Homemade Probiotics For Dogs: Their Benefits + 5 Simple Recipes
Table of Contents
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- Formulated to deliver digestive support, promote healthy yeast production, and encourage a normal immune response.
- Contains healthy ingredients and 8 strains of beneficial bacteria that work as a digestive aid, optimize skin health, and support coat comfort.
- Easy to use on either young puppies or senior dogs.
Are DIY Probiotics Safe for My Dog?
Yes, homemade probiotics for dogs are safe. DIY, homemade probiotics for dogs are prepared with ingredients that are safe and health-boosting for dogs.
Probiotics help with digestion, improve overall gut health, manage bad breath, and strengthen the immune system. On the modern market, there are many probiotic supplements and dog food with probiotics.
Homemade probiotics for dogs are an excellent alternative to those products. They allow owners to get creative and decide on the exact ingredients to include in the recipe.
- Supports digestive and immune health
- Can aid in alleviating the impact of seasonal allergies
- Promotes a robust immune system, encourages healthy gut flora, and helps facilitate smooth digestion
What Foods Are High in Probiotics for Dogs?
Several dairy products, green tripe and sauerkraut, are high in probiotics. Fruits and vegetables do not contain live bacteria but are rich in prebiotics – dietary fibers that serve as a food source for the healthy bacteria in the dog’s gut.
Here is a closer look at the foods that can be used for homemade probiotics for dogs:
- Yogurt. Yogurt is a well-known natural probiotic. It can be homemade or store-bought. Yogurt contains probiotic strains from the group Lactobacillus – good bacteria that aid digestion, help with upset stomachs (diarrhea/constipation), and maintain the dog’s gut health.
- Kefir. Kefir is a fermented milk product. It features different strains of beneficial bacteria and digestive enzymes. Kefir has a Turkish origin and is originally called “keyif” in Turkish, which means “a good feeling.” Kefir can help gut problems and digestive health and control blood sugar levels.
- Buttermilk. Buttermilk is a fermented dairy drink prepared by churning out the butter from cultured cream. It classifies as a probiotic food becuase it retains the live cultures that are added to the product during the fermentation process.
- Goat Milk. Goat milk is a natural source of beneficial bacteria. It is an effective probiotic and provides immunity against harmful microorganisms. Goat milk also contains oligosaccharides which are prebiotics and adds to the benefits of consuming goat’s milk.
- Green Tripe. Tripe is the stomach lining of ruminants (cows and sheep), and green tripe is the raw stomach lining (which has not been treated in any way). Green tripe is an excellent source of probiotics and digestive enzymes. It also supports normal stomach acidity.
- Sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage, and it is extremely easy to make at home. This product is superior to yogurt when it comes to the number of Lactobacillus bacteria. Plus, it is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Broccoli. Broccoli and most green vegetables are considered boosters for gut health. Broccoli does not contain live bacteria but has a high fiber which helps maintain a healthy digestive system. Hence, for dogs intolerant to lactose, this is a great alternative.
- Sweet Potato. Sweet potatoes are also rich in dietary fiber or prebiotics. They provide food for the healthy microbes in the dog’s gut and support overall digestive health. Sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamins and minerals while being glute-free.
- Bananas. Bananas are another alternative for lactose intolerant dogs. They are high in inulin – a specific prebiotic that is scientifically proven to stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract. Thus banana indirectly functions as a probiotic in the healthy gut.
These probiotic foods can safely be added to the dog’s diet. In fact, many commercially available dog foods and treats list these foods as ingredients.
Can I Make My Own Probiotics for My Dog?
Yes, you can prepare homemade probiotics for dogs. In fact, DIY dog probiotics come with several benefits.
For example, homemade probiotics for dogs allow having complete control over the ingredients – no need to deal with hidden ingredients. Plus, they are free from preservatives as you can always make a fresh batch when you run out.
Additionally, you can select the probiotic source based on your dog’s needs and modify the recipe to your dog’s liking – play with the flavors and textures.
However, there are also considerations when cooking homemade probiotics for dogs. Namely, you must thoroughly wash your hands before preparing the probiotic and use clean utensils. Also, it is important to maintain overall hygiene (cook in a clean place, cover your mouth) during the preparation of homemade probiotics for dogs.
What are Homemade Probiotic Recipes for My Dog?
With so many benefits of probiotics for dogs, it is no wonder pet owners decide to make them at home. Luckily, there are several recipes for homemade probiotics for dogs. They are easy to make for the owners and tasty & healthy for the dog.
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Yogurt Drops
This recipe will give frozen homemade probiotic dog treats. They combine the health benefits of yogurt with the deliciousness and creamy texture of peanut butter.
