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ACV Spray for Dogs: Repels Fleas, Removes Odor & Shines Coat

ACV Spray for dogs is a DIY recipe using apple cider vinegar. This all natural recipe repels fleas, ticks and other insects, removes odor, detangles, adds gloss, softens fur, alleviates itchiness & soothes skin!

ACV Spray for Dogs DIY Recipe

ACV Spray for Dogs: Repels Fleas, Removes Odor & Shines Coat

 

After using my Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair Repair Spray, I can’t get over how much apple cider vinegar and the specific hair herbs have strengthened and helped my hair…and oh the shine!  It totally inspired me to create a custom Apple Cider Vinegar spray for my 10 year old dog, Bently. 

 

 

My goal was to mostly help his odor. Every summer, he starts to smell a bit and by midsummer, his odor is at its peak. Bently’s in our creek and pond water multiple times a day during the summer. He has a very thick coat so we’ve found it difficult to keep him dry. As most of us already know, wet, hot and humid conditions are the perfect breeding grounds for unwanted bacteria and fungus, which affect his skin and his odor.  

 

And his odor is gone now! This ACV spray for dogs doesn’t mask the odor like many dog odor sprays do. It actually eliminates the odor by getting rid of the unwanted bacteria and fungus that were causing the smell in the first place. 

 

ACV Spray for Dogs DIY Recipe

 

Not only has this spray eliminated his odor, but the ingredients repel fleas, ticks and flies, help itchy skin, control dandruff, detangles and adds SO much shine, gloss and softness to his coat. It’s a winner on all levels and I’m so excited to share it with you!

 

And don’t worry, your dog won’t smell of Apple Cider Vinegar – the smell dissipates as soon as the spray dries. But it’s very important to not apply this to open wounds or cuts. It will sting!

 

ACV Spray for Dogs DIY Recipe

 

Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs

Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries and has many benefits for dogs. Most notably, it’s a natural flea and tick repellent!

 

More  apple cider vinegar benefits for dogs:

  • anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties that can help alleviate fungal and bacterial infections, mites, mange, dandruff
  • soothes inflammation and calms downs irritations
  • relieves itchiness by balancing the skins pH levels 
  • combats fungal and yeast infections due to the acids in ACV
  • adds shine and gloss to coat
  • detangles
  • eliminates odors naturally
  • natural flea, tick and insect repellent
  • holistic vet approved (but do not apply to open cuts, wounds and hot spots – it will sting!)

 

ACV Spray for Dogs DIY Recipe

 

Apple cider vinegar is also a wonderful way to extract minerals and medicinal properties from the herbs we are using for this acv spray for dogs recipe. Adding extremely beneficial and dog-safe herbs to this recipe works double duty for our furry friends!

 

ACV Spray for Dogs DIY Recipe

 

Rosemary for Dogs

Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, shares that rosemary is wonderful for a glossy coat and as a flea repellant. It’s a natural way to prevent and repel ticks and fleas. Rosemary works best as a repellent and preventative, although it can help a light flea infestation. It also helps repel mosquitoes, flies and other insects. It’s a herb many find effective for mange because it stimulates the scalp and promotes hair growth. Moreover, rosemary adds shine, strengthens the coat, and conditions hair and skin. 

 

ACV Spray for Dogs DIY Recipe

 

Calendula for Dogs

Calendula is one of the best and most well known herbs for soothing skin conditions. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory and extremely healing to all skin issues. It’s also anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial and protects the hair and skin from bacteria, yeast and fungus growth. It adds shine, gloss and will condition and detangle the coat. Calendula is one of the gentlest and safest herbs and can be used for small puppies.

 

It’s important to not apply this to open wounds or cuts. It will sting!

 

ACV Spray for Dogs DIY Recipe

 

ACV Spray for Dogs Recipe:

ACV Spray for Dogs: Repels Fleas, Removes Odor & Soothes Itchy Skin
 
Author:
Serves: 1 jar of concentrate
 
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Pack a clean glass jar ¾ of the way full with your dried herbs. If using fresh, make sure to air dry them for a few hours to take away some of the moisture content.
  2. Fill the jar with vinegar and cover with a plastic lid or line a metal lid with parchment or wax paper.
  3. Let sit for a minimum of 2 weeks up to 6 weeks.
  4. Strain and compost or discard the herbs and put the herbal vinegar in a clean jar. You just made an herbal acv vinegar concentrate that keeps for 1-2 years! Now we need to dilute it to use it for our spray.
To Dilute:
  1. Combine 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water in a spray bottle. You can safely store your diluted vinegar spray for 1 month.
When to Use:
  1. After bathing, apply a generous amount of your spray to your dog's coat. Leave on coat and allow to dry. No vinegar scent will be present after your dog is dry. You can also use on dry fur whenever necessary.
How Often to Use:
  1. Since all dogs are different, the amount you should use this spray varies. In general, dogs with skin conditions or issues that you are trying to support will need to use this spray more often. Sometimes daily use is necessary until the issue is noticeably improved. Then, once or twice a week for maintenance. You'll have to experiment to find what works the best with your dog. I used this daily until the odor was eliminated and then twice a week for maintenance. In the fall and winter, I will cut back to once a week.
Notes
Do not use this spray on open wounds or cuts - it will sting!
 

