5 Proven Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs

1. Balance Your Dog’s pH Levels

Healthy pets have a pH level that is usually around 6.5 to 7. You can test this through urinalysis or with pH strips available at many drug stores. Bacteria are more prone to thrive and cause health issues if pH levels are too acidic or too alkaline.

  • Acidic pH: Below 6
  • Healthy pH: 6.5 to 7
  • Alkaline pH: Above 7

Although ACV typically has an acidic pH somewhere between 4.25 and 5, it can help balance pH levels either upward or downward as needed.

2. Deter Flies with Apple Cider Vinegar

  • Start with a clean, empty spray bottle.
  • Fill the bottle with a 1:1 ratio of water and ACV, and 10 drops of cedar oil.
  • Spray the mixture on your dog’s fur, taking care to avoid the head an eye area.
  • Spray the mixture on other locations to eliminate flies, such as barns, patios, picnic areas, and yards.

3.  Apple Cider Vinegar for Dog Tear Stains

  • Add a small amount of ACV to your dog’s drinking water over the course of several weeks.
  • Start with about one-quarter of a capful, working up a full teaspoon over the course of several days.
  • Change the water daily, adding fresh ACV to each fresh batch of water.
  • Make sure you provide a bowl of drinking water without ACV just in case your dog drinks less of the AVC mixture due to the taste. Gradually increasing the amount of ACV, however, should help him get used to the taste.

4. Dog UTIs and ACV

  • Mix the suggested portion of ACV into your dog’s food or water bowl daily.
  • The suggested dosage for treating UTIs is:
    • 1 teaspoon for small dogs (under 30 lbs.)
    • 1 tablespoon for medium dogs (30 to 80 lbs.)
    • 2 tablespoons for large dogs (more than 80 lbs.)
  • Add the ACV directly to your dog’s water dish or sprinkle over or mix with food.
  • Provide an alternate water dish without ACV when mixing with water in case your dog drinks less due to the addition of ACV in the other dish.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar for Dog’s Teeth & Nails

  • Mix a portion of ACV into your dog’s food or water, using 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of ACV per 50 pounds of body weight.
  • Stir ACV into water, kibble or pour directly over food once each day.
  • Provide a dish of plain water if adding ACV to your dog’s water dish in case he drinks less, which can lead to a risk of dehydration.