While kefir is basically fermented milk, you might think that since it’s already “spoiled,” there’s nothing bad that can happen to it. That’s the short version, let’s talk details. Ingredients needed to make this recipe As when feeding anything to your cat, make sure it is not expired and the bowl is clean. I use the Now Probiotic-10 25 Billion capsule. When it comes to homemade kefir, it should last for about 2 to 3 weeks if stored properly. Does yogurt go bad? She should only have three or four tablespoonfuls in a week. Even though it is a dairy product, the natural bacteria in the live cultures, namely Streptococcus thermophiles and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, will break down the lactose in the lactic acid through fermentation process. You may also use a cidophilus formula with 2.4 billion CFUs per serving.Both comes in a vegan gel capsule that you can easily open and use the powder inside. If your kefir seems okay-ish, but you find it gross, get rid of it. Yes, it does, but not as quickly as you might think. It also helps to maintain healthy blood pressure. The probiotics in yogurt that promote digestive health in humans work just as easily on a cat. Now, the more you add the thicker your yogurt will be. In general, a full 4.5 to 6-oz serving of yogurt provides at or around 1 billion CFUs (colony forming units). Please note that the periods above are estimates and for the best flavor. Chocolate is right out. And while its shelf life might be a bit longer than that of other milk-based products, it’s not that long at all. Obviously, if you open it a couple of days past the date on the label, it’s best if you use it within 24 hours. A huge animal lover, born and raised around dogs, cats, chickens... Their tongues don't have the correct sensors to detect sweetness so they don't even crave sugar. If you’re interested in making your own kefir, many companies sell kefir starter packs and kefir grains. Once you open the bottle or container, make sure you always keep it sealed tightly and refrigerated when not in use. When it comes to how long does the kefir stay fresh after opening, it depends. As the kitten grows, their body stops making the enzyme (generally starting at about twelve weeks) to digest lactose and they gradually become lactose intolerant. Are Roses Toxic To Cats? On the other hand, raisins and anything else made with grapes are toxic and should not be fed to your cat in any amount. Like all other dairy products, kefir goes bad. Once you open the package, you should finish it within a week for best quality, maybe a couple of days more. Just to be on the safe side, only give her a tiny amount at first to see if she's allergic. Given that it tastes okay, feel free to drink it or use it in any other way. Any flavored yogurt might come with alcohols or sugars that are bad for cats. Want to learn more about the topic? Honey is hard to digest and would counteract the main nutritional advantage of yogurt. Perhaps there have been times you've sat down to enjoy a low fat snack when a pair of jewel-like eyes gazed beseechingly at you, followed by a plaintive meow. If your cat likes crunchy things, an occasional pretzel is fine if it’s unsalted. Most often it’s a sell-by date, but sometimes it literally says “expiration date”. Animal adoption advocate. Thawed kefir works only in dishes where its consistency doesn’t matter that much, e.g., in cooked dishes or smoothies. When it comes to how to freeze kefir, I recommend freezing it using an ice cube tray. Cats are the ultimate lightweights when it comes to holding liquor, so even this miniscule amount can be detrimental. Vanilla may seem plain to you, but it is indeed a flavor. Fresh store-bought milk kefir usually has a pretty uniform and creamy texture. It's also good for you because it's high in protein, satiating fats, and beneficial micronutrients. Right now the best answer to this question seems to be: we don’t know. If you open it soon after buying, it pretty much should last until the date on the label. Learn Which Nutrients It Lacks. Not only is plain, unsweetened yogurt safe for your cat, it can be beneficial. Opening the container doesn’t change much in that matter. If you’re drinking kefir for the probiotics and good bacteria, don’t freeze the kefir. I wouldn’t go over 1/4 cup though, as it will affect the recipe. In case you wondered about freezing kefir, you can do it, but many producers advise against it. It bears reiteration; do not give your cat anything with sugar in it. If it’s a sell-by date, you can assume that the kefir should stay fresh for maybe a week more if unopened. If the label on your yogurt says it's made with corn sweetener, dextrose, fructose, glucose, fruit juice concentrate, maltose, sucrose or anything ending with the word “syrup”, it is a sugar. Such situations happen quite often if the product was mishandled before it found its way onto the shelves. This will also enhance her immune system. Magnesium will help your cat absorb other nutrients such as phosphorus, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and sodium. Bananas may be full of potassium, but they also have carbs your cat