounds. Thanks Lisa
Posted by Atvchick95 (Muncie, Indiana ) on 07/19/2012 ★★★★★
I came across your blog looking up ways to get rid of fleas naturally, I see a lot of talk on AVC, including giving it to cats/dogs in their water. I am a hobby bird breeder and use AVC with my parrots, SO I wanted to chime in, I do not know if it'll do the same to cats/dogs but I'd assume it would. AVC is a product that contains Acid, There are 2 types of bacteria in the gut (of birds at least) Good Bacteria they should have and bad Bacteria they shouldn't have, when giving AVC in the birds drinking water the AVC actually destroys BOTH the good and the bad Bacteria so we have to also give them Probiotics to get the good gut bacteria back. Also we never give this to birds long term, I give them just a little "Shot" depending on the water bowl size. With my birds I use 5, 10 and 20 oz bowls, so a 5 oz bowl would have 1 drop, 10 oz 2 drops, 20 oz 2 drops of AVC I give it twice a week for about a month, Then stop for 1-2 months, Then repeat as necessary, I actually had a bird with a Tumor and the AVC treatment made the tumor disapear and never come back :) But I think people may want to speak to their vets about giving AVC in the drinking water, Because it is important not to ruin the good gut bacteria the animals need, and it shouldn't be given long term and not a lot. My dog is a 26 pound beagle I'd give her no more than 1 Tablspoon mixed in with her water - and I'm just estimating that compared to what I give my birds, none of my birds weigh more than 1 to 2 pounds though. But it should always be done anyway, talk to the vet before trying anything!
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.
I add it to my dogs' food. My mutts are hogs and they woof it down. Added to water, the smell is strong because there is nothing masking it, but with food the smell of the yumminess is enough to negate the stinky ACV.
How do I get my schitzu to drink his water when I put the apple cider vinegar in it. I have been doing this since the summer and he will ignore the water. Then in a couple of days he will drink it. Should I put it in his food instead? I give him dry food only. Beneful
Posted by Sopolite (Thousand Oaks, Ca) on 09/28/2012
My German Shepherd has the same skin issues. Itchy skin and constant licking of the top of his paws causing sores. He was so miserable. After endless research of reviews and questions, I started him on Platinum Performance Skin and Allergy on his food and it has helped a lot. He now only has a seasonal attack maybe once a year instead of monthly. No more fearing the steroid shots at the vet.
We also tried the probiotics. He did start throwing up with too much probiotics though. These worked great when he could keep them down.
I hope your guy starts feeling better and really believe the Platinum might help. It has with my furry man.
It does matter. Use only Apple Cider Vinegar that is organic and unprocessed. Braggs is your perfect choice, although I have seen other brands recently. Look for those that are organic and have the "mother".
If you wish to go down the BARF route, then simply make friends with your local butcher. Ours gives us all the trimmings from his cuts of meat (big cubes), and meaty bones. After all, he'd only be throwing them out! We buy frozen green tripe from the pet shop and ground bones too. Far less expensive. Some fellow BARF feeders go to their nearest abattoir for green tripe, and it's free. No need to buy raw food from one company.
One note about Tripe, it contains GMO corn, and irritated intestines that are inflamed from the corn. Tripe should be from grass fed animals. I think it does more harm than good??
Posted by Blklabchow10yr (Port Charlotte, Florida, United States) on 01/03/2012
My outlook is.... Whenever possible, if there's something you're not sure of, always start with a very small amount & give it a day or so, then maybe try a bit more & give it a day or so, then a bit more, till you get where your trying to get, which is the tablespoonful I'm assuming. Just an opinion. That way, if something's going to happen such as a reaction or it doesn't agree with your pet, it's a very small amount at least, better than the full dose all at once.
Posted by Diane In Louisiana (New Orleans, La) on 02/07/2011
I have a 13 year old Rhodesian. He had enlarged prostate and not neutered and had trouble urinating. Vet said he had to be neutered to shrink prostate. This was done however it's been a few months and every week or two he has to get a catheter to urinate. He is on permanent antibiotics Clavamox 375 mg. and bethanechol 3 x a day. I also give him ACV 2 tsp 2x a day. He still has problems due to a stretched bladder. I am wondering am I doing harm by giving ACV with the antibiotics since he is not improving how long he goes between having catheter.
Posted by Teri A. (Palm Harbor, Fl, Usa) on 09/14/2010
Hi everyone, thanks for all of your great posts on ACV. I ran out and picked some up. Put it in the food and drinking water. I plan to put some on the nape of the neck like flea medicine to see what happens! My Boo gets infections in his mouth, will ACV help clear it up? So tired of the steroid injections and antibiotics! Please help!
