Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Is apple cider vinegar safe and effective for flea control on pets?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 10 lbs

While using an Apple Cider Vinegar & water solution for flea control, is there any risk of over-exsposure?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Stephanie Echols, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 14th, 2017

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There isn't any concern for over-exposure to the vinegar or water, but I would recommend a different approach for flea control. That mixture will not control fleas. The best treatment is monthly flea prevention from your veterinarian, given every 30 days for at least 3 months. Products purchased over the counter and flea collars don't work. You must treat all the pets inside and outside your home. I would also recommend a product called Knockout Spray for inside the home. You need to focus on dark areas, like under furniture, and treat any hard floor surfaces as well. After the product dries, vacuum thoroughly and throw out the bag or clean out the canister if bag-less. Apple cider vinegar will not fix your flea problem, and will only prolong the discomfort to your pet. I know the products seem expensive, but they truly work and in the long run is cheaper if you follow the flea treatment steps. Good luck and kisses to Gracie!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Eryn Taormina, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 11th, 2018
Hi there! I'm so sorry to hear about Vader's unwanted visitors! I am not sure to be honest if the apple cider vinegar really works, and it may upset his tummy. Therefore, I would avoid that.
What I would do is call Vader's veterinarian. There are some prescription strength flea products that are labeled for use in puppies and kittens 6 weeks and older, like Revolution. A few monthly doses of the flea preventative should really do the trick and take care of the flea problem once and for all.
In the meantime, if you have some Dawn dish detergent available, you can bathe the puppy in some water with just a couple of drops of the dawn. This will help get rid of some of the fleas and make him more comfortable. Do not get the soap in Vader's eyes, and again, just 2-3 drops max lathered on his coat should do the trick.
It is important to note too that fleas carry tapeworms in their midgut. When animals ingest the fleas by licking or biting at themselves, they will usually then become infected with tapeworms. Vader will need some tapeworm treatment, as well as the flea treatment, so this is another reason why he needs to visit his veterinarian.
I hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lauren Kennedy, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 16th, 2017
If you have a flea infestation, home remedies will not be successful. I would recommend talking to your vet about an oral flea medication like Bravecto, Nexgard, or Comfortis. These are very effective and can start killing fleas in 30 minutes. I would also recommend vacuuming all carpeted areas in your house and washing all of the let's bedding. Even with the best flea control (like those mentioned above) it can take up to 2-3 months to get the flea problem under control. Make sure you treat all the pets in the household as well.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner
Published on May 23rd, 2018
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. I have not had any luck with apple cider vinegar for fleas. And flea sprays are generally quite toxic. Flea collars don't work (with the exception of Serresto) and flea shampoos only work for about 24 hours. However, there are a number of good topical and oral products that are now on the market that are much safer and more effective than the older products. I am attaching a handout that has a link to the current products on the market below.
https://www.vin.com/apputil/project/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=19239&SAId=1&id=4952808
I know that list might be overwhelming, so I would recommend contacting your veterinarian to see which products are working well in your area. I have used Nexgard (an oral chewable tablet) monthly with great success.
Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Does spraying white vinegar on my dog repel fleas and is it safe?

No. This does not work very well. Pets that ingest large amounts of vinegar may also get G.I. upset so it is generally not recommended. The best products for fleas are oral products like Simparica and Nexgard. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Is apple cider vinegar safe to bathe my dog for ticks and itching?

I would not advise using Apple Cider Vinegar for a bath. This is not safe because it will severely dry out your pets skin. I would recommend using regular flea/tick shampoo and then get Arjun on a flea/tick preventative such as Bravecto, Nexgard, or Advantix. I would also advise to get some tweezers and picking off any ticks that you see. You should watch a youtube video on how to properly remove a tick, because you have to ensre to get the head of the tick too. Best of luck moving forward with yoru pet Arjun and I hope that you get a handle on your tick problem soon. Take care! : )

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Can my cat get fleas from strays? Does ACV work for fleas or worms?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like you do have fleas, and yes, Holly could have acquired the fleas from the stray cats. Apple cider vinegar is unlikely to work. I recommend a product such as Bravecto, Advantage, Revolution, Frontline, etc. You can ask your local vet for the product in your area that works best. Make sure you use a cat product and not a dog product as some of the dog products are very toxic on cats. Some of the flea products will also treat for intestinal worms, ask your vet about this. Otherwise you can get some broad spectrum deworming products. Pet stores or your vet will have these. Best of luck with Holly!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Does apple cider vinegar work to repel or kill ticks on dogs?

It is safe to do that but it probably won't work. You really need a chemical product. "Natural remedies" do not work on parasites, especially ticks. You are better off with a Seresto collar - once you put it on it works for 8 months and it is very effective and cost effective. It is also a lot less work for you. ( https://www.budgetpetsupplies.co.za/seresto-collar-for-small-dogs-upto-8kg-pack.aspx?utm_source=googleshopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgezoBRDNARIsAGzEfe4Be68gs5yQEEholjfB9YB_V2EDksungI7ALxaaGEZciXBwKzmPG0oaAkHJEALw_wcB )

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Is apple cider vinegar safe for dogs and what are its common uses?

Hello and thank you for your questions about Apple Cider Vinegar. Most people use the vinegar topically. They apply it to skin rashes, the under side of the feet or other areas of redness. Vinegar is an astringent so it will help remove pathogenic microbes on the skin and it also soothes the skin. Some people feed it to their dogs to acidify the GI tract but I don't think there's much value in that and thus I don't recommend it. Some people also use it the clean ears but again, I've seen problems when it stays in the ear and is not properly dried out. I think there are much better ear cleaners that are made for dogs and actually dry on their own or remove water within the ear. Some people also see a value in this for a flea repellent but once again, I don't think it works well and that there are much better products. So I don't recommend it for that purpose. Anytime you use the vinegar you want to mix it water in varying concentrations depending on the intended use. Always get the organic formula. For skin issues, I think it has benefits, I don't recommend to use it for the other listed properties. Be careful using it on open wounds, it can sting. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Cat sick and still has fleas after vinegar treatment. What now?

So vinegar and water do not work at all to treat fleas. All is does is make the cat smell like vinegar, and it can upset their stomach if the lick it off, which maybe what is going on with your cat. I can give you a flea treatment program for your cat. First, I would give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Are vanillin and citric acid safe for topical dog flea & tick control?

Both of those should be safe if applied to the outer coat. However, they will not effectively prevent fleas and ticks. The best way to prevent external parasites is by using a product from your vet. There are newer products like Bravecto and Nexgard that are oral tablets that prevent fleas/ticks for 30 days. This is the best way to keep your dog parasite free.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share