Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) & Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) for Goats
As the humans in our house increasingly move toward using natural and homeopathic remedies, we’ve been doing the same with our animals as well. Two things keep coming up in my research as kind of cure-alls and/or preventive measures for just about everything from respiratory problems to parasites to rumen issues: apple cider vinegar (ACV) and grapefruit seed extract (GSE).
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) and grapefruit seed extract (GSE) (Italian versions)
Everything I’ve read says to just add drops to the goat’s (or chicken’s or dog’s) water; some give ratios though most don’t. Both can also be applied topically (diluted with water) if you’re aiming to get rid of lice and such.
So I’m wondering whether fellow goat people have used either or both of these, and if so, if you have measurements to share. Also, have you found them to be effective as either treatment or preventative or both? In goats, humans, chickens, dogs, other animals?
And have you ever had trouble getting your animals to actually drink the water once it has the ACV or GSE added?
Any and all opinions and experiences with ACV and GSE welcome!
11 Responses to “Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) & Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) for Goats”
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Haven’t tried it yet, but I know it’s good stuff. It’s also recommended for turkeys to help prevent blackhead disease.
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michelle Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 9:03 am
Thx June!
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I don’t have a goat story, but I use ACV in my 10 yr old dogs water. He was lame last year with arthritis. I read up on it and gave it a try. Within three days he was able to run about 15 feet. This year he is running around like a puppy. I also added glucosamine and chondriontin and hope this doesn’t hurt anyones feelings … but he gets a large dollop of plain goat yogurt every morning to help his digestion. I love your web site!
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Kat Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 3:33 am
I use about 1 teaspoon for about 1/2-3/4 of a gallon of water. I change his water every morning and on the weekends I don’t give him ACV because the site recommended a break such as I said.
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michelle Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 9:04 am
Thx for the measurement, Kat; seems like it would always be good to give the animals “a break”
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michelle Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 9:04 am
How great for your doggie, Kat!
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Kat Reply:
January 22nd, 2012 at 8:11 pm
He is a healthy guy. I think the severe climate change ran him over. When we moved from the beach to 5k elevation with snow it hit him hard. He’s a big dog, 72 lbs and loves snow, but I think several combinations knocked him for a loop last year. He is doing very well this year. I’m glad I didn’t put him down, which sadly I was considering. I hate to see an animal suffer.
Have a good one!
Kat and Henry the wonder dog!
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michelle Reply:
January 26th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
So good to hear, Kat! Hugs to you and Henry!
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ACV is usefull for about anything. We live a very green lifestly and have no chemicals to speak of in the house. I use distilled vinegar mostly for cleaning. (1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water, a couple oz lemon juice and usually lavender EO). For bathing our dogs (and washing our own hair) we scrub the scalp/skin with a baking soda paste, rinse, then use a vinegar rinse that’s 10 parts water to 2 parts ACV.
I haven’t done it yet on the goats but I suspect I will when the weather gets nicer around here.
Boiling orange peels, then pouring that water over dogs after a bath (not cats!) For some reason really repells fleas. (And makes them smell good) I wonder if doing the same would work for the goats?
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A few weeks behind on this post, but wanted to chime in on ACV. I use it any time I’m feeling even remotely sick. I used to be prone to sinus infections, but now I just drop a spoonful of ACV into tea and feel better within hours. I hate the taste of it, but it always works! Oddly enough I also use it to clean around the house.
@Kat never thought to use it for my dog, but I think it’s a great idea!
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michelle Reply:
February 12th, 2012 at 11:56 am
I’ve heard it’s great for cleaning too; kind of expensive here for me to use it that way, but definitely is keeping the goats’ water bucket cleaner since I’ve been dropping some in!
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