Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe for Dogs?

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) may boast health benefits for humans, but do those proposed benefits also translate to our canine friends?

While apple cider vinegar is believed to help dogs with everything from fleas to ear infections, the truth is that there’s no real benefit of apple cider vinegar for dogs and, in fact, because of its acidity, it can do more harm than good.

We spoke to two veterinarians about ACV for dogs, including if dogs can drink apple cider vinegar, the risks of ACV for dogs, and more.

Apple cider vinegar is not toxic to dogs, but that doesn’t mean they need to or should drink it. In fact, Veronica Higgs, DVM, a veterinary service manager for Chewy, doesn’t recommend ACV as a doggy drink.

While diluting a small amount of apple cider vinegar in a dog’s water dish won’t likely have any negative effects, there’s no established health benefit, either. And because there’s no information on what an appropriate dose would be, it’s better to skip it.

There’s no research that apple cider vinegar has any real health benefit for dogs. On the other hand, ACV can cause GI upset if drank and skin irritation if applied topically, especially if undiluted.

The answer to this question isn’t so clear-cut. Again, while apple cider vinegar isn’t toxic to dogs, that doesn’t necessarily make it safe for dogs.

According to Teresa Manucy, DVM, a Chewy veterinarian, because ACV is so acidic, ingestion may cause gastrointestinal issues like:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Decreased appetite

When applied topically, ACV can cause serious skin irritation. And if your dog licks it off, that can lead to gastrointestinal issues too.

The bottom line? Ingestion and/or contact with ACV isn’t likely an emergency, but it’s not exactly safe for dogs, either. It ultimately depends on how you use it on your pet.

While ACV isn’t likely to cause major issues in your dog, it can make them pretty uncomfortable—especially if you give it to them undiluted.

Some of the most common risks of apple cider vinegar for dogs are:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) upset: Ingestion of diluted ACV can result in gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and drooling. In severe cases, your dog can develop a stomach ulcer. That’s why Dr. Higgs says dogs should never ingest undiluted ACV, as the acidity can be very dangerous to them.
• Skin irritation: Topical application of ACV to the skin can cause skin irritation, dryness, and inflammation. This can have the added complication of GI upset if the dog licks the ACV.
• Worsened infection: Manucy says that if you put ACV on inflamed or irritated skin, it can make an infection worse.

Yes, you can use apple cider vinegar for your dog’s paws if they’re itchy, irritated, or inflamed. Diluted ACV may help soothe the skin, alleviate itching, and remove germs.

In fact, Dr. Manucy says bathing is one of the only ways you can effectively and safely use ACV—but you don’t need to soak their paws. Instead, dilute equal parts ACV and water, and wash your pet as you normally would.

Because of its antimicrobial properties, apple cider vinegar can help keep your dog’s skin and coat clean, as long as you follow these guidelines for safely using ACV on your pet:

• Limit use to two times per week, at most. If your dog has sensitive skin, you may want to use it even less.
• Check for open wounds first and avoid applying if you find any.
• Use all-natural organic and unfiltered ACV.
• Dilute the ACV by using equal parts ACV and water to decrease the risk of irritation.
• Rinse the ACV off with water after two to three minutes.
• Use care not to get any in your dog’s eyes.

Our vets give this one an emphatic “no.” You should never put ACV in your dog’s ears or ear canals for any reason, including cleaning or attempting to treat an ear infection.

Using ACV for a dog’s ear infection can cause drying and inflammation and potentially damage the eardrum (tympanic membrane), according to Dr. Higgs. It can also make an infection worse.

If your pet is experiencing any signs of an ear infection, such as redness, irritation, discharge, and/or odor, call your veterinarian for proper treatment.

No, ACV doesn’t kill fleas. Dr. Higgs says it makes sense that pet parents would think the offensive vinegar odor can repel fleas, but it doesn’t work effectively.

There are plenty of safe and more effective flea and tick medications available, so discuss the best option for your pet with your veterinarian.

There’s no evidence that ACV can treat a dog’s yeast infection, says Dr. Higgs.

Most yeast infections on the skin are an overgrowth of fungus, which can occur due to underlying allergies, and ACV doesn’t help with these underlying issues. It can actually make itchiness and odor worse if applied topically undiluted.

There’s some general research that ACV has natural antibiotic properties, but there’s no solid evidence that it helps dogs specifically.

If your dog needs an antibiotic, take them to your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis with recommended treatment.

This content was medically reviewed by Chewy vets.