Probiotic Foods for Dogs and Cats, Sauerkraut Recipes for Dogs, Kefir Recipe for Dogs and Cats, Natural Support for Gut Health and Immune Health (2024)

In this article:

1.0 Sauerkraut and Kefir Health Benefits

1. Sauerkraut Health Benefits (for dogs)
   
2. Kefir Health Benefits (for dogs and cats)
   

2.0 Sauerkraut Recipes (for dogs)

1. Simple Sauerkraut Recipe Ingredients
   
2. Confetti Sauerkraut Recipe Ingredients
   
3. Preparation Instructions
4. Daily Serving Recommendations
5. How To Introduce Sauerkraut to your Dog's Diet

3.0 Kefir (for dogs and cats)

1. Kefir Recipe
2. Daily Serving Recommendations
3. How to Introduce Kefir to Your Dog and Cat's Diet

4.0 Smoothie Recipes Made with Goat Milk, Kefir or Yogurt

1.0 Sauerkraut and Kefir Health Benefits

1.1 Sauerkraut Health Benefits

for dogs

Fresh sauerkraut isa very concentrated source of probiotics.Typically fresh 'kraut contains 13 strains ofbacteria and about 100 times more probiotics than most supplements; it is simple to make and mostdogs enjoy the taste.

Thehealth benefits to your dog are many, including:

• Aidsin the digestion process
• Booststhe immune system
• Helpsprevent cancer (sauerkraut contains compounds called isothiocyanates whichprotect against cancer)
• FightsE. Coli, salmonella
• Helps prevent candida
• Hasanti-inflammatory properties (inflammation can trigger some cancers).
• Rich source of vitamin A, B, C and E
• Calcium and magnesium, iron, potassium, copper andmanganese
• Excellent source of antioxidants
• Helpsalleviate anxiety and depression
• Supports omega-3 fatty acids
• Reduce allergy symptoms

1.2 Kefir Health Benefits

for dog and cats

Kefir isa creamy, naturally carbonated, fermented dairy product that dogs and cats can enjoy.

• Contains tryptophan, and essential amino acid;
• Helpsprevents illness
• Iseasily digestible
• Isexcellent for the immune system
• Naturalantibiotic and anti-fungal properties
• Promotesanti-cancer and anti-tumour activity in the body
• Promotesthe faster healing of wounds

Youcan read more about the benefits in detail here.

So,let’s look at some simple but great recipes to make your own sauerkraut andkefir for your dog and cat. You can eat the sauerkraut and kefir as well.

Using organic products to makethe recipes is always better than using non-organic, but either way the end product will be beneficial for your dog and cat.

2.1 Simple Sauerkraut Recipe Ingredients

You'll Need:

• 1medium green cabbage
• 1tbsp of organic salt - NOT iodized salt/table salt. Choose from i.e. grey sea salt, Celtic sea salt, Himalayan salt, etc.
• Water- enough to submerge cabbage in jar(s);
• 1large mixing bowl
• 1Mason jar (sterilized)

Thisrecipe makes about 1.6 litres of sauerkraut. See below for preparationinstructions and amount to feed your dog.

2.2 Confetti Sauerkraut Recipe Ingredients

You'll Need:

• 1medium green cabbage
• 1medium red cabbage
• 2-3tbsp of sea salt or Himalayan salt
  
• 1-2cups water - enough to submerge cabbage in jar(s)
• 1large mixing bowl
• Mason jars (sterilized)
  

Optionalingredients

• Gratedcarrot
• Freshdill or caraway seeds
• Juiceof one fresh lemon
• 2-4 tbsp of fresh shredded ginger

Thisrecipe makes about 3 litres of sauerkraut.

2.3 Preparation Instructions

Simple Sauerkraut, Confetti Sauerkraut

Nowyou are ready to seal the jar. You can squeeze fresh lemon juice over the jarrim and then the lid - this will ensure that any undesirable microbes arekilled and that the sauerkraut remains pure and uncontaminated.

Thesealed jar(s) should be placed in a location were they can sit at roomtemperature, away from direct light for a period of 4 to 10 days. Although youcan eat the sauerkraut after 4 days, the longer the sauerkraut is allowed tosit and ferment the more variety and quantity of probiotics present - sowaiting 10 days is best!

Duringthe fermentation period you will likely see the cabbage (soon to be sauerkraut)bubble and change color. You can periodically open the lid(s) to allow alittle of the gas to escape, then use a clean utensil to push the cabbage backdown leaving it submerged in the liquid.

Onceyou open a jar to eat it make sure you refrigerate it. The finished sauerkrautshould be provided to your dog raw not heated as heating will destroy theprobiotic quality as heat kills live bacteria. Kept in the refrigerator thefresh sauerkraut will preserve for several months.

2.4 Daily Serving Recommendations for Dogs

Smallsize dogs:

• ½ tsp to 1 heaping tbs, 1x to 2x per day.

• 2 tbs to 3 heaping tbs, 1x to 2x per day.

• 3 to 4 heaping tbs, 1x to 2x per day.

2.5 Howto Introduce Sauerkraut to Your Dog’s Diet

Aswith any new foodstuff that you introduce to your dog’s diet you should goslow. The probiotics in sauerkraut are highly concentrated so give your dog’ssystem time to adjust. For the first few days to a week cut the recommendeddosage in half. This will avoid stomach upset as your dog’s system adjusts tothe increased quantity of good flora in their GI tract. You can bring the dailydosage up to the recommended amount over the space of a few days to a week ortwo. If your dog has a negative reaction to the new food stop providing thefood to your dog. All of my dogs get kefir, sauerkraut and yogurt on a dailybasis. None of my 10 dogs have ever had a negative reaction to any of thesefood stuffs.

3.0 KefirRecipe

for dogs and cats

3.1 Recipe

You'll need the following utensils:

• 3wide-mouth quart jars complete with lids
• 1wooden slotted spoon or fork
• 1wire whisk that will fit inside jar
• 1plastic strainer

You'll Need:

• Whole,milk sufficient to fill the jars leaving a little space atthe top.
• 1tsp of kefir grains per each quart of milk.
• Youwill need to purchase the kefir grains (or kefir starter) from a health foodstore or on-line.
• Youcan also purchase Kefir making kits.

1. Goat milk.

• However you can use buffalo, cow, sheep or other ruminant animal milk.

• However you can use pasteurized milk.

• However you can use organic sourced milk.
  

Preparation

• Sterilizethe jars and all utensils
• Placethe appropriate qty of kefir grains in the bottom of each jar

Mediumsize dogs

Largedogs

X-Large dogs