Do you have a bottle of apple cider vinegar in your kitchen? Most likely, you do, and while you probably use it for multiple reasons in and around your home and in your foods, did you know you pets can benefit from it?
Vinegar is a multi-purpose liquid and can do wonders for your pet’s health, and as petmd.com reports, dog and cat guardians alike are turning to this inexpensive pantry staple to use in a variety of ways.
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Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Digestion
Vinegar aids in digestion, especially if your pet is on a grain-based diet which causes challenges with digestion. By adding apple cider vinegar to your pet’s food, they will digest it much easier and lower the pH, which allows for the good bacteria to thrive in the body.
Something nutritious to do for your dog or cat is to grind up raw fresh veggies and then cover them with organic apple cider vinegar and then let the vegetables ferment in the fridge. At meal time, add a spoonful of the mixture to your pet’s food and let the veggies go to town in their body, increasing the nutritional value of the food and aiding in digestion.
(Side note: The best veggies for your cat include cooked carrots, peas, broccoli florets, green beans, zucchini, and plain, un-spiced winter squash. When you add vegetables to your cat’s diet, you not only expand her palate but also sneak in a few essential vitamins and minerals! However, a cat’s diet should not be all vegetables, as they are, by nature, carnivores and their systems are made to include meats and fish.)
Flea/Tick Repellent
You can also add apple cider vinegar to your cat or dog’s drinking water…. aim for about one teaspoon per quart of water. Granted, the taste may be a turn-off, so keep two water bowls out…one with vinegar and one without…. just to make sure your pet gets enough water.
If your cat or dog consumes the vinegar-infused water, it can also aid in repelling fleas and ticks from the inside out. If your pet won’t drink it, consider making your own flea and tick repellant, mixing one-part vinegar with one-part water and then spray it on your pet’s fur.
Helps Urinary Tract Health
It’s no secret that both cats and dogs are prone to urinary tract infections, and apple cider vinegar can come to the rescue here. However, before trying a vinegar remedy, it is important to determine what the pH is in your pet’s urine.
If it is above 7, then apple cider vinegar will do wonders, as it will lower the pH and dissolve the crystals. If the pH is lower than 7, vinegar is not recommended, and, in fact, could make the problem worse.
It can be dangerous to treat a urinary tract infection at home, as it could quickly progress to a kidney infection. Please consult your veterinarian first!
Before trying any of the suggestions above, schedule a consultation with your veterinarian.
Recommended Daily Dosage
According to Modern Cat magazine, many holistic veterinarians recommend a daily dosage of apple cider vinegar added to cat’s food or water:
Under 4 pounds: A few drops
4-6 pounds: 1/4 teaspoon
7-15 pounds: 1/2 teaspoon
16-25 pounds: 1 teaspoon
Note: Do NOT give your cat undiluted vinegar. If your cat has kidney disease, it is NOT recommended to give your cat vinegar, as it can change cat’s urine acidity and aggravate kidney issues. Before using apple cider vinegar, please consult with your vet first!
Use ACV as a Natural Cleaner/Deodorizer
In addition to its health benefits, apple cider vinegar is a great natural cleaner and deodorizer, too! Combine 1/2 ACV and 1/2 cup water in a spray bottle, and spray on floors baseboards or any place around the house that needs cleaning or odor control.
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
