Apple Cider Vinegar For Dog’s Yeast Infection

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Apple Cider Vinegar For Dog’s Yeast Infection“.

Can you smell a sweet musty smell coming from your dogs ears? Licks the poor things paws obsessively? Your pet may be suffering from a yeast infection.

Remember that yeast infections are quite common among dogs and unfortunately humans as well.

While this type of infection can cause a lot of pain it is highly treatable and the first remedy you should try is the bottle of apple cider vinegar (ACV) sitting in your cupboard.

Here is everything you need to know about ACV including how to apply it to soothe your suffering pet and when it might be time to see a vet.

Why do dogs get yeast infections in their ears?

Dogs are usually affected by yeast infections on their ears but they can also get them on their paws or skin.

Lets first look at what yeast infections are before we get to the why part. Since hundreds of millions of years ago yeasts have existed as unicellular microorganisms. There are over 1500 different types of them including some that cause nasty itching infections. Under certain circumstances yeast can multiply rapidly. They are basically fungi. While this is good when you’re baking bread it is not good when the yeasts multiply uncontrollably on the skin.

If you ask yourself why your dog got that infection you need to keep in mind that it isnot like he caught it from somewhere. All healthy dogs have yeast on their skin along with thousands of other bacteria. This microscopic species lives in harmony with other organisms in a healthy animal and does not harm any of them. Yeast infections occur when something upsets the balance allowing the yeast to grow unchecked.

Yeast infection is more likely to occur in the folds of the skin of dogs such as the joints or the genital area as it is in humans. A dog with wrinkly skin or one with long floppy years is more likely to experience this problem. Yeast thrives in moist warm environments the ideal conditions for them to multiply.

The breeds most prone to yeast infections are French Bulldogs Shi Tzus Shar Peis Dachshunds Poodles Cocker Spaniels and many members of the Terrier family. Nevertheless all dogs can contract an infection of this kind at some point during their lives even when they are puppies.

Common causes of yeast infections in dogs

A dog developing a yeast infection indicates something has upset the balance of pesky microorganisms on his skin. There are several reasons why this might occur.

• Allergies
• Use of antibiotics
• Steroid treatments
• The underlying cause of skin problems

Yeast Infection Symptoms

If your dog has a problem you do not need a doctor to tell you. Theres a musty odor associated with yeast infections like that of old bread or grandmas attic. It is possible for the ears or paws to have a dark discharge.

If his ears are the problem you will notice red irritated skin around them. As these infections are extremely itchy the dog will lick or scratch the affected area until it bleeds. This is very dangerous as he might get a secondary infection. You’ll notice your dog scooting on the floor or licking a lot when the yeast infection has taken over her nether regions.

There are many symptoms that indicate the poor creature is suffering from a terrible itch and this is where you can help right away.

What is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)?

ACV as its name implies is vinegar that can be made by fermenting apple juice. Apple juice is fermented in the first part of the process by adding bacteria and yes yeast. Alcohol is essentially made by fermenting sugars in the juice. In the next step another bacteria is added to turn the alcohol into acetic acid which is vinegar.

How does Apple Cider Vinegar kill yeast?

For centuries ACV has been known to have disinfectant antimicrobial and antifungal properties which is why it is a staple of traditional medicine. Acetic acid is typically found in ACV at a concentration of around 5% to 6%.  The acid kills yeast and bacteria by inhibiting their growth.

ACV also contains malic acid which is commonly found in skincare products as it helps to remove dead skin and reverse aging. You are not concerned about that right now but malic acid encourages skin hydration and helps restore skin health. Having healthy skin means that yeasts can not thrive there.

Will white vinegar kill a yeast infection?

The acetic acid content of white vinegar which is obtained from fermenting grains is between 4 and 7%. In addition to having antimicrobial properties it could be helpful to your pet but its not as effective as ACV when it comes to treating skin problems. Due to the process of double fermentation ACV is not produced just through one fermentation. 

ACETOBACTER ACETI also known as ‘the mother’ is the bacteria used in the fermentation process for ACV. As well as good bacteria aka probiotics this mother contains enzymes that aid digestion and have many other health benefits.

You should always look for raw ACV if you want to do yourself a favor. Most store-bought ACV products are sold without the mother as it gives the liquid a murky appearance which might deter customers. In spite of this the best ACV is the murky kind which is the best product to use for your dogs yeast infection.  

How do you use ACV to kill yeast infections?

Even though ACV is considered a weak acid its still an acid and if used undiluted might cause burns.

You should however bathe your dog before applying ACV to remove as much of the yeast buildup and the crusts caused by the brownish discharge as possible. Your veterinarian will recommend an antifungal shampoo as soon as you see them. 

Hopefully your pet would not object since the warm water itself will provide some relief. Working up a lather in the shampoo massage it into the dogs fur and let him soak in it for a few minutes.

While you wait tell the dog a story or give him a nice treat cut into very small pieces to make it last longer. You can apply the ACV solution after rinsing the dog with plenty of water and using a large towel to remove most of the water. 

Making this is as simple as mixing 50/50 water and apple cider vinegar. You can use a spray bottle so it is easier to squirt it into the dogs ear if the yeast infection is in the ear. You should soak your dogs paws in the diluted solution for some five minutes if his paws are sore. Make sure that you give the solution ample time to kill the yeasts even if you have to tell him another story.

Despite its diluted formula even this solution stings a bit so stay away from areas where your pet has scratched himself raw.

Donot forget to dry his fur after you have done this because yeasts love moist areas.

Are there any side effects of using ACV?

Since apple cider vinegar is not toxic for dogs even if he manages to lick a bit off his coat he would not be at risk. Be careful not to let it get in their eyes or on the wounds he got from scratching.

Healthy dogs can also be treated with ACV and water as a flea repellent.

Will ACV cure a yeast infection if a dog drinks it?

Most likely not. ACV has a lot of health benefits for dogs like stabilizing blood sugar levels or helping them lose weight. However dogs should only be given a teaspoonful of ACV per week and no more than twice per week. Otherwise it may cause stomach upsets. An amount of this small size is unlikely to have any effect on the raging yeast infection. The yeasts would not be killed directly but boosting the immune system of your dog could prevent recurrent infections.

What other home remedies might kill yeast infections?

Coconut oil should also be applied to the affected skin after your pet has been doused with an ACV and water solution. As well as soothing coconut oil can also help repair damaged skin.

It can also be used to treat yeast infections but you have to be very careful when using it. When applied topically tea tree oil is poisonous to your dog even when used at 100% strength. A dog that licks any of this can have serious problems and there is no antidote for this type of poisoning. If you want to use tea tree oil use a concentration of 0.1 – 1%. To do that the dog needs to be measured carefully and the solution should only be applied in areas he cannot reach himself. You should stay away from tea tree oil if you are not sure you can handle it.

When should you let the vet treat an ear infection?

Getting an ear infection is a tricky business. First of all the internal structure of the ear is very complex and it is impossible to know if you squirted enough diluted ACV solution so it could reach the most hidden parts of the inner ear where yeasts might hide. Similarly treating your pet with ACV solution over a long period of time in the hope that it will work might result in unnecessary suffering for your pet. Infections of the ears are very painful; your dog will be miserable and may injure himself pawing or scratching at his ears.

Additionally there is the issue of location. Due to their proximity to the brain any infection in the head area can lead to complications.

We recommend you try the ACV solution for a few days but if you do not see any improvement visit the veterinarian. Drugs usually come with a list of side effects but this might be the safest choice in this case.

Conclusion

Infections with yeast are very common in dogs and they affect many parts of the body: the ears the paws the genitals and the anal area. Infections with yeast can also develop in the folds of the skin. Your dog may have a yeast infection if he displays symptoms such as itchiness a musty odor or a dark discharge.

An apple cider vinegar and water solution can be prepared at home to treat this. If your dog does not improve after a couple of days you should take him to the veterinarian

If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dog’s Yeast Infection (Watch Video)