Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has recently received a lot of attention for its' ability to improve overall health in humans. It is one of the three most common types of vinegars that is made by fermenting apples.
According to this meta-analysis published in the National Library of Medicine, ACV contains a variety of flavonoids, such as gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, which are incredibly beneficial to optimal health.
The same study states that "animal experiments have reported that ACV has a variety of pharmacological functions, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, and anti-hyperlipidemic properties." This means that just be consuming ACV, blood sugar and blood pressure can improve as oxidation and inflammation decrease in the body.
If you do plan on trying ACV, be sure to buy organic, raw and unfiltered such as Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, which you can find at Whole Foods, Amazon and most supermarkets. Buying an organic, raw and unfiltered brand will help you avoid pesticides and toxins used otherwise.
When giving your dog ACV, always mix into food or water and give the following amount based on the size of your dog:
- 1 tsp for dogs up to 15 lbs
- 2 tsp for dogs 16 to 35 lbs
- 1 tbsp for dogs 36 to 84 lbs
The acidity of the ACV also protects against fleas and certainly beats the side effects of conventional flea and tick meds. You can read more on those side effects here.
ACV also can be used topically and is particularly helpful if your dog has allergies, and is itchy. It works to help remove offending allergens from the body. Give your dog a bath and rinse and then pour then ACV solution anywhere your dog is experiencing itchiness and pat dry.
To make the solution, you will need:
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup cooled green tea
- 1 cup filtered water
If your dog has flea allergies, you can make and ACV spray to make their skin and coats unattractive to fleas. You will need:
- 4 oz warm water
- 6 oz apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
- Small spray bottle
Mix the ingredients together in the spray bottle. Spray your dog’s coat and underbelly weekly. Avoid her eyes or any open wounds, to avoid stinging. You can read more on this at Dog's Naturally.
You can also use ACV on the visible parts of the ear in the event that they have itchy ears. Typically, you want to leave ears alone because lots of ear wax suggests the body is detoxing and it will resolve by itself. However, if it doesn't, you can use ACV to clean the outer/visible part of the ear, never the inside. Also, you never want to pour ACV directly into the ears.
Ultimately, incorporating ACV into your dog's diet is a great addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle. Please click here to learn more about Bobzilla's nutrition recommendations. If your dog is sick and you need some guidance on helping them feel better, please visit Bobzilla's Happy, Healthy Life Made Simple.