How to Bathe a Dog in Apple Cider Vinegar

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How to Bathe a Dog in Apple Cider Vinegar

Medium

15 - 45 Minutes

4 Weeks

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Introduction

You do not have to visit pet stores for expensive shampoos and flea repellants. Apple cider vinegar has many properties used for washing, refreshing, relieving hotspots, soothing dry, itchy skin, and even to stop your dog from licking his skin or paws incessantly. In the bath or out of the bath, apple cider vinegar can also be used to clean out your dog’s ears and help prevent or assist in healing a yeast infection. Giving your dog an apple cider bath is easy to do and can benefit your dog externally as well as internally. When used in the water or even a spray bottle, apple cider vinegar can also help to repel fleas.

Dog's Perspective

The soothing enzymes in apple cider vinegar can provide comfort for your dog’s skin unless the skin is broken. If your dog has irritated hot spots or itchy flea bites that are open, dilute the apple cider vinegar to avoid a stinging sensation. Also, remember a treat or two never hurt during or after a much-needed bath.

The Vinegar Rinse Method

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Shampoo

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Step

Prepare

Prepare a warm bathroom and towel for bath time for your dog. Have apple cider vinegar on hand in the bathroom ready for mixing with warm water for a rinse.

Step

Wash dog

Give your dog a normal bath using your usual shampoo. You can also take a homeopathic approach and use natural products for cleaning your dog during his bath. Wash well, massaging the skin with the suds of the dog wash.

Step

Rinse

When it is time to rinse the dog shampoo or wash off your dog’s skin, use a mixture of warm water and apple cider vinegar for rinsing. If possible, mix together using a bowl or cup to rinse your dog with one part apple cider vinegar to five parts water. If you cannot mix to the ratios beforehand, add apple cider vinegar to a bowl or cup as you rinse. Just be sure to use water and vinegar together to rinse.

Step

Massage

As you rinse with warm water and vinegar, rub your dog down to move the apple vinegar through your dog’s fur and into his skin.

Step

Rinse again

Give your dog a quick second rinsing with clear warm water to get any vinegar scent out of your dog’s fur. Use this rinse to get off any residue from the vinegar and shampoo.

Step

Dry

Once your dog is washed and double rinsed with water and apple cider vinegar and then water again, towel dry him. Use the towel to squeeze any excess water out of his fur. If his skin is irritated, do not rub the skin with the towel, let his skin air dry as much as possible.

Step

Comb or brush

If you are using apple cider vinegar to tackle a flea problem, you may want to use a flea comb to get out any fleas. The apple cider vinegar and bath will draw fleas to the surface, making them easy to comb out. Even if you are not fighting fleas on your dog, brush him out after his apple cider vinegar bath.

The Flea Bath Method

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Step

Prepare

Protect yourself from fleas wanting to get away by wearing long rubber gloves as you wash your dog in the apple cider flea dip you prepare. Mix two parts warm water with two parts apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup to a half cup of dish soap into a tub in preparation for your dog’s bath.

Step

Dip and bathe

Put your dog in the bath water and rub the water mixture all over your dog’s fur. Try to cover as much of your dog with the solution as you can.

Step

Lather

Your water should be sudsy enough to work up a lather on your dog. Avoid getting the soapy apple cider vinegar water in your dog’s eyes, but do not avoid his face. If he has live fleas, they will move to safer places such as the face if it is not covered in the apple cider solution.

Step

Sit

Attend to your dog while he stays as deep as he can in the solution for ten minutes. During this time, you can use a flea comb to comb out any fleas coming to the surface. You can also take this time to offer your annoyed pup a treat for tolerating such a long bath.

Step

Rinse

Rinse your dog with warm clear water to remove the soap and remaining fleas. To help repel future fleas, rinse your dog again in a clear water and apple cider vinegar blend.

Step

Spray

Mix apple cider vinegar and water in a glass spray bottle to treat any fleas you see after your dog’s apple cider vinegar flea dip.

Step

Dry

Towel dry your dog and brush his fur. Use the flea comb again to pull out any more fleas.

Caution & Considerations

Apple cider vinegar has many benefits and can be added to food and water for internal use as well.
Apple cider vinegar is all natural and contains tannins, digestive aids, and enzymes good for a number of ailments.
If your dog has hot spots or open scratches or sores from itching or wounds, dilute the apple cider vinegar to avoid the feeling of stinging for your pup.
You can also fill a glass spray bottle with apple cider vinegar and water to spot clean small areas of your dog’s skin. This can help with irritated areas your dog licks constantly or to spray paws to keep the dog from licking.
Apple cider vinegar can relieve itching when used in baths or in a spray bottle. If your dog is battling dry or itchy skin, apple cider baths can soothe that itch and also fight the itch by healing the skin or helping rid the skin of whatever is causing discomfort.
You can pour apple cider vinegar and water onto a paper towel or soft cloth and use it to clean out your dog’s ears. Apple cider vinegar ear washes help to rid your dog of yeast infections.

Conclusion

Don’t worry about fleas, stench, or dry, itching skin. Use nature’s cureall to give your pup a paw-tastic apple cider vinegar bath that won’t irritate the skin like chemical shampoos can. Rinse off the vinegar smell and get rid of the fleas in your pup’s coat. You’ll have a happy dog who gives you a round of a-paws for your love and care.

How to Bathe a Dog in Apple Cider Vinegar

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Vinegar Rinse Method

The Flea Bath Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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