Superfood Kefir
 

So Long Yeast, Hello Kefir! | Dogs Naturally Magazine


So Long Yeast, Hello Kefir!

By Rodney Habib in Nutrition And Diet

Do you feed the superfood kefir to your pets? These days, pet foods can contain up to 70% carbohydrates. These carbs are broken down to sugars, which then fuel the yeast in your pets’ bodies!
Too much yeast = big time problems!
If you cannot switch to a low carb pet food (like a species appropriate raw food diet) then you will need to supply your pet with something to attack the yeast. Meet kefir.
These dairy or water-based grains have a multitude of vitamins and minerals. They provide a wide variety of probiotic organisms and have super awesome healing qualities.
Pronounced “kah-fear!” according to the folk of the Caucasian Mountains, this “grain of life” is similar in appearance to regular yogurt, however has a way bigger engine under its hood!
Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found in yogurt such as Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter species, and Streptococcus species. It also contains beneficial yeasts, such as Saccharomyces kefir and Torula kefir, which control and eliminate destructive pathogenic yeasts in the body.
Some studies have shown kefir to ward off salmonella and E. Coli as well as having the capability to kill H. Pylori.


The Benefits

Kefir health benefits are vast and that is due to the 30 different strains of good bacteria and yeast present in those cloud shaped grains! The bulk of those grains are a combination of insoluble protein, amino acids, lipids and complex sugars.
Kefir is rich in B complex vitamins such as Vitamin B1, B12, as well as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin K and biotin. The main minerals present in kefir tend to be calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.


Want More?

Kefir provides anti-biotic and anti-fungal properties;
A must add after the use of antibiotics to restore balance to your pet’s digestive tract;
Helps to prevent allergies in your pet.
Beneficial for candidiasis and heart problems in pets/humans;
Vitamin B will regulate the normal function of the kidneys, liver and nervous system for you and your pet;
Helps to promote healthy looking skin, boosting energy and promoting longevity;
All the micro-organisms present strengthen the digestive system;
Helps to alleviate gas, bloating and heartburn;
Probiotic aid may help with IBD, eczema and bad breath;
Has been linked to aid in gastritis, pancreatitis, abdominal peptic issues, skin psoriasis, rheumatism, joint disease as well as gouty arthritis, weakening of bones, anemia, as well as leaky digestive tract syndrome;
Able to reduce risking potential a number of malignancies, such as colon cancer malignancy, stopping the increase of cancerous cells;
Health advantages comprise of acne pimple management or treatment, sleep problems, unhappiness, asthma attack, respiratory disease, high blood pressure, all forms of diabetes, long-term weakness syndrome, allergic reactions, colitis, looseness of the bowels, and so forth.

Where Can You Find It?

Nowadays, kefir can be found in any supermarket, but try sourcing it from your local Farmers Market to assure that it is local, fresh and hormone/GMO free!
Kefir is traditionally made with cow, goat or sheep milk, but you can also make it with coconut or almond milk (also coconut water).
As always: variation, moderation and balance! Kefir is very safe, This is not to say that some people or pets don’t react negatively to kefir, especially when first trying it. When introducing kefir to your pets, remember to always go slow.
Give your pet’s system time to adjust. For the first few days to a week try half the recommended dosages. This will avoid digestive upset as your pet’s system adjusts to the increase of good flora in their GI tract.

Dosages

Recommended Minimum Daily Intake of Kefir
Small size dogs or cats – 1 tsp. – 1 tbsp.
Medium size dogs – 1 – 2 tbsp.
Large dogs – 2 – 3 tbsp.
Kefir can work miracles for yours and your pet’s body, so go ahead and start incorporating it into your diets. Remember the three factors mentioned above: variation, moderation and balance and reap the benefits that this wonderful grain has been offering people all over the world for many generations.


For more info on kefir


For more info on why goat’s milk kefir is ultra nutritious

We haven't tried it, but I'm going out tomorrow to get some!:D

Me too!

I started researching this stuff almost 2 years ago and last year, I started giving it to my dogs. They love it and I have no doubt it is providing them with an abundance of wonderful probiotics, etc. I even incorporated it into my formula for new borns that I tube feed...instead of the cup of yogurt, I use the Kefir....it mixes easier, and provides so much more than yogurt, especially for intestinal health and digestion in the newborns. I also use it in my protein smoothie each morning instead of all milk.....I use the strawberry Kefir in a 1:1 ratio with my Heart Healthy milk....loving the stuff!

Do you buy it or make it? I've seen recipes using this

Amazon


But it just says milk grains - and I can't be sure if it's goat milk? Also, a review says it is not authentic cultures - not sure how to tell if it is, or not?

I haven't seen it at the market, but I'm also not really sure where to look. For those that use it, where do you get it?

