Many dog and cat guardians know about the benefits of fermented foods for their personal digestive health, but did you know that there are a variety of pet-friendly fermented foods we can feed our dogs and cats to help improve their gut and overall health?
Pet-Friendly Fermented Foods
- Apple cider vinegar
- Kimchi
- Kefir
- Pickled vegetables
- Raw cheese (not for immune-impaired animals)
- Sauerkraut
- Tempeh
- Yogurt
Fermented Foods Offer Many Benefits to the Gut
- Increased bioavailability of nutrients
- Increased digestibility
- Alkalizing to the body (anti-cancer)
- Supply beneficial bacteria to the GI tract that are essential to immune and overall health
A Few Tips for Cat and Dog-Friendly Fermented Foods
When incorporating fermented foods for dog and cat’s into your pet’s diet, begin with a small amount over the course of a week or two to avoid any potential stomach upset. While fermented foods are excellent health-boosters, too much at one time is not a good idea as it can actually cause digestive upset, including diarrhea.
- Kefir: Kefir contains live and active cultures to feed the healthy bacteria in the gut. You can make your own kefir by purchasing kefir grains and fermenting them yourself. Making kefir yourself is also a great way to decide if you want to make a dairy-free option while still giving your pet all the wonderful benefits kefir has to offer. If your pet is sensitive to dairy, you can purchase water kefir grains.
- Fermented Vegetables: Fermented vegetables are excellent for the health of the digestive tract. Just be sure to start out giving your dog or cat just a little bit to avoid digestive upset.
- Cabbage Juice: If your pet is fussy about eating fermented vegetables, you can mix a little cabbage juice into your dog or cat’s food for a probiotic boost. Again, begin with just a little, such as a teaspoon of cabbage juice mixed with a teaspoon of water added to the meal.
Originally posted 2017-11-12 23:09:50.
