Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
I live on the small island of Cyprus.
For over a year now, my female 13-year-old, sterilized, poodle cross, rescued dog had urinary incontinence. My vet said it was because of old age. I always try my best to avoid giving my pets any kind of drugs, so I gathered up all the patience within me and I would clean the urine from my dog's fur (when she was lying on her side, urine went all over her) and wash her bedding every day, for months. I could see that she was feeling very uncomfortable and avoiding to go to bed. Instead she would prefer lying on the floor. I think that she knew that cleaning the floor was easier for me… lol
A few months ago, urinating on herself nearly stopped, but a month or so later, it started again. This seemed very strange to me, since the diagnose was “old age urinary incontinence”. Why would it stop and start again after a few weeks? I decided to look it up and started searching the web for answers. THANK you so much for all the advice in your page. I thought to try acv, so as to eliminate the possibility of a urinary infection. I mixed some bio ACV into live Greek (sheep) yoghurt and gave it to her for about ten days. And it is already one whole month since she last urinated on herself. Please, note that from day 2, her psychology changed, she looked so very happy, that I understood that this is it: it is a urinary infection and we found the cure.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
Rgds, Anda
(South Wales, Uk)
01/14/2017
I want to know how you can get a dog to take ACV or even yoghurt? I have my work cut out just to get anything remotely alien into my 13 yr old Lhasa Apso, who has recently and suddenly become incontinent. The vet has prescribed Propalin but she hates the taste so much even though I have tried to disguise . I would much rather try something natural and have great faith myself, in acv.
Thank you, Jan
(Columbus, Oh)
01/18/2017
Mix a teaspoon of organic Apple Cider Vinegar ("ACV") into her food each time you feed her. Use the brand "with the mother" which is the nutrient-rich sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Just shake the bottle before using.
(Bonifay, Fl)
02/27/2017
I have a small poodle and she is acting strange. When I pick her up she pees on herself and has never done this before. I think she is having a bladder issue. How much Apple Cider Vinegar can I give her? She maybe weighs around 3/4 pounds.
(Mpls., Mn)
02/28/2017
Hey Racquel,
This does not sound like a bladder issue - your girl would be piddling frequent small amounts in the case of a bladder infection. Please take your girl to the vet for a physical exam as she sounds like she may be in pain.
(australia)
03/24/2024
★★★★★
Thank you for your post, I think it only took two days for my border collie female to have a complete lift as well, it's almost like this underlying problem has always been there and now that it's finally being addressed almost overnight she's much shinier and obviously much more interactive and engaged...looking good, fingers crossed!
Apple Cider Vinegar
There was even a drip or two today while she was awake and standing right in front of me. She's 13 years old now and I really wish to find out is there any good and easy natural remedy for her before I decide to send her to a vet (which I don't really prefer).
Is apple cider vinegar able to help? If yes, how much should I give her and how often? And do I mix into any food or drink?
Thank you all in advance. Michelle
(Mpls., Mn)
02/24/2015
Hey Mich!
ACV certainly might help your girl. Some folks use 1 tablespoon ACV into 5 cups of water; others add it to wet food - 1-3 tablespoons with each meal.
I will add that if this were my girl I would also monitor her urine for blood/bring to the vet to be sure the stones have not returned.
Good luck!
(Singapore)
02/25/2015
(Niagara Falls)
05/18/2015
(Niagara Falls)
05/18/2015
(Mpls., Mn)
05/19/2015
(Tuscumbia, Alabama)
05/19/2015
(WI)
12/02/2020
(Mpls., Mn)
05/20/2015
Hey Phyllis!
I wish I could like just the particular reply but I do not know how. Here is the post to which I refer:
Apple Cider Vinegar - Long Term Use
Posted by Angela (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 05/09/2010
[WARNING! ] Hello, I originally wrote back in May 2009 about my cat Spillo who has been suffering from cystitis for most of his life. I just wrote recently saying that he reached the one year mark and he was in total remission. Well he had a change last week and the information I found out from the vet in very important for those who want to use ACV long term. Last Wednesday Spillo started peeing what looked like pure blood. I took him to the cat hospital and the vet said his bladder felt small and very hard. He was there for a few days and basically what he ended up having was a severe bladder infection (on the first feel the vet thought it might be cancer). The vet said that ACV used (daily like we were giving to Spillo) will make the ph very alkaline. Alkaline is good when you are trying to prevent crystals, but when you go too alkaline it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.
