Sauerkraut makes a great complement to picnic assortments or serves as a tasty garnish for a basic hot dog. Yet, this typically raises a query: Can dogs safely eat Sauerkraut? The response is straightforward: indeed, dogs can eat sauerkraut without any issues.
In fact, they have some great health benefits. But the bigger question is perhaps whether or not your dog will like Sauerkraut. Dogs may not like its smell. After all, Sauerkraut, like other vegetables, has been fermented, which gives it a very pungent taste.
For your reading satisfaction, we’ll get to the bottom of these questions and learn more about dogs and sauerkraut in this article.
What are the Benefits of Sauerkraut for Dogs?
Rich in Nutrients
This sour side dish has tons of nutrients. One cup of sauerkraut actually contains potassium, protein, carbohydrates, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, calcium, magnesium, and Vitamin K. Vitamins B, C, and K2, which improve metabolic activity, are produced through the fermentation process and the lactic acid works to fight cancer and repress chemicals but does not harm healthy cells.
Good for Their Eyes
Vitamin A in sauerkraut is good for the eye health of a dog. It can help decrease the risk of cataracts developing in senior dogs.
Reduces Joint Pain
Sauerkrauts have tons of phytonutrients that act as anti-inflammatory antioxidants. This helps to lessen any form of inflammatory issues in the joint of your dog that might be causing his pain.
Help with Digestion
Sauerkraut is beneficial to the gut health of your dog. This is because this side dish is a fermented snack. Due to the fermentation process involved in making a Sauerkraut, it’s rich in probiotics. And probiotics are responsible for a healthy gut.
It acts as the good bacteria that fight and eliminate bad bacteria. Probiotics also boost the immune system and play a significant role in heart health.
Besides being a fermented food, Sauerkraut is also comparatively high in fiber which is another pro for gut health. Fiber can help the gut to repair itself when necessary and regulates the digestive system.
Is Canned Sauerkraut Okay for Dogs to Eat?
Now that we’ve touched upon the question, can dogs eat Sauerkraut? It’s also essential to know if it’s fine for dogs to eat canned Sauerkraut. But first, let us briefly know what this side dish is.
If you’re not familiar with this food, Sauerkraut is basically canned cabbage. The canned cabbage is typically shredded and fermented with good bacteria. To simply put, a Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage.
While cabbage is on itself a healthy plant, the fermentation process adds more nutritional benefits to this vegetable. It is also rich in cancer-fighting probiotics, antioxidants, fiber, iron, and Vitamin K and C.
Since you’re already aware of what Sauerkraut is, let’s find out the query, is Sauerkraut good for dogs?
Again the answer is yes. However, you need to pay attention to the ingredients included in this dish. If you’re purchasing canned or store-bought sauerkraut, it’s likely to have large amounts of sodium than homemade sauerkraut.
Homemade sauerkraut is the best variety for your pup since you know exactly how much and what ingredients are in it. You can even include some red cabbage in your homemade sauerkraut.
Organic homemade sauerkraut can help resist diseases in the digestive tract and aid your dog with digestion. It’s an excellent food supplement for dogs in its raw and unpasteurized form if fed properly.
What are the Dangers of Feeding a Dog Sauerkraut?
In addition to answering the questions, can dogs eat sauerkraut? And Is sauerkraut good for dogs? Let us also acknowledge some dangers of feeding your dog this food. So, is sauerkraut bad for dogs?
Generally, sauerkraut is not bad for dogs. However, a few problems could occur if a pup is overfed with Sauerkrauts.
Firstly, there’s an issue of high sodium content in it. While dogs need salt in their diet, serving them with too much of it could lead to some sodium-related health risks to your pet. A 33-pound pooch only needs about 200 mg of sodium a day, anything above that means moving towards the sodium overload zone.
Considering that your dog will possibly also eat some salt from other food sources, it is crucial to feed your dog Sauerkrauts in a small amount or in moderated quantities [1].
Moreover, a lot of people also ask, can dogs eat caraway seeds? The straight answer is no. Caraway seeds are actually toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA. Thus, you should avoid giving anything with caraway in it to your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What other fermented foods can dogs eat?
Another fermented food that is safe for dogs to eat is pickles. This dish is also good for a dog’s digestive health. Most vegetables are healthy for your dog too, either fermented or raw.
Fermented foods for pets should be made using water, vegetables, and salt not vinegar. Avoid garlic, onions, and anything with tons of preservatives. Before serving any type of fermented foods to your pup, make sure that you thoroughly research the right procedure of how to ferment and store fermented vegetables correctly.
If you still have concerns about feeding sauerkraut or other fermented foods to your pet, talk to your vet.
How can I get my dog to eat sauerkraut?
If you have a finicky dog, getting him to eat sauerkraut can be challenging at first. For pets that are new to this side dish, start with small amounts.
Mix the sauerkraut in with your dog’s regular dog food or with other meals he likes to eat. Begin with a spoonful or two of sauerkraut every day and gradually add more of it to your pet’s diet over time to avoid stomach upset.
Can dogs eat cooked cabbage?
Yes, dogs can eat cooked cabbage. In fact, many dogs love all types of antioxidant-rich cabbage. They’re beneficial and safe for dogs to eat. But if the cabbage is lightly cooked, then you are deactivating the thiocyanate component of the vegetable.
Therefore, it’s advisable to cook the cabbage if you feed it regularly in larger amounts. In addition, you should also be aware that some new foods, especially human foods, don’t sit well with some breeds.
In this case, only feed them a small amount at a time and see how well they handle it.
Conclusion
To sum up our discussion in the question, can dogs eat Sauerkraut? Dogs can have a few bites of sauerkraut. This food is beneficial for your dog as it contains a wealth of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that are great for the overall gut health of your pup.
The only thing you need to be careful of before serving it to your dog is whether it contains garlic powder, onion powder, or caraway seeds, which are all toxic to dogs. To avoid this, it’s best to make homemade sauerkraut rather than serving store-bought sauerkraut. This product can contain loads of salt, so only serve this food in moderation.
Furthermore, too much sauerkraut can make a dog bloated or gassy, so small amounts are better for both you and your dog.
