Apple cider vinegar is fast gaining popularity as a superfood. It’s been said that the vinegar does everything from conditioning hair to improving digestion and even helping arthritis. Lately, dog lovers have been praising its miraculous effects on their canine companions as well.
Unfortunately, these remedies have not been studied in a research setting but numerous anecdotal experiences from pet owners have shown that they may prove to be extremely effective. If you do choose to try out these remedies, always use unfiltered, unpasteurized, raw, organic apple cider vinegar to make the most of its benefits. Here are some unique ways you can use apple cider vinegar for your dogs.
1. Prevents Fleas And Ticks
The acidic environment caused by the vinegar is torture for fleas, ticks, and other insects. These pests will be gone before you know it.
How to Use This Remedy
- Mix together equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water.
- Put this in a spray bottle and spray all over your dog’s coat.
- Do not rinse.
Caution: Make sure there are no open wounds or raw skin before spraying. The vinegar can burn and cause a lot of pain to your precious pooch.
2. Soothes Itchiness
A solution of apple cider vinegar can help soothe your dog’s itchy, irritated skin. You can also use this solution specifically for your pup’s paws.
How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Itchiness
- After your dog’s bath, thoroughly wash out any shampoo.
- Use 2–3 tablespoons of the vinegar for every quart of water.
- Pour this mix over your dog, avoiding his face and eyes.
- Do not rinse again.
- Dry your dog with a towel until most of the water is gone and let him air dry.
3. Cleans Ears
If your dog has itchy ears, he may have a yeast based infection. The apple cider vinegar again creates an acidic environment in which the infection-causing bacteria cannot survive.
How To Clean Your Dog’s Ears Using Apple Cider Vinegar
- Make sure your dog’s ears are not raw, bleeding, or wounded from itching.
- Mix together equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.
- Use a cotton ball dipped in this solution to clean your dog’s ears.
- Wipe out any dirt accumulated in your dog’s ears.
- Continue to do this until no dirt appears on the cotton ball.
- Only wipe as far in as you can see.
4. Conditions Coat
Apple cider vinegar can give your canine’s coat a beautiful, sheen. Much like it helps human hair, it conditions the coat and makes it soft and luxurious
How To Condition Your Dog’s Coat With Apple Cider Vinegar
- Use an equal mix of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray this all over your dog’s coat before brushing.
Alternatively, you could also include some in your dog’s diet.
- For every 50 pounds of body weight, use 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
- Dilute this in your dog’s drinking water.
Those who have chosen to feed their dog apple cider vinegar report a reduction in fleas, itchiness and irritation, and an overall improvement in skin and fur condition.
5. Disinfects Raw Food
Pet owners who choose to feed their dogs a raw diet may be concerned about bacteria like E.coli and salmonella that can lurk on the surface of uncooked meat and vegetables. Researchers found that vinegar can help kill almost all traces of these bacteria.1
How To Disinfect Raw Food Using Apple Cider Vinegar
- When handling raw meat and veg, spray their surfaces with undiluted apple cider vinegar.
- Spray all surfaces that the meat has touched including cutting boards, counter tops, and knives.
Cautionary Note
- Your dog may have especially sensitive skin, so make sure to do a patch test with diluted apple cider vinegar on about a square inch of your dog’s skin. If your dog has no adverse reaction to this, you may go ahead and use it on the whole coat.
- Never use apple cider vinegar on your dog undiluted.
- Your dog may not take to the taste of apple cider vinegar so make sure you have a separate bowl of plain water next to their regular bowls to prevent dehydration.
- Your dog’s body may naturally be acidic or alkaline. To determine this, use a litmus test to measure their urine first thing in the morning. If the pH is above 6.5 you can safely administer the vinegar as a remedy. If it is below 6, hold off on the vinegar for a while until pH levels return to normal.
Try out the various benefits of apple cider vinegar to help your pooch live a healthier, happier life.
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