Bottom line, if you are going to use Apple Cider Vinegar long term, maybe check with your vet about the quantity. We discussed the dosage with the vet and he thinks that 1cc 2 to 3 times a week is plenty sufficient. The one good thing about this visit is that the urinalysis showed that Spillo had no crystals or questionable blood cells in his bladder. ACV does work and is very good for cats with this problem. I will continue to give 1cc of raw Apple Cider Vinegar to Spillo twice a week.
Source - scroll down for the post: https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/cystitis5.html
(Tuscumbia, Alabama)
05/23/2015
Hi Theresa,
Thanks. I don't know where my brain had gone when I asked, it's something I should have at th top of my head. I'm glad you reminded me and of course it's there in case anyone else needs to know. I have four Boston Terriers and I just put a cap full in their half gallon bowls, the flea control is just an added bonus for all the other benefits. My little boy and my youngest girl have seizures and I had to give in and put them on Phenobarbital so they have regular blood work and so far no problems after about six months on ACV. As you can imagine I monitor them well but after your reminder I'll be sure to keep a much closer check on everyone.
(Eastern USA)
10/25/2024
Phyllis, my dog was having mild seizures, and I came across a video of a holistic vet who recommended melatonin.
1 mg for every 10 lbs weight 1 time a day.
As melatonin promotes sleep I give it to my dog at night before bed.
NOTE: I found the video recommended dosage made my dog sleepy all day so I reduced it by half.
His seizures went from daily to rare.
(Georgia)
11/07/2015
★☆☆☆☆
My dog has been urinary incontinent ever since he was neutered. At first my vet prescribed a medication to help control it, but after a while, it stopped working and I felt more comfortable giving him natural remedies instead. I've tried many different treatments, including a handful of bladder strength supplements and even apple cider vinegar. But nothing seems to work! He wears diapers now, but sometimes the diapers chafe his skin, so it's just a big headache for the both of us.
His leaking just seems to get worse too, and the vet has ruled out infections and says his bloodwork is normal, so no diseases that we know of. Is there any combination of natural remedies to help a severe case of incontinence?
(Pretoria)
09/13/2016
Hi there
I looked for the above medication but our local health shops do not really stock products for animals.
My dog, 10 year old GhoGhetta, was heavily overweight. She recently shed a bit of weight (over the past approximately 2 months), but now, she's "sprung a leak". When she sits or lies down, urine leaks from her bladder. She was spayed as a 9 months old puppy and never had puppies of her own. Why is it only happening now?
How can I help her because I think it must be very irritating on her skin and also very unhygenic.
Thanx
(Mpls., Mn)
09/16/2016
Hello Henna,
It is very common for a female who was spayed very young to develop incontinence when they hit senior-hood. There are inexpensive medications that can help with bladder tone to stop the leaks. I am concerned about the weight loss - it could mean something else is happening. Senior-hood has it's share of maladies: diabetes and early onset renal failure come to mind. Please take Ghogetta to the vet and have these conditions ruled out as you check out medications to address the incontinence. In the mean time daily washing with simple soap such as Ivory and a wash cloth 4-5 times day/as needed will help with the skin - and if it gets dry you can rub in coconut oil to help keep the skin healthy. And please report back!!
(Colorado)
02/01/2017
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Cape Cod)
02/24/2015
(Mpls., Mn)
02/24/2015
Apple Cider Vinegar
I read about ACV in this website and want to know how much ACV should I give my dog. He doesn't drink water at all. Should I mix it with his food or what are some other ways I can give him ACV to try and see if it helps. Thank you very much for the help.
(Mpls., Mn)
02/24/2014
Hey Dattaaj!
Fellow frenchie lover here!
I'd have to agree with your vet; incontience in male dogs is not so common - and with a frenchie I would be looking at spinal complications if this were my dog. Do you know where your frenchie's hemis are? When you knock a dog out with anesthesia, all the muscles and tendons relax and the skeleton is allow to...sag. When the dog wakes up fron being knocked out, all the bones may not make it back to the correct position; if this were my frenchie I would check into a chiropratic adjustment just to be on the safe side.
Drugs of choice to treat night incontinence are typically phenopropanolamine and or hormone replacement therapy, however many have had good results with OTC homeopathic preparations, ie "Leak no more" or "UTI-Free".
