‘DIY’ Probiotic Recipe

By Will Richardson and the MaxiVet Team

We're very proud of MaxiFlora, and have no doubt that it is the single most effective canine probiotic on the market. However, while researching MaxiFlora our team also developed (well, half developed, half stumbled upon) a cost-effective homebrew probiotic recipe. This 'DIY' probiotic doesn't contain wild prey probiotics or digestive enzymes, so it isn't quite a 1:1 replica of MaxiFlora. However, in our experience this formula is nearly as effective. The recipe is below! But first, a quick note about our ethos:

Profit will never be our #1 priority.

Our team has spent a great deal of time (and a lot of money!) researching canine gut health and developing MaxiFlora. Our business undeniably depends on customers buying our product. So why would we ever give away a free recipe that is nearly as effective as our own product? Simple: Profit will never be our #1 priority. We founded MaxiVet out of love for dogs and their owners, not a love of money. If you can't afford 5 bucks a week for MaxiFlora (or you live outside the US), you still deserve a happy, healthy, energetic dog.

It's true that MaxiFlora is the only digestive supplement designed to mimic wild prey intestines, and therefore is the best thing for your dog's digestion short of feeding them real, raw guts. But MaxiFlora and prey guts aren't the only probiotics that will help canine gut health. From our research, a blend of homemade Kefir (for probiotics) and mashed roasted pumpkin (for prebiotics) showed very positive results, surpassed only by MaxiFlora. Without further ado, here's our recipe:

You'll need:

Kefir grains (can be found online)

Milk (Raw is preferred for greater probiotic diversity)

A small, whole pumpkin (canned pumpkin lacks prebiotic fiber and is not recommended)

Note: Store bought kefir is a poor substitute for homemade, as it has relatively little probiotic diversity

Step 1:

Make Kefir according to manufacturer's instructions. Store in the fridge for up to a week.

Step 2:

Cut your pumpkin into quarters, scoop out the seeds and roast the quarters at 350F until fork tender (roughly 45 minutes)

Step 3:

Cool the pumpkin to room temperature

Step 4:

Remove the pumpkin's skin and mash with a fork

Step 5:

Measure out equal portions of kefir and mashed pumpkin, and combine

Step 6:

Store the mixture in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Feeding Instructions

For smaller breeds, start with just a teaspoon, mixed into food once a day. For larger breeds, start with a half tablespoon. You can gradually feed more, up to a tablespoon for small breeds and 2 Tablespoons for larger breeds. Most dogs tolerate this mixture well, and enjoy increased energy, better digestion and improved immunity. If your dog has any kind of negative reaction, please stop feeding the mixture and consult with a vet.

I hope you all enjoy this recipe! Please reach out to contact@maxi-vet.com if you have any questions or experiences to share.