How to Bathe a Dog in Apple Cider Vinegar
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Introduction
You don’t have to visit pet stores for expensive shampoos and flea repellants. Apple cider vinegar can help prevent body odor and relieve itchy skin. When used in water or even a spray bottle, apple cider vinegar can also help to repel fleas.
In 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.
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.
Unsure of the best way to bathe your fur-baby? Book an online dog groomer through Wag!.
The Vinegar Rinse Method
The Flea Bath Method
Caution & Considerations
- Apple cider vinegar has many benefits and is safe for dogs to ingest.
- 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, dilute the apple cider vinegar to avoid causing any stinging.
- 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 them 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 by cleansing the skin.
- 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 or dry, itchy skin. An apple cider vinegar bath is effective at removing body odor and soothing your dog’s irritated skin. Apple cider vinegar solution won’t kill fleas, but it’s an effective repellant.
Success Stories and Grooming Questions
Grooming Questions & Answers
Contact dermatist itchy dry patchy skin
Would weekly Apple cider vinegar with water bath be ok.
0 Dog owners recommended
Hello and thank you for your question about Snoozie. Is Snoozie being treated by the veterinarian for the contact dermatitis? The vet can best answer your question but I do think that apple cider vinegar may be harsh on the skin; I would try an oatmeal bath with tepid to just slightly warm water (hot water can irritate). Grind 2 cups oatmeal and add to the bath. After bathing, rinse well and gently towel dry. The excess oatmeal can be brushed out once the fur is dry. As for frequency, I would ask your vet if they agree on the oatmeal bath, and how often they think the bath will help. Good luck with Snoozie!
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How often is safe to give a dog an apple cider vinegar rinse?
0 Dog owners recommended
Hi there, Uzi is sweet! I would use the apple cider vinegar rinse only occasionally. Some dogs will experience dry and irritated skin if a vinegar rinse is used too much. In my opinion, once or twice a month at the most, after using a veterinarian recommended shampoo. All the best with Uzi!
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Can I add apple cider vinegar to her shampoo to get rid of fleas?
0 Dog owners recommended
Hello, due to Baby's age, I would recommend you take her to the vet. Fleas can cause problems as they are carriers of parasites and disease. It is very difficult to eradicate them from the home also, unless you have the proper products and advice to follow. Fleas reproduce quickly and the eggs hatch just about anywhere. The vet can help you solve this health issue quickly and with less discomfort to Baby. Be careful using anything like apple cider vinegar on such a young dog, to be on the safe side. We also have an option "ask a vet" here, if you'd like to ask about it before talking with your own vet: https://wagwalking.com/wag-health. All the best to little Baby!
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Grooming Success Stories
My dog had a continuous yeast infection between the pads of her feet and along with my veterinarian, I had tried antibiotic and topical treatments but it never quite went away. One day I tried a solution of Listerine and water. I mixed 1/2 cup of regular Listerine and to 1 1/2 cups of water and stored it in a sealed tub. Then twice daily I soaked her feet for about five minutes. I refreshed the solution every three days. Within two weeks the yeast infection had disappeared and has never returned. I told my veterinarian and he said the alcohol in the Listerine probably did the trick and he was going to recommend it to a few clients to try.
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