Necessary Equipment:
- Mini muffin pan
- Food processor
- Freezer
Recipe Ingredients:
- 2 cups yogurt
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
(sweet potatoes are an alternative) - Pinch of turmeric
Recipe Directions:
- Mix the ingredients in a food processor
- Keep mixing until the mixture has a thick and smooth texture
- Grease the muffin pan with butter or oil of your choice
- Transfer the mixture from the food processor to the muffin pan with a spoon
- Place the muffin pan in a freezer until the mixtures are solid
- Once solidified, serve chilled as a frozen treat.
Frozen Cranberry Pupsicles
This recipe for homemade probiotics for dogs takes less than 10 minutes to make. The result is cooling popsicles with several probiotic foods and cranberries, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Necessary Equipment:
- Blender
- Ice-cube trays
- Freezer
Recipe Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons plain kefir or coconut kefir
- ½ cup raw goat’s milk
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh/frozen cranberries
(any red fruit your dog likes) - Small pinch of chopped parsley
- 1 daily dose of fish oil
Recipe Directions:
- Add the ingredients to a blender
- Blend until a smooth paste is formed
- Keep blending if you find any solid chunks remaining in the mix
- Keep an empty ice cube tray ready
- Pour or spoon the mixture into the cubes of the ice tray
- Freeze until solid cubes are formed. Serve chilled as a treat.
Honeyberry Treat for Dogs
This is a holistic recipe for homemade probiotics for dogs that can be made in batches and used daily. All the ingredients used in the recipe are health-boosting, and the recipe is simple to prepare.
Necessary Equipment:
- Mason jar
- Blender
- Masher
- Fermentation weight
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Coconut water or plain water (enough to submerge the ingredients)
- 1 teaspoon of culture starter
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- Small pinch of salt
Recipe Directions:
- Put all the berries you are using in a mason jar
- Mash the berries inside the jar using a clean spoon
- In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients
- Pour this mixture over the berries in the mason jar
- Add a fermentation weight to keep the jar airtight
- Place the mason jar in a dark corner, away from sunlight, for 24 hours
- After 24 hours, check if the fermentation is completed
(the tart taste is an indicator that the fermentation is done correctly) - Once fermented, use it as a probiotic topper for your dog’s food.
Yogurt Treats with Parsley and Carrots
This is a quick frozen recipe with plant-based probiotics. Parsley and carrots add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to the recipe, while the yogurt adds probiotics.
Necessary Equipment:
- Mixing bowl
- Silicon molds/ice cube tray
- Freezer
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1⅓ cups plain yogurt (best if prepared at home)
- ⅓ cup freshly chopped parsley
- ⅓ cup finely shredded carrots
Recipe Directions:
- Add all the chopped veggies and the measured yogurt to a mixing bowl
- Mix the ingredients in the bowl using a spoon
- Spoon the mixture into an ice cube tray/silicone mold in your shape of choice
- Put the tray/molds into the freezer
- Allow the mixture to freeze for a couple of hours
- Serve these as chilled probiotic treats to your dog.
Dairy-Free Frozen Puppy Yogurt Recipe
This recipe for frozen homemade probiotics for dogs is especially suitable for lactose intolerant pups. It combines the health benefits of coconut milk, carrots, and maple syrup with the smooth texture of peanut butter.
Necessary Equipment:
- Blender
- Containers (freezable)
- Freezer
Recipe Ingredients:
- 12 ounces of coconut milk
- 1 cup natural unsweetened peanut butter
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 4 probiotic capsules
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
Recipe Directions:
- Put the chopped carrot and coconut milk into a mixing bowl
- Mix all the other ingredients and mix well
- Pour the mixture into a blender and mix till smooth
- Transfer the blended mixture into a freezer-proof container and put it in a freezer
- Make sure the lid of the container is tightly closed
- Let the mixture freeze for 4-6 hours
- Serve your dog these delectable and healthy probiotic treats.
How do I Store Homemade Probiotics for My Dog?
Unlike store-bought pet products – probiotic treats, chews, and capsules, homemade probiotics for dogs do not last for long. This is because homemade probiotics for dogs do not contain any preservatives.
Nonetheless, pet parents can make probiotic dog treats every day or even every few days in small batches and refrigerate/freeze them for a week or ten days. Refrigeration and freezing do not harm the good bacteria in homemade probiotics for dogs.
On the other hand, heat is damaging. It destroys live cultures and creates an optimal environment for the multiplication of “bad bacteria,” which will ruin the probiotic’s health benefits.
So, to conclude on the storage of homemade probiotics for dogs – once the treats are prepared, put them in a clean jar or airtight container and store them in the refrigerator or freezer.
