Dog Friendly Homemade Kefir
Why give your dogs Kefir?
Kefir is a great addition to your dog’s diet as it is full of probiotics, therefore helps to promote a healthy gut.
Kefir is a fermented milk drink that is full of health protecting benefits such as:
- Promotes a healthy digestive system
- Helps create healthy skin and coat
- Prevents bad breath
- Can prevent allergies
- Contains muscle building proteins
- Supports the immune system and overall wellbeing
- Helps to create enhanced nutrient absorption
Giving dogs a small amount of Kefir each day either directly on a spoon or through their food can help create the above benefits.
Homemade Kefir is a better option as there are no added ingredients and owners know exactly what is going into their dog’s body.
The following recipe will provide around a week’s worth of Kefir for medium to large dogs.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of activated Kefir grains (you can purchase them here Good Gut Tribe – Organic Milk Kefir Grains (10g) : Amazon.co.uk: Grocery
- 300ml plant based milk (I used oat)
- 1 glass jar
- 1 muslin square
Method
Pop the activated Kefir granules into the glass jar
Pour in the plant-based milk
Cover jar with the muslin and secure with an elastic band
Allow to ferment for up to 24 hours
Store on the kitchen worktop but out of direct sunlight
After 24 hours, strain the milk from the kefir grains into another clean jar
Keep the kefir grains in the original jar and cover with some of the milk solution from the other jar
You can then freeze these grains to make your next batch, just defrost them the night before you intend to make
Take the jar with the kefir milk solution, cover and store in the fridge
This should last 5-7 days but test regularly to keep an eye
It should taste like slightly sour milk
Things to remember when introducing kefir into your dogs diet
- Start off small when giving to your dog
- New additions to the diet can sometimes cause stomach upset, so be mindful of this
- If your dog tolerates the kefir well, you can then build up and add more to their diet
- Feeding 1-2 tablespoons per day for medium to large dogs will be enough, just adjust accordingly to your dog’s size and weight
- NB – if your dog is unwell or on any medications, always consult with your vet before feeding
We hope that you enjoy trying this recipe with your dog, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out lisa@thedogwitch.co.uk
See you on the next Blog
Lisa and Zac xx
Team – The Dog Witch