Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage. It’s chopped up finely and left to ferment for around three to four weeks.
People think it came from China more than two millennia ago. As a side dish or condiment, sauerkraut has grown popular in many nations. It has a strong following in Germany, where its name is from, and it’s often eaten with liverwurst and bratwurst.
If you love sauerkraut you may wonder to yourself; is sauerkraut safe for dogs? Can dogs eat sauerkraut? The answer is yes, dogs can eat sauerkraut. The fermented cabbage offers some nutritional benefits for dogs, however, there are some potential risks to consider.
Read on to discover how sauerkraut can benefit dogs, how much sauerkraut you can feed to dogs, the potential risks involved in giving sauerkraut to dogs.
Table of Contents
Can Dogs Eat Sauerkraut? – Is Sauerkraut Safe For Dogs?
Yes, dogs can eat sauerkraut since it’s simply shredded cabbage that’s been fermented. Cabbage is non-toxic to dogs and is safe for dogs to consume.
However, the liquid that the cabbage is left to ferment in could potentially pose a threat to dogs depending on its ingredients.
On top that, there are different varieties of sauerkraut available that could also pose risks to dogs.
What Kind Of Sauerkraut Is Safe For Dogs To Eat?
There a lot of different varieties and types of sauerkraut available is stores. The range on offer can seem a little confusing and you may not know exactly which type is suitable for your dog. Let’s look at what types will be safe for our canine friends.
Sauerkraut Made At Home
If you want to feed your dog sauerkraut, the best choice is to make it yourself. You’ll know precisely what went into the sauerkraut, as well as how much of each ingredient.
Commercial sauerkraut sometimes contains components like caraway seeds and excessive salt, neither of which should be fed to dogs.
It’s easy to make your own sauerkraut at home with only cabbage, water, salt, and a mason jar.
There are several techniques for creating homemade sauerkraut that can be found with a simple online search.
Canned Sauerkraut
When compared to the newer refrigerated varieties, canned sauerkraut is looking a little dated these days.
Canned supermarket sauerkraut is okay to offer to your dog, but be sure to check the ingredients before feeding it to him.
Ensure that the professionally manufactured sauerkraut you purchase does not include garlic, onion, leek, or caraway seeds, which are all poisonous to dogs.
Is Sauerkraut Good For Dogs? Health Benefits Of Sauerkraut For Dogs
Sauerkraut can be considered good for dogs. Cabbage itself is non-toxic to dogs and has health benefits. The fermentation process results in a high concentration of naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria and helpful probiotics, which are good for a dog’s digestive health.
Helpful Probiotics For Dogs
Lactobacilli, a beneficial probiotic bacterium, can only be found in raw, unpasteurized sauerkraut. In addition to improving your dog’s capacity to absorb nutrients and digest food, these microorganisms may also help avoid common digestive system disorders.
Boost Gastrointestinal Health In Dogs
Cabbage, in whatever form, has a colossal amount of fiber. Adding fiber to your dog’s diet may help maintain a healthy digestive system and enhance the overall health of your pet pooch. Constipation, bloating, and gas are all reduced in dogs when sauerkraut is consumed, thanks to the fiber it contains.
Adding sauerkraut to the diet of dogs with sensitive stomachs or irregular bowel movements may help improve their digestive health
Enhance Bone Health In Dogs
Puppies and adult dogs benefit from the minerals in sauerkraut because they help build strong bones. As dogs age, vitamin K2 aids in bone health and remineralization by supporting the absorption of other minerals.
Boost The Immune System Of Dogs
Sauerkraut is a good source of vitamin C for dogs, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. The synthesis of white blood cells is stimulated, and cellular regeneration occurs as a result of vitamin C intake. Additional benefits of vitamin C in sauerkraut include promoting healthy development and growth of the body’s organs, muscles, blood vessels and bones.
Improve The Skin And Coat Health Of Dogs
Sauerkraut’s vitamin A and beta-carotene work as antioxidants to keep dogs’ eyes healthy and prevent cataracts in the senior dogs. Tissue development is aided by vitamin A in particular.
Is Sauerkraut Bad For Dogs? Dangers Of Sauerkraut For Dogs
Overall, sauerkraut is not at all inherently bad for dogs. Sauerkraut has great health benefits that dogs can gain by eating it. However, it’s still important to note the potential risks and dangers of sauerkraut for dogs, even if they’re not common.
Caraway Seeds In Some Sauerkraut Brands Are Toxic To Dogs
Caraway seeds can be found in some brands and varieties of sauerkraut. These seeds are toxic to dogs and you should never feed your dog anything containing caraway.
Fennel seeds and Meridian fennel are other names for caraway.
Watch careful for vomiting and diarrhea if your dog consumes any caraway. If your dog is showing signs of illness after eating these seeds, please take them to a veterinarian.
Excessive Sugar And Salt In Sauerkraut
Be aware of the salt amount on the nutrition label when purchasing canned or store-bought sauerkraut. If you make your own sauerkraut, you won’t have to worry about high sodium levels.
Salt may cause dehydration, gastrointestinal distress, and even hypertension in dogs if they consume too much.
Further, some commercially prepared sauerkraut includes added sugar, which is harmful to dogs.
Garlic Or Onion In Sauerkraut Is Harmful To Dogs
To give it a kick, some sauerkraut manufacturers include spices and other ingredients, instead of just leaving it as just simple fermented cabbage. That’s not a problem for us humans, but often the extra ingredients are those which are toxic to dogs, like garlic and onions.
