Apple cider vinegar for beagles is quite an effective and inexpensive substance, due to the countless benefits that it can provide. It is chock full of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and other essential vitamins and minerals.

Not only that, but it has antibacterial and immunity-boosting properties. Apple cider vinegar [ACV] can also play a very complementary role in detoxification and cholesterol reduction.

What is Apple Cider Vinegar [ACV]?

Vinegar, if you didn’t know — is sour wine that has been acidified. It is derived from the french word “vin aigre”, which literally means “sour wine”. This happens due to the fermentation of ethanol [alcohol] or sugars to acetic acid. Acetic acid is responsible for this transition. Simply put: ACV is brewed using yeast + bacteria to turn the sugars in apple juice into alcohol, and then into acetic acid.

Apple cider vinegar typically has a light yellow-brown color. Unpasteurized and unfiltered ACV has darker, murkier sediment referred to as the “mother”. That sediment while maybe not the most visually appealing, is chock full of healthful living bacteria and nutrients.

Clear vinegar strips all of the aforementioned benefits out by means of processing and distillation for a pure, unadulterated look.

What is the pH of Apple Cider Vinegar?

Well to start off, we have to discuss what the pH scale even does. The pH scale measures a water-based solution’s acidity or alkalinity.

• 1 to 6.9 pH is considered acidic.
• 7 pH is considered neutral.
• 7.1 to 14 pH is considered basic [or alkaline].

Apple cider vinegar is less acidic than most kinds of vinegar. ACV normally falls in the 3.1 to 5 pH range, whereas most others fall in the 2 to 3 pH range.

Can Apple Cider Vinegar Provide pH Equilibrium For Beagles?

You’d better believe it.

Generally, a healthy beagle has a baseline pH between 6.5 to 7. Their baseline can easily be assessed by pH strips available at a local drugstore, or by a more complex urinalysis. That being said: If you find that your beagle’s pH levels are too acidic or too basic [alkaline], bacteria will have a propensity to thrive better in that environment, leading potentially to health issues later down the road.

Even though as we mentioned in the section before, ACV can balance pH either upward or downward.

How Does ACV Balance pH Either Way?

All consumables [food have two distinct properties when it comes to the affectation of your beagle’s pH:

• Consumables can be acidic or basic [alkaline]; in regards to the acidic or basic content of the food.
• Consumables can be acidic or basic forming; in regards to the acidic or basic effect, the consumables have on the pH of the body.

Apple cider vinegar is both acidic and alkaline. Just think about it: The vinegar is acidic, but the apples are alkaline.

Your beagle’s body’s digestive system goes through a process called oxidation. Oxidation will alter the vinegar into a basic state; since the apples’ natural state was alkaline.

• ACV is acidic; in regards to the acidic content of the vinegar.
• ACV is alkaline-forming; in regards to the effect that the food has on the pH on the body.

Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar in Beagles

Itchy Skin [Rinse or Mist]

This method you can create a rinse or a mist, whichever you’d prefer. You’ll want to mix with the following ratio of 3:1; 3 tablespoons of ACV, 1 quart of water.

Post-Bath Rinse:

Bathe your beagle, as usual, making sure to rinse the shampoo completely from their coat. Next, you’ll want to pour your apple cider vinegar mixture onto your beagles’ coat. Absolutely do not let it go anywhere near your beagle’s eyes.

Next, you won’t want to rinse the mixture off. Just towel dry or use a blow dryer on low speed and heat settings, if they’re comfortable with the sound until they’re slightly damp and let them dry the rest of the way naturally.

Post-Bath Mist:

With a simple atomizer bottle: You can either spray the diluted ACV that you created above, or you can even place undiluted ACV onto their coat. Be mindfuYou’ll want to brush it in to allow it to soak into your dog’s fur to give them a shiny, healthy coat.

Repel Fleas, Ticks, and Other Parasites

Those dirty buggers aren’t going to stand a chance with ACV at your defense. You’ll be able to attack this head-on with your beagle; by giving your pup a sponge bath, spraying them with a mist, or even giving it as a supplement to their food or water intake.

Flea and Tick Sponge Bath:

Bathe your beagle per usual, rinse thoroughly. Combine ACV and water with a ratio of 1:1.  You’ll want to place the mixture into a bucket. Submerge a sponge into the mixture to deeply absorb the fluid. Then you’ll want to massage your beagle with the drenched sponge frequently to ensure a consistent, deeply-soaked application into their coat. Then you’ll want their fur to air dry. If you think that air drying is not feasible, lightly blot a towel all over to soak up the excess, but then allow the rest of their fur to air dry.

