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.
Skin Ailments
Posted by Manchesterterrier (New York, Ny) on 02/19/2011
My Manchester Terrier (miniature) has a fungal infection after taking a course of strong antibiotics. She is itchy with dry skin and hair loss. I've started using ACV on her itchy spots and it seems to help. Should I also give her ACV orally? If so, how much? She weighs 11.5 pounds. Thanks!!
Skin Ailments
Posted by Debbiefudge (Brighton, Uk) on 11/09/2010
Hi. Regarding yeast in dogs. You really need to do loads of research. I have a Shihtzu with severe yeast and I have now found the solution that works for me. The problem is that yeast will feed on so many things. Starch, grain, vegetables even have natural sugars in. As much as I love ACV for many things, don't use it for a dog with yeast allergies. Apple=sugar. Instead, use white vinegar. You have to completely change your dogs diet. The rice, feeds the yeast. Use a good anti fungal shampoo. Make a solution of half water and half white vinegar and use as a final rinse and allow to dry. Make up the same solution and put in a spray bottle and spray your dog, twice a day. Also, put some in a small bowl and put the whole of your dogs paw in, squeeze off the ecess and allow to try. They often get yeast between the toes, then scratch their ears. Make a solution of half white vinegar, hals witch hazel, (as this is drying). Use as an ear wash twice a day. Syringe it down the ear and massage for 1 minute, allow the dog to shake and use a little of the solution to wipe any muck away with a cotton wool ball. Diet is the main thing though. Raw meat and raw bone is best. But my Teddy, will just not eat it. So, I use minced meat. Any kind. Very lightly cook. This is what I give my dog, every day, added to a portion of meat. Half a clove of chopped, fresh garlic. 1 tablespoon of Olive oil. 1 teaspoonful of FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth. Few sprigs of fresh parsley. Half a hard boiled egg. Mix well. Once a week I give canned sardines in oil and add the other ingredients, minus the meat and olive oil. Nothing else. No food scraps. No treats. I also only ever give bottled water to drink. You can add a teaspoon of white vinegar to the water if your pet will drink it.
All the vet did was prescribe antibiotics and steroids. Which of course, make the yeast worse. I don't have to use any chemicals for fleas or worms either, due to the diet. He is already, 99% better. No more scratching either! I don't believe in re-vaccinations either. More chemicals. I hope someone else can benefit from my experiences. I much prefer to go the 'natural' route with my pets.
Skin Ailments
Posted by Robin4max (Nashville, Tn / Usa) on 10/25/2010
I have taken my dog to the vet in the past for his skin conditions. After 3 different clinics and multiple mis-diagnosis, I was finally told he had a severe allergy to flea saliva. Long story short, he ends up with a yeast infection on his skin ~ rips fur, creates open lesions from chewing etc. I have changed his food to Natural Choice Lamb & Rice and he gets the same brand oatmeal biscuit as a treat. He stays inside year round. He did really well for about 9/10 months, but now we're back to it again. I did get him some ACV today and spray his lesions. Usually he'll eat anything he can get to; (and I mean anything) when I put the ACV in his food, he turned it down. How do I get him to eat the ACV? I started him on organic plain yogurt about a week ago. Will the ACV have the same affect if I mix it with his yogurt? He ate that, but I don't know if the ACV or yogurt is affective this way. Thank you so much for taking the time to help us out here. He's a great dog!
Skin Ailments
Posted by Julia (Portage, In) on 10/25/2010
I have a 14 year old, 6 lb, Pom with black, scaly, & crusty spots on his underbelly & back. He is sleeping alot & can't stop scratching. This is the first time in his life with this type of problem. He has always been very healthy & active. We had a terrible bout of fleas early this year & I believe this is a reaction to them. We have taken care of the flea problem in the house, the yard & he no longer has fleas on him. We have had him to the vet several times & they have treated him with antobiotics but it has just continued to get worse over the summer & now into the fall. I have read many of the posts regarding rinsing/bathing him with the ACV. I also read comments about putting it in food or water, &/or giving it directly to the pet with a medicine dropper. Is it a rinse or a spray or both? Can I give it to him by dropper? Can I use just plain Apple Cider Vinegar & what is the appropriate mixture? He has been a wonderful pet for 14 years & I hate to see him continue to suffer.
