I have recently taken on some chickens and was advised to give them apple cider vinegar. Since then I keep hearing about the benefits of the product and am wondering whether any of you have used it for dogs, and if so, for what conditions.

I mix with the veg pulp I make for my dogs. It was advised in one of the books I read before embarking on a more natural diet. Can't remember now, what was the health benefit. Maybe someone else will come along with a better memory than me.

If you give cider vinegar to chickens (yes, it can be very helpful) don't put it in a zinc water or food container, only plastic or glass. The acid reacts with the zinc and will poison your birds.

yes you can give dogs AC vinegar... I know loads of people who give it for different reasons :)

Thanks for that, it is a plastic one, but didn't know about the reaction, so at least I won't ever make the mistake.

A spoonful in drinking water is supposed to help dogs with tear stains, tried it with a puppy that had them and did seem to help along with feeding a spoonful of natural yogurt.

That's interesting as I do have a slight problem with tear staining. I think I might try this one, but would it be OK in a stainless steel water bowl?

I use it for horses as well as dogs. With dogs I have had great success with kidney and bladder infections.

What sort of dose do you give to your dogs? I have a friend with a Bouvier who has terrible problems with kidney and bladder infections so it might be of interest to her.

After having heard about the reaction with the metal bowls I would stick to ceramic!!

Lot of pigeon fanciers use it in the drinking water for there birds, would second the use of plastic dishes. 

I put two tablespoons a day in food or water.

Thanks for that, I am going to get a plastic water bowl and give it a go.

thought this would be of interest .http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/pet-care.html

Its supposed to be very good for arthritis in humans - but the taste -- blrggghhhh - yuck, yuck,yuck :-D

I think its available in tablet form

Starryeye, Thanks for the link, I have had a quick look and it does seem very versatile. I particulary like the idea of using to repel fleas and ticks. I will have a good read later on.

Go for good quality apple cider vinegar - particularly with the "mother" still obvious (it gives it a cloudy webby like appearance).

I initially purchased it from a health food store for both myself and the dogs - the taste was terrible! However, I now buy it from a place called crossgates farm who deliver. They are extremely helpful and sell lots of useful bits and bobs. Their advice is second to none also. I get my probiotic powder from here. They will tell you what dose for different animals. The taste of this stuff is wonderful!

I give it to my dogs daily. I initially started it for a dog with repeat urine infections. After reading more about it, I decided to give it regularly because of the health benefits. It's worked a treat for my dog with a perineal hernia! He would frequently have loose bowels (I don't know whether it was due to the liquid paraffin). Anyway, he's now off the paraffin and managing really well on the ACV :)

yes i use it for my rabbits heres some info on it http://clemslops.webs.com/applecidervinegar.htm