Can a dog eat sauerkraut? Rich in good bacteria for gut health, sauerkraut can be a healthy addition to a dog’s meals.
However, this human food must be offered in moderation to acquire its health benefits without undesirable adverse reactions.
Know more about the positive effects of sauerkraut on your dog’s digestive system and overall health and learn how you can feed this human food safely to him.
What Is Sauerkraut?
Sauerkraut is a type of fermented food made from finely chopped cabbage. Its origins can be traced back to ancient China where it became a popular choice for the workers on the Great Wall.
This fermented cabbage dish was then introduced to other parts of the world, particularly Europe and America. It is commonly seen in countries like Germany, Russia, France, and the United States.
Sauerkraut has shown several promising health benefits to humans, such as helping maintain a healthy gut, minimizing the risks of certain cancers, and lowering cholesterol levels.
3 Health Benefits of Sauerkraut for Dogs
Are you wondering if this human food is good for canines too? Here are 3 ways how sauerkraut can help your canine companion obtain optimal health:
1. Promotes Healthy Gut Microbiome
Fermented foods are known to be rich in beneficial bacteria for the digestive system, and sauerkraut has this quality too.
The fermentation process results in the production of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which serve as probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that help maintain the balance of the gut microbiome and keep bad intestinal bacteria in check.
A 2022 study was able to isolate a total of 220 strains of LAB from sauerkraut. In a 2018 study, researchers were only able to isolate 114 strains.
One of the most dominant LAB species found in this human food, namely Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, is known to help ease aggression and separation anxiety in dogs.
2. Strengthens the Immune System
A 2008 study discovered that the fermentation process significantly increases the antioxidant potency of cabbage.
According to the researchers, the presence of LAB during fermentation reduced the total phenolic and total anthocyanin contents but boosted the vegetable’s antioxidant capacity.
These findings suggest that feeding sauerkraut to your dog provides him increased immunity against diseases. However, take note that how you store this human food can affect its antioxidant properties.
In a 2022 study, cold storage conditions were found to preserve the total antioxidant capacity of sauerkraut than ambient conditions with higher temperatures.
Thus, make sure to place this fermented cabbage dish in the fridge when not in use.
3. Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight
Sauerkraut is a low-calorie and high-fiber human food. 100 grams of it offers over 4 grams of fiber and 54.6 calories.
Consuming it can help your canine companion feel fuller for longer and reduce hunger pangs. Fiber is also crucial for maintaining a healthy digestive system and regular bowel movements, which contribute to keeping his body slender.
3 Risks of Feeding Sauerkraut to Dogs
If you are considering feeding your pooch sauerkraut, here are some potential dangers and adverse effects that you should know ahead of time:
1. Watch Out for Drug interactions
Can a dog eat sauerkraut if he is on medications? The answer will depend on the type of drug he is currently taking.
This fermented food is known to interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) due to its high tyramine concentrations. Thus, it should not be given to dogs medicated with this type of drug.
If your furry pal is on a different type of medication, consult the veterinarian before feeding your pet sauerkraut just to be safe.
2. Beware of High Sodium Concentrations
Salt is one of the most important components of sauerkraut. The right quantity should be added for fermentation to take place.
Using only a small amount may cause the cabbage to spoil. Hence, this human food tends to have a high salt content. 1 cup of it contains nearly 1,000 milligrams of sodium.
So, can a dog eat sauerkraut despite its high salt content? While a healthy dog can eat sauerkraut, it is not recommended for canines with certain health conditions, such as kidney disease and high blood pressure.
When feeding this fermented food to your dog, rinsing it with water is a good idea to lower its sodium concentrations. Moreover, offer it sparingly and in moderation as ingesting too much salt may result in poisoning.
3. Look Out for Toxic Ingredients
Many store-bought sauerkraut contains ingredients toxic to dogs like garlic, onion, and caraway. Always check the ingredients list before sharing this fermented food with your canine companion to reduce the risks of poisoning.
How to Choose the Right Sauerkraut for Dogs
Here are some useful tips to remember when shopping for sauerkraut that you can share with Fido:
- Go for unpasteurized sauerkraut for better nutritional benefit A study shows that this variety has higher probiotic concentrations.
Unpasteurized sauerkraut products are often chilled and vinegar-free to ensure proper lactofermentation. They will also have a label that says: “contains live active cultures.”
- Pick a product that specifically states what type of probiotic bacteria strains it contains.
- If only a pasteurized variation of sauerkraut is available, look for one that has undergone a low-heat pasteurization. Research shows that exposure to high heat or cooking sauerkraut can alter its antioxidant activity.
- Avoid products with additives and preservatives. Only two ingredients should be present in sauerkraut: salt and cabbage. Other added ingredients may interfere with the fermentation, resulting in lower probiotic content.
FAQs About “Can a Dog Eat Sauerkraut?”
1. Is Sauerkraut Safe for Dogs?
Sauerkraut is generally safe for dogs when eaten sparingly and in small amounts.
However, feeding it to canines with health issues like kidney problems and high blood pressure is not advised due to its high salt content. This fermented food is off-limits to pets prescribed with MAOIs because of drug interaction risks.
If your canine friend is taking any sort of medication, we recommend seeking the veterinarian’s opinion before allowing your pooch to eat it as a precaution.
2. Is Sauerkraut Too Salty for Dogs?
Making sauerkraut involves using large quantities of salt, thus this fermented food can be too salty for dogs. A good way to reduce its sodium concentration is to rinse it repeatedly with water.
3. Can My Dog Eat Sauerkraut Every Day?
Allowing your dog to eat sauerkraut every day is not recommended. Although rinsing it with water can minimize its sodium levels, daily consumption may lead to gradual build-up of salt in his system, which can be bad for his health.
This human food should only serve as an intermittent addition to your furry pal’s meals.
4. What Happens If My Dog Eats Too Much Sauerkraut?
Sodium poisoning may happen if your dog eats too much sauerkraut. It also puts him at risk of developing other health issues like renal disorders and high blood pressure.
If sauerkraut contains toxic ingredients for canines like garlic and caraway, he may experience poisoning from these human foods.
Conclusion
So, can a dog eat sauerkraut? In general, healthy dogs can eat sauerkraut once in a while in moderation. Due to this fermented food’s high sodium content, pawrents are advised to rinse it with water before feeding it to their furry pals.
When choosing sauerkraut for dogs, go for the chilled and unpasteurized variety since they offer higher probiotic and antioxidant concentrations.
If your pooch is on any type of medication or suffers from an illness, talk to the veterinarian before feeding him sauerkraut.