HEB and Kroger in Houston carry it....several different "forms"...I get the 1 qt. plain and flavored ones that are labeled "Lo Fat Kefir cultured milk smoothie". I think they have it in a yogurt like form too....I put about 1 tbsp over my dog food kibble....it is rich in calcium, so it is super for my mommas, before whelping as well as in the lactating mothers milk pudding after they whelp. Like I said, I get the strawberry flavored one to use in my smoothie each morning, while the pups like the unflavored one over their food....I also add it to cottage cheese that I treat the babies with .....It is kept in a special cold counter at Kroger....at HEB, it is right alongside the yogurt, cottage cheese, etc back in the refridgerated dairy aisle. (I think HEB is a Texas store only....)

What type of container is this Kefir in? Can you post a picture of it?

If you will google Kefir milk, pictures of the container comes up, along with where you can get it and all the different flavors, etc. I can not post anything with my lousy computer skills! It is 1 qt. plastic bottles....."Lifeway" brand.

Ok...Thank you very much and I will look online. Hopefully I can find it in the stores here in Florida.

You can go to the Lifeway home page...they have a store locater on their site....just plug in your zip code and they will tell you who carries it near you!

Great and thanks!

Just went to their homepage and it looks like only Winn Dixie carries it here where I live. At least there is one only 2.4 miles from where I live. Yeah!!!:D:D

Alright!!! Great!!

I bet mine would love the taste of this, think I'll try it!

In this one ...

Organic Low Fat Plain Kefir

Does it taste more like milk or yogurt? What is the texture? Is it smooth?

Yes, that is it!! That is the plain flavor...it is smooth, it has a little of a tart taste, it is maybe the consistency of buttermilk....thicker than plain milk, but not as thick as yogurt.

Great, thanks! I'm going to look for it next time I'm in the market and give it a try (for me and the pups). I didn't know it came this way. I have only seen pictures of it looking like cottage cheese.

I get the plain flavor for the pups, mix a tbsp in with a little cottage cheese for an evening treat. I use the strawberry flavor in my smoothie.....I love it!

Thanks YorkieMom1, I'll be going to our local Ralphs to get it...lots of local regular chain markets here carry it, according to the store search. Gonna get the one xmasbaby75 linked & the strawberry one yum! I'm lactose intolerant. (TMI!):p

For the doggies, I think I'm going to try making the kefir out of raw goat's milk. Going to pick up a bottle of Primal or Answers raw goat's milk today. If it works out ok, gonna try it w/coconut milk too!

For those interested in trying to make small batches @ home, here's a great link w/pics (from the 2nd link in post 1):
How to Make Kefir - CHEESESLAVE

I'm going to add some chia seeds to the kefir, for the awesome omega 3's! My furry butts just lick the seeds off the palm of my hand.:dribble:

I bought a small container of Latta Russian Kefir yogurt for Lola and I to try. She licked it right up and looked for more.

It tastes a lot like greek yogurt, but I prefer the taste of Fage. In the future I'm going to buy flavored for myself and plain for Lola.

Lola doesn't have stomach problems but I do, hopefully it'll help.

I got ours & love it! I even liked the plain which surprised me as I hate plain yogurt. The pups like it as well so will be buying it regularly! I was disapointed that the store here only carried one brand. I wanted to try the coconut milk & goat milk kind but couldn't find them. .... The hunt is on lol

Kefir! Love it! Sachi has been getting Kefir since she was about 8 months old. We use the Lifeway Brand as well. I mostly give her the plain organic as I don't want to give her too much sugar, but treat her to strawberry or blueberry every so often.

Idk if it's from the kefir but my dainty little yorkie pooped 4x from 12am-12pm. Usually she only goes 1-2x in that time period. All 4 were a good size and normal texture.

I bought the peach kefir drink today, it's really good.

Turbo threw it up:eek:, he stunk like sour milk, blech! I'll stick to raw goat's milk for the doggies.:D

Do you know which brand has low sodium?

I was thinking & I don't think I can make the kefir out of raw goat's milk for the doggies...just the thought of it sitting there in a hot kitchen for hours, just sounds gross to me.:eek::p

I have no idea, but the Lifeway Organic Low Fat has 125mg Sodium per cup (240ml).

Kefir is widely available in the area that I live (portland oregon) and this thread makes me a little nervous because I recently made the choice to offer lilah a higher carbohydrate grain inclusive food. That has not traditionally gone with any of my canine feeding concepts but lilah is very skinny (vet said yes skinny but not unhealthy skinny- just watch it) and I feel like with the summer weather or whatever it is she is just more and more finicky about her food and I swear she is skinnier even than she was! She is going in for her dental soon and her teeth showed no signs Of decay or build up (lilah is twenty months old) she shows no signs of illness or poor health otherwise- just very food picky and skinny.

Yorkiemom- what do your dogs eat? Ladies, how are your pups doing on the kefir? Are you using it because you have a higher carbohydrate diet or more as a digestive supplement for general support? I would love to hear your feed back if you would :)

What does kefir do for dogs?

I have been using Latta Kefir. I give it to Galen and my kitties too.

Latta kefir

I just got a big bag of Chia seeds. I didn't know I can give them to Galen . . .another snack for him. . . How much to you give them?