Does apple cider vinegar remove tartar or plaque from my dog or cat’s teeth?
Original Question: Does apple cider vinegar to remove tartar or plaque from my dog or cat’s teeth work? - Anonymous
Oct 4, 2020
On the human side, apple cider vinegar has been claimed to whiten teeth and remove plaque. An article by Wilson (2019) reviewed research on this topic and found that the problem with continued use of apple cider vinegar is that it will erode the enamel layer of your teeth. In pet literature, apple cider vinegar has been added to drinking water to promote dental health, but there are no research citations to back up this claim (Hunt-Rivera, 2018). To avoid the risk of enamel erosion, I would not recommend the use of apple cider vinegar unless evidence-based research on dogs and cats is available.
Jeanne Perrone, MS, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)
References
Hunt-Rivera, C. (2018). Apple cider vinegar for dogs: A natural path toward health. Retrieved from Simple Wag: https://simplewag.com/apple-cider-vinegar-for-dogs/
Wilson, D. (2019, April 26). Will apple cider vinegar damage my teeth? Retrieved from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/apple-cider-vinegar-teeth
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