How much apple cider vinegar should I add to my dogs water
How much vinegar do I put in my dogs water? Tips and Tricks
How is Apple Cider Vinegar Different From Other Vinegars?
Its name comes from the Latin words vinum (which means wine) and acer (which means sour). Vinegar can be made from any liquid that contains sugar, which includes everything from fruit juice to plain sugar water. Within a few days of being exposed to air, naturally occurring or added yeasts cause the sugar to ferment, turning it into alcohol. If not interrupted, fermentation continues in response to naturally occurring or added acetic acid bacteria until all of the alcohol becomes acetic acid. This is how wine, beer, and ale are used to create wine and malt vinegars. Some vinegar factories shorten the fermentation process to just two or three days by using modern bacterial cultures and special pumps, but traditional vinegars valued for their culinary use are still made the old-fashioned way.
However its made, vinegar has a distinctive fragrance and a low pH. On the pH scale, water is neutral at 7.0, tomato juice is acid at 4.1, distilled white vinegar is more acid at 2.4, and the pH of lemon juice is 2.2. Apple cider vinegar tends to be less acidic, with a pH between 4.25 and 5.
One of the earliest known vinegars was made 5,000 years ago in Babylon from fermented dates. In ancient Rome, fermented rye, figs, grapes, and dates were popular ingredients. Todays vinegars are made from corn, barley, and other grains; grapes; apples; and other fruits.
According to the Vinegar Institute, an international trade association representing vinegar manufacturers and bottlers, worldwide vinegar sales are now approaching $225 million annually, with the fastest growth in organic vinegars. Nearly half of the vinegar sold in North America is balsamic, with red wine vinegar the next most popular at 13 percent and cider vinegar tied with rice wine vinegar at 8 percent each.
Only 1 percent of sales go to distilled white vinegar. However, distilled white (usually made from corn) and distilled apple cider are the most familiar supermarket vinegars. These inexpensive vinegars are filtered and pasteurized to make them sparkling clear. Better-quality wine, cider, or malt vinegars are often aged for years in wooden barrels to improve their flavor and left unfiltered and unpasteurized.
To vinegar connoisseurs, theres a world of difference between distilled or rapidly produced vinegar and traditionally made vinegars that are brewed slowly in small batches and aged to perfection. Some gourmet vinegars cost over $200 per 100 milliliters (about 7 tablespoons).
Traditionally made organic apple cider vinegar is widely sold and far less expensive than gourmet balsamics, but it too is valued for its culinary uses. Some popular brands, such as Bragg, Spectrum, Eden Organics, Solana Gold Organics, and Dynamic Health, are made from organic apples that are crushed to make cider, then aged in wooden barrels.
Because it is raw and unfiltered, this vinegar is not clear like distilled vinegars. Instead, it contains a dark, cloudy substance that resembles dusty cobwebs. This substance, called the mother or mother veil, consists of naturally occurring pectin and apple residues whose protein molecules are connected in strand-like chains. As the Bragg website explains, The presence of the mother shows that the best part of the apple has not been destroyed. Vinegars containing the mother contain enzymes that other vinegars may not contain due to over-processing, filtration, and overheating.
Apple cider vinegar is usually light golden brown or orange in color. While the acidity of homemade cider vinegar varies, most manufacturers maintain a 5-percent acetic acid level, which is recommended for the safe pickling and preserving of low-acid foods.
Apple Cider Vinegar for a Dogs Ears
Apple cider vinegar works by rebalancing the pH. A popular home remedy for ear infections in dogs, apple cider vinegar cleans and neutralizes bacteria when used topically.
Many dogs with skin allergies also develop ear infections. Apple cider vinegar can clean a dogs ears and rebalance the skin pH, but it will also dry out ears to combat yeast and bacterial infections. When using apple cider vinegar around your dogs ears, remember to never use it on raw or open sores since it is an acid and will burn and cause irritation. Always dilute the vinegar to at least a 50/50 mixture with water.
Use half apple cider vinegar with half purified water, soak a cotton ball, and wipe out the ears until there is no more gunk coming out of the ear. Do not pour the mixture directly in the ear canal. Some ear infections have ruptured ear drums, and if this mixture gets into the middle ear, complications like vestibular disease or exacerbation of a middle ear infection can develop. If there are any signs of sensitivity to the dog when using this dilute mixture, stop applying the mixture to the ear and seek veterinary advice.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Dogs?
When given in the right dosage, dogs that are given apple cider vinegar may benefit from a healthier gastrointestinal (GI) system, better coat quality, fewer allergy symptoms, and more. This is because apple cider vinegar helps reduce the inflammation in the body and supports the immune system by balancing pH levels.
Your dogs pH levels represent one of the most important indicators of his health. Apple cider vinegar is slightly acidic with a pH of 3.1 to 5. Since the optimal pH range for a dog is around 6-6.5, not every dog may benefit from oral ingestion of apple cider vinegar.
Many dogs have adapted to eating high-protein diets, but some processed diets that are higher in grains can cause a dogs system to be too alkaline (pH higher than 7). Diseases that can result when your dogs pH is out of the healthy range include urinary crystals, bladder stones, digestive disorders like vomiting/diarrhea, and even allergies. These dogs tend to show positive results when given apple cider vinegar, because it brings their pH down into a healthier range. This return-to-balance supports optimal digestion by increasing the stomach acid required to break-down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the food.
