Can I wash my cats with white vinegar?

By Swivel Barstool On October 14, 2010 Under Stools Bathroom

Question by Jessica: Can I wash my cats with white vinegar?
I have recently found some evidence of fleas on my bed and couch from my cats and am pretty sure that my one cat has a tapeworm. She has had blood in stools for in this area 6-8 mos now and eats like she is starving along with other symptoms of possible tapeworms. I use Benefit Multi every month and bath my cats monthly. I plot on getting the Tradewinds brand tapeworm medication tomorrow at Petsmart and flea powder. I am going to vacuum with flea powder, wash all sheets, blankets and towels. And I want to wash my cats with distilled white vinegar as well as flea dip. Then place on their Benefit Multi and give them the Tradewinds meds. According to many reviews I have read, the medication is effective and has few side effects. And before I get the smart comments from all the internet prowlers and “pet experts”, 1) I have spent over 00 on the two cats withing the last two being at the vets office between vaccines, spaying, medications, checkups, etc. So NO I am not taking them to the vet when I can fix the problem at home. 2) I have not SEEN any live fleas or tapeworms from their anus’. I just see small black eyeglasses where they have sat and/or slept and some small red droplets around the bathroom sink where they sit and play with water, which is said to be from the droplets getting wet. So I do not have an influx or dirty apartment. I am STOPPING the problem before it progresses. And obviously I care for my cats since they are on the not so cheap Benefit Multi. 3) I read the q&a’s pretty regularly on here so I know all the preaching people do, so do not leave a comment if that’s what you are going to do. Thank you.
So would it be safe to wash my cats with distilled white vinegar? Since people do wash their hair with on a regular basis and when they have lice.
Kimmi-I have taken the cat to the vet and she gave me some kind of powder for the cats food that cost and lasted a month. As well as some science diet dry and wet food that was in this area that lasted in this area 2 months. So I have gone to the vet for the bloody stools. She tested negative at that time for tapeworms and/or any internal injuries or problems. She said it may have been worms, but she tested negative. So, it is not something that she has not been seen for. I should have mentioned that above. I in the end want to treat the problem at hand and if it fixes the blood in the stools (which btw is not a regular occurrence) then I won’t have to go back to the vet.
River Rat- You are right. I never considered that they bathe themselves So I reckon I may continue the flea dip and Benefit.

Best answer:

Answer by River Rat
Yes, people do wash or sponge down their hair with *vinegar … but they don’t lick their hair like cats do. I’d dodge that if I were you. You can get cat flea clean and that won’t bother them.

You might want to flea treat them with the powder initially. If the tapeworm medication is like some other worming meds it often gives animals diarrhea. Once that’s done would be a better time to bathe them, and then powder them again.

Best of luck. They’ll be more pleased kitties when you’re done.

* Just as an fyi, white vinegar mixed half & half with water makes a fantastic hair sponge down! It takes out every bit of conditioner and clean, leaving your hair detangled and soft as can be. Give it a try … just sponge down thoroughly else you’ll smell like a salad!

What do you reckon? Answer not more than!

Tags: cat's, vinegar, wash, White