Flea and Tick Mist:

Combine ACV and water with a ratio of 1:1. With an atomizer bottle, spray extensively while being mindful not to spray near your beagle’s eyes or nose.

Flea and Tick Food Or Water Additive:

With beagles, you’ll want to start providing apple cider vinegar at a recommended amount for an adult beagle is 1 teaspoon for 15 pounds of body weight. Of course, you can start with a lesser amount and slowly increase. One thing to keep in mind: If you’re going to consider adding ACV to their drinking water, you’ll want to always keep plain water available as well, since your beagle may consume less water when ACV is added to it.

Manage Dog Dandruff/Mange

Place your beagle into a dog into a tub. Generously pour undiluted apple cider vinegar over any affected areas. You can use a dog grooming glove to massage it in gently. Do not want to rinse any off, as you’ll want to give it a chance to soak thoroughly. Instead, you’ll want to pat any excess moisture with a towel and allow the area to wick the remaining moisture away naturally.

Balanced Health/Digestion/UTIs/Teeth/Nails/Tear Stains

Again, when starting to add apple cider vinegar to your beagle’s dog food or water, a recommended amount for an adult beagle is 1 teaspoon for 15 pounds of body weight. Of course, you can start with a lesser amount and slowly increase. One thing to keep in mind: If you’re going to consider adding ACV to their drinking water, you’ll want to always keep plain water available as well, since your beagle may consume less water when ACV is added to it.

Treat Yeast-Based Ear Infections

Mix with the ratio of 1:1; 1 part distilled water and 1 part apple cider vinegar. Submerge cotton balls or gauze into the concoction. Swab your beagle’s ears only to the depth that you can see, continuing to submerge and swab new cotton balls or gauze until they start coming out clean. Finally, gently pat dry with dry cotton balls or gauze. One caveat: Do not apply any ACV to any raw skin or open wounds.

Relieve Your Beagle’s Paws

Mix with the ratio of 2:1 —  2 parts water with 1 part ACV; in a bowl, bucket, or a bathtub. Allow their paws to soak thoroughly for up to 5 minutes each. You should not rinse the ACV mixture off. Instead, you’ll want to pat dry their paws. One caveat: Do not apply any ACV to any raw skin or open wounds.

Alleviate Hot Spots/Rashes/Bruises/Sprains/Strains/Soreness

Combine with the ratio of 1:1 — 1 part water with 1 part ACV. Submerge a cotton ball or lightweight sponge into the concoction. Proceed to dab gently onto any affected areas. Repeat this sequence daily as needed, until you observe improvement. One caveat: Do not apply any ACV to any raw skin or open wounds.

Avert Annoying Flies

Have an atomizer spray bottle? Perfect. Fill with a mixture of ratioed 1:1, equal parts ACV and water — with 10 drops of cedar oil. Spray liberally across their entire body, avoiding their eye and nose areas. The best thing of all: You can spray it nearly anywhere where your dog or even you may encounter annoying flying pests. Just be sure to spot test, to ensure it won’t damage anything you spray it on.

My Beagle Doesn’t Like The Taste of ACV

You know what? You can’t blame them.

Apple cider vinegar has a remarkably strong and distinct taste. That’s not even taking into account the heightened senses of your beagle.

If you do find that your beagle is feeling very hesitant to eat or drink anything that has ACV added to it, here are a few options. You can always add something to make it a lot more palatable. Try equal parts ACV with honey or peanut butter; or even yogurt. If you find that your beagle won’t tolerate that; apple cider vinegar capsules coated in peanut butter.

ACV: What Are The Risks?

I can’t stand when people mentioned about nearly anything. “Well, it’s all-natural — it’s good for you.” Okay — well so is poison ivy. I wouldn’t go ingesting that though. Not only that, but it can cause harm if it’s not used appropriately.

ACV is quite acidic and can cause quite a bit of irritation if used too liberally. As I mentioned extensively throughout this article — dilution is almost universal during use, both internally and externally.

Finally and most importantly: before introducing any ACV to your beagle either internally or externally, be sure to consult your veterinarian. Better to be safe than sorry.

Final Thoughts

Your beagle’s health and wellness undoubtedly mean the world to you. After all, if you didn’t think so — you likely wouldn’t have found this article.

Regardless if you’re taking a proactive approach to your beagle’s health or a reactive one to an existing condition — unpasteurized, raw apple cider vinegar can make a significant difference in the quality of your beagle’s life.

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links on this site. The commissions do not impact the price you pay for those products, nor do they influence which product(s) we may or may not recommend on this site. After all — we just want your beagle to be happy and healthy.