Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by Fumipets
Brewers Yeast for Dogs: Benefits, Uses, & Side Effects
Brewer’s yeast is a supplement often used for dogs due to its potential health benefits. It is rich in B vitamins and antioxidants, which can support various aspects of a dog’s well-being, including skin, coat, and overall health. Here are five common questions and answers about Brewer’s yeast for dogs:
Yeast for Dogs
Brewer’s yeast is one of the most well-liked natural dog supplements available right now, with supporters claiming that it offers several benefits for your dog.
If you’re just now learning about this all-natural technique to improve your dog’s health, it’s important to familiarize yourself with all of its applications as well as any possible drawbacks.
Thankfully, we have gathered all the information on brewers yeast for dogs for you; all you have to do is keep reading.
Benefits of Brewers Yeast For Dogs
Brewer’s yeast provides a very wide range of advantages for both people and pets. But, let’s simply concentrate on what it can do for your dog.
Skin Health
B vitamins, especially B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, and B9, are abundant in brewer’s yeast. These nutrients are necessary to keep the skin barrier function functioning properly. If your dog doesn’t receive enough of them, they may get alopecia, anorexia, and pruritus in addition to having dry, flaky skin.
Coat Quality
Brewer’s yeast contains a ton of antioxidants, including the crucial omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They make your dog’s coat seem glossy and lustrous, and the B vitamins also maintain their hair healthy and less prone to break or fall out.
Eye Health
The same antioxidants protect your dog’s eyes from harm, reducing the risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal illnesses. Brewer’s yeast is thus beneficial for older dogs, but for maximum effects, you should start giving it to your dog before their vision begins to deteriorate.
Liver Function
The use of B vitamins to enhance liver function and treat illness is now being investigated by scientists. Due to the abundance of B vitamins in brewer’s yeast, it may be able to aid in minimizing cellular damage from free radicals, reversing nutritional deficiency, and enhancing vitamin absorption.
Anxiety Reduction
B vitamins are necessary for the synthesis of serotonin, a “feel-good” neurochemical that may uplift and calm your dog. Nevertheless, brewer’s yeast may interfere with certain anti-anxiety drugs, so if you’re already treating your dog for this problem, talk to your veterinarian before feeding your pup brewer’s yeast.
Diabetes Control
This one is a little debatable. Brewer’s yeast contains chromium, which has been found to increase the body’s ability to tolerate glucose and utilise insulin in humans, but no comparable research has been done in dogs. But, there is a ton of anecdotal data that suggests it could efficiently assist dogs in controlling their blood sugar levels.
Ask your veterinarian before beginning to add brewer’s yeast to your dog’s food since it may interfere with diabetic treatments, leading to a severe reduction in insulin levels.
Cell Function
Brewer’s yeast contains B vitamins that assist your dog’s cells in converting food into energy. This gives your dog greater vigor and makes their cells function more effectively. The yeast’s antioxidants also shield cells from oxidation and other forms of free radical damage, which may have a number of positive effects at the cellular level.
Improve Digestion
Brewer’s yeast is loaded with probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that line the digestive tract and help with food digestion, nutrient absorption, and illness prevention. This might make it a great option for dogs that have sensitive stomachs, diarrhea, or other digestive issues.
Build Lean Muscle Mass
Brewer’s yeast, which contains 52% protein by mass, is a fantastic supplement for your dog to use to develop lean muscle. Your dog should feel fuller for longer thanks to the protein, which may aid in weight reduction.
Parasite Prevention
Brewer’s yeast may aid in your dog’s ability to ward off ticks and fleas. How does it function? While it tends to work better when combined with omega-3 oils, which we don’t truly know, you may wish to combine it with fish oil or another comparable supplement. Nonetheless, you should see the parasite protection as an added benefit rather than depending on it as your only option.
Moreover, look at the contents of any brewer’s yeast product sold expressly for controlling fleas and ticks. Several of them combine the yeast and garlic to increase strength, but sadly, dogs cannot consume garlic.
Uses for Brewer’s Yeast
How can you convince your dog to consume brewer’s yeast now that we’ve seen all the advantages it can have for your dog? You have many choices.
