An overview of Fermented Foods and Benefits: 

  

What if there was a single way to help pets with such diverse chronic diseases as inflammatory bowel disease, allergic dermatitis, hypothyroidism, food sensitivities, leaky gut, periodontal disease, anxiety disorders, and even aid in cancer prevention and treatment?  Pharmaceutical companies would be delighted to sell a pill that addressed such a wide range of problems. Instead of buying another medication, pet parents can reach for the same foods that are foundational in the human ancestral diet: fermented foods that include vegetables, dairy products, grains, fish and meat. 

Fermented foods have been a part of the human diet for thousands of years, and originally the process was used as a means of preservation.  There are two types of fermentation: alcohol fermentation and lactic acid fermentation, the latter yielding the products that can enrich the diets of pets and people. 

During the fermentation process, carbohydrates are broken down into alcohol or lactic acid by bacteria, yeast and molds under anaerobic conditions.  The food being fermented is slightly “pre-digested,” which means less work for a pet digestive system.  This process mimics the partial digestion of the gastro-intestinal contents of prey species consumed by wild canids and felids. 

  

The Connection Between Fermented Foods and Health 

Seventy percent of the immune system is based in the gut, and the bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome comprise an integral part of that system. 

The process of fermentation not only results in trillions of beneficial bacteria, it also makes the nutrients in foods more bioavailable. Fermentation produces vitamins C, K2 and several B vitamins, and creates several enzymes which aid in the digestion of fats and proteins. These super foods are also chelators and detoxifiers, helping to rid the body of a wide variety of toxins and heavy metals. 

  

The Best Fermented Foods for Pets 

The resurgence of interest in fermented foods has created readily available choices in the refrigerated sections of most grocery stores. Many holistic pet stores have fermented products available in the freezer section. Dairy products such as kefir, yogurt and buttermilk, and vegetables such as sauerkraut, ginger carrots, kimchi and beets are just a few of the options. 

  

Introducing Fermented Foods 

Fermented dairy products are usually well-accepted by pets, and a teaspoon or less mixed with a pet’s regular food every other day is enough to start. Gradually increase the amount to about two teaspoons daily for cats and small dogs, up to a quarter cup for large dogs. Fermented vegetables have stronger flavors, and sometimes adding a small amount of the juice from the vegetables is the best introduction.  Most pets become acclimated to these new foods, and eventually accept healthy diet additions. 

  

  

Excerpt from: 

FUR-mented Foods by Dr. Laura Weis 

Published in the July 2019 issue of Natural Awakenings