Has anyone used Kefir

[Bucket]

Was wondering if anyone here has given their dog Kefir?? Or has any thoughts on it. After reading it sounds like its beneficial to the flora of their tummy's

 

[regardsbullmastiffs]

I have given my dogs kefir to help clear up ear infections.

Ezriyah

 

[Bucket]

Did you make your own or get the pre made? Can I ask how much you gave them?

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I have given it to my dogs before...they didn't like it. I think I used already made stuff from the grocery store, but you can make your own. My Mom makes kefir all the time.

 

[Mordy]

kefir is great, just like cultured yogurt is.

the nice thing about kefir is that it is very simple to make it yourself, and home-made kefir supplies more probiotic (beneficial) bacteria per weight unit than most store-bought cultured yogurt brands.

 

[Bucket]

Would this be better then giving a probiotic? Or a good alternate. I use some human grade probiotic now
How much of the Kefir wold you give?

 

[Mordy]

it depends what kind of effect you are trying to achieve. if you want to give probiotics just for maintenance, kefir or yogurt are good choices and probably all you need. i'd give about 1/4 to 1/3 cup per 25-30 pounds of body weight.

if you are giving probiotics as a treatment for certain health issues, kefir or yogurt will not be able to supply the required dose for a therapeutic effect.

 

[Bucket]

Thanks Mordy
I'm giving both my dogs probiotics everyday. One has EPI and IBD the other has had to take some antibiotics. I beleive she has a Yeast condition that turned into some bacterial skin infection which meant no other choice but the antibiotics.
So I thought maybe the Kefir would be a good thing.

 

[Mordy]

in that case i'd definitely keep up the probiotic supplement, but of course you can still include the yogurt and/or kefir as a tasty treat.