All that said, to dose with ACV first make sure you buy the good stuff! The good stuff has all the right stuff: raw, unpasturized, unfiltered, "With the mother" is the right ACV to buy. Start with 2 teaspoons mixed into wet food and if he tolerates it well then you could increase to 3 teaspoons am and pm mixed into wet food.
Please report back your results!
(Port Angeles, Wa)
12/17/2014
(Mpls., Mn)
12/18/2014
(Port Angeles, Wa)
02/23/2015
Hi Debbie, sorry for not answering you until now! Been a crazy 2 months. Lola is going to be 13 on 9/1. She started to intake more water than usual, so we have to pick up the water about 2 hrs before bed. My husband gets up in the middle of the night, every night and takes her out to go potty. She doesn't always want allot of water, it comes and goes. I was concerned about Cushings, so we will be going in for some tests. Also, has a little arthritis in a hip and knee that has gotten a little worse. She gets an arsenal (and has been) of supplements, along with transfer factors and k-9 immunity (medicinal mushrooms). Her doctor can't get over how good she looks. She's happy, plays, eats good and we adore every hair on her body and we want her to live forever! I could keep going, so thank you for your interest in her problem. :)
(Plymouth, NH)
01/15/2016
(Mpls., Mn)
01/17/2016
Hey Laurie,
You can give your girl 2-3 tablespoons of ACV in her food or per 8-10 oz water. It might also be a good idea to check in with your vet - it may simply be she needs her medication adjusted now that she has grown up.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
So when my 12 year old dog started having incontinence problems, [she was wetting herself when falling into a deep sleep, sometimes 3 or 4 times a day ]. I returned to earth clinic and behold apple cider vinegar was recommended so I started giving her a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in her nightly dinner in November 2012, within 5 or 6 days the wetting had stopped. I still put it in her nightly dinner, It is now 3 months later and she is her old [young ] self again. Many thanks to all who recommended ACV.
(Sc, US)
01/25/2015
My female Doberman about 9 yrs.old leaks, I have been fighting this for a couple of years. When I told my vet. they did something wrong to her..and told them what she does, all they could say was are you blaming us! It's happened ever since she was spayed. I didn't realize it at first. I came across this site. She is about 80 pounds. How much should I give her, and would any type of apple cider vinegar do? Want to start right away!!!
Please help me help her... every where else I looked they want money first to help ...
(Mpls., Mn)
01/26/2015
Hey Brenda!
It sounds as if your dobie has urinary spay incontinence; this has occurred not because your vet screwed something up during the spay surgery, but rather because the spay surgery itself removed the organs that contributed hormones to keep the bladder muscles firm - so she now leaks when she sleeps. I am sure your vet explained to you about oral hormones you can give your dog to firm the muscles up; some do find adding ACV to the water helps in this regard.
You want only organic, raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized, with the 'mother'/live cultures type apple cider vinegar - so be sure to read the label.
You can add 2-3 tablespoons to a quart of water, or over her food. If you do the water change it several times a day.
Good luck!
(Ohio)
08/25/2015
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Derby, Uk)
08/12/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I tried ACV on my 6 year old lab/whippet cross after reading about it here (mild relaxed/night-time incontinence manifested around four years after he had been neutered), it had little noticeable effect; but then every dog is different.
I have sourced some cornsilk capsules here in the UK, I'm going to try them on him.
(St. Louis, Mo)
11/20/2011
My 3 year old husky started to develop incontinence problems a few months back. At first, I thought it was a bladder infection, but her only symptom is a leaky bladder when she sleeps. Also, it is sporadic, and sometimes she can go a month or two without leaking. However, it has been getting worse lately. I decided to try the ACV treatment. She won't take it in yogurt, nor will she take it in water. The dog will eat everything, from cat poop to her own poop, but when it comes to this, she won't touch it--go figure. I have found that she will take it when I mix it with peanut butter. I use organic peanut butter with just a capful or 2 mixed in really well. I have only been doing this for 2 days, and I noticed that she didn't leak last night. However, since this can be sporadic for her, I will keep treating her and report back after awhile.
(Pittsburgh, Pa)
03/09/2012
(Fredericksburg , Va)
07/15/2015
(San Francisco, Ca)
03/09/2016
(Napanee Onatrio)
10/15/2013
I have a sheltie who is ten that leaks she has been check out by vet and says it is just incontentance because of her age so I will try ACV. Can dogs take it every day? And how much? She is forty pounds.
