Apple Cider Vinegar For Flea Treatment In Dogs

Dogs And Fleas

Before we talk about the apple cider vinegar for flea treatment in dogs, and possibly other treatments, let’s first talk about fleas themselves. What do you know about fleas? Do you know how they infect your dog? Can you tell when it has happened? Do you know why and how to treat them? In case you did not, let me tell you.

Fleas are biting pests that can easily adapt to several conditions. It also does not help that their females are exceedingly fertile, being able to produce up to fifty eggs in a day and these eggs hatch fast. You can find fleas on other animals in your environment, they can drop the fleas which would then find their way to your pet. Your dog can catch these fleas from their surroundings and once they are stuck, it’s hard to get rid of them. 

The saliva that fleas produce irritates your dog’s skin and makes them itchy, this is one of the things that of the presence of the fleas. If your dog has been infested, you will likely notice some of the following; hair loss, redness of the skin, skin sores, restlessness, constant and intense licking of the skin, and sometimes, pale gums. For confirmation, you should see a vet and a simple test will be performed to verify that the symptoms are actually the result of flea infestation.

Fleas can be dangerous, they are painful and capable of carrying diseases.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Flea Treatment In Dogs

Apple cider vinegar for flea treatment in dogs is one of the most well-known and commonly used natural remedies for fleas in dogs. Despite its wide use, apple cider vinegar may not be the fastest action treatment for fleas. It works but not so fast, you have to apply it often and do some manual combing and handpicking.

It is probably loved for its easily accessible ingredients, simple preparation process, and definite non-toxicity. Its best part is that fleas hate, they absolutely detest, the taste of apple cider vinegar. You can apply this solution as a shampoo or as a spray, just do whatever suits you.

How To Prepare And Apply Apple Cider Vinegar For Flea Treatment In Dogs

One of the reasons why the solution is made of different ingredients instead of using just vinegar is because vinegar alone can be irritating to your dog’s skin. So, to prepare this solution, you will be needing apple cider vinegar (8 oz), warm water ( 4 oz), salt (half a teaspoon), and baking soda (also half a teaspoon). You may have noticed by now that the Apple Cider Vinegar, also called ACV, is something you can buy in stores and use to prepare your own solution.

Mix the dry ingredients, the salt, and baking soda, then, add to the ACV and water mixture. Do all this in a spray bottle, and if you intend to use it as a rinse, a regular bottle will be fine, but you may be needing more than that. If you are a sucker for nice scents, you can add a couple of drops of lavender or cedar oil to the solution. When the solution is ready, get a flea comb, and you may be needing tweezers too.

When you want to apply the Apple Cider Vinegar dog flea treatment to your dog’s skin, ensure you wear gloves. You know why, because, fleas don’t affect dogs alone, they can bite you too and make everything itch. You may also want to ensure that your other pieces of clothing cover your entire body too. Next, spray the solution all over, and make sure you cover every bit of skin. While doing this, ensure you don’t spray it into its eyes. After this, try to rub it into your dog’s skin, do this diligently so that it can really soak up the solution. Leave the solution on for about ten minutes, for the same reason, soaking up.

It is now time to use the flea comb. While the fur is still wet, part it and comb through it section by section to get the fleas off your dog. To ensure that you don’t put fleas that you already removed back on the skin, after going through each section, rinse the comb in soapy water before going again. When you are done combing, you can now rinse out the solution. You can repeat the whole process for good measure.

You may have been wondering what the “possible tweezers” are for, they are for possible ticks. It is not rare to find ticks where you already have fleas. If you do find them, remove them carefully with the tweezers, one after the other.

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Toxic?

No, the Apple Cider Vinegar for flea treatment in dogs is not toxic. It is made from natural ingredients, and so, is very safe. This is one of the reasons why it is so favored.

How Often Should You Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Flea Treatment In Dogs?

You can repeat the application process once a week for a few weeks. It is almost impossible that you to get rid of all the fleas and their eggs on the first try. Even when they are gone, you can still apply the solution as a prevention measure.

Other Remedies For Dog Flea

Apart from the apple cider vinegar remedy, there are other remedies for flea treatment in dogs. First of all, there is the lemon bath which is also easy to make, just lemon squeeze and your dog’s shampoo. It is also effective and has a good scent.

Another common remedy involves the use of rosemary dip. You put the rosemary in boiling water, then mix the filtrate with warm water until it is at a comfortable temperature for your dog, then pour it over the dog.

Conclusion On Apple Cider Vinegar For Flea Treatment In Dogs

Apple Cider Vinegar for flea treatment in dogs is a safe, effective, and easily accessible remedy for flea in dogs. You can easily make it in your home and completely get rid of fleas in a few weeks.

You can read our article on Derma-iONX For Dogs: A Quick Product Review and Quadritop Ointment for Dogs: A Quick Review to gain more insights on the treatment of skin issues in dogs.