Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs - How Can it Help
13.07.2021.
Apple cider vinegar has different uses, and if you are a dog owner, having some at home is probably a good idea. Many experienced owners know having apple cider vinegar will be a life-saver on many occasions, and it will help take care of your dog when you are missing proper equipment. Before we get to the practical apple cider vinegar uses, here are some things you should know.
What type of apple cider vinegar to look for?
Since you will be using this product on your dog, apple cider vinegar for dogs should be of the highest possible quality. Look for organic apple cider vinegar that doesn’t contain any pesticides or chemicals that could be harmful to you and your dog.
The second thing to look for is raw apple cider vinegar for dogs. If the vinegar is raw, that means it wasn’t pasteurized. No pasteurization means the beneficial enzymes are still alive and kicking when you apply the apple cider vinegar to your dog.
How to spot the difference between raw and processed vinegar?
The easiest way to spot the difference between the raw and the processed apple cider vinegar is the “mother.” You can spot it on the bottom of the apple cider vinegar bottle. The “mother” looks like a blob of a spider web.
What is the mother?
The mother is simply a term manufacturers use to call the bacteria and yeast used in the process of creating apple cider vinegar. It will give the vinegar a cloudy appearance, and at first, you might think it is something dirty in it. However, that is something you’d want to see in your apple cider vinegar.
Here are some of the apple cider vinegar for dogs uses;
1. Ear cleaner
If you don’t have a recommended dog ear cleaner, your apple cider vinegar can help. If you noticed your dog’s ears are dirty and itchy, you could clean them with apple cider vinegar. Never pour the vinegar in your dog’s ear. Instead, use a piece of cotton or soft fabric that can absorb the vinegar and gently clean your dog’s ear. You shouldn’t use only apple cider vinegar to clean your dog’s ears; you should prepare a solution. Use 50% water and 50% ACV.
2. Itchy skin
If you notice your dog is itching like crazy, especially in a specific spot, you can use the magical apple cider vinegar to help them. Use the same solution you prepared for the ear cleaning, and start rubbing. Dogs have a unique talent for getting into trouble, and it is not uncommon they get stung by some poison ivy or develop a yeast infection. Luckily, apple cider vinegar can help with that. You can even put tiny bits of it into your dog’s kibble or water.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Never use apple cider vinegar on an open wound. It will burn your dog, and it will not speed up the healing process.
3. Flea and tick prevention
The apple cider vinegar acidity is very unappealing to the tiny parasites that often bug our dogs. Fleas and ticks hate it, and during the height of tick season, you can spray your dog with the 50% apple cider solution. Even if you keep your dog neat and clean, they can pick up these nasty little parasites outside or while playing with other dogs. If you want to know more about ticks, check out this article - How to spot tick bites on your dog?
4. Stain and odor remover
Being a dog owner means dealing with many stains and unpleasant odors. It is something most dog owners are used to, and we simply accept our dogs come with some “downsides.” This is especially true while your dog is still a puppy, and you are still teaching them everything they need to know, like potty training. The good news is - apple cider vinegar can be an effective odor and stain remover. All you have to do is prepare an ACV solution with a 1:3 ratio with water. You can even spray the area your dog sleeps in, and that should reduce the nasty odors dogs can leave behind them.
In conclusion
Apple cider vinegar for dogs is very useful. It can be used for different things at your home, and you should always have a bottle at your disposal. Make sure you get raw, organic apple cider vinegar and avoid pesticides and chemicals that can be harmful to your dog. Before you decide to use ACV on your dog, you should talk to your vet and ask for their opinion.
World Dog Finder team
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