Vinegar is one of those kitchen cupboard wonders–it can do as much for a salad dressing as it can for a pet’s coat or neutralizing odors. Here are a few clever ways to put vinegar to work for your pets.

Shine Enhancer
Mix one cup of whte vinegar to one quart of water and rub or spray it on the coat of your dog.

Skin Soother
Mix 1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar to 1 1/2 cups water and use as a rinse after your dog’s bath to help soothe skin affected by chronic skin infections or irritations.

Ear Helper
Vinegar hampers unfriendly bacteria and other microorganisms that are a common cause of ear infections in dogs and cats–keep infections at bay by wiping ears out weekly with a cotton ball saturated with equal parts water and apple cider vinegar.

Skunk Spray Fixer
Tomato juice is the odor remover of choice for pets sprayed by skunks, but vinegar works as well to neutralize the stink. Soak the coat with a mixture of half water and half vinegar, then rinse with plain water. Repeat if necessary.

Cat Deterrent
You’ll need to do a patch test before spraying vinegar on fabric, but the smell of vinegar is a great deterrent for cats. Spray white vinegar anywhere you don’t want your cat to scratch, sleep, or sit.

Cure Cat Odors
Click here to read about Annie’s vinegar secret to neutralizing the smell of cat urine.

Make Dog Shampoo
Try this DIY Formula using vinegar for a healthy homemade pet shampoo.