Vinegar has been used for centuries for body care and as a cleaning product for the home. Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it is a preservative, disinfectant and a natural source of nutrients. Plus, it's a great supplement that you can add to your faithful friend's diet as well, as it improves digestive health, keeps parasites in check, and frees skin and ears from possible infections. Although modern medicine does not recognize this product as a wonder drug, most veterinarians recommend its use, albeit in moderation. However, be aware that apple cider vinegar does not guarantee an immediate result nor does it rule out possible side effects.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Wash the Dog with Apple Cider Vinegar
Step 1. Prepare a rinse solution to improve the skin and coat of your faithful friend
After bathing him, rub the vinegar all over his fur. By doing this you make the hair shiny and bright, in addition to the fact that the vinegar also acts as a deodorant. Do not follow this method, however, if the skin is dry, has open wounds, or is otherwise irritated.
This treatment is useful when the dog feels itchy
Step 2. Clean your four-legged friend's ears with apple cider vinegar
The antibacterial properties of this product make it perfect for cleaning your dog's ears, because it prevents possible infections and removes parasites thanks to its repellent action. Dip a cotton ball or clean cloth in the vinegar and rub the pet's ear as gently as possible.
Step 3. Sprinkle vinegar on the fur to keep fleas away
If your dog spends a lot of time playing outside during the summer, vinegar keeps fleas away. Make a 50% solution of water and apple cider vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. spray the dog's coat with this mixture once a week. While there is no scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness as a flea repellent, its acidic flavor is still capable of blocking these and other parasites.
If your dog doesn't like being sprayed, soak a towel in the mixture and rub the pet's fur. At the end it is not necessary to rinse it; when the hair dries, the smell of the vinegar disappears
Step 4. Bathe your dog with a soap and apple cider vinegar solution
If the pet has a flea infestation, you can get rid of it by using a mixture of soapy water and vinegar. Soapy water kills fleas, while vinegar prevents them from returning. Prepare the mixture by putting 60 ml of dish soap, 2 liters of water and the same amount of apple cider vinegar.
- Wear gloves and a long-sleeved garment. Before starting your dog treatment, it is important to protect your skin from possible flea bites. Make sure you always work outdoors when dealing with fleas and ticks.
- Wash your dog with this solution, making sure the mixture does not get into his eyes. Make sure you cover all the fur and use your fingers to massage the solution into the skin. You have to create a nice lather if you want to kill the fleas. Leave the product to act for 10 minutes; if the infestation is quite severe, prepare as much of the mixture and do a second treatment.
Step 5. Use a special flea comb to remove these parasites from the fur
Carefully comb all of your dog's coat, section by section, to remove live fleas and their eggs. Dip the comb in a bowl of soapy water, which drowns the fleas on contact alone. You should be able to remove them easily from the dog's coat, thanks to the repellent action of the vinegar solution.
Step 6. Rinse the animal
Once the treatment is finished, remove all traces of soap and dead fleas from the dog. Finish by spraying his fur with a 50% solution of water and vinegar.
Part 2 of 3: Treatments
Step 1. Improve your furry friend's overall health by using apple cider vinegar twice a week
If you give it frequently, you can keep its skin and fur healthier, as well as keep fleas in check. To administer vinegar, simply add a teaspoon of it to the water bowl twice a week.
Keep in mind that the effects of apple cider vinegar are different for each specimen. There is no scientific evidence to indicate its effectiveness in improving dog health; sometimes some results could be a direct consequence of a placebo effect
Step 2. Take care of your pet's digestive problems
If your dog has a variety of digestive disorders, such as constipation or diarrhea, you can use apple cider vinegar every day. Add a teaspoon to a large bowl of water every day. In this way, by administering it regularly and consistently, the episodes of diarrhea should be reduced and the constipation should resolve.
- If the dog is large in size, you can give him apple cider vinegar twice a day. If he weighs more than 23 kg, give him 2 teaspoons a day.
- If your pet's symptoms don't improve after a week, take him to the vet to assess the need for more effective care.
Step 3. Make a mixture of apple cider vinegar with some substance that your dog likes
If you notice that he just can't stand the taste or smell of vinegar, you shouldn't force him to drink it at all costs. Instead, consider mixing it with food, or create a special treat by mixing it with a teaspoon of peanut butter.
Part 3 of 3: Learn about Apple Vinegar
Step 1. Know its benefits
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that are important for your pet's skin, ears, and digestive system. It also acts on the dog's internal pH level, making his body less hospitable to fleas. Regularly giving apple cider vinegar to your four-legged friend improves the health of their skin and internal organs.
- Having a good pH level is an important aspect. If the urine and also the outer layer of skin / fur are a little more acidic, there is less chance that parasites (fleas, ticks, bacteria, worms, fungi, staph, strep, pneumococcus) and mange will infest the dog; apple cider vinegar can meet these needs.
- Opponents of the use of this vinegar claim that there is no scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness in controlling fleas. In addition, he states that the benefits of an apple cider vinegar bath are more likely to come from regular grooming with the flea comb and proper cleaning and care of the surrounding environment, rather than directly from the flea comb. vinegar.
Step 2. Know the risks associated with using apple cider vinegar
Know that it can cause burning if applied to skin wounds or sores. Make sure you don't put it on the skin if there are any lesions. If you decide to have a flea treatment with this product, be aware that if there is an irritation caused by the parasites, the dog will likely experience a burning sensation.
- Bladder stones can form after prolonged use of apple cider vinegar, as it is an acidic substance that lowers the pH of your furry friend's urine. When the urine is too acidic, it can cause calcium oxalate bladder stones, because this element is the precipitate of the apple cider vinegar solution. Potentially these stones could block the urethra (the tube through which urine flows), limiting the dog's proper urination. If your pet suffers from this problem, you need to get him treated right away, as it is a serious situation that requires surgery.
- It is not recommended to give apple cider vinegar to a dog that has a previous history of oxalate-compound vesicular stones. Theoretically, you should check the pH of his urine using a specific kit. The pH, to be normal, should be between 6, 2 and 6, 4, therefore, if the test indicates a more acidic pH (below the value of 6, 2), you should stop using apple cider vinegar until the level returns to normal.
Step 3. Choose the best apple cider vinegar
You can find various industrial brands and organic products on the market. Go for the latter solution. The most suitable type to use for your purpose is the fermented and unfiltered one, also called "raw". This version contains a cloudy substance called the "mother" of vinegar, which contains healthy enzymes and minerals.
