Group 5: Investigatory Project (Introduction)

Apple Cider Vinegar: A Natural Flea Preventative

Apple cider vinegar doesnt actually kill fleas, but it does provide an unpleasant environment that
will make fleas want to move on. Both the smell and the taste are off-putting to fleas, which
means they avoid your pet if they smell and taste like apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is best used as a preventative measure in protecting your pets against fleas.
And while there are plenty of commercial products available for killing and preventing fleas, not
all veterinarians like them. I recommend using natural flea products instead of chemicals due to
the many detrimental side effects that can occur when using chemical products, says Dr. Judy
Morgan, a holistic veterinarian in New Jersey. She notes that some chemicals found in
commercial options can potentially negatively affect not only the pet, but also the humans
including childrenwho administer them and come in close contact with the treated pets.
Using apple cider vinegar as a preventative flea treatment will make things easier for you later.
Dr. Pamela Fisher, a holistic veterinarian in Ohio, notes that fleas are much harder to deal with
once theyre on your pet and in your home.
But not all veterinarians support apple cider vinegar as an effective flea preventative. I would
only recommend natural options for owners who are holistic or for patients who do not respond
well to medicated flea treatments, says Katie Gryzb, DVM, a veterinarian based out of Brooklyn.
I would never recommend a natural option over a medicated flea treatment except for the
previously stated cases.