Kefir and blueberries

Luckily, my dog is a great fan of kefir. She laps it up, with or without fruit.

Kefir and blueberries is a great combination, whether for a smoothie or as the basis for a breakfast with granola. So easy and so healthy. For humans and for dogs.

Just add blueberries to your Kefir, perhaps with a tiny bit of ginger to spice things up from time to time. Or sprouted broccoli seeds…

I think I mentioned elsewhere, one of our training friends started her dog on kefir and blueberries and it was such a success in terms of palatability that he would have lived on it if he could!

 

Making the lollies

As for the lollies, it couldn’t be easier to make a little extra smoothie for freezing, to give as a healthy and hydrating dog treat. This is a great combination of prebiotics, probiotics, fibre, antioxidants, calcium, protein … the list goes on.

So, here’s my quick and easy recipe for Kefir and Blueberry lollies:

Ingredients

0.5l kefir
5tbsp blueberries
1.5 tsp psyllium husks
2 tbsp hemp seeds
2 tbsp peanut butter

Lolly sticks*

*   You can use sticks sold commercially or make do with something else – here I used insect sticks,

The kefir and blueberry mix in a mould with lolly sticks

Method

Blitz all the ingredients together in the blender. Pour the mixture into lolly moulds or other bite-sized moulds. Ice cube trays will do if you don’t have the silicon moulds. Add the sticks to make lollies -– if you don’t have sticks, it’s no problem. Just make Kefir and Blueberry iced treats instead!

The kefir and bllueberry frrozen ice for doggy consumption

 

Ingredients: the benefits at a glance

Kefir is rich in probiotics, which balance got microbiota and promote overall gut health. It is nutrient dense, and has good amounts of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Kefir is also rich in vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, K2, folic acid), which support energy metabolism and cognitive health, and minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus), which are important for bone health.

Blueberries are a real superfood. First, they are a good source of dietary fibre for digestive health. Then they’re rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic compounds that help reduce oxidative stress, combat inflammation and support brain and heart health in dogs. And last but not least, blueberries pack a powerful punch with vitamins C, K and E and minerals including manganese, potassium and magnesium.

Psyllium husks are an excellent source of soluble fibre, which supports digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and helping to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. They can aid in managing both diarrhoea and constipation by absorbing water and forming a gel-like substance (mucilage) that supports stool consistency. Psyllium husks are also believed to have prebiotic potential and aid with the growth of microflora in the gut. Although primarily recognised for the high fibre content, recent studies have also shown psyllium to be a source of arabinoxylans, which are known to exhibit antioxidant properties

 

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THE TASTING

 

 

CARE AND SHARE

This is an obvious care and share option. Keep a bit of your smoothie aside for making dog ices. Or share your smoothie with your dog. The possibilities are encless.

 

 

Important Considerations:

  • Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant dietary changes, particularly where there are pre-existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.
  • If you are feeding commercial food, check the label for ingredients before giving more. Excessive intake of any foods can have adverse effects.
  • Ensure (where possible) that you use high-quality, organic products specifically formulated for pets (or better still, human grade ingredients) to avoid any potential adverse effects.
  • Introduce new foods gradually to avoid adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset or diarrhoea.
  • I provide nutritional information purely as a helpful guide. Nutritional information on ingredients is obtained from the US Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central site (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html) and any nutritional information provided in recipes is based on an online calculator: calories and other information will vary based on brands, ingredients and other factors.
  • Check nutrient levels and recommendations for your dog’s weight, age and activity. For example this nutritional guideline produced by FEDIAF.
  • I am not a professional canine nutritionist but supporting research is cited.
  • The recipes shared were created by me and tested in my kitchen – and tasted and approved by our doggy friends!