How often do I put apple cider vinegar in my dogs water

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.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Fleas in Pets

98 User Reviews

Posted by Rachel (Corpus Christi, TX)on 08/16/2023

I have given the raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar to both cats and dogs. I started giving some to my cats daily in their moist food. One cat that always has fleas worse than others seems to be flea free. She always has little scabs and flea droppings on her fur. She has no scabs or fleas that I can see. This has been my experience.

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by denise (skowhegan maine)on 11/08/2021

I hope to get my Pitt girl into an Apple Cider Vinegar bath today! The fleas have calmed down just a little more, so I will also mix up a batch in a spray bottle. They've probaly just calmed down because of their cycle so I will have to be diligent about spraying her. I will say if it wasnt for the flea traps it would be absolutely more horrible than it is. I know because before I got the traps I was totally infested-and I believe she picked them up when I started taking her to the groomers. I'm not affiliated with these traps at all, but if I didn't have them, she and I would be in a world of big hurt. I have one in every room and it catches fleas like crazy and any other bug that tries to think about taking over my home. I cant have pans of water all around with a light bulb-I already tried that method -although it does have some success.

Replied by NES (Florida)11/28/2022

Replied by Graeme (Queensland Australia)12/30/2023

Replied by Katzie (Cancun, Mexico)01/11/2024

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by JLG (Williamsburg VA)on 10/09/2021

We have used ACV baths when we rescue kittens and cats that are infested with fleas and Dawn and flea shampoo is not working.

We dilute it and let them soak in the water for about 5 minutes and just watch the fleas float or try to run off the cats but we are normally getting them with the flea combs.

The mixture is usually 1/2 cup to 1 quart warm water and letting the cats soak or walk in it using a cup to get the water over the head down their chin, cheeks and using my thumbs to get it under their eyes and top of their nose to ensure no runaway fleas.

We found this as a trick when we rescued the 7 week old kittens infested with fleas and no way to use flea shampoo, capstar or revolution and Dawn was not working.

Replied by Kelly M.

(Sallisaw OK)

05/30/2022

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Twyoung (Englewood Nj)on 10/26/2018

I saw about 3 fleas on my white coat pitbull mix, I did the mixture of ACV & water & instantly fleas were jumping off. I will continue. Thank you

Replied by

Karen

(Gloucestershire, England)

11/05/2018

1 posts

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Mitzy G. (Texas)on 08/26/2018

I tried many otc remedies for fleas on my dog. None kept them off. Then I remembered my Mom used AC vinegar for bugs! Duh! I mixed Apple Cider Vinegar half and half with water and sprayed my dog. Relief at last no scratching and biting! Vinegar is very cheap and isn't harmful to animals or humans. I continue to spray her every morning with no return of fleas.

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Brenda (Florida)on 02/12/2018

I have 3 cats even Advantage 2 wasn't working I sprayed them down with a solution of water, Apple Cider Vinegar and dawn. Fleas died instantly and their fur is so soft

Replied by Cam (North Carolina)09/04/2018

Replied by Janet (St. Augustine, FL)02/14/2022

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Elwy (Atlanta)on 11/05/2017 2 posts

I tried ACV and although it did repel the fleas as soon as the smell was gone the fleas came back. My dog is on Lufernuron, it's a capsule that destroys the waxy material (Chitin) flea coat is made out of. Once the Chitin is destroyed the fleas are exposed then you can easily kill them. I also use Nitenpyram the generic of Capstar (money is tight) these kill the fleas in 24hrs, I will use 1 tablet a week until my infestation is gone. Along with that I have been vacuuming along with other products for the carpet and furniture.

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Kathie (Struthers, Ohio)on 09/25/2017

If I could give zero stars, I would. I sprayed me poor baby with the 1/2 and 1/2 mixture. Didn't work. Watched the video and followed to the letter bathing instructions. Said you would see fleas coming off the animal. So not true. My poor baby is still scratching and biting. Taking him to the vet to get taken care of once and for all. ACV doesn't cost a lot of money. Still, don't waste yours.

Replied by

Maggie

(Idaho)

09/26/2017

36 posts

Replied by Ziggy (Denmark West Australia)10/10/2017

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Barbie (Garden Grove, Ca)on 04/08/2017

ACV for cats - I remembered earth clinic from a lady I rented from so I researched for my cat who has fleas and other issues. I give a five star plus because she immediately felt better as I sprayed a lil at a time I saw larva leave her tail. I also had some my stomach issue clearing up. Thank you so much. It works it really does

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Katrina (Ohio)on 10/28/2016

Apple cider vinegar for fleas. It works 5 stars. I have been dying from the infestation of fleas on my two cats( below the age of 5 months) they were fine! Gave regular baths as needed in dawn dish soap, was seeming to work. Than boom 2 weeks later no bathing took place my whole upstairs became infested. (Not to mention downstairs my mother in-laws pooch under 3 pounds is also covered). I tried everything from lemon juice flea combing with lemon juice and water. Blah no real results but for maybe a couple hours. Boom infested once again! Mind u I havent bombed yet! I recommend if you choose to bomb to do an extra bomb for each room IF you are infested and when airing out the house remain gone an additional hour. Anyways. 'Ive tried everything to no avail. Than I tried spraying them with Apple cider vinegar. Worked like magic. I did find though that mixing it with water and dawn worked well. But I prefer it straight, my cats didn't mind it and it worked in seconds! Please consider trying it!

