Kefir & Kitties: A look into a more natural probiotic.

Improved gut health, a stronger immune system and a healthier coat and skin... The best part it's all natural and you can make it at home!

What is Kefir?

At a glance Kefir is a fermented milk drink, similar to the texture of yogurt (which cats absolutely love). It is made by fermenting kefir grains (clusters of bacteria and yeast) which cause a rich probiotic content along with other beneficial compounds. This process breaks down lactose making it easier for animals to digest. Kefir is a probiotic powerhouse, it contains beneficial bacteria that can support gut health, digestion and so much more.

Benefits of Kefir for Cats.

There are many benefits of kefir for your feline family member, but to make it a little easier here is a list of the most important benefits found on our favorite website supporting kefir for animals! Link will be listed below!

• Inoculates their guts with healthy bacteria and beneficial yeasts

• Crowds out harmful microbial species.

• Supports a healthy, robust immune system.

• Antibacterial and anti fungal.

•  Anti-inflammatory, can help prevent or manage joint pain, especially in older animals.

• Regulates stool consistency (after an initial adjustment period) so can help with diarrhea or constipation.

• May help regulate blood sugar by decreasing circulating glucose

• Has been shown to help lessen severity of environmental allergies.

• Easy to digest, making it ideal for young, elderly, or compromised animals

• Supports healthier skin and coats

*some owners are worried about the lactose content in milk. With fermented dairy like Kefir, the lactose has been consumed by the microbes (they also predigest proteins and other components of the milk!) and the final product is lactose free and easy on their little bellies*

How do I feed my kitty Kefir?

To avoid upset bellies and diarrhea starting off in small doses is the most important part of adding anything new to a cats diet. The recommened dosage when starting cats off is about a 1/4 tsp to 1/2 tsp daily to get your kitties little belly adjusted. This also helps if your kitty is a bit more picky when it comes to new foods. Once your cat seems to have adjusted you can increase the amount of kefir to whatever you see fit for your kitty.

Actually feeding your kitty kefir all depends on your cat and how picky or not they are! If they are on the picker side sneaking it into their soft food might be the easiest way to easily get them to eat it. If they are anything like my sphynx girls you can easily put it in a glass bowl for them and they will happily lick it all up! Some people also recommend splashing a bit into their water for added nutriets. If your cat is on an antibiotic avoid giving them kefir at the same time. I recommend giving them the kefir in the morning with their soft food and antibiotic in the evening or vice versa.

Kefir vs. Regular Probiotic

While both kefir and probiotics benefit cats, kefir does offers a wider spectrum of probiotic strains, is a natural food source and offers a range of health benefits. Probiotic supplements can be a good option for specific needs or when a cat's dietary restrictions prevent them from consuming kefir. This is also a better option for people who are intimidated by kefir. Ultimately, the "better" option depends on the individual cat's needs and preferences. While it is recommended to consult with a veterinarian to determine the most appropriate approach for your cat, we always first recommend kefir as the first propiotic option for your kitty.

Where do I find Kefir?

You can find kefir in the dairy isle at most any grocery store. But you can also make your very own kefir at home by purchsing kefir grains which is the most cost effective. Making your own kefir at home also gives you a peace of mind knowing exactly what is going into your kitties belly. You can purchase grains from us here at PurrCozi kitties, where we will also provide details on how to make it. There is an amazing website that we will have linked below where you can purchase kefir grains and get a little more information.

Note when purchasing kefir from the store be intential to choose an all natural, plain (no flavor) kefir with no sugar. It is best to make your own to get the full benefits.

Other options...

While we recommend kefir, if you are unable to feed kefir as a probiotic there are a few other options we recommend. NuVet offers an amazing powder probiotic option that we send home with our kittens. Another probiotic that is recommened is FlortiFlora Purina Pro Plan. You can also get Probios probiotic as well at your local tractor supply as a backup!

Does my Kitty have to have a probiotic?

While it is not necessary to give your kitty probiotics, it is extremely beneficial for them. If your kitty is having any issues normally the first thing the vet recommends is a probiotic. Probiotics offer a beneficial bacteria that can help to balance gut flora (the trillions of microorganisms, primarily bacteria, that reside in their digestive tract and are collectively known as the gut microbiome) that plays a huge role in digestion, immune function and overall health. Along with health, probotics can also play a role in managing stress related digestive issues that can occur from traveling, changes in routine or even introducing a new pet. Another benefit is in the event that your cat is on an antibotic, probiotics can help prevent or reduce the risk of any digestive upsets related to the antibiotic. Probiotics also can help "move things along" if your cat is experiencing constipation. It is also highly recommended for kittens and senior kitties that are more susceptible to intestinal imbalances. A healthy gut is crucial for a healthy immune system and probiotics help to create this!

Thank you so much for reading, We hope this was super helpful!

For more details on purchasing kefir or learning more about NuVet Please feel free to email us at PurrCoziKitties@gmail.com

Much love,

The PurrCozi Kitties Crew <3