(Columbus, Ohio)
10/16/2013
Dosages for dogs of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (also called "ACV") can be found at this earthclinic link:
https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/acvfordogs.html
Dosage and Instructions: Start with a one-teaspoon dose mixed into your dog's food twice a day for a 50 lb dog (adjust accordingly by weight) and if necessary increase up to about 1 tablespoon twice a day for the same size dog. For skin application, you can spray on or rub apple cider in directly, or for sore or open wounds mix the ACV with equal parts water before application to the dog's skin. In the case of pests or parasites, bathe your dog and then apply a 50:50 mix of apple cider vinegar and water. Allow this to air dry on your pet to kill off fleas, ticks, ringworm, etc. And to prevent future infestations and/or infection. You can also spray your dog with apple cider vinegar before going out for a walk, in order to repel fleas and ticks naturally.
★★★☆☆
WORKED TEMPORARILY
(Atlanta , GA)
05/27/2009
Apple Cider Vinegar for Incontinence: I have had great succes with a senior incontinent dog. I give her about 1 table spoon of ACV in her kibble. The kibble has been wetted with about 1 cup of water or so; let it sit until the food is soft on the outside and still crunchy on the inside plus a little chicken, then I mix it up. The leaking stopped immediately. It can come back, though, but I just give her more ACV.
The ACV should always be diluted. My dogs won't drink water that has ACV in it, so I sneak it in their food. I also have a dog with occasional upper respiratory infection, coughing, and congested. I do the same for him. ACV cuts the phlem. I've even tried it when I have a cold. ACV in hot tea relieves my stuffy nose instantly.
(Mill Creek, Wa , Usa)
11/20/2011
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Collingwood, Ontario)
02/23/2012
Hey... I have a female akita that is almost 2 years old now.. She has been leaking more and more.. Vets say that it's an infection, but she has gone through 3 trials of antibiotics now and they say it's gone but she's still leaking.. I have read online about females that are spayed having problems with leaking and they just need female hormones to help strengthen her sphincter muscles.... Not sure if the hormones are bad or what but the vet doesn't seem to go with this.... We have been trying apple cider vinegar now for 2 weeks and she is still leaking daily anytime she lies down.... I feel bad because you can tell she is embarrassed when it happens... can anyone help me?? any advice..thanks
(Brinnon, Wa, Usa)
03/03/2012
Hi Drew, I have a 5 year old aussie/heeler female who is spayed. She had a big problem with leaking while sleeping, laying down, getting up, or when people would come over. I got a product online which is a supplement that contains ingredients to strengthen the bladder. Bladder strength is the name. It has worked wonders for her and she leaks no more. Big improvement.
(Columbia, Missouri)
06/20/2012
(Brinnon, Wa)
08/02/2013
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Honolulu, Hi Usa)
09/24/2009
(Plainfield, N.j., U.s.a.)
08/27/2010
★★★★★
Hi Mitch-
Sorry so late but just tonite saw your question. If your dog still needs it, I would give my Akita mix, at around 100Lbs, 1 capfull of organic ACV in his large bowl of water, in the a.m. And that cured the "leak" in just a day or so. I have continued every day since my original post- good luck- Andrew
(Niagara Falls)
05/20/2015
Bed Protection
★★★★★
(Minneapolis, Mn)
10/30/2013
I purchased several washable mattress underpads online (made for people - they're white and soft on top and blue on the underside). I always leave one on top of all of the dog beds. They will hold a lot of urine - my husky has full loss at night and as long as he is on the pad it stays contained (though doubling them up or laying plastic underneath isn't a bad idea if your dog is large). Disposable underpads are also nice to have on hand for times when you can't keep up with the laundry (though these can leak, so always have something underneath)!
