Were you adding balsamic to your salad or splashing some apple cider vinegar on your veggies, and your dog started giving you the “Just give me that!” look? They do have a knack for strong-smelling foods. Dogs have 300 million scent receptors in their noses, around 50-60 times more than humans. So, naturally, their curiosity must be asking for vinegar. It’s a good thing that you came here looking for some clarity before adding some of it to their food bowls though.
Luckily, vinegar is safe for your dog and can also benefit them. Terms and conditions apply though. If used in moderation and in the right way, distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar can work like medicine for your dog. Its potential benefits include – (1)
Skin pH levels – Dog’s skin has a pH of around 5-5-7, which is more alkaline than humans. If it drops below this level, it can cause itchiness, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and similar problems for them. ACV or apple cider vinegar is acidic and can help restore the levels back to normal.
Immunity – The natural enzymes in ACV can help boost your dog’s overall immune system and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Skin and fur – ACV is anti-fungal and antiseptic in nature. Spraying a mixture of ACV and water can help treat flaky and itchy skin for dogs. The proteins in ACV can also help maintain the shine of their coats.
Gut health – ACV also has some good bacteria in it that can help improve a dog’s gut health which in turn leads to a stronger ability to fight infections.
Don’t start sprinkling that apple cider vinegar in your kitchen all over your dog’s body and food already. As we mentioned above, there are some terms and conditions that apply here. Here are some potential risks that you need to keep in mind – (1)
Dry skin – We know that ACV can be used to treat dry skin but overusing it can be the very cause of it as well. Not just that, if the situation worsens, it can also cause dandruff and thus, itchiness.
Digestive issues – In case your dog has a sensitive stomach, the citric and acetic acid in vinegar can cause gastrointestinal upset in them. If your dog shows signs like lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea, it means that the ACV is not suiting them.
Organ damage – For dogs with problems like kidney disease or something that takes their body pH levels up, the acid content in ACV can further increase them, causing damage to internal organs.
If you spot any changes in your dog’s behavior or on their skin, you must immediately consult a vet. You should also stop using ACV as a cleaning product in your house.
The advice here would be that, when adding a new item to your dog’s diet, always take it slow. One tablespoon of diluted, unfiltered and organic ACV per serving is the recommended quantity that is considered safe for dogs. Also remember, the smaller the dog, the smaller the quantity.
After the first dose, you must wait and check for any reactions. If not, you can slowly and gradually start adding it to their diets and use it as a topical solution. Do consult a vet if you’re trying to use it as a medicine though.
Can Dogs Eat Balsamic Vinegar?
While vinegar is usually considered safe for dogs, balsamic vinegar particularly is not so much. This is because it is made from grapes and grapes are considered toxic for dogs. Overconsumption of grapes can even lead to kidney failure and eventually death for dogs.
Another reason for keeping your dog away from balsamic vinegar is its higher acid levels. It contains 6% acetic acid. If you remember the acidic reflux you get when something you eat is highly acidic, you will know why you should avoid this vinegar for your dog. Over and frequent consumption of highly acidic foods can cause stomach pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs. (2)
Can Dogs Eat Rice Vinegar?
Rice vinegar can be a safe vinegar option for your dog. However, it does contain high sugar levels. So, it should be given in moderation. Don’t forget to dilute the vinegar every time you feed them. (3)
Can Dogs Eat Food with Vinegar?
It completely depends on the type of vinegar used in the food. If it’s ACV (apple cider vinegar), go ahead and feed some of it to your dog. However, red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar should be avoided. Malt vinegar can be safe only if your dog does not have a gluten allergy.
Do make sure that the vinegar is not in high quantity and is diluted though. And however safe ACV is for your dog, it is always better to wait to check if it causes any reaction. Not all dogs react to human foods in the same way.
Can Dogs Eat Salt & Vinegar Chips?
We would never recommend salt and vinegar chips for your dog. The high salt levels can cause sodium poisoning in your dog which can be a pretty serious problem. There are much better snacking options available for your dog that are safe and vet-approved.
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1. MasterClass. (n.d.). Can dogs eat vinegar? Potential Benefits and Risks of Vinegar - 2024 - MasterClass. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/can-dogs-eat-vinegar
2. Billingsley, B. (2024, September 10). Can dogs have balsamic vinegar? Vet-Reviewed Facts You should know! Dogster. https://www.dogster.com/dog-nutrition/can-dogs-have-balsamic-vinegar
3. Souman. (2023, April 26). Is vinegar safe for dogs? - Dr. Souman - Medium. Medium. https://medium.com/@dr.souman/is-vinegar-safe-for-dogs-d5f9c168767c
