You must have wondered at some point that what if your cat accidentally drinks vinegar, what could happen. Rest assured, vinegar isn’t harmful to your cats, and cleaning the house with it isn’t going to be toxic either.
This, however, doesn’t mean that you can make your cat drink pure vinegar as it is. Just the way humans crinkle at the acidic aroma of vinegar, your cat will also not find the smell to be appealing. It is also highly unlikely that your cat will like the flavor of vinegar and drink it willingly.
As a cleaning agent, vinegar is safe for your cat. You just need to read the labels properly and follow any directives if mentioned, specifically. Cats are naturally curious little creatures, and they will do the most unthinkable things. You shouldn’t worry even if your cat decides to lick the floor after you have freshly mopped it clean using a vinegar solution.
Vinegar and its uses
The best option of vinegar, which will be good for your cat, is apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar comparatively has a sweeter aroma, but it has the same acidic contents so, you can use it for keeping off critters. It also prevents bacteria from potentially infecting your cat’s bladder.
Always choose a good quality apple cider vinegar while buying, if you plan on using it as a medicinal supplement for your cat. A low-quality vinegar will have no good effect on your cat, and it could also lead to health risks.
Apple cider vinegar has various uses. It can be used as a preventative agent against fleas because it has a very strong aroma that repels parasites. Although you cannot use apple cider vinegar for killing fleas, you can use it as a preventative agent. The smell of the vinegar turns away the fleas from hopping into the furs of your cat, and it will prevent future infestations.
Apple cider vinegar is a good alternative to be used as a remedy for cats suffering from Urinary Tract Infection, bladder infection and other bacterial problems. Due to its ability to prevent the development and flourishment of bacteria, apple cider vinegar is the best home remedy for treating your feline for bladder blockages, ear infections, etc.
Make a safe solution of the vinegar before feeding it to your cat by diluting it with water.
Apple cider vinegar for treating ear infection and ear mites
The process:
- Make a solution, consisting of 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and a cup of lukewarm water
- Get some clean cotton
- Soak the cotton ball into the solution
- Wipe your cat’s ear with the cotton, cleaning all the visible mites and dirt
- Repeat the process to get a thorough cleaning
- Then dry the ear using a fresh cotton ball
Apple cider vinegar for treating internal infections
Before you get started with any treatment related to the internal organs of your cat, make a point to contact your veterinarian. Get confirmation from the vet on what the best solution will be at that moment. If your vet recommends that it is best to get your cat treated in the clinic, then you should follow the instruction.
When you are feeding apple cider vinegar as a medicine to your cat, try using cat food, which is of wet nature. This will make the vinegar untraceable, and your cat will willingly ingest it.
- Mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with the cat’s food (wet food)
- For taste, add a teaspoon of tuna water (unsalted) or chicken broth
- Feed this twice a day
- For the next 72 hours, repeat the feeding process and monitor any symptoms or changes
- If your cat’s condition worsens, rush him to the vet immediately
Apple cider vinegar has also been known to be an effective remedy for treating felines with arthritis, relieving joint pain, and reducing swelling.
Vinegar as a household cleaning agent
Vinegar can be one of the best cleaning products, especially if you have pets, as it is non-toxic and completely safe. Vinegar is inexpensive, easily available, and a really good cleaning product for your home. It is non-toxic, which means that it is safe even if you have small children and pets in your home. Like honey, vinegar is a product that doesn’t have an expiry date.
You can use vinegar to even get rid of the stink of urine, from hard surfaces and fabrics. It is good for cleaning stains because the acidic content in vinegar neutralizes the alkaline salts, which are caused by urine stains. Mix one part water and one part vinegar to make a solution. Use it to clean the walls or floors. Initially, your house will have the aroma of vinegar, but the smell will last just for a while.
A mixture of vinegar and baking soda can also be used as a cleaning solution to get rid of the stench left behind by cats after using their litter box. Although an ideal cleaning solution, you should refrain from using vinegar for cleaning materials like marble, granite, and soapstone surfaces. Vinegar can also damage wood furnishing and some fabrics, so be on the safer side and do some research before you begin cleaning with it.
With that said, even though vinegar can cause damage to some materials in your home, it will never harm your pet.
Final thoughts
While using vinegar as a substitute for your cat, always use the organic version. Using organic apple cider vinegar will ensure that your cat will reap all the benefits intended for his health and wellness.
Apple cider vinegar is also mostly recommended for external use. Your cat will nonetheless ingest some amount by licking itself while grooming. Your cat can benefit from the use of organic apple cider vinegar on its skin and fur as it doesn’t cause any irritation or discomfort.
Always monitor your cat’s improvement when using home remedies and look out for any unusual symptoms. Cats are small creatures, and the smallest change in their diet can mess up their system, so it is always best to check with your vet first before making any changes to its die