Let me know your success with this if you try it! I think you’ll love how shiny and soft it makes your furry friend! And your buddy will love not being bothered by fleas, ticks, flies and other insects! I know my ‘ol buddy boy is loving all the extra snuggles he’s getting because he doesn’t stink anymore 🙂

Easy Paleo Recipes & Holistic Living

 

More DIY, Natural Dog Recipes & Articles:

Homemade Tick Spray  – this is what we’ve used for my whole family (and dog!) for the last 6 years with success living on 16 acres of woods & in a tick “hotspot” area

Homemade Flea Powder – works for infestations and as a preventative

Natural Flea Control – article all about many different & effective natural flea control options

Homemade Grain Free Dog Treats – my picky dog loves these!

 

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ACV Spray for Dogs DIY Recipe

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14 comments

  1. Avatar

    Thank you for this! So timely. I’m dog-sitting my sister’s lab and boy do we need this!

  2. Avatar

    great recipes but having had a dog with epilepsy please don’t use rosemary in the spray (and watch out for it used in dog food as a natural preservative)

    • Kelly from Primally Inspired

      Hi Brit, Rosemary (the plant) is considered safe and non-toxic for dogs and cats. There seems to be some misinterpreted information out there about the actual plant/herb, rosemary. It’s rosemary essential oil (in large doses) that can be toxic to dogs and people. Rosemary essential oil contains highly concentrated extracts of plant constituents that are far beyond the normal concentrations found in nature. Dogs with a history of epilepsy shouldn’t use rosemary essential oil. The actual rosemary plant is considered safe and non-toxic and recommended by holistic vets (it’s also considered safe/non-toxic from regular vets, too) and has never been found to be an issue for animals in the recommended dosages.

    • Avatar
      Sharon Hamilton

      Epilepsy is a disorder. I have it. Damage to rt temporal lobe.. i had a doxie had it. Lived 16 years. Treatment, CBD oil
      .if going into seizure, under tongue..stops it immediately. Ive grown, aloe, rosemary, basal, mint. 2nd year..
      Flea meds can cause seizures
      .id. use baby benadryl

    • Avatar

      Oh dear. Really! My dog was just diagnosed with this! Thanks for posting!

  3. Avatar

    We have a doxie mix that was rescued when she was a puppy. She had puppy mange. It was treated and she got her hair back until she had another round of it. Now many years later we still ate dealing with it but only when she stresses it seems. Will this work on her?
    Also will this work on horses. My mare is allergic to the “no see um bugs” and breaks out in hives on her neck and itches her something fierce.
    The recipe you are using is with either fresh or dried herbs. Would the essential oils of the herbs works just as well in this recipe?

    • Kelly from Primally Inspired

      Hi NanaBeth, yes, this is great for mange! And it’s also wonderful for horses.

      Usually, essential oils would be a great substitute, but with this recipe, I do not recommend essential oils. Rosemary, the plant/herb, is a pet-safe and recommended herb for animals, but rosemary essential oil isn’t (it’s too strong for most animals, even when diluted). Rosemary is necessary for this recipe to work well, especially for mange. Hope that helps!

  4. Avatar

    Thank you Kelly, I needed to make this for my border collie a month ago! We would both be happier 🙂
    So I’ve just picked the rosemary and have it drying out.the calendula I was able to get at my local health food store is all dried flower petals. How much should I use for 16oz of ACV? Also do I use the stems of the rosemary or just the leaves?
    Thank you, now we will just need patience to wait for it to process!

    • Kelly from Primally Inspired

      Hi Jeanne! You can use the whole rosemary plant – stems and leaves. For 16 ounces, 1 total cup of herbs will be plenty!

      If you have any calendula left over and are wondering what to do with it, pour olive oil (or your favorite facial oil – almond oil, avocado oil, etc) over the calendula and let it sit for 4-6 weeks in a covered jar then strain the calendula out. It will make the BEST, most luxurious facial and body oil! 🙂

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