Why feed 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.

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

• 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

Making Homemade Kefir with grains

Kefir is a fermented dairy product. It’s similar to yogurt, although kefir has a thinner consistency and is usually drunk rather than eaten out of a bowl.

Kefir is produced using kefir grains, symbiotic colonies of yeast and bacteria that feed on lactose, the sugar in milk. Kefir grains look somewhat like little cauliflower florets.

When you add kefir grains to milk, they consume the lactose in the milk, producing a fermented beverage that’s teeming with beneficial bacteria and yeast.

1. Put your kefir grains into a clean glass jar. How much milk and kefir grains you want to use is up to you – flavor and texture change depending on your ratio of grains to milk. Start with 1 Tbsp grains with 1 cup of milk.
2. Add your milk.
3. Cover with a cloth or something breathable to keep fruit flies and other objects out of your jar. Secure the cloth with a rubber band.
4. Leave the jar out at room temperature for about 24 hours. If it’s particularly cold in your kitchen, you may want to keep the jar in the warmest spot you can find. Kefir grains like warmth.
5. Check the kefir after 24 hours. It should be thickened and starting to separate into curds and whey. If you don’t think it’s done, leave it out for another 12 to 24 hours until it appears finished. My kefir is always done after the first 24 hours, but yours could take longer if your kitchen is particularly cold.
6. When your kefir is finished, stir it up in the jar so it’s liquid again, then pour it into a strainer to strain. I use a small plastic strainer, set inside a canning funnel over a glass jar. If your strainer is small like mine you’ll have to pour the kefir into the strainer in batches.  Do not use a metal strainer or metal spoon.  Not sure why, I just remember reading that when I was researching.
7. You will FEED THE LIQUID KEFIR.
8. You will PUT THE GRAINS BACK IN JAR TO REUSE.

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.  (FYI –  my big dogs get about 1/4 c/day because we’ve worked up to that amount  – Christine)

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.

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.

Where to get Kefir grains?

I, Christine, almost always have extra grains.  If you are local, and willing to come to my house to pick them up, I’m more than happy to share at no cost.  If you aren’t local, then just order them online.  There are several sources.