Author: Jennifer Tsukamoto<\/p>\n As devoted Shiba Inu owners, we’re always on the lookout for ways to enhance the health and wellbeing of our Shibas.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n This post explores an often-overlooked food category that can make a significant difference in your Shiba’s diet: fermented foods.<\/p>\n Fermentation, an age-old process used to preserve and enhance the nutritional value of foods, isn’t just beneficial for humans.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Our canine family members can also reap substantial health benefits!<\/p>\n In this post, we’ll uncover the science behind fermentation, its impact on a dog’s digestive health, and how incorporating these nutrient-packed foods into your Shiba’s meals can boost their overall health and vitality.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Simply put, fermentation is the process of microorganisms, like yeast and bacteria, breaking down carbohydrates. <\/p>\n The earliest record of humans using fermentation dates back 13,000 years! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n In earlier times, fermentation was primarily used as a way of preserving foods.<\/p>\n People also discovered that fermentation can enhance flavor and provide potential health benefits.<\/p>\n You may have heard of some of the potential benefits of eating fermented foods. <\/p>\n But did you know that your Shiba Inu may get these same benefits from fermented foods, too?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n A balanced gut microbiome is key to good gut health.<\/p>\n The microbiome are the organisms that live in the gut, including bacteria and fungi. Your dog\u2019s gut, just like yours, can have gut bacteria — good and bad. It can also have good fungi and harmful fungi. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n When the bad stuff starts to outnumber the good stuff, that\u2019s when you\u2019ll start to see problems.<\/p>\n In healthy dogs, fermented foods can help keep the microbiome in check.<\/p>\n That\u2019s because fermented foods are rich in good bacteria. Maintaining a health gut microbiome is one of the top benefits of fermented foods, so here\u2019s a little more on how they can help.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Immunity Boost –<\/strong><\/p>\n Having a healthy gut microbiome can help support immunity, too. <\/p>\n We all want our Shibas to be strong and healthy. And just like us, dogs can be subject to any number of harmful bacteria and viruses. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n A healthy immune system along with proper veterinary care is important for your dog to fight off infections or diseases.<\/p>\n Did you know that about 80% of the immune system is found in the gut?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Imbalances in the microbiota affect immune function.<\/p>\n Probiotic foods help keep the gut in balance. In short, a healthier gut supports immunity.<\/p>\n Feeding your dog fermented foods can help get your Shiba the probiotics needed to keep the gut microbiome balanced. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Better Digestion –<\/strong><\/p>\n Some foods are easier to digest when they are fermented.<\/p>\n The fermentation process has already begun to break down carbohydrates. Carbs require more work for dogs to digest.<\/p>\n Eating fermented foods can help give your dog\u2019s gut a break.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n But carbs do have nutritional value, so there is a place for them in your dog\u2019s diet.<\/p>\n By eating fermented foods, your dog can still take advantage of the nutritional upside of carbs while making digestion easier.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Better Absorption of Nutrients – <\/strong><\/p>\n Another great benefit of fermented foods is better absorption of nutrients<\/span><\/p>\n Fermented products may also deactivate anti-nutrients. <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Anti-nutrients are compounds like oxalates, lectins, and tannins. <\/span><\/p>\n Anti-nutrients like these are naturally occurring in some plant-based foods. This is part of the plant\u2019s natural defense system against bacteria and insects.<\/span><\/p>\n However, when anti-nutrients are consumed by mammals, they can affect the absorption of essential nutrients and vitamins.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n By neutralizing these anti-nutrients, your pup may get more of the good stuff found in his or her dinner.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s more about what you need to know when it comes to feeding your dog fermented foods.<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to fermented foods, there is an abundance to choose from! <\/p>\n![\"jen](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/jen_tsukamoto_profile-copy.jpg\" "\\"jen_tsukamoto_profile")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Shiba](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/kitsu_bowl.jpg\" "\\"kitsu_bowl\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Exactly is Fermentation?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"natto](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/ferment_02.jpg\" "\\"ferment_02\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Are the Benefits of Feeding Dogs Fermented Foods?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"picture](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/fermented_foods_02.jpg\" "\\"fermented_foods_02\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"picture](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/fermented_foods_01.jpg\" "\\"fermented_foods_01\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Are the Best Fermented Foods for Dogs?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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