Add It to Their Food
Considering that most brewer’s yeasts are supplied as powders, all you need to do is combine it with your dog’s food and water. Nevertheless, some dogs find the flavor to be harsh, and they may not like it. Companies do provide de-bittered brewer’s yeast, but when the chromium is removed, many of its nutritional advantages are lost.
Give Them a Pill
You may also feed your puppy brewer’s yeast tablets or capsules. They can be simpler to feed your dog since you can cover them with peanut butter or cover them in a treat. A tablet also makes it simpler to regulate the dose.
Toss Them a Chewable
Moreover, chewable brewer’s yeast pills are available. They are simple to use, but because of their harsh flavor, it could be challenging to get your dog to consume them.
Side Effects of Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s yeast offers a long list of advantages for dogs, but that doesn’t imply it is without cons. Let’s examine the possible adverse effects that you can experience from using this product.
Upset Stomach
Some dogs don’t take brewer’s yeast well, despite the fact that it may be used to calm upset stomachs. They may have stomach issues as a result of the supplement, which entirely negates the objective.
When you start administering your dog brewer’s yeast, you should keep a tight eye on them for a few days to make sure they aren’t throwing up, having diarrhea, or exhibiting any other gastrointestinal distress symptoms.
Yeast Infection
While it may seem clear, brewer’s yeast is really yeast. Although most dogs don’t have an issue with it, you shouldn’t feed your dog brewer’s yeast if they have impaired immune systems, are prone to yeast infections, or have allergies to yeast.
If you are unsure of how your dog will respond to yeast, keep a careful eye on them after giving them the supplement to ensure that they don’t develop rashes or dry, itchy skin. If they do, stop using the brewer’s yeast right once and get in touch with your veterinarian.
Weight Gain
Brewer’s yeast has a lot of calories, so if you feed it to your dog often to prevent weight gain, you’ll need to reduce calories elsewhere. To balance out their increased calorie intake, you may also attempt to raise their level of exercise.
Interference With Medications
Before beginning to give brewer’s yeast to your puppy, you should check with your veterinarian whether your dog is currently on any prescription drugs. It has a history of having negative drug interactions, particularly with diabetic medicines and anti-anxiety drugs.
Bloat
Bloat is a dangerous, sometimes deadly condition brought on when your dog’s stomach twists after being full of gas, food, or fluids. Brewer’s yeast may cause your dog’s stomach to ferment and fill with gas, raising the possibility of bloat.
Every dog may have bloat, although broad-chested breeds like Great Danes or Mastiffs are more susceptible than others. Start with modest quantities of yeast and increase it gradually if you’re certain your dog can handle it to decrease the chance of bloat.
Is It Time to Start Giving Brewer’s Yeast to Your Dog?
Brewer’s yeast offers significant advantages for dogs, but it also has disadvantages that you should carefully examine before starting to give it to your canine companion. Prior to starting your dog on a new supplement regimen, it’s crucial that you discuss your strategy with your veterinarian.
Brewer’s yeast may turn out to be just what your dog needs, and if you prefer utilizing natural treatments to address common issues, it may be the answer you’ve been waiting for.
Frquently Asked Questions
What is Brewer’s yeast, and why is it used for dogs?
Brewer’s yeast is a nutritional supplement derived from yeast. It is used for dogs because it is rich in B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, and B9) and antioxidants, which can promote healthy skin, coat, eyes, and liver function
What are the potential benefits of Brewer’s yeast for dogs?
Brewer’s yeast can support a dog’s immune system, improve skin and coat condition, and aid in digestion. It is also believed to help deter fleas due to its slightly bitter taste when excreted through a dog’s skin
Can Brewer’s yeast be given to all dogs?
Brewer’s yeast is generally safe for most dogs. However, some dogs may be sensitive or allergic to it, so it’s essential to monitor for any adverse reactions when introducing it to a dog’s diet.
How should Brewer’s yeast be administered to dogs?
Brewer’s yeast is available in various forms, including tablets, powder, and flakes. It can be mixed with a dog’s food or given as a treat. The appropriate dosage depends on the dog’s size and specific product instructions.
Are there any risks or side effects associated with Brewer’s yeast for dogs?
While Brewer’s yeast is considered safe, excessive consumption can lead to digestive upset. It’s essential to follow recommended dosage guidelines and consult a veterinarian if you have concerns about your dog’s reaction to the supplement.
