Scobi Snacks: Why a Scoby is a Great Treat for Your Pet and How to Make It
Do you love kombucha? Do you love your pet? Have you ever wondered about feeding your kombucha to your pet? If you have ever considered feeding your pet kombucha or a scoby, we are here to offer some important information on doing just that.
Disclaimer: before incorporating scoby or kombucha into your pet’s diet, we strongly encourage you to consult a pet health professional about any dietary restrictions your pet may have.
What is a Scoby?
A scoby is a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast that takes the form of a white, flat rubbery (“squid like” is how our team describes it) mass that floats atop kombucha while it is brewing. Every time the scoby is fed, it will grow a new layer. In addition to making kombucha, these layers can be pulled apart and used for all kinds of things - pet treats, snacks, face masks (it’s true!), and many more applications. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
For more scientific information on the nutritional components of a scoby, check out this research paper at Wiley Online Library.
Why is It Good For My Pet?
Kombucha and the scoby are full of probiotics that promote good gut health, healthy skin (or fur), and can help boost the immune system. Not only that, when dehydrated, the scoby consists of mostly fiber, protein, and different amino acids making it the perfect canvas for finding new ways to enjoy its benefits.
Caution! We have heard of people adding a splash of kombucha to their pet’s water bowl or food, though we have yet to try it ourselves. Plain kombucha may be beneficial in small amounts. However, flavored kombucha could hurt your pet! The different ingredients used during the flavoring process could be poisonous to your pet (think grapes or rhubarb). For this reason, we recommend using only the scoby from a trustworthy source as a snack for your pet.
Feeding Your Pet Scobys
We have personally fed scobys to a number of different animals including dogs, chickens, and pigs. Guess what? They love it!
As you can see in the video, we use the whole scoby in its raw form. When feeding to smaller animals, we slice the scoby into bite sized pieces.
For a less messy treat, use the recipe below to make scoby snacks your furry (or feathered) companion is sure to love!
How to Make a Scoby Snack
Equipment:
Dehydrator
Cooling Rack
Paper Towels
Ingredients:
1 Scoby
1 tsp Better Than Bouillon (optional)
Instructions:
Place scoby on a cooling rack over a plate or something to catch liquid. Leave to drain for 30 minutes - 1 hour. Alternatively, you can blot the scoby with a paper towel, though it will not remove as much liquid and takes longer to dehydrate.
Cut the scoby into 1 inch wide strips. Blot excess liquid with a paper towel.
(optional) Spread the Better Than Bouillon evenly on the surface of each strip. Use more as needed to lightly coat the scoby.
Place strips in a dehydrator set to 95° F for 6 - 12 hours or until dry.
Feed to your pet!
Can be stored for several months in an airtight container.