Skin Ailments
Posted by Adam (Melbourne, Aust) on 03/04/2010
★★★★★
I have an american bulldog that has had skin and mostly foot allergies for the past 2 years. Spent $$$ on antibiotics and vet bills, that no sooner do I fix one then the next lot crops up. I figured that Apple cider viniger has worked for my gout and cold sores (that I don't get anymore) that I would start feeding it to him. He's a big dog so I give him about 3 tablespoons in his food every night. Been 5 weeks now and his feet are in great condition.
Rashes
Posted by Melinda (Federal Way, Washington) on 01/23/2010
My five year old mixed breed dog had a bad rash on her belly and back. I read about acv from this web site I gave her 1/2 tsp in her food. The next day she had horrible diarrhea and she vomited soome blood. I took her to the emergancy vet and they did all sorts of tests and found nothing. The vet said it could have been the acv. That was the only thing different in her diet. I DO NOT recomend acv for dogs!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marianne (Fayetteville, Arkansas) on 12/08/2009
★★★★★
My old dog has been plagued with some sort of skin problem for years.The constant biting, scratching, licking have nearly driven me out of my mind. I was doing everything the Vet said, plus gentle baths, brushing, washing her bed lenin in special soaps. Then on Sunday I tried Apple Cider Vinegar. I used about 1/2 cup to a large glass of water. I poured it on her hips, tail area, upper and lower back. I noticed that she calmed down almost immediately. I have done the same thing on Monday and today, Tuesday. The dog is calm, sleeping and "thanking" me. I know she is saying, "Thanks, you finally got something to kill those mites on me."
EC: WARNING!
Please note that if a dog has any hot spots or raw areas, this concentration of apple cider vinegar to water will be VERY painful and burn them. Please dilute the apple cider vinegar enough so that it does not cause any discomfort to your dog. Rinse the solution off immediately with cool water if your dog is in pain after application.
Skin Ailments
Posted by Megan (Warner Robins, Ga) on 10/29/2009
This message is for Joyce. If ACV will burn your stomach if you have an ulcer, I am sure it would burn an open sore on the skin, though I would not want to find out. Try healing the sores from the inside first by starting out with a very tiny amount either in their water or food, by tiny like 1/4 teaspoon for one or two days. Increase from there to what the recommended dose is. I am not sure but my dogs are 50 & 100lbs so I use 1 tablespoon/day with them. Smaller dogs I am sure do not need so much. Once the sores are healed on the skin then you can do the spray treatment if needed.
Skin Ailments
Posted by genla (Baton Rouge, La) on 07/30/2009
Pls try for topical use on itchy paws or hot spots Burrows solution wish i could give the brand name.You can buy in the astringent section of your drug store. It is powder u mix with water. You can place paws in solution in bowl long enough to get wet or pour on hot spot or apply solution with saturated cotton ball. It doesn't sting!!! MIRACLE my vet gave me this cure about 14yrs ago (before anibiotics and steroids took over) for my Great Pyrenees that had a huge hot spot - dried it up in a day or so. Also great for people for poison ivy!
Itching, Scratching, Hot Spots
Posted by Yoyoly18 (Buringame, CA) on 06/23/2009
★★★★★
I have a mixed papillon/Pomeranian dog who has been suffering from flea bites, constant itching and bald hot spots. No matter what kind of flea shampoo treatments, or house treatments, getting rid of her beds, toys, etc was helping at all. My neighbor has a cat that roams around freely and believe is the culprit to this problem. I researched high and low on the internet for remedies for two years now and finally landed on this website. I read all the testimonials from dog lovers with similar problem and the positive results they were having. I quickly went to my local grocery store and bought a bottle of AVC; mixed it according to the instructions and I could not believe how quickly within minutes of spraying her she relaxed and stopped itching. I am amazed at this and will share this great remedy to all dog and cat lovers. Thank you all so much.
EC: Apple Cider Vinegar should be diluted 1:1 with water when used topically.
