Which Kefir to give to the dog and cat, find out in this article! Not only for us, I have also been giving kefir to my animals for several years in this article I explain my recipe made only of milk kefir grains .

What Kefir to give to the cat dog

Kefir for cats and dogs is a fermented dairy product obtained through the symbiotic fermentation of milk by lactic acid bacteria and yeasts contained in a complex of exo-polysaccharides and proteins called kefir wheat. As with other fermented dairy products, kefir has been associated with a number of health benefits for dogs and cats.

Kefir for cat and dog in detail

• Antimicrobial activity
• Modulation of the immune system
• Improvement of allergies, food intolerances and asthma

Is Kefir a Probiotic or not?

Many probiotic-containing foods come in the form of fermented milk products, such as yogurt and kefir, probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host (Hill et al., 2014). As is the case with fermented dairy products, probiotics can be consumed with foods that contain these organisms such as Kefir.

One of the characteristics of kefir compared to other fermented dairy products is the presence of a large population of yeasts and bacteria

In addition to the large and variable bacterial population in kefir grains, there is an abundant yeast population that exists in a symbiotic relationship with bacteria (Simova et al., 2002; Witthuhn et al., 2004 ; Marsh et al., 2013).

Three genera of yeasts are commonly isolated from cereals or kefir milk and generally constitute the majority of the total yeast population; Saccharomyces , Kluyveromyces.

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Kefir for dogs and cats and the Microbiota

One of the main ways in which food products containing probiotics can exert beneficial effects is by altering the gut microbiota. This can be done through the introduction of new species or strains into the gastrointestinal tract, or by promoting the growth of beneficial microbes that are already present.

Antibacterial and antifungal properties of Kefir

Kefir for cats and dogs has shown a multitude of antibacterial and antifungal activity:

• antimicrobial activity equal to ampicillin, azithromycin, ceftriaxone, amoxicillin and ketoconazole. (Cevikbas et al., 1994); Yüksekdağ et al., 2004 ; Rodrigues et al., 2005 ; Huseini et al., 2012).

Kefir vs Clostridium and Giardia

In several studies, the consumption of kefir or kefiran has been associated with an increase in microbes thought to be beneficial, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, exerting activity against harmful microbial species such as Clostridium perfringens (Liu et al., 2006b; Hamet et al., 2016).

Kefir consumption was also able to reduce the severity of Kefir infection Giardia intestinalis with the mechanism reported through modulation of the immune system. (Correa Franco et al., 2013).

For some years now I have been producing Kefir, a healthy and natural food, rich in probiotics and yeasts

Kefir is very simple to make, you need kefir grains which look like small white cauliflower florets; the grains are ALIVE, they feed on Lactose / sugar and multiply day by day.

Kefir grains are very delicate

• They must not be touched with your hands
• They must not be rinsed under running water (a rule that applies only to kefir milk grains)
• They must not come into contact with metal alloys (metal tools and containers)

Today there are several methods to create the Kefir starter, look for someone to give you the granules or you can buy them from retailers. About Kefir here

What Kefir contains

CONTAINS

• Probiotics
• B complex vitamins, vitamin A and vitamin D
• Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus
• Yeasts
• Contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid useful in case of stress and anxiety in dogs and cats

Lactobacilli contained in Kefir

• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus brevis
• Lactobacillus casei
• Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus casei subsp. pseudoplantarum
• Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei
• Lactobacillus cellobiosus
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis
• Lactobacillus fructivorans
• Lactobacillus helveticus subsp. lactis
• Lactobacillus hilgardii
• Lactobacillus kefiri
• Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
• Lactobacillus kefirgranum sp. Nov
• Lactobacillus parakefir sp. Nov
• Lactobacillus lactis
• Lactobacillus plantarum

Yeasts

• Candida kefir
• Candida pseudotropicalis
• Candida rancens
• Candida tenuis
• Debaryomyces hansenii
• Kluyveromyces lactis
• Kluyveromyces marxianus var. Marxianus
• Kluyveromyces bulgaricus
• Kluyveromyces fragilis/marxianus
• Saccharomyces subsp. torulopsis holmii
• Saccharomyces carlsbergensis
• Saccharomyces unisporus
• Zygosaccharomyces rouxii

How to give kefir to your dog and cat

You can give Kefir to your dog on an empty stomach or before feeding, I report the doses I give to my animals

• Small and medium-sized dogs: 1 – 2 tablespoons per day
• Large dogs: 2 – 3 tbsp
• Cat: 1 teaspoon per day

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Kefir and Modulation of the Gut Microbiota in Dogs

In one study, the administration of kefir successfully modified the gut microbiota without causing any clinically evident adverse effects.

Can I give Kefir to cat?

Kefir should be added to the cat’s diet to the extent of about 1 -2 teaspoons of kefir (empty stomach) the dose can be increased gradually, always evaluating the individual response.

Kefir for cat and dog Properties

• Stimulates and strengthens the immune system
• Anti-tumor
• Antifungal (candida) property
• Restores the intestinal mucosa thanks to Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Improves intestinal inflammation in the course of IBD in dogs and cats
• To be supplemented in case of constipation
• Rebalances the gastrointestinal microbiota
• Yes support in case of food intolerances/asthma

What are the contraindications in giving kefir to dogs and cats

While kefir can offer several health benefits for dogs and cats, thanks to its probiotics that support the gut flora and immune system, there are some contraindications and potential side effects to consider:

1. Lactose intolerance:

• Even though the fermentation process of kefir significantly reduces the lactose content, some particularly sensitive dogs and cats may still experience gastrointestinal upset such as diarrhea, vomiting, or flatulence. In these cases, it is preferable to opt for a lactose-free kefir specific for animals or avoid it altogether.

2. Milk protein allergies:

• Similar to intolerance, some animals may be allergic to cow’s milk proteins found in traditional kefir. Symptoms can range from digestive problems to skin reactions. In the presence of established allergies, kefir made from cow’s milk is contraindicated.

3. Pre-existing gastrointestinal problems:

• In animals with severe gastrointestinal problems, such as the acute phase of certain intestinal infections or inflammation, the introduction of a new food such as kefir could worsen the situation.

4. Very young puppies:

• The use of probiotics, including kefir, is generally not recommended for puppies under 3-4 weeks of age, unless specifically indicated by veterinary advice. Their digestive system is still developing and may be sensitive.

5. Cats with FIV (in the acute phase of infection):

• Caution should be exercised when using probiotics in cats with FIV in the acute phase of infection.

6. Interaction with certain medications:

• Although it is not an absolute contraindication, it is good to be cautious in animals taking certain medications, such as certain antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and tetracyclines in humans). In these cases, it is advisable to distance the administration of kefir from that of the drug.

7. Overdosing:

• As with any dietary supplement, it is important to feed kefir in moderate amounts. Excessive dosage could cause digestive upset, even in healthy animals. Recommended doses generally do not exceed 1 tablespoon per day for small animals and up to 3 tablespoons for large animals.

In summary, the main contraindications and precautions in offering kefir to dogs and cats include:

• Intolerance or allergy to lactose/milk proteins.
• Pre-existing acute gastrointestinal problems.
• Very young age (puppies under 3-4 weeks).
• IVF in the acute phase (in cats).
• Possible interactions with certain drugs.
• Overdose.

Coconut kefir for the dog: how to prepare it with coconut milk

Article written January 22, 2014 – Updated April 2025

Disclaimer: The Contents Are For Informational Purposes Only And Under No Circumstances Can They Constitute A Prescription Of A Treatment Or Substitute For A Specialist Visit Or Direct Relationship With Your Veterinarian/Doctor. All information reported here is derived from bibliographic sources, personal experiences and clinical studies in the public domain. All information on special diets and dietary supplements for pets is for informational purposes. This information serves as a general guideline, cannot be applied to all pets or considered as an alternative to professional advice. These pages include “Homeopathic preparations of non-scientifically validated efficacy and without approved therapeutic indications. The products are not intended as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and must be used as part of a healthy lifestyle. Disclaimer and terms

Bibliography:

Carasi, Paula, et al. “Impact of kefir derived Lactobacillus kefiri on the mucosal immune response and gut microbiota.” Journal of immunology research 2015 (2015).

Simova, E., et al. “Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in kefir grains and kefir made from them.” Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology 28.1 (2002): 1-6.

Kim, Dong-Hyeon, et al. “Modulation of the intestinal microbiota of dogs by kefir as a functional dairy product.” Journal of dairy science (2019).

Witthuhn, R. Corli, Tersia Schoeman, and Trevor J. Britz. “Isolation and characterization of the microbial population of different South African kefir grains.” International Journal of Dairy Technology 57.1 (2004): 33-37.

Marsh, Alan J., et al. “Sequencing-based analysis of the bacterial and fungal composition of kefir grains and milks from multiple sources.” PloS one 8.7 (2013): e69371.

Hill, C., Guarner, F., Reid, G., Gibson, G. R., Merenstein, D. J., Pot, B., … & Calder, P. C. (2014). Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nature reviews Gastroenterology & hepatology, 11(8), 506.

Liu, Je‐Ruei, et al. “The anti‐allergenic properties of milk kefir and soymilk kefir and their beneficial effects on the intestinal microflora.” Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 86.15 (2006): 2527-2533

Franco, M. C., Golowczyc, M. A., De Antoni, G. L., Pérez, P. F., Humen, M., & de los Angeles Serradell, M. (2013). Administration of kefir-fermented milk protects mice against Giardia intestinalis infection. Journal of medical microbiology, 62(12), 1815-1822.

Huseini, Hassan Fallah, et al. “Evaluation of wound healing activities of kefir products.” Burns 38.5 (2012): 719-723.

Huseini, Hassan Fallah, et al. “Evaluation of wound healing activities of kefir products.” Burns 38.5 (2012): 719-723.Save