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The Benefits of Vinegar for Cats

How Vinegar Can Benefit Cats

Chances are you already have this natural, inexpensive folk remedy in your cupboard –apple cider vinegar and white distilled vinegar. It’s time to start using them more, according to the popular book The Healing Powers of Vinegar: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Most Remarkable Remedy Revised and Updated (Kensington, September 2006). Here’s why.

1. Good Health: Holistic vet Bob Goldstein, V.M.D., of Westport, Connecticut, and coauthor of The Goldsteins’ Wellness & Longevity (TFH, 2005) says organic apple cider vinegar is good for your cat’s coat and for cleansing its body of toxins. “The natural acidity helps regulate digestion, and the pectin helps keeps the intestines in good shape.”

Vinegar Rx: Add 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to your cat’s water bowl. (Consult your vet for how often.)

Why Kitty Will Purr: Vinegar is natural. Read: Natural remedies can help promote good health and boost longevity.

2. Fleas and Ticks: Flea collars and sprays are full of poisons. Instead of using chemical insecticides (especially on a kitten), turn to vinegar which is a less toxic method of flea control.

Vinegar Rx: Put one fourth teaspoon of distilled white vinegar into each bowl of drinking water for your 10 pound cat; one half teaspoon for a 20 pound cat.

Why Kitty Will Purr: Flea sprays are harsh and natural flea collars can include some natural ingredients that might cause an allergic reaction, whereas, vinegar is mild and a good alternative.

3. Kitty Accidents: While most cats can and will use the litter box, accidents do happen. Blame it on an urinary tract woe, behavioral issue, the box being smelly or just because. Also, cats also give their guardians fur balls and other droppings on our favorite bedspreads, clothes, furniture, carpets, floors, and much more.

Vinegar Rx: Spray distilled white vinegar on the fresh pet accident (works best ASAP!). Also, rub with a sponge from the center outward. Repeat as needed.

Why Kitty Will Purr: Not only will you be happy to clean up the mess without paying for pricey products that contain chemicals, your cat may sense that “Bad Cat!” words won’t be heard by you because vinegar does the trick.

4. Cat Litter Box: Dish soap contains chemicals. Other cleansers are too harsh. What to use? Vinegar, of course! It is the perfect remedy to clean the box as well as zap the odor.

Vinegar Rx: Pour one or two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar into the box and scrub with hot water. Rinse.

Why Kitty Will Purr: Cat’s olfactory senses are strong. That means, not only will they continue using the cat litter box like a good cat–they will not be turned off by disturbing smells from strong cleaners.

5. Fat-Blaster: Like people, cats, especially middle-aged and senior ones, are prone to weight gain, especially if they don’t get enough exercise and are fed snacks, note veterinarians. And note, too much weight can cause or trigger health problems such as heart diseases and diabetes in pets. The good news is, you can help your feline to keep trim and fit with supplements such as vinegar.

Vinegar Rx: Try 1 teaspoon organic (this is preferred by holistic vets, like Dr. Goldstein, for the best results to fight fat) apple cider vinegar in drinking water twice a day to help dissolve fats.

Why Kitty Will Purr: Rather than putting your cat on a treadmill or cutting down its food too fast, vinegar is a safe and gradual way to help pare pounds.

6. Immunity Booster: Did you know that research shows vinegar acts as a disease-fighting antioxidant in the bloodstream for humans? No doubt, it can also protect your cat’s immune system from damaging toxins, whether it be fight damage done by sunlight and pollutants in the environment, or even fight cancer.

Vinegar Rx: Use 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in your cat’s water bowl.

Why Kitty Will Purr: As your cat ages, if it defies diseases and lives a longer, healthy life it is a given that contentment for both you and your cat will be the payoff.