Kombucha For Dogs: How To Feed Your Dogs
Can dogs drink kombucha? Yes, dogs can drink kombucha. The fact that kombucha contains live probiotic matter is only more reason why you should let your dogs drink this organic fermented brew.
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Disclaimer: It’s important to note that raw kombucha does contain some alcohol (0.5- 1.5%), while hard kombucha contains up to 5% alcohol. Dogs are highly sensitive to alcohol, and even small amounts can trigger severe central nervous system symptoms due to toxicity. Dogs are also highly sensitive to caffeine, which is also present in kombucha, so ensure that you check the content before feeding the brew to your dog. Flavored kombucha may also contain added sugar, which can result in uncontrolled weight gain on your pet.
Can Dogs Eat SCOBY?
Dogs can eat the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), which is a gelatin mass of yeast and bacteria cells in a digestive biofilm that’s formed by the culture as it grows. Raw SCOBY is beneficial to your furry friends as it contains live probiotics that play a major role in supporting a healthy gut bio.
Raw SCOBY
Raw SCOBY is entirely edible for dogs, although some dogs may be rather picky depending on the flavor of the tea that the SCOBY was used to ferment.
Dehydrated SCOBY
Dehydrated SCOBY makes for a perfect dog treat as it can even be roasted to give it a more vibrant aroma, although this will render it nutrient deficient as the heat usually kills
Health Benefits For Your Dog
Cancer
While there exists no empirical evidence on kombucha preventing cancer in dogs, there’s some speculation that the antioxidant effects of kombucha can have a marginal impact in fighting off cancer. This is because the antioxidants once consumed get absorbed in the bloodstream and bind with free radicals that would otherwise react with healthy cells and DNA, which leads to the growth of cancerous cells.
Digestion
Dogs and humans share similar gut microbiomes, and it, therefore, goes without saying that the same digestion benefits witnessed from the consumption of kombucha would also be witnessed in your furry friend. The digestion benefits are a result of the billions of live probiotics that promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut bio hence a much healthier digestion system.
Probiotics
Kombucha contains live probiotics that serve a significant role in restoring gut bio balance in your dog. When the friendly bacteria are in control, most of the digestive system related complications usually disappear, such as diarrhea. Probiotics also play a significant role in reducing the severity of some dog allergies.
Other Uses For Kombucha
Holistic Healing For Dogs
Holistic healing involves treating your pet as a whole: spirit, body, and mind. The added probiotic intake from the consumption of kombucha leads to a holistic healing effect on your dogs as it not only improves gut bio, immunity but also keeps them energized.
Skin Irritation
Dogs are often susceptible to skin irritation, which can lead to excessive scratching and even loss of fur. Kombucha can reduce this due to its slightly acidic nature, which gets rid of fleas.
How To Apply Kombucha
Itchy skin
Fill a spray bottle with raw kombucha and spray directly on the itchy skin.
Fleas
The acidity will drive away from the fleas and also sterilize the infected skin allowing it to heal much faster. Use a spray bottle to apply the raw kombucha evenly across the entire body with emphasis on the most affected areas.
Wet dog smell
You can do a full-body scrub by using a rag to get rid of wet dog smell. Alternate between spraying with the bottle and scrubbing with a rag until all the dirt comes off. The kombucha will also prevent wet-dog odor as it contains anti-microbial properties. Kombucha also softens your pet’s fur.
Dog Treats
Chewy SCOBY Treats
SCOBYs can be dehydrated, making them more solid, and further processing can transform them into the ultimate dog treats.
How To Dehydrate SCOBYs
Oven Method - Inspired by Fermenting for Foodies
1. On a clean cutting board, spread the SCOBY so that it’s as flat as possible.
2. Using a clean, sharp knife make parallel cuts from top to bottom about 1 inch apart
3. Separate the individual strips and gently place each on a tray with a rack. The rack helps in keeping the SCOBY from sticking to the tray.
4. Set your oven to 80-90 degrees F (26.6-32.2 degrees C) and place the loaded tray with a rack in it.
5. Allow the SCOBY to dry up until they achieve the same consistency as that of jerky.
6. Take out from the oven and allow the strips to cool down before cubing them.
Dehydrator Method - Inspired by Yum Universe
Unlike an oven that relies on conventional heat to dry the SCOBY, a dehydrator circulates hot air in the interior to remove moisture from the food.
1. On a clean cutting board, spread the SCOBY so that it’s as flat as possible.
2. Using a clean, sharp knife make parallel cuts from top to bottom about 1 inch apart.
3. Separate the individual strips and gently place each on a tray with a rack before transferring it into the dehydrator.
4. Set the temperature to the lowest possible and keep on monitoring the progress every 30 mins until the strips attain a jerky consistency.
Baked SCOBY Treats
1. On a clean cutting board, spread the SCOBY so that it’s as flat as possible.
2. Using a clean, sharp knife make parallel cuts from top to bottom about 1 inch apart.
3. Separate the individual strips and gently place each on a tray with a rack before transferring it into the oven.
4. Set the temperature to the lowest possible (90 degrees F, or 32.2 degrees C should do just fine) bake for up to 2 hours.
FAQs
Is SCOBY suitable for dogs?
Yes, SCOBY is perfectly edible and healthy for dogs.
Can dogs eat fermented cabbage?
Yes, dogs can feed on fermented cabbage such as raw sauerkraut, which is rich in vitamins and is teeming with live probiotics.
Is a SCOBY an animal?
No, a SCOBY is simply a collection of bacteria and yeast cells that symbiotically exist together.
