Use Apple Cider Vinegar a friend of mine said when they seen my little Annie scratching herself. I was a little skeptic on if it would actually work and what the proper solution would be. So I started my researching – I don’t want to harm my baby girl.
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help Hot Spots On Dogs?
I can’t find any scientific studies that either prove or disprove benefits of apple cider vinegar for dogs.
Since hot spots = bacterial infection and your dog may have an open wound or raw skin you can probably imagine, putting vinegar, even diluted vinegar, onto broken skin is going to sting like fire. So make sure they don’t have any open wounds before trying this on your pet.
What Are Hot Spots?
Almost anything that causes skin irritation or itchiness can result in a hot spot.
Hot spots are painful lesions on dogs’ skin.
They begin with a small break in the skin, caused by a bite from a flea or mite, an allergic reaction, or a scratch.
When bacteria (which otherwise might have existed harmlessly on the surface of the skin) get into the break, they begin to explode in numbers, causing inflammation and itching.
Once started, the skin only gets itchier, and unfortunately scratching further aggravates hot spots.
I read that Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties like all vinegar’s and it can help kill some of the microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
Apple cider vinegar not only addresses many of the root causes of hot spots, but also helps relieve general skin irritation and itchiness. If you catch then before they have an open wounds.
I’ve been reading up on what others say with the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and came across these 7 pet pointers
- just 1 tsp organic ACV to your pet’s water bowl is good for your pet’s coat and for cleansing inner body of toxins, helps regulate digestion and pectin helps keep intestines healthy.
- It will help to dissolve fats. ACV is a great way to help keep pets fit and trim gradually and safely.
- Research shows healthful vitamins in this natural remedy helps undo damage done by sunlight and pollutants.
- Helps fight cancer, heart disease and helps slow ageing process.
- Stop pet rash and itch – When purchasing ACV, look for an organic brand that is unpasteurized and contains ‘the mother’ (cloudy sediment). on irritated areas (make sure they have no open wounds) spray or pat on ACV twice a day. ACV can sting, so dilute it with water, one part ACV to three parts water. Apply the ACV to a cotton ball and dab it on the affect area. Do this multiple times per day.
- Fight fleas, ticks and mites: flea collars and sprays are toxic! Instead use 1 tsp organic ACV to your pet’s water bowl, dab on skin and swab ears if mites
- helps relieve bladder stones in dogs
In certain cases, adding vinegar to a dog’s food could aggravate an already-existing problem in the body.”
Simply because something is “natural” does not mean that there won’t be effects in addition to the intended result.
Are adverse side effects likely? If a dog is allergic to vinegar, he might vomit, scratch furiously, or have a similarly obvious reaction. Although there is much debate on this issue, some believe that vinegar may worsen chronic ear infections. Long term use of ACV on dogs who are sensitive to it has been associated with tooth decay and bone deterioration. Too much could also inflame a dog’s mouth and esophagus.
“You have to apply common sense,” says Sue Ann Lesser, D.V.M. “Most dogs are notoriously over-alkaline, and cider vinegar will help them. If a dog’s system is overly acidic, you’ll see clinical signs, such as obvious symptoms of illness. I know quite a few dogs that take cider vinegar according to the directions in Wendy Volhard’s book, and I don’t know of any that have had bad results.”
In her book The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog, author Wendy Volhard recommends using pH paper strips to check the dog’s first morning urine. “If it reads anywhere from 6.2 to 6.5, your dog’s system is exactly where it should be,” and no ACV is needed, she says. “But if it is 7.5 or higher, the diet you are feeding is too alkaline, and apple cider vinegar will reestablish the correct balance.”
The bottom line on apple cider vinegar for dogs
So, there’s no scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar is good for dogs. But plenty of dog owners will testify that apple cider has helped their dogs. Are they right or wrong?
Well, they could be right. Just because apple cider vinegar cures aren’t backed up by science yet, doesn’t mean they don’t work.
The good news is including apple cider vinegar as part of your dog’s diet isn’t likely to hurt him … but it’s also unclear just how much apple cider for dogs will help. As with any natural, alternative or holistic veterinary remedies, it all comes back to personal choice — and checking with your vet to make sure your choices are safe for your dog. And if you choose to use apple cider vinegar for dogs, never give it undiluted. Always dilute it with water.
Surely when we treat our pets, we’re capable of being totally objective about whether they’re working? Not so!
7 Different Home Remedies – If you think apple cider vinegar is not for you and your pooch.
If your dog is suffering from itchy skin due to dry skin or a minor skin irritation, you can try some of these home remedies to bring him some relief.
Prior to applying any kind of natural remedy to your pet’s skin, make sure the area is clean using warm (not hot) water.
| Olive Oil | Olive oil it contains lots of healthy fats that keep the skin and coat healthy. |
| Oatmeal | Oatmeal is a great soothing agent for the skin. Put some warm water in the bathtub and put in a cup or more of oatmeal. Pour this over your dog’s skin. |
| Epsom Salt | Just fill up the bathtub with warm water, add some Epsom salt, and place the dog in the bath. Do not allow your dog to drink the water, however, since Epsom salt should not be ingested. |
| Aloe Vera Gel | Only use commercially produced aloe vera gel: do not apply straight from the aloe leaf, as this is harmful to your dog if he licks it. Pure aloe contains saponins, which is toxic if ingested. |
| Vitamin E | Break open capsules and apply the oil directly to the dog’s skin. |
| Coconut Oil | Another great antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal remedy! Use unrefined, cold-pressed, organic coconut oil. Apply coconut oil to a cotton ball and dab on affected area multiple times per day. |
| Colloidal Silver | A natural antibiotic, killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Apply the colloidal silver by spraying it directly on the area or on to a cotton ball and dab on the affected area multiple times per day. Use colloidal silver in liquid or gel form. |
Tell us: Have you tried giving your dog apple cider vinegar? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
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