Beyond affecting internal chemistry, apple cider vinegar also has disinfecting and cleaning properties. Many people use vinegar as a natural cleaning product, but it can also be used to treat topical issues like skin allergies and ear infections in your dog. Read on to learn more about how to administer it safely and potential side effects to look out for.
The Vinegar Rinse on Dogs Coats
Apple cider vinegar is a versatile health tonic. Packed with a powerful flavor punch, this elixir works well in homemade salad dressings, juices, and wellness shots and has big benefits for both humans and dogs.
Apple cider vinegar for dogs: benefits vs. risks
Is apple cider vinegar safe for dogs?
Yes, ACV is safe for dogs in small doses, just make sure to dilute your apple cider vinegar the right amount, generally 50/50 with water for topical uses and mixing it with drinking water or food for dietary uses. Follow the recommended oral dosage based on your pups weight.
Are there any risks or side effects?
Some dogs can have an allergic reaction to apple cider vinegar, so its important to watch for signs of irritation on their skin. A sudden intake of the acidic ACV can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other digestion problems. When taken internally, start with small amounts and monitor your dog for signs that they cant tolerate it.
What kind of apple cider vinegar should you buy?
When buying apple cider vinegar for yourself or your dog, its best to look for raw, organic, and undiluted apple cider vinegar with the mother included. This ensures that what you get is free of pesticides that can be harmful when ingested or used topically.
How much apple cider vinegar can I give my dog?
Oftentimes, vets base an ACV dosage recommendation on the dogs weight. Review our recommended dosage chart above for guidelines on whats a safe amount to offer your dog according to their size.
The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs
Home / BeWell / The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs
Apple cider vinegar has long been used as an ingredient in recipes, but did you know apple cider vinegar may offer benefits to boost a dogs health as well?
If youre unfamiliar with the benefits of apple cider vinegar for dogs and how to use it, were here to help. We spoke with a vet expert about the ins and outs of offering their dog apple cider vinegar.
Click to jump to each section:
Apple Cider Vinegar Is Safe for Dogsin Moderation
Before we get into the benefits, its important to note that, yes, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is considered safe for dogsas long as its used in moderation.
While it doesnt contain any harsh ingredients, too much apple cider vinegar can irritate your dogs stomach, says Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM, a practicing veterinarian in Georgia.
The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs
To keep ear infections at bay, its important to ensure our dogs' ears are clean. For pet parents who love holistic care, using apple cider vinegar for dogs ears is an option. Thats because ACVs properties may help slow growth of bacteria and yeast in the ears, says Dr. Alleyne.
It just needs to be used in moderation to avoid additional irritation in the ears, he adds.
Again, ACV is not an ear infection home remedy and should be used as a preventative only.
Here are tips to using ACV as an ear infection preventative:
- Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and distilled water, and wipe down your dogs ears.
- If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, however, promptly schedule a vet appointment to have the infection treated professionally before starting a preventive regime.
Bathing a dog with ACV may help with certain skin irritations such as hot spots, according to Dr. Alleyne. And according to a 2018 study published in Scientific Reports, apple cider vinegar does have many antibacterial properties.
However, ACV is not meant to treat serious skin conditions, and you should take your dog to the vet if you have concerns.
Here are tips to using ACV as a dog shampoo:
- ACV should be diluted with water. Mix equal parts ACV with water (1:1). This helps prevent skin irritations.
- Before application, check your dogs skin for open wounds of notable size. If you see any, do not apply ACV and call your vet.
ACV is not an effective flea treatment. It can, however, be used as a flea repellant. Because apple cider vinegar has such a strong smell, it does have the ability to repel fleas.
That being said, it may be more trouble than its worth. The problem is that the longevity of effectiveness after application is very short, Dr. Alleyne explains. Therefore, frequent applications may be required, which may not be practical.
Here are some tips to using apple cider vinegar as a flea repellant:
- Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- For dogs with sensitive skin, test a small area first to make sure there isnt a reaction.
- Avoid spraying your dogs face.
As to whether ACV is an effective supplement, while there has been a lot of anecdotal evidence from pet owners that ACV can improve certain health conditions, there hasn't been much definitive scientific evidence to support this, Dr. Alleyne says.
Still, because its generally not harmful when used in moderation, many pet parents believe adding apple cider vinegar to their dogs water or food as a natural remedy or as a preventative provides health benefits.
As far as how much ACV to offer your pup, that depends on their size. Here are Dr. Alleyne's guidelines:
- Small to medium dogs: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon daily
- Larger dogs: 1/2 to 1 tablespoon daily
What Kind of ACV Should I Give My Dog?
Use organic and unfiltered ACV. Thats the best kind of ACV product to use, per Dr. Alleyne.
The product needs to be all natural to minimize side effects, he says.
Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar seems to be popular among pet parents.
The most common way to give your pup apple cider vinegar is to add the recommended amount to your dogs water.
While its not going to cure any serious ailments, there are still benefits of apple cider vinegar for dogs and it may be worth a try. If youre big on natural options for Fido, you might want to consider these vet-recommended natural dog foods.More Pet-Safe Natural Remedies:
