Can Dogs Eat Sauerkraut? Benefits and Risks

Written by

Kosar KoohiUpdated 16 September 2026 · 8 Min Read

Kosar is the editor of Pretty Fluffy, a lifelong dog lover, and the proud mom of Yuki, a Maltese who has very high standards. So does Kosar. She researches everything obsessively before it ever makes it onto the page.

The jar is open, the bratwurst is on the plate, and a pair of hopeful eyes has locked onto the fork. So, can dogs eat sauerkraut? Plain fermented cabbage is not toxic to dogs, and a small spoonful can even be kind to their gut. The less cheerful news is that most jars in the fridge were made for people, and people like their kraut salty and often seasoned.

The difference between a healthy topper and an upset tummy comes down to three things: what is in the jar, how much lands in the bowl, and the dog eating it. Here is how to get all three right.

Can Dogs Have Sauerkraut Safely?

Yes, dogs can have sauerkraut in small amounts, as long as it is plain. The safest kraut contains only cabbage and salt, is rinsed before serving to wash away excess brine, and is offered as a teaspoon-sized topper a few times a week rather than as a side dish. Skip any sauerkraut made with garlic, onion, wine or sugar, and leave it out entirely for puppies and dogs on low-sodium diets.

Sauerkraut is simply shredded cabbage fermented in its own salty juices. Over a few weeks, lactic acid bacteria that live naturally on the leaves turn the cabbage's sugars into lactic acid. That gives kraut its sour tang, preserves it, and in raw versions leaves behind a population of live bacteria.

Raw, Canned or Homemade Sauerkraut: Which Is Best?

Not every jar is equal. Refrigerated, unpasteurized sauerkraut still carries live cultures, so it is the only kind with any probiotic value. Shelf-stable canned and jarred kraut has been heat-treated, which kills those bacteria but keeps the fiber and the salt. It is fine in the same small amounts, just less useful.

Homemade sauerkraut gives the most control over ingredients, although fermentation still needs salt to stay safe, so homemade does not automatically mean low-sodium. Be wary of "quick" sauerkraut made with vinegar instead of fermentation. It tastes similar but has no live cultures and often comes with sugar and preservatives.

Is Sauerkraut Good for Dogs? Gut and Nutrition Benefits

A little plain sauerkraut can be a genuinely nice addition to the bowl, provided expectations stay realistic.

Probiotics for Your Dog's Gut Health

Raw sauerkraut contains lactic acid bacteria, the same broad family of friendly microbes found in yogurt and kefir. These bacteria can help support a balanced gut microbiome, which plays a part in digestion, stool quality and immune function. If your dog has occasional soft stools or gas, it is worth reading up on the signs your dog needs probiotics first, since some of those symptoms point to a vet visit rather than a food topper.

Fiber, Vitamins and Minerals in Fermented Cabbage

Cabbage brings fiber, which helps keep digestion regular, along with vitamin K for healthy blood clotting, small amounts of iron and manganese, and plant antioxidants. It also contains vitamin C, although dogs make their own, so that part is a bonus rather than a need. In the tiny portions that suit a dog, sauerkraut is very low in calories, which makes it a friendly topper for dogs watching their weight.

Sauerkraut Benefits for Dogs: Keeping Expectations Realistic

No research has looked specifically at sauerkraut in dogs. The bacteria in a jar vary from batch to batch, they were never selected for the canine gut, and plenty of them do not survive stomach acid. Think of sauerkraut as a pleasant, gut-friendly extra, not a treatment. A dog with an ongoing digestive problem is far better served by a vet and, where needed, a probiotic formulated for dogs. Cornell's veterinary college has a clear overview of what probiotics can and cannot do for dogs.

When Is Sauerkraut Bad for Dogs?

Sauerkraut turns from helpful to harmful quickly when the portion grows or the recipe changes. These are the risks worth knowing before the jar comes out.

Sodium and the Risk of Salt Toxicity

Salt is what makes fermentation possible, and it is the biggest concern with sauerkraut for dogs. Typical jarred kraut carries roughly 100 milligrams of sodium in a single tablespoon before rinsing, and the brine is saltier still, so never pour sauerkraut juice over a dog's dinner. A complete dog food already supplies the sodium a dog needs. One stolen forkful is unlikely to hurt a healthy adult dog, but a large helping can cause vomiting, diarrhea and intense thirst. In serious cases it can lead to salt toxicosis, which the Merck Veterinary Manual notes can progress to muscle tremors and seizures. Keep fresh water available at all times, especially after anything salty.

