Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs

In this article, find out top 7 benefits of apple cider vinegar for your dog- from boosting your dog's digestion to preventing UTIs, it has zillion benefits. 

One of the BEST things that I have been adding to my dogs' diets is organic apple cider vinegar - unfiltered, raw and 'with the mother'; it has too many benefits which we will talk about in this article and by just simply adding a few drops to their meals you will be adding many health benefits for your dog.

Apple cider vinegar is made with apples and water and then fermented which means not only that it is safe for your dog but it is a great way to add those good, healthy gut bacteria that your dog needs for immunity and overall health. 

5 Super Health Benefits of ACV for Dogs -

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Helps Dogs with Diabetes & Sugar Balance - Apple cider vinegar is excellent for preventing blood sugar spikes and therefore is also a great addition for dogs with diabetes. This is also very important for dogs with cancer or to prevent cancer in dogs especially since apple cider vinegar aids in keeping your dog's blood sugar in check - a crucial element when it comes to cancer healing and cancer prevention in dogs. 

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Helps Dogs with UTIs and Bladder Inflammation - Apple cider vinegar also helps dogs that are prone to UTIs and bladder inflammation. It might also help with stones and also prevent blood in urine in dogs. Apple cider vinegar is antimicrobial and antibacterial so it is an excellent holistic tool in your dog's health care - it helps keep your dog's urinary system healthy. 

3. Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs Yeast Infections - Apple cider vinegar is great for preventing or healing yeast infections in dogs and very easy to use. Simply dilute apple cider vinegar with water and rinse your dog with it. If your dog has yeasty paws or inflamed paws, simply soaking your dog's paws in apple cider vinegar solution will help greatly.

4. Apple cider vinegar for preventing fleas & ticks in dogs - Apple cider vinegar is also great for preventing fleas and ticks from coming on to your dog so besides preventing yeast infections, apple cider vinegar is also a natural solution to protecting your dog from fleas and ticks. 

5. Apple cider vinegar for hot spots, itchy skin, redness, in dogs - Apple cider vinegar when diluted with water can be used to help soothe itchy skin in dogs as well as hot spots, odors and to clean build-up of soap, germs and bacteria on the dog's skin. 

6. Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs Digestive Health - Apple cider vinegar (with enzymes, pre- and probiotics) is great for your dog's digestive health. When your dog's digestion is great, your dog will have great immunity and overall health too.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar Helps Dogs with Obesity - Apple cider vinegar can help boost energy levels in dogs that are obese and/or suffer from lethargy so make sure to add some acv to your dog's bowl to keep him or her lean and fit.

Dosage -

Always dilute apple cider vinegar before feeding it to your dog - you can easily dilute apple cider vinegar by mixing it in your dog's food or just a few drops at a time in their water bowl.

The dosage I am giving you here is on the low side so it should be just perfect for your dog - you may increase it depending on your dog's needs, condition (for example, if he or she has any health issues like diabetes or cancer, etc.), and body weight.

About 1 teaspoon for dogs under 15 pounds divided in 2 meals (1/2 teaspoon in morning meal and 1/2 teaspoon in evening meal)

For medium dogs - 2 teaspoons in meals (1 teaspoon in morning meal and 1 teaspoon in evening meal)

For large dogs - 1 tablespoon in meals (1 tablespoon in morning meal and 1 tablespoon in evening meal)

I always add some organic acv to my dogs' meals or when I am done cooking their homemade food, then I add to it at the end and it is one of the best investments that I have ever made when it comes to my dogs' health..:)

Apple Cider Vinegar Doggie Bath Rinse - 

Bonus Tip -

I always rinse my dogs with apple cider vinegar plus water at the end of their baths and this helps prevent fleas and ticks as well as yeast infections, itching, odor, dryness, etc.

I do 90-10 ratio (90% water - 10% apple cider vinegar) and it has worked really well in keeping my dogs' skin beautiful, odor and flea free and super healthy and soft so give it a try - for baths, I use just the regular acv that I buy in gallon size bottle (you don't need organic one for rinses and baths).

So start this right away for your dog..:)

Precautions & Notes -

1. Never give too much apple cider vinegar to your dog - it can upset their digestion and can cause loose stools or vomiting. 

2. Dogs with kidney disease may not tolerate apple cider vinegar too well since it is acidic in nature and their kidneys may not be able to process it. You may consult a holistic vet and see if you can give apple cider vinegar to your dog or not and even then, start on the lowest dose. 

3. Apple cider vinegar is one of the best detoxifying foods out there so while supplementing your dog's diet with apple cider vinegar, make sure your dog stays hydrated and has access to water during the day.

4. Apple cider vinegar is also great at detoxifying kidneys - a key observation I have seen in all my dogs when giving them apple cider vinegar is that they tend to pee more so make sure to take your dog out several times a day and also for long walks before bed to prevent accidents while supplementing their diet with apple cider vinegar.

5. You can also just give apple cider vinegar once only, especially in the beginning until your dog's body adjusts to it - in the morning meal which means the early part of the day so that they have the whole day to adjust and pee and this will prevent any accidents too, especially during bedtime.

6. Always consult your holistic vet before giving apple cider vinegar to your dog if he or she has diabetes since it can lower their blood sugar too much especially if you are also giving diabetes medicine. 

7. Dogs allergic to apple cider vinegar should not be given apple cider vinegar ever. 

-Somyata 

Ref.(1). Ref.(2)