Sauerkraut for dogs: raw or cooked?

Sauerkraut for dogs: when it might be useful

Sauerkraut can be used for dogs in certain situations. The key is always correct preparation and clear use as an extra, not as normal food.

Dogs are generally allowed to eat sauerkraut - but only cooked, unseasoned and in small quantities. Raw sauerkraut is difficult for many dogs to digest because the fermentation process makes it very acidic and can cause flatulence, abdominal pain or diarrhoea in the gastrointestinal tract.

Sensitive dogs in particular often react to raw sauerkraut with digestive problems. Therefore, raw sauerkraut should always be avoided.

Cooked sauerkraut is much more digestible. Cooking makes it milder while retaining some of the fibre. This can be used specifically in certain situations - for example, if a dog has swallowed a small, smooth foreign body.

The sauerkraut can wrap around the object in the gastrointestinal tract and thus support natural elimination. This application only applies to small, non-sharp objects.

Cooked sauerkraut is not a substitute for a veterinary examination. If the dog shows signs such as pain, vomiting, lethargy or if there is uncertainty about what has been swallowed, a vet should always be consulted immediately.

Sauerkraut is not an everyday food for dogs, but rather a situational supplement that should only be used occasionally and depending on individual tolerance. It is always crucial that the overall ration is balanced and suits the dog.