Brewer's Yeast for Dogs

Good nutrition is key to keeping a dog on an even keel. Usually, a diet that takes all of your companion's nutritional needs into account will be enough to keep it strong and healthy.

That said, there are some supplements that can help you achieve that goal. Brewer's yeast, for example. Let's look at the benefits it can offer dogs, here at SoyUnPerro.com.

What Is Brewer's Yeast?

Brewer's yeast is a type of edible fungus, widely used in food production. As the name suggests, it's essential for fermenting beer, but it can also turn up in soups, sauces or even cakes and sponges. On top of that, it's used as a dietary supplement and to combat hair loss.

Although not every human food is advisable for dogs, this product does offer them a number of benefