Dog Friendly Panna Cotta

Bowie’s dog-friendly panna cotta is full of antioxidants, probiotics and prebiotics which are great for immune support and gut health. It is very easy to make and even better, it can be shared with the whole family.

It has probiotic kefir, gelatin, mango, blueberries and honey. Our recipe uses coconut milk kefir but you can always substitute it with cow/goat’s milk kefir, natural greek yoghurt, raw goat’s milk or coconut milk to suit your dog’s dietary needs. You can also substitute gelatin powder with gelatin leaves or agar-agar*.

*Please do your own research on the measurement conversion

Benefits of each ingredients

Kefir is a low lactose fermented milk drink cultured from kefir grains. It is a rich source of calcium, protein and B vitamins. A full-fat dairy kefir also contains vitamin K2. Kefir grains may contain up to 61 strains of bacteria and yeasts, making them a very rich and diverse probiotic source, which can help restore the balance of friendly bacteria in your dog’s gut. Kefir also has potent antibacterial properties (ie. Lactobacillus kefiri).

Gelatin contains collagen. Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in your dog’s body and it makes up a large part of their bones, skin, hair and nails. Gelatin is great for bone and joint health, skin and coat health, and it also aids digestion. Gelatin is often obtained from cows or pigs. If your dog is allergic to beef or pork, you can substitute gelatin with agar-agar which is derived from seaweed.

Mango is low in calories but packed with nutrients, particularly vitamin C. It is high in antioxidants (polyphenols) and a good source of folate, B vitamins, as well as vitamin A, C, K and E — all of which help boost immunity. Mango contains nutrients that support good heart, eye and skin health. It also contains digestive enzymes (amylases), plenty of water and prebiotic fibre which can promote healthy gut.

Blueberries are the king of antioxidant foods. They are believed to have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables, called flavonoids. Because blueberries are high in antioxidants, they can neutralise some of the free radicals that damage the DNA which may help protect against aging (mental decline) and cancer.

Honey is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which can help control allergy symptoms, skin and digestive issues, and maintain a healthy weight. It is high in sugar, so you do need to feed in moderation. Giving Manuka/raw honey with organic coconut oil can help provide relief when your dog has throat irritation or kennel cough.

Bowie’s Panna Cotta Recipe

Makes 1 serving for large dog.
Please portion according to your dog’s weight and dietary needs. Always introduce new foods slowly and monitor. If you’re unsure with the ingredients, consult with your vet/pet nutritionist.

Ingredients
1/3 cup of coconut milk kefir
1/3 cup of warm water
1 tsp of unflavoured organic grass-fed/finished beef gelatin powder
1 tsp of honey
Fresh mango pieces and blueberries

Optional: Desiccated coconut and mint leaves for garnish

Directions

Dissolve gelatin powder and honey in the warm water. Mix well. Let cool to room temperature. You can speed up the cooling process by putting it in the fridge. Just keep an eye on it. The reason we want to have the gelatin mixture cooled is because heat will kill most types of probiotic bacteria.
Once cooled, mix well with the kefir. Pour mixture into a glass and let it set in the fridge.
Blend or mash the mango pieces, and smoosh the blueberries. This will help make them more bio-available for our dogs.
Once the panna cotta is set, top with blended/mashed mango and smooshed blueberries.
Garnish with desiccated coconut and finely chopped mint leaves.
Ready to serve.