doesn't need. Because cats do not have the amylases enzyme, they cannot digest sugar. Do keep an eye on your cat should you decide to feed her yogurt. In this article, we will go through storage, shelf life, and going bad of store-bought milk kefir. How Warm Does Milk Have to Be To Kill Bad Bacteria For Making Yogurt If your cat has been sick lately, you might be trying to think of something tasty but gentle to the stomach to whet their appetite. While you can blend the thawed kefir, its texture won’t exactly be creamy and delightful as it was before. The Starter. Which Of These Flowers Is…, Which Foods Are Toxic for Cats: Know It All Here, 9 Ways To Take Good Care Of Your Pet On A Budget, To Find Out If Your Kitty Can Have Almond Milk, Peanuts are also a bit on the fatty and salty side. Macadamia nuts and hazelnuts are toxic as well. For more specific guidelines consult the instructions given in the kefir starter or on the website of the producer of the grains. Fruit (and then only some kinds of fruit) is only good for cats in the tiniest amounts. If the cubes are too small, feel free to use a muffin tin instead. If your cat is being treated for an infection, try stirring the antibiotics in a tablespoon of yogurt. Most flavored yogurts have added sugar that your cat doesn't need. They're a bit too sweet and most cats don't like them anyway. That means cream cheese can just as well go bad a week past the date on the label or even a week before that date. Like all other dairy products, kefir goes bad. But yogurt isn't just healthy because it's low in added sugars. www.felineliving.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Some lumps can form in kefir, and that’s natural too. Cats should not eat any sugar at all. Too many peaches can give a cat diarrhea so use only small amounts and stay away from anything with “syrup” in the name. You may have been wondering if can cats eat yogurt? If the label says “expiration,” you can add a few days to that date too. It wont go bad because of the high acidic content. A kitten needs milk to survive, preferably mother's milk but cow milk will serve. Self-educated pet care nerd. It’s not like the manufacturer tampered with the product for it to go bad the day after the date on the label. But some recipes go all the way up to around 1/4 cup. Others state that most of them die. My only complaint is that they didn’t have a ton of flavor. New research indicates that the high level of probiotics contained in yogurt is highly effective at treating minor causes of cat diarrhea. You can get any one out there. She might not even like the flavor. I was looking for a Greek yogurt pancake/waffle recipe since I can never use the full container of yogurt before it goes bad. Those slight variations are natural and by no means mean the product is bad. You can enjoy this berry parfait any time of day. If your cat does like them, a little raw strawberry might not hurt. Your cat neither wants nor needs sugar and it is more harmful than helpful. However, a few raw blueberries might add some antioxidants if she'll eat them. Your cat will get the milky flavor she wants without the tummy troubles that follow. Combined, these health benefits all factor into why yogurt is the perfect weight-loss food. In any of these scenarios, you may have wondered whether or not it's safe to feed your cat yogurt. A teaspoon of yogurt before a meal can help cats who are prone to diarrhea. Copyright 2021 by FelineLiving.net   -  Designed by Thrive Themes Blueberries are low in fat, high and fiber and are full of vitamins A, C, E and K. If your cat will eat them, a few blueberries with no sugar can be a benefit. Unflavored Greek yogurt is ideal as it's full of live cultures and healthy bacteria. Plain, unsweetened yogurt might be something good to give a growing Kitty who wants milk but can't have it. Join our mailing list to receive the latest recalls notices, news and other updates from our team. Vitamin B12 can prevent anemia and vitamin B2  helps kitty metabolize the protein essential to her diet. Because yogurt has a smooth and creamy texture and has an appealing odor and taste your cat will actually like eating something that’s also good for them. But if the whole thing is chunky, it’s time for it to go. "The most common health benefit that people associate yogurt with is gut health, in relation to the probiotic content of yogurt," Hermanson says. And while its shelf life might be a bit longer than that of other milk-based products, it’s not that long at all. If they have plain, non-fat Greek froyo, though, go for that. We will also touch upon homemade kefir too but won’t go into details of making it. The signs that your milk kefir has gone bad include: If everything seems to be okay, and you don’t already store the kefir for too long, give it a taste. The same is true for thickness, as it also varies a bit batch to batch and season to season. If you do feed your cat yogurt, then it must be plain and unsweetened. Yogurt is a dairy product produced by the bacterial fermentation of milk and most yogurt contains live cultures. Potassium further strengthens the nerves and muscles as well as enzyme activity.