Make sure you read the label when buying commercially made sauerkraut.
How To Make Sauerkraut For Dogs
Making sauerkraut for dogs is easy and a better choice than buying it from a store. Follow the steps below:
Ingredients And Equipment Needed To Make Sauerkraut For Dogs
- Cabbage: red or white is fine
- Salt: 1 and a half to 2 teaspoons per pound of cabbage
- A mason jar
- Fresh water
Method To Make Sauerkraut For Dogs
- Use a knife or a food processor to finely shred the cabbage. Sprinkle salt over the cabbage at the pre-calculated amount. Then toss the cabbage well. Allow to settle for a minimum of 15 minutes before using.
- For around total of five minutes, give the cabbage a good massage and rubbing. During this time, the cabbage should produce a significant volume of liquid.
- Fill a clean mason jar with the cabbage. take the liquid that was released during the massaging and kneading and pour it over the cabbage.
- To keep the cabbage submerged under brine, place a weight on top of it.
- Screw a lid onto the jar and leave it to ferment at room temperature.
- Typically, sauerkraut is left to ferment for between 2 and 4 weeks. But you can decide for yourself how long you want to ferment it for. The longer you ferment it, the more sour it becomes.
How Much Sauerkraut Should I Give My Dog?
A dog’s diet should include no more than 10% treats. However, because sauerkraut is so salty that it needs to be given in amounts less than that.
As a general rule, most veterinarians recommend that a 33-pound dog consume no more than 200mg of salt each day.
Get started with tiny portions of sauerkraut over a prolonged period. Treat sauerkraut as a condiment rather than as a mainstay of your dog’s diet, much like you would with spices and herbs like cumin, paprika and basil.
Can My Dog Eat Sauerkraut Everyday?
Dogs should not eat sauerkraut every day due to its high salt content. While sauerkraut offers lots of health benefits for dogs, the high salt content can be problematic for dogs if you feed it to them every day. Instead, sauerkraut should be given to dogs as a snack 2 to 3 times a week only.
Can Dogs Eat Sauerkraut With Caraway Seeds?
No, dogs cannot eat sauerkraut with caraway seeds. Caraway seeds are poisonous to dogs and must never be given to canines.
Caraway seeds are a common ingredient in commercially made sauerkraut. Therefore, when buying sauerkraut from a store, you must check the ingredients list carefully to ensure it doesn’t contain any caraway seeds.
If you make your own sauerkraut at home for your dog, make sure you don’t add in any caraway seeds.
Can Dogs Have Fermented Sauerkraut?
Yes, dogs can have fermented sauerkraut. The whole point of sauerkraut is that the cabbage is placed into a brine and fermented over the course of three to four weeks. If it’s not fermented, then it can’t be classed as sauerkraut.
Cabbage is safe and healthy for dogs. Fermented cabbage is safe and healthy for dogs. Although it’s important to note that sauerkraut contains a lot of salt, so you should only feed it to a dog in small amounts as an occasional treat.
Can Dogs Eat Sauerkraut And Pork?
Yes, dogs can eat sauerkraut with pork. Sauerkraut is just thinly shredded cabbage that’s been fermented. Cabbage is safe for dogs. Pork is also safe for dogs as long as it’s completely plain pork with no added spices, additives or other added elements that are harmful to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Store Bought Sauerkraut?
Dogs can eat store-bought sauerkraut as long as it’s free from the ingredients and additives that are hazardous to dogs.
Broadly speaking, most store-bought varieties of sauerkraut include dangerous ingredients for dogs, for example, caraway seeds, garlic, and onion.
Therefore, it’s important you check the ingredients label to make sure the sauerkraut you buy is safe for your dog to consume.
Recommended – Many vegetables are good for dogs, but what about a full vegetable broth? Find out by reading can dogs eat vegetable broth?
Are Dogs Allergic To Sauerkraut?
Technically speaking, dogs can be allergic to sauerkraut, because dogs can develop allergies to any food or substance. Even the most nutritious foods can provoke an allergic reaction in dogs.
With that said, traditionally made sauerkraut is just cabbage, water and salt. None of those ingredients contain known allergens. However, store bought sauerkraut could contain extra ingredients which could trigger allergic responses in dogs.
You may want to start with a just a very small quantity of sauerkraut if you have never fed it to your dog before and you’re concerned about an allergic reaction. After that, keep a close look out for your dog showing any signs of an allergic reaction.
Can Diabetic Dogs Eat Sauerkraut?
Yes, diabetic dogs can eat sauerkraut. However, you need to be mindful of the salt content in sauerkraut and check with a veterinarian before giving it to your diabetic dog.
Cabbage is high in fiber and high fiber foods slow carbohydrate digestion in dogs, preventing blood glucose levels from rising and triggering diabetes.
Recommended – Peas are in dog food, but is it healthy for them? Find out by reading can dogs eat peas?
Can Dogs Eat Sauerkraut? – A Summary
After perusing this article you’ll know the answer to the question, can dogs eat sauerkraut? Yes, dogs can eat sauerkraut, but there are some nuances to consider. Cabbage is perfectly safe for dogs, but store-bought sauerkraut can contain extra ingredients that can be harmful to dogs. This means you need to check the ingredients label.
Homemade sauerkraut is the best option for your dog. It’s easy to make and you’ll have full control of the ingredients and can ensure it’s safe for your dog.