Garlic, Onion and Other Harmful Ingredients

Plenty of store-bought and deli sauerkrauts are flavored with garlic, onion or leeks, all members of the allium family that damage a dog's red blood cells. Cooking or fermenting them does not make them safe, and this guide to why onions are toxic to dogs explains how even small, repeated amounts add up. Check labels for wine, sugar and chili too. A few caraway seeds are not dangerous, but heavily spiced kraut is best kept on your own plate.

Kimchi deserves a special mention. It is fermented cabbage as well, but it is almost always made with garlic, ginger, chili and often fish sauce, so it is not a dog-friendly swap for sauerkraut.

Gas, Bloating and an Upset Stomach

Fermented, fiber-rich foods can cause gas, a gurgly belly or loose stools, especially when a dog eats too much too soon. Most of the time this settles within a day. If loose stools continue, these home remedies for dog diarrhea cover gentle care and the signs that mean it is time to call the vet.

Dogs That Should Skip Sauerkraut Entirely

Some dogs are better off without it. Skip sauerkraut for puppies, whose digestion is still maturing, and for dogs with kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure or any condition that calls for a low-sodium diet. Dogs with a very sensitive stomach, a weakened immune system or a prescription diet should only try new foods after a chat with their vet.

How to Serve Sauerkraut for Dogs

If your dog is healthy and the jar passes inspection, a slow, careful introduction keeps things comfortable for everyone.

Choosing the Right Jar of Sauerkraut

Look in the refrigerated section for raw or unpasteurized sauerkraut with the shortest possible ingredient list: cabbage and salt, sometimes water. Put back anything listing garlic, onion, wine, sugar, vinegar or preservatives. Organic is a nice extra, but it does not change the salt content, so the rinse still matters.

Rinse, Chop and Mix Into Their Food

Place a small portion in a fine strainer and rinse it under cool water for about 30 seconds. Rinsing washes away some of the live bacteria along with the brine, but lowering the salt matters more for a dog. Pat it dry, chop it finely so long strands cannot catch in the throat of a dog who gulps, and stir it through a regular meal. Many dogs are unsure about the sour smell at first, and mixing it into wet food usually wins them over.

How Much Sauerkraut Can a Dog Eat?

Use the amounts below as an upper limit per serving, and start with half of that for the first few tries. Watch your dog for 24 hours, and build up slowly only if all is well. Two or three servings a week is plenty, and all extras, toppers included, should stay within about 10 percent of your dog's daily calories.

Making Homemade Sauerkraut for Dogs

Homemade kraut is the easiest way to skip every questionable additive. Massage finely shredded green cabbage with salt until it softens and releases its liquid, pack it tightly into a clean jar so the cabbage sits under its own brine, and leave it somewhere cool for one to three weeks before moving it to the fridge. Keep the recipe plain, with no garlic, onion, chili or sugar, and rinse each dog portion just as you would with a store-bought jar. For more gut-friendly treats made from everyday kitchen ingredients, these homemade probiotic dog treat recipes are simple to whip up.

What to Do If Your Dog Ate Sauerkraut

Dogs are opportunists, and sauerkraut often disappears along with whatever it was served on. A small lick of plain kraut is rarely a problem. Make sure fresh water is available, expect a little gas, and check the jar or recipe for garlic and onion.

The bigger worry is usually the rest of the plate. A Reuben sandwich, a loaded hot dog, or pork and sauerkraut simmered with onions can bring allium toxicity and a fatty, salty meal along with the cabbage. Call your vet promptly if your dog ate a large amount, if the dish contained garlic or onion, if your dog is very small, or if you notice repeated vomiting, unusual tiredness, wobbliness, tremors or extreme thirst. Never try to make your dog vomit at home.

Probiotic Alternatives to Sauerkraut for Dogs

If your dog turns their nose up at sour cabbage, or salt is a concern, there are gentler ways to support the gut. Plain, unsweetened yogurt or kefir with live cultures suits many dogs in small amounts, provided the label is free of xylitol and your dog handles dairy well. Plain canned pumpkin adds fiber with no salt at all. For dogs with recurring tummy trouble, a probiotic made for dogs and a food designed for delicate digestion, like the options in this guide to the best dog foods for a sensitive stomach, will do more than any topper.