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I recently read an article which claimed that fermented vegetables are rotten (“why would you feed your dogs rotten foods?”). If you ask most people, they will probably say the same. My husband goes to the length of saying they smell like “farts”. But just because they are smelly, does that mean they are actually rotten?
What is fermentation?
According to Wikipedia, fermentation is a breakdown of carbohydrates by bacteria and yeast. Kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha are examples of fermented foods. It’s an ancient process, dating all the way back to 10,000 BCE, to preserve food.
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Foods in this process are produced through controlled microbial growth. Fermentation can be a tricky process since it involves so many different variables - from the ingredients used, to the environmental conditions, and activity of microorganisms. Kefir and kombucha are fermented using ‘starter cultures’ whereas kimchi, and sauerkraut are fermented naturally, without any starter cultures (also known as “spontaneous ferments”).
Chemically, when foods are fermented, the pH levels in these foods come down, creating an inhospitable environment for harmful bacteria. These no longer thrive. The chemical processes that take place during this time then allow for the “good bacteria” to work the magic and make these foods a supposed powerhouse for the gut.
But isn’t rotting also a result of microbial growth?
Yes - but here’s how it’s different from fermentation:
When foods like fruits and vegetables are left uneaten for a long time and exposed to air, this allows for multiple microorganisms (including bacteria) to settle on the food and start eating away the cells and membranes of these foods. Light, moisture, temperature, and air - all of these impact the pace of deterioration (accelerate, to be more precise) of the water content, vitamins, fats and other nutrients, colours, shape and taste in these foods.
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This is why over a period of time these foods change colours, texture and even smell. As these microorganisms use the water present in these foods to fuel chemical reactions, the moisture on the outside also becomes a host for mould and fungi.
Then what’s the difference between fermentation and rotting?
The difference lies in how these microorganisms are working. In fermentation, it is a very controlled process - it is influenced by specific quantities of the foods, water, usually the presence of salt, the type of equipment used to store these foods, the duration of storage and so on.
In rotting, alternatively, these microorganisms are uncontrolled - there is no deliberate effort made to control or contain the rotting. Foods are exposed to multiple variables altogether, all of which contribute to the process of decay. Rotting is basically bacterial growth out of control.
DID YOU KNOW?
According to Raymond & Lorna Coppinger, populations of street dogs have thrived on garbage dumps and trash. This trash includes table scraps, starchy and fatty foods, poop and rotten foods. It seems like dogs have an innate ability to distinguish between rotten and spoilt foods.
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Contrary to popular notions, dogs are scavengers - they scavenge through human trash to find foods that can provide nourishment and sustenance to themselves, some of those foods also include rotten foods. The next time you see your dog digging through a dustbin or a garbage pile, you know the origins of that behaviour. This is not to say that we must feed our pet dogs rotten food - but it’s a behaviour that we can take note of.
Luchi sorting through garbage dumps on our walks
Can fermented foods also rot?
Absolutely! If the ferment is exposed to air, is subjected to improper water: salt ratios, comes in contact with metal during the fermentation process, and isn’t stored in a container that’s ferment-friendly (either a glass or plastic container, ideally with a non-metallic container), it can grow mouldy. This is why a controlled environment is key for foods to ferment.
So, what’s the big deal about fermented foods?
Fermented foods have recently gained popularity because of their gastrointestinal benefits. Check out this study that discusses the roles of ‘probiotic microorganisms’ found in fermented foods that offer a protective and buffering effect against gut conditions like low pH levels, bile acids, leaky gut, and so on.
Fermented foods also boast of a ton of health benefits including improved immunity, metabolic health, and cardiovascular health. They also seem to reduce toxins and anti-nutrients like phytic acid concentrations in seeds (makes sense why certain kinds of seeds are fermented first and then ground).
In my own experience of feeding my dogs (and recommending this as a supplement to other dogs), I have found it extremely effective in improving gut issues. Take Luchi for example - in the early days, she had multiple recurrences of loose stools, upset tummy, and acid reflux - with the regular addition of fermented foods (and a species-appropriates appropriate diet), I have seen less and less of those occurrences.
It’s important to note two things:
1) A single supplement or ingredient does not solve a medical condition. It’s always a multi-modal approach - an exclusive reliance on fermented foods to address any gut issue is extremely limiting
2) I’m aware that there could also be a high placebo effect. Having said that, what’s safe to assume at this point is that the initial research does show the benefits of fermented foods and it can definitely be another healthy inclusion in our and our dogs’ diets.
How should fermented foods be introduced?
Offer a little bit of all fermented foods (without mixing it in the food) and see which ones your dog prefers. Feed more of those and rotate them in the bowls often. If you do buy store-bought fermented foods, please read the ingredients and eliminate ones that could be toxic for dogs. For instance, kimchi is no for dogs given that it’s fermented with a spicy paste. Some fermented foods also include mustard seeds which also need to be avoided.
If you’d like to purchase homemade fermented vegetables for your dog, you reach out here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc9xExtJuft/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
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