Skin Ailments
Posted by Winnie (San Francisco, CA) on 04/02/2009
So I just read this product and how it can help eliminate licking. My dog has been licking between his toes for about a week now. I just used a 1 tbs acv to 2 tbs of water ratio. I sprayed it on him and it seems like it hurts him? And he's licking at it like crazy at the moment. Do you continue to spray? And if he's licking it off right away, how would it help? Any feedback would be great! Thanks.
Skin Ailments
Posted by Joyce (Brookings, OR) on 02/15/2009
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
My yorkie has been suffering with a skin condition since getting fleas about a year ago. She wakes us up almost every night moaning as she rubs her back against whatever she can rub it on until areas are sore or inflamed. I found this site last night while researching her condition and just a bit ago tried the ACV. I used a dilution of 1 part ACV to 3 parts water in a spray bottle and sprayed it on her after her bath ( I bathed her with Relief shampoo and let it sit about 5 minutes) as she has always had sensitive skin and reacts adversely to most shampoos. She had one area on her back in particular that she had rubbed until it was inflamed and had a few small sores, which is also why I used a 1:3 dilution. Anyway, I blotted off the excess water after her bath, but she was still quite wet, and started spraying her. Almost immediately she started trembling and I started to notice that a few of the worst spots in the inflamed area were exuding a white foam - similar to what an open sore looks like when you put hydrogen peroxide on it. I grew immediately concerned with the foaming and her (by this time) almost violent trembling, and quickly rinsed off the ACV mixture, blotted her wet coat with a towel and blew her dry. She did not stop trembling until I she was dry and I applied a Tea Tree and E Antispetic cream that i have been using with some success to treat open sores. itching. She seems fine now, and the reaction doesn't seem to have been allergenic, but the area is still somewhat inflamed. My concern is that the ACV, even with a 1:3 dilution, burned her skin. Before applying the cream, the skin in the inflamed area was clearly worse - course and puffy - so now I'm a little hestitant to use it again. In reading some of the other comments, it sounded like some people just spray it on their dogs when they are dry - and used it when their dogs had sores and inflamations...I really wanted - NEEDED - this to work but...does anyone have any insight to offer? Should I dilute it further next time? Should I have not allowed the shampoo to sit for 5 minutes (your supposed to leave it on for 10)? HELP!
Skin Ailments
Posted by Steve (Murray, KY) on 10/09/2008
★★★★★
After reading the articles about dogs scratching and chewing their feet, I read over and over about using apple cider vinegar as a spray. I was at the point i had to try something, I tried a 50 50 acv and water and also within the first hour i saw results, i use it now at least one time a day and sometimes two, my dobhie/lab mix has been chewing and scratching for 3 years and this is the best i have seen her, i have made numerous visits to the vet, shots and have been giving all sorts of pills i do believe this has given her more relief than anything. i started also about 3 weeks ago giving her a fish oil capsule 2 times a day. pleae if anyone has a problem try the ACV/water solution for your dogs sake. thanks for all the folks who recomended this. from the bluegrass state
Skin Ailments
Posted by Sharon (Richmond, Virginia) on 09/11/2008
★★★★★
I recently viewed your sit and the Apple Cider Vinegar cured my cocker, Casey, skin enormously. I used this on Casey and after about 3 days I noticed that his skin was healed and his coat was healthy and shiny. This has done wonders for us. I sprayed ACV diluted with equal amounts of water on Caseys coat every morning for 3 consecutive days. Casey is now a healthier dog.
Skin Ailments
Posted by Michele (Roseville , CA) on 09/05/2008
★★★★★
I have a Pitbull 18 mos and he has been very itchy since i got him. He always was licking his feet, and always getting yeast infections in his ear. Someone at the dog park suggested the vinegar thing and I came home and tried it that day and he has not licked his feet in probably a week now! I couldn't be happier with the results :)
Skin Ailments
Posted by Angi (Linden, NC)
★★★★★
I tried ACV in my 4.5 lb. Chihuahua's food for itchy feet and skin and have had super success. She doesn't lick or bite at her feet near as much and her scratching is minimal. It's great! I give her 1/4 of a teaspoon, twice a day with her food.