Replied by Bordergirl (Sw Oklahoma)07/12/2017

Replied by Bonny (Ellsworth Ks)07/24/2017

Replied by Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

(Mpls., Mn)

07/25/2017

Replied by J (Fl)05/09/2021

Janet (Florida)02/12/2022

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Matthew (Onamia, Mn)on 10/01/2016

Well lately I have been using apple cider vinegar as a spray to help with my 2 dogs, but it seems it only relieves there scratching and chewing for a few hours and see no signs of the fleas going away. Heck I even clean the house everyday and they still get them really bad (used the baking soda/salt trick) and giving them baths every other day to 3 days.

The only ACV we got is the plain stuff you get at the store, and I don't see an organic brand in our grocery store.

Replied by Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

(Mpls., Mn)

10/01/2016

Replied by lorraine (Australia)02/05/2024

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Linata (Ohio)on 09/24/2016

I used apple cider vinegar on a little kitten that was covered in fleas but too young for traditional flea medicine. It worked perfectly. Now my kitten is happy and flea free. I used a 1/2 apple cider vinegar + 1/2 water solution.

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Terryann (Springfield, Oregon)on 07/16/2016

I spray my dog every single time we go outside or go walk and fleas jump right on him even when he is still wet with ACV/water spray. I am beside myself he has a flea allergy. It is ruining our lives, no exaggeration. I spend most of my time fighting fleas. Please help?

Replied by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia)07/16/2016

Replied by Terryann (Springfield, Oregon)07/16/2016

Replied by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia)07/17/2016

Replied by Loly (Florida)07/17/2016

Sgt. B (Folsom, Louisiana)09/23/2020

Replied by Terry Journey (Springfield, Or)07/17/2016

Replied by Terryjourney (Springfield, Or)07/17/2016

Replied by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia)07/18/2016

angela (miami)02/03/2022

Replied by Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

(Mpls., Mn)

07/19/2016

Replied by Lori (Southern Cali)08/11/2016

Replied by Linny (Norristown, Pa)08/25/2016

Replied by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia)08/27/2016

Replied by Jeanie (California)09/09/2016

Replied by Bess (Delaware)09/17/2016

Replied by Rosangela (Florida)09/28/2016

Replied by Christine (Pa)10/26/2016

Replied by Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

(Mpls., Mn)

10/28/2016

Replied by Christine (Pa)11/04/2016

Replied by Mary

(Wing, Al)

02/04/2017

Replied by Littlewing (Boston)03/20/2017

Replied by Adelle (Oh)03/29/2017

Replied by Magnoliacreole (Florida)07/07/2017

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Replied by Linda (North Bend, Oregon)08/17/2017

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Crystal (Al)on 07/14/2016

I just have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer. I have both dogs and cats in my home. They all have fleas and we have been using the flea control stuff from the vet and it isn't working. I find this site and was wondering what's the difference between OACV and ACV? I have a bottle of ACV and I'm wondering if the ACV will work just as well as OACV on my pets to get rid of fleas. Thanks

EC: Hi Crystal,

OACV - organic apple cider vinegar. Most people on this site use organic acv for themselves or their pets if they can find it.

Replied by Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

(Mpls., Mn)

07/14/2016

Replied by

Patricia

(Downsville)

07/15/2016

42 posts

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Patricia

(Downsville)

07/16/2016

42 posts

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Replied by

Barbara

(Aiken, South Carolina)

07/18/2016

23 posts

Replied by Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

(Mpls., Mn)

07/18/2016

Replied by Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

(Mpls., Mn)

07/19/2016

Replied by Suseeq (Sydney Australia)07/19/2016

Replied by

Patricia

(Downsville, New York)

07/22/2016

42 posts

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Replied by Julie (Ohio)07/29/2016

Replied by Adrienne (Usa)08/17/2017

Replied by Amy P (Dekalb)11/16/2017

Replied by Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

About Theresa

Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

-----------------------------

How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation

If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Bobo-home/1409993732632080?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

http://ted.earthclinic.com

(Mpls., Mn)

11/17/2017

Apple Cider Vinegar Posted by Christina (Council Bluffs, Ia)on 07/06/2016

ACV works great for fleas. I tried apple cider vinegar on my 2 boxers and German Shepard and it works wonders. Plus I sprayed my furniture and all carpeted areas - super great!