Posted by Megan (Warner Robins, Ga) on 10/29/2009 ★★★★★
For my 2 large dogs (over 50 & 100lb) the regular over the counter ACV worked for us. I had a bad flea infestation in the house and on both dogs. I was about ready to break down and fork over the boko bucks for frontline flea treatment--or get rid of the dogs. Fogging the house and generic flea treatments/baths was not working or I wasn't doing it enough. I found ACV for myself (the generic grocery store brand works for me as well) and was excited to read it could help with my flea problem as well. I gradually worked them up to a tablespoon a day the first week. I also sprayed them with a diluted mix of something like 1/4 cup in a large spray bottle full of water. I even think that is a bit much. I did bomb the house maybe 2 weeks before I started ACV for the dogs. It took about another 2 weeks for the fleas to clear up in the house, so a total of a month since the bombing. I have not been able to find a single flea on the dogs. I am excited to be flea free and for next to nothing. The last few days I maybe give the dogs the ACV every other day and spray about every other day. They are scratching at themselves less and seem overall to be much happier though they don't care much for the spray and love to roll around after to try and get it off--oh well....no fleas.
Posted by Cmassi (New York, New York) on 08/12/2009
When you add an alkali to something that is acidic, the acidity decreases and the alkalinity increases. I would never, ever give my dog anything on a daily basis (for three months) that changed her body chemistry.
Since most vets are urged to recommend certain brands of food, they are not always the most reliable advisors on the subject. If you haven't already tried eliminating foods with soy, corn and wheat (one at a time) you might find the solution. Soy can cause allergies in animals and people - processed the way it is in the US, it is not a form we should be ingesting.
Have just used a 50/50 mixture of ACV and water applied very small amounts onto two hot spots and it gave my dog immediate relief. Tested a small area on one first to be sure it didn't burn or cause more discomfort than she already had. It has worked wonderfully to give immediate relief. I will see if she shows signs of discomfort before using any more. Thank you!!!
Posted by Anne (Marldon, Devon, England) on 08/19/2011
Apple Cider Vinegar is the best preventative there is.
I simply cannot believe that there is an ad for Frontline on this page! The main ingredient has been listed as one of the most highly carcinogenic substances ever tested - for humans as well as dogs and cats.
And the newer ones like Advocate and Advantage are full of the chemical that has been most seriously implicated in the disappearance of the bees.
As the old saying goes, "Don't use a cannon to kill a mosquito."
Atvchick95, the intestinal flora (supported by probiotics) is located in the gut. ACV is a prebiotic which supports the intestinal flora to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Remember, you have to get the ACV that is unpasteurized containing the "mother" culture.
While ACV is acidic, it has an alkalizing effect when taken internally. Moderation is key and a balance should be obtained.
If you still believe that ACV kills beneficial bacteria, think about it this way, how did the fermentation process work if ACV killed the live cultures?
Thanks to all of you for the Apple Cider Vinegar treatment ideas. My 9 year old Lab has been in such pain and now he is so much better. Thank yall for taking the time to share.
Our Itallin Mastiff has allergies & constant ear infections. After trying antibiotics and drops for a month the yeast infections come back. Our Vet said to use 2 parts apple cider vinegar to equal parts water & 1 part 99% rubbing alcohol. (NOT 70% you get in the drug store) He said the 90-99% doesn't burn. Then to flush out his ears 2-3 times a week for the 1st week then cut back to 1 time per week. I went further to add healing herb extracts & have been rinsing him with the ACV mix for his allergies for a year now. I also make him all-natural soap. His coat has come back and we are down to 2 ear infections this last year instead of every month. I am going to have all-natural herbal dog soap, ear wash & more for sale next month. somethintohowlabout.com
Posted by Anneinny (Putnam Valley, Ny/usa) on 02/24/2012
I'm SO grateful to have found this site as my lab often has sore ears! I'm going to try this today!
Someone mentioned YOGURT and that it almost always has sugar in it. It's very easy to make yogurt, the cost is about 1/2 the store price, it tastes BETTER and you can do it 1 hour before bed and awaken to fresh yogurt in the morning.
Set your oven to about 90 degrees C. Put 1/2 gallon whole milk in a steel or ceramic lined saucepan (not aluminum) and heat on the stovetop til it comes to the boil (or 82 degrees C if you have a candy thermometer). When the milk starts to boil, remove pan from the hot burner. Turn off the oven & keep oven door closed.
When milk has cooled to finger-warmth (or 40 degree C), add 1/2 cup PLAIN yogurt with ACTIVE CULTURES (easy to find at the grocer). Mix VERY well. Cover the pan with a tight lid, wrap in a large towel and place inside the warmish oven for about 8 hours. Go to bed. In the morning you'll awaken to homemade yogurt that tastes heavenly and has the texture of pudding. Put in covered containers in the frig. It makes about a liter.
If you want thicker, Greek-style yogurt, just strain it. Place a colander (strainer) lined with cheesecloth, multiple paper towels, a cotton kitchen towel or even a clean pillow case, above a bowl (I do this in the sink; it can be messy if you have poor aim). Spoon the yogurt into the lined collander so the excess liquid goes into the bowl beneath the strainer/collander. Optional: tie up the ends of the towel with a rubber band or string and suspend above the pan with a chopstick or kitchen spoon. After a few hours the yogurt will be adequately strained. Don't toss the liquid (whey)! You can put it in your dog's food (they love it) or even use when cooking your own food as a replacement for water or milk.
I give my dogs 1 soft egg and 1/2 cup yogurt every morning and it does seem to help their coats and digestive system.
Thanks for such a wonderful site! I so prefer natural solutions to chemicals and yes, our vet also charges about $130 just to walk in the door!! I appreciate the option to at least try something at home first!
Posted by Itsybitsybug (Bowling Green, Ky) on 10/29/2009
This is in response to Jessica from Vincennes. Using a vet as a last resort is not necessarily a bad thing. The average pet owner, even one more inclined toward natural remedies will take their pet to the vet if it is necessary. But if it is a minor problem that can be solved without the use of a vet and all the meds and chemicals they tend to prescribe then why not try it. I treat my pets health the same way I treat mine. I would try a natural cure on myself before going to the doctor and getting drugs that would kill my immune system and I do the same with my pets and I personally feel that they and I are better for it. Natural remedies have been around a lot longer than modern medicine and many of them have proven themselves to be effective time and time again. They may not always work but it is definitely worth a try in situations where it is not a time sensitive life or death sort of situation. A dogs skin problems are typically not life or death situation.
Jessica, Have you ever watched a commercial on how many side effects there are for the medications that doctors prescribe to you. Do you think it's any different for animals? So what is so terribly wrong with someone wanting to be able to treat their animal with natural remedies? I think you need to find another website to attack people who are trying to do harm to animals instead of people who really care about them.
Posted by Wendy (Bloomington, Minnesota) on 10/26/2008
My dog has a bladder infection took him to the vet gave him medication. He ran out and seems to still have it. Would like to try the ACV. He is also one Potassium Bromide 575 mg. for his seizures. Would this have a side affect on him?? Please help
Please get him off of potassium bromide. It crystallizes the liver and ultimately will be fatal. I used potassium bromide for yrs for my chihuahua with severe seizures, changed him over to CBD 20 to 1 ratio and he had been seizure free for months instead of weekly.
I read all the posts regarding Apple Cider Vinegar remedies. However, I am unsure of the dosage. My dog weighs 55 pounds. I think I would mix the Apple Cider Vinegar with yogurt. What would the ratio be?
Posted by Leslie (Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico) on 10/01/2008 ★★★★★
I have used apple cider vinegar for several purposes for my dogs. I give it to them the way I drink it, in warm water with honey. This way the ph is balanced also. You can also try to give it to your dog in yogurt.
Posted by Suzy (Owensville, MO, USA) on 06/25/2008
My german shepard is very slow lately and acts like arthritis is just killing her. I have read quite a bit of remedies on your site and i love it and i cannot wait to see if it will work for us. The only problem is, I cannot get Princess, my german shepard, to drink the apple cider vinegar in her drinking water or any other way. I was wondering if you all would have any suggestions on how to get her drink the vinegar and also, how much do i need to give her. Would it be better to put the ACV in a syringe and just put it in the back of her mouth? And if so, how much do i put in the syringe?
EC: Try mixing it in with her food. As a warning -- we used to put a teaspoon of ACV in our dogs' food each night, but stopped when each dog started to get an irritated rump (i.e., anal discharge and lots of licking). Make sure to start with a very low dosage and watch to see if Princess starts licking herself more than usual!
Posted by Suzanne (Glace Bay, Nova Scotia (ns), Canada) on 02/09/2012
So Sorry to hear about the pain your fur-child is in, I am in cape breton, N. S. Canada & I swear by glucosamine it is a human vitamin easily bought from any drugstore & it will bring her relief, hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, this horrible pain hits the larger breeds & older breeds as well. Please do some research on your own about glucosamine so you will be better informed & feel better about giving this to her. Good-Luck
Posted by Mel (Cambridge, Minnesota) on 09/13/2011
I was reading everyones blogs, and noticed one that said if your dog has yeast problems use white vinegar instead of acv... Does anyone else agree? My dog has chronic ear infections itches all the time and has a bad odor. I want to make sure I use the right vinegar. Any help would be great.
I can't speak for the cider remedies but my little german short haired pointer had the same problem took him to the vet and they instantly said looks like a food allergy. Try a food that is corn, soy, and wheat free. It worked- his ears cleared up and he has not had any other problems. I used blue buffalo food and recently switched to diamond.
Diamond dog food is good, however, they can change from bag to bag. When I adopted my dog, they said that the first 2 ingredients should be protein. I bought Diamond (green bag) with the first 2 ingredients being protein, however, the next time the 2nd ingredient wasn't protein. You have to watch it everytime you buy a new bag.
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.
I give baking soda in water to my dogs [1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon in 1 liter of water] with no harmful effects; the key is to make sure it is fully dissolved and not fizzing before pouring it into their water bowls. The benefit is the alkalizing affect of the baking soda to help balance their PH.
Like anything else - water for example - Baking soda in large quantities can be toxic.
My chihuahua is 4 and has lost most of her hair and scratches until she bleeds. She is miserable and I feel hopeless. She was tested for mange, which was negative. Then tested for an autoimmune disease, also negative. She felt better after having 2 steroid shots, but she gained so much weight and I know the dangers. I am at my wits end . Can you offer any help? Thank you and God bless you, Marylou.
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 07/09/2016
Put half in spray bottle and fill the other half with water. Don't get in eyes and make sure you are giving your baby the best diet, all raw please. Report back as we can look at other remedies.
Hi, You mix 50/50 of ACV and water ( I use bottle of water ) apply on effected areas two, three times a day. if it is not working, you can add few drops of grape fruit seed to mix with ACV& water. It works for my dog. Check the food you feed your dog, she might be allergied to sth Good luck! I hope this can help her.
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.
If this were my prego female I would give her a dip in Ted's Mange Remedy and then monitor results from there. Please do consider that your girl is very young and still a puppy herself; what you are seeing may be demodectic mange, so monitor closely and if you do find it is demodex continue the mange remedy dips to reduce the transmission of mites from mother to newborn pups. Ditto the advice to upgrade the groceries - you want to feed only the best, top quality diet for momma and growing babies.
Yes, put about 10ml of apple cider vinegar into each bowlful of water. It is important to use traditionally slow fermented cider vinegar that has been made purely from cider apple juice. So much of the product on the market is made with cull dessert fruit that has been made industrially in about four hours. Traditionally vinegar takes three years to ferment.
Re: ACV for allergies: I gave organic ACV to my dog, and she threw up about 5 minutes later. I only gave her a capful, but she still threw up. It was very white bubbly throw up.
EC: Firstly, ACV should always be very well diluted in water and not given on an empty stomach. Secondly, vomiting is not necessarily a bad thing. In some cases of detoxification or food poisoning, vomiting is exactly what you would want to see.
Posted by Debbiefudge (Brighton, East Sussex Uk.) on 03/19/2013
Gently clean the eye area with some cotton wool and cooled boiled water. Not your fingers!!
A spoonfull of ACV onto the back of the dogs neck, twice a day. In about 3 days the infection will have gone. If you don't have a syringe to apply it. Just soak some cotton wool in the ACV and squeeze it onto your dogs neck. This works on cats also. I think it's systemic. Just use it like you would put flea drops on the back of the neck. Try to get it on the skin, rather than just on the fur. With a cat, you may need someone to help you!!
I use a few drops of ACV solution (1 part ACV, 1 part water, 1 part rubbing alcohol) applied with an eyedropper in my dog's ears after a bath. It cleared up her dark ear discharge completely. We use it on ourselves as well since ear fungus is common in this humid part of the world.
How do I make this remidy?? I have a 7 month old pitbull pup who has had a ear infection that wont go away. The vet just tells me its from his mother cleaning him but I dont agree so I want to try this and need some help with it.
My friend's dog drank some bad water and she believed she needed to take both of her dogs to the vet which she could not afford, so I recomended she give them some ACV to drink and it helped them almost immediately.
We recently rescued a German Shorthaired pointer, 8'yrs. he Has lots of fatty lumps in his body, and he has arthritis in all his legs. We have changed his diet, now being raw fed with some fruits and vegetables. My questions to you are: How exactly do you apply the Apple Cider Vinegar to the tomours on your dog? What is the mixture? Are they tumours or like my dogs, benign fatty lumps? Thanks so much.
This is just what I need. My senior doggie has been diagnosed with small Pappillonas (warts) under her tongue. My vet said if they don't disappear on their own, to wait until they grow larger and surgically remove them. How did you mix your ACV solution to be sprayed in the mouth? I sincerely hope you are somehow alerted to this question, as you posted several years ago.
I just see your website, My Labrador has been sick with ear infections and Itching and biting. I took her to Vet its was allegedly, she still sick, It's been a month and half. I am feeling helpless to help her. I am going to try your Apple Cider on her today. Thank you
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