Skin Ailments
Posted by Mae (Maumelle,AR)
★★★★★
My 8 month old dachshund has really bad skin allergies and sores that just wouldn't heal at all. I tried putting flax seed grains in her food and a little acv in her water she was better in 2 days...its a ritual now... I drink it too every morning with honey and lemon and 2 tbs acv.
Skin Ailments
Posted by Joanna (Glendale, AZ) on 02/19/2007
★★★★★
Jack, my beagle mix, had some bug bites(fur was sticking up) on his head last week and itched them to an open sore. I found this site, read up upon ACV and within 2 days his sores and bites went completely away. Now he has a little scab on it. I was just amazed how this remedy worked. Now I'm trying it on my beagle/dach. mix, Bailey. She's gets these ear rashes/infections often, I'm hoping ACV will work miracles for her too. Thanks again!!
Skin Ailments
Posted by Marsha (Chicago, USA) on 07/17/2007
★★★★★
The Apple Cider Vinegar remedy for a severe skin rash on my 10yr old cocker spaniel worked wonders. For weeks, I had tried everything, from Benadryl cream, to the tablets, to Tea Tree Oil and all methods did nothing, short of making it worse. My dog (who sleeps with me sometimes or at the foot of the bed) would awaken in the middle of the night scratching like a maniac, of course breaking my rest, because I would arise to put more Benadryl or Tea Tree Oil on the sores and she would still find no peace. Today, I said enough and went online to find a cure. A health nut that I am, I noticed there was something about ACV and so I tried it on her, in her bath. I had heard that Dawn dish liquid works wonderfully to ward off fleas and ticks (as I had used it in the past and continued to do so), so I bathed her in the Dawn with ACV in her water; within five minutes after her bath, she was sleeping and snoring, peacefully, and did so for four hours without one scratching episode. Now our home is peaceful again. Because she has scabs from enduring this mess for weeks,which were opened when the scrathing worsened and some wounds are open, I keep the ACv mixed with water in a spray bottle and when necessary, give her a little spray, which is not often. I also add it, now, to her dry food, to keep the acidity out of her urine, too. Thank you to everyone who shared their testimony and for the Earth Clinic for helping us help our children. Will air it on my radio program for other pet owners. Hugs to everyone and thanks a million.
Skin Ailments
Posted by Colleen (Pinetown, South AFrica) on 01/01/2008
★★★★★
ACV CURED MY DOGS OF SCRATCHING THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for a wonderful site. I'm a Yorkie mom, who dreamed of having a Yorkie with a show coat. My two babies scratch so much that they have severly damaged their coats, and I'd all but given up on ever having long-haired Yorkies. That's till I doscovered this site. Last night, I bathed both my babies and used ACV in the final rinse water, and within 15 minutes I noticed a marked reduction in the scratching. Within the hour, the scratching had diminised by about 80%. Tonight I bathed they again, using ACV in the final rinse water, and the scratching has completely stopped. I was not sure what quantity to use, so I used 2 tot measures in about 2 litres of water. What a miracle find. By the way, the scratching was NOT as a result of fleas, as I spend a small fortune at the vet each month to keep the fleas under control, but if ACV helps with that too, then I'll be saving so much money. I've also read on your site that ACV promotes hair growth, so who knows, I may have a show-coat Yorkie after all. Furthermore, their coats are shining like mirrors!!! This truly is an amazing find, and I'm so grateful for your site and the information contained therrein. Thanks again for a wonderful site, and keep up the good work.
Mange
Posted by Trudy (USA) on 02/12/2006
★★★★★
I have had absolute success using Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with water and Borax power. My dog was suffering with mange or terrible flea allergies last October. Well I used this combination regularly for several months and now he has all his fur back, and no itching. I sent in my testimonial back in mid January 2006, it is under the
Cure for Demodetic Mange / Remedy #2 Reader Modification by Trudy Barton, in Cynthiana, Ky. I do believe this treatment I gave my Max would not have had nearly the great results if I had not used the organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Please post this cure under the Apple Cider Vinegar cures for dogs. P.s. If my cat were to have a similar problem, I sure would use it on the cat too! You can post my e-mail address.