(San Rafael, Ca)
01/05/2017
I get baby mattresses free or cheap off Craigslist and get them home, wrap them in 1 or 2 thick plastic garbage bags, tape them together-so the bed is 90% pee proof. Instead of bought washable peepads, I took a king size cotton quilt, cut it up into 6-8 mattress sized pieces. They absorb a ton, wash easy, and are cheap. I already had the quilt, so it was free, but you could probably purchase a new one or find one at a Goodwill type place for less than the cost of buying individual pads. My Ol 14yr old lab/dane Sara pees herself all day. So I may do alot of laundry but its cheap---AND the pee pads seem to get more absorbent the more they get washed. :)
(Siliguri (West Bengal))
09/10/2017
Corn Silk
★★★★★
He was suddenly dripping and peeing in his sleep even though he has never peed in the house in his life. I see that most of the posts have been about female dogs and their spay incontinence but I just want to say that corn silk capsules eradicated my adult male dog's incontinence by 99%. He is a 70lb dog and I give him one capsule per meal twice a day. I also time when he gets water but not reduce the total amount of water given to him. This way he would not have to hold for as long. In two weeks he went from dripping in his sleep every day to needing to go out earlier than his potty breaks. We listened to him when he would indicate wanting to go and slowly his schedule was back to normal. It has been a month and a half and he stopped having incontinence completely.
I will likely give him cornsilk long term since it is inexpensive and effective as incontinence prevention.
Corn Silk
★★★★☆
Corn Silk
★★★★★
Hello, I just wanted to share our success with corn silk for our young mastiff cross. She's a rescue and shortly after we got her we noticed she was constantly "leaking" - and her bed would be soaked after she slept on it. I went online and found that corn silk was recommended for urinary incontinence. She's about 70 lb and we give her about 2 generous tsp per day of dried corn silk. It's amazing - it kicks in just about immediately and if we run out the effects are also immediate! And so economical compared to vet prescriptions - maybe $2 for 1.5 cups.
(Sacramento, CA)
07/02/2011
(Reidsville, North Carolina - Usa)
12/09/2011
My female Doberman is also having this problem which I am trying natural things to resolve. I did get bulk Corn Silk by the pound at a place in San Fransico Tea company. Very reasonably priced but have not found any results as of yet. I will up the dose on her food. Google San Fransico Tea company and you will find it.
(Anderson, In)
02/21/2012
★★★★★
(Anderson, In)
02/21/2012
(Austin, Tx)
09/12/2012
Corn silk and NaturVet Bladder Support together is the one thing that has kept our dog from leaking. Proin caused her to have a rapid heartbeat and only partially worked. We've tried a bunch of other things too, almost everything out there. Corn silk and NaturVet seems to be the most natural. She's a 44 pound lab mix. We give her a lot but, she's been fine. 2 corn silk capsules and 2 Bladder Support pills in the AM and 3 of each (6 total) in the evening. I also give her a human supplement of natural magnesium, multi-B vitamin, and a kelp supplement (for her thyroid). Also, calcium ascorbate powder (buffered vitamin C) in her food sometimes. So I wanted to reciprocate. This site has helped me with so many remedies.
General Feedback
(Danbury, Ct)
03/13/2013
Hi JC, I would hazard a strong guess that this product caused your pet's incontinence! The ingredients contain caffeine, which is a diuretic, but may also be causing severe side effects like overworking her adrenals and causing fright. I suspect your problem will be solved once she has been off the product for a few days. Not everything sold in the pet store is healthy for pets! But if the incontinence continues and since your dog is small, try a very small amount (1/8 teaspoon or less) of apple cider vinegar in her food mixed with water. Too much vinegar will cause her to lick her rump and some gastrointestinal discomfort.
(Denver, CO)
03/01/2015
I have been using the BLADDER SUPPORT from Puritan.com for my german shepherd. It even indicates by weight how many tablets to give your dog. It has worked wonders. I highly recommend this product.
General Feedback
(Springfield, Illinois)
02/11/2012
To kathylue ---if your dog has pain from arthritis, find a vet that does acupuncture and chiropractic. I've had amazing results with my 15 yr old shepherd mix who had a herniated disc 2 years ago.
(Princeton, NJ)
08/23/2012
★☆☆☆☆
WARNING!
Ibuprofen is toxic for dogs, please do not give your dog motrin, advil, tylenol or any people pain killers without checking with your vet.
(Houston, TX)
02/23/2015
We use Meloxicam with our vet's recommendation for arthritis. Our dog is like her old self again.
(Western Australia)
05/22/2015
I have a 15year old female welsh springer spaniel and .I have tried Apple Cider Vinegar for her leaking but no matter how I try to give it to her she knows it's there and won't take it, I tried to buy some corn silk, but can't find it anyware, so if anyone knows where I can purchase it in western Australia, I would appreciate it very much thank you
(Il)
02/21/2016
★★★★☆
(Richards)
02/05/2017
