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Sauerkraut

A representation of Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is a typical German dish made from white or pointed cabbage that is fermented with salt and lactic acid bacteria. Sauerkraut is very healthy for humans, but what about dogs? Can dogs eat sauerkraut? And if so, how much and in what form? In this article, you'll find out everything you need to know about sauerkraut for dogs.

The benefits of sauerkraut for dogs

Sauerkraut has many benefits for your dog's health. It contains valuable vitamins, such as vitamins A, B, C, E and K, which are important for the skin, coat, blood formation, immune system and cell regeneration. Sauerkraut is also rich in antioxidants, which inhibit inflammation and can help with allergies. The special thing about sauerkraut, however, is its high content of lactic acid bacteria, which strengthen and regulate your dog's intestinal flora. This has various positive effects:

  • Sauerkraut can help with constipation by gently stimulating the intestines and aiding digestion. To do this, you should mix cooked sauerkraut into your dog's food. Make sure that you rinse the sauerkraut well beforehand to remove excess salt and that you cook it without spices.
  • Sauerkraut can help with diarrhoea by stabilizing the intestinal flora and fighting harmful bacteria. To do this, you should mix raw sauerkraut into your dog's food. The same applies here: rinse the sauerkraut well beforehand and do not use any spices.
  • Sauerkraut can help with swallowed foreign bodies by coating and protecting them, thus reducing the risk of injury to the gastrointestinal tract. It can also speed up the elimination of foreign bodies. To do this, you should give your dog a large amount of raw sauerkraut on its own. If your dog doesn't like sauerkraut, you can make it palatable with a little liver sausage or curd cheese.

The disadvantages of sauerkraut for dogs

Although sauerkraut is healthy for dogs, it is not a natural food for them. You should therefore only give it in small quantities and not too often. Too much sauerkraut can lead to acidity in the stomach and cause stomach problems. Sauerkraut can also leave indigestible residues that can reduce the nutritional content of the food. If your dog has a sensitive digestive system or suffers from a chronic illness, you should speak to your vet before giving him sauerkraut.

 

Sauerkraut is a good home remedy for dogs that can help with various digestive problems. It is also a useful first aid measure for swallowed foreign bodies. However, you should make sure that you only give your dog high-quality sauerkraut without additives, that you rinse it well and that you offer it raw or cooked, depending on the situation. You should also not feed too much sauerkraut and not too often to avoid over-acidification.

Learn even more about Sauerkraut

If you notice any signs of hypersensitivity or poisoning in your dog, you should see your vet immediately. We are not a substitute for a vet, but we try to be as accurate as possible. Every dog reacts differently and we recommend you get a second opinion or consult your vet if in doubt.

Stay healthy and take good care of your four-legged friend!😊