Brewers Yeast For Dogs
From all the studies in humans, it has been found that brewer’s yeast is a great antioxidant and that applies to dogs as well. This is beneficial in several ways. By supplementing your dog’s diet with brewer’s yeast, his coat will be healthier and shed less. It will help boost his immune system which will aid in reduction of parasites, inside and out.
When a dog is stressed or extremely hyper, brewer’s yeast may calm down Fido. The reason is the good source of vitamin B-complex. B vitamins are depleted rapidly when the dog is stressed. By adding a good source of vitamin B-complex, like brewer’s yeast, to the diet, your pooch may suffer less from separation anxiety, and other stress induced anxieties.
Brewer’s yeast is very palatable to dogs. If your dog is a finicky eater or getting over an illness, add brewer’s yeast to the food.
Some folks are concerned with giving any yeast to a dog with yeast infections. The yeast you are feeding your dog is not the same as the yeast infection in the ears or skin. That said, if your dog has a sensitivity or allergy, to yeast then adding any yeast to the diet may make the infections worse. Some dogs are allergic to yeast, and the symptoms seen can be itchy skin and upset, bloated, gaseous stomachs.
Overall, for most dogs, brewer’s yeast is safe and beneficial. Don’t get it confused with other dietetic yeast out there. These are baker’s yeast, which will make him sick, nutritional and torula yeasts, these are low in some nutrients such as chromium.
Dosing the brewer’s yeast is variable. If using a commercially prepared brewer’s yeast for dogs, then follow the directions. Some sources say not to exceed 1 teaspoon a day, others say 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds. Either way, start slowly.
Overall brewer’s yeast is a relatively safe and beneficial supplement. It isn’t pricey either. A lot of garlic and brewer’s yeast supplements are out there as a parasite repellent. Some of the literature says it makes the skin smell and/ or taste bad to the parasite. The jury is out on this. Some people say it reduces the number of fleas their pets have in a year; some studies say it doesn’t. What we do know is the stronger our dog’s immune system is, the fewer parasites and illnesses they get. Brewer’s yeast has been shown to boost the immune system.
So add it to your food and your friend’s food. Be healthier and reap the benefits.