About Brewer's Yeast for Dogs

Definition

• Brewer's yeast is a type of nutritional yeast used as a canine supplement. Yeasts are one-celled fungal organisms that consume sugars, produce carbon dioxide and alcohol as by-products. Yeasts are used to bake bread, brew beer and make wine. The strain used in most brewer's yeast supplements for dogs is Saccharomyces cervisiae. Some brewer's yeast supplements are made from by-products left over from brewing beer. If you feed it, look for a high-quality product made for dogs using fresh ingredients.

Benefits

• Brewer's yeast has several uses for dogs. It is a source of B vitamins such as biotin, trace minerals such as zinc, proteins and amino acids. The amino acids and vitamins can help make a dog's skin healthier and its coat shinier. Brewer's yeast is often recommended by holistic vets to help strengthen dogs' immune systems. According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care, brewer's yeast was shown to protect chickens from salmonella-tainted feed. Brewer's yeast is also a common natural remedy for dogs with fleas, recommended by holistic veterinarian Richard Pitcairn. It is believed to work against fleas because it contains sulfur compounds that make your dog less palatable to them. However, at least one study showed that brewer's yeast provided dogs no protection against fleas when compared to a control group.

Risks

• Some dogs are allergic to yeast, and dogs that are allergic to other foods are likely to be allergic to yeast as well. Low-quality yeast can cause allergic reactions. If your dog has food allergies, introduce high-quality brewer's yeast into its diet cautiously. If you see any signs of an allergic reaction, discontinue the brewer's yeast immediately and consult your vet.

Types

• Brewer's yeast is sold as pills, tablets and as a powdered supplement that can be sprinkled over food. The nutritional content of the yeast is not standardized and will vary depending on how yeast was grown. Compare labels to ensure that your pet is getting the most benefit from the product. There is a difference between premium brewer's yeast supplements and supplements made from the by-products of the brewing process. Yeast that has been grown specifically for use in supplements has more nutrients and is less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Dosing

• The correct dosage of brewer's yeast depends on the size of the dog and the type of yeast you are using. For powders, 1/2 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight is usually recommended. The correct dosage for tablets depends on the size of the tablet. Read and follow the dosing instructions on the package.