Several Pommy Mommies have recently inquired about whether its safe to give their four-legged poof balls apple cider vinegar (ACV) and what the possible benefits are, so that’s the topic we’re tackling in this post!
Plenty of people have long touted ACV’s benefits for treating everything from indigestion to arthritis and using it for hair care, but should you give it to your Pommy, too?
ACV has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and detoxifying properties, and it’s a natural remedy that’s an inexpensive alternative to other treatments that can contain chemicals. ACV enthusiasts say it has several benefits for canines including improving the condition of 
their skin and fur, repelling fleas and ticks, aiding digestion, alleviating arthritis, reducing tear stains, preventing tooth decay and more. It is also believed to help prevent bladder stones, kidney and urinary tract infections.
Pure ACV can be purchased at most grocery stores. The light yellow-brown liquid is often sold unfiltered and unpasteurized with a dark, cloudy sediment settled at the bottom of the bottle. Raw, unpasteurized, unheated, organic ACV can be found in most health food stores.
Here’s a look at some common canine uses:
General Detoxifier
ACV can be used as a general detoxifier and can also make your Pom more resistant to infections and flea or worm problems.
To use it for these purposes, start adding small amounts of ACV to your Pom’s drinking water. The recommended dose is typically 1/8 teaspoon from 5lbs to 7lbs… an y larger than double it. You can do this a few times a week or on a daily basis.
Not all Poms will be crazy about the taste of it in their water. If that’s the case, try mixing it with their food or a little bit of raw honey.
You should be able to tell within a month or so if the ACV is helping your Pommy. Many doggie parents have reported the remedy has improved their dog’s skin and coat, aided digestion, helped prevent fleas and ticks, reduced or eliminated tear stains, alleviated arthritis in older dogs and more.
Sophia at the Pommy Mommy water bowl!
Tara Luckey-Castellano, the founder of www.pommymommy.com, is a believer in the benefits of giving her five Pommies ACV.
“If I see that they are itching excessively or are starting to get tear stains, I’ll add the apple cider vinegar to their ‘community water bowl’ for about 30 days,” the Pommy Mommy said. “This usually helps clear up whatever issue they are having.”
Luckey-Castellano noted she also makes sure to keep a bowl of fresh water out alongside the ACV water.
“I don’t want to cause dehydration in one of my Pomeranians if they don’t care for the taste of the ACV water,” she said.
The Pommy Mommy also uses ACV because she feeds her five Poms a raw food diet.
“The ACV acts as a natural preservative in the raw food and makes sure the food stays fresh in the refrigerator once I pull it from the freezer until I serve it. The brand of raw food that I feed the Poms already includes the ACV so I don’t need to add it myself.”
Luckey-Castellano swears by ACV for her Poms.
“I’ve always been a big believer in natural remedies and I’ve found this one is a real winner,” she said. “Apple cider vinegar is a staple in the Pommy Mommy pantry!”
Treatment for Skin Problems
If your Pommy has skin problems or fleas, consider an after-shampoo ACV rinse. Add two tablespoons of ACV to one quart of water and put it on your Pom after their shampoo – just don’t rinse off the ACV, towel dry your dog after applying it.
If your Pom has dandruff, you can try massaging ACV directly into their coat before shampooing. You can also apply ACV directly to minor skin irritations such as sunburn, calluses and abrasions.
ACV can also be used as a flea repellent spray by using a mixture of half ACV/half water and putting it in a spray bottle.
Ear Care
ACV’s anti-bacterial properties make it good for cleaning your Pom’s ears. Soak a small cotton ball or piece of cloth with ACV and gently wipe out the ears.
A Note of Caution
While ACV can have several benefits for the four-legged kind, it is not recommended for dogs suffering from chronic yeast infections or those with an overly acidic system or irritated intestines, as vinegar could worsen those conditions.
Although many doggie parents say ACV has helped their furry friends, there are some vets who do not recommend it. As always, I encourage you to talk with your vet before giving your Pommy anything new!
Jaime and her Pomeranians Foxy and Bear-Bear
Peace, Love and Pomeranians,
Pom Mom Jaime Mowers
Jaime Mowers is the Pommy Mommy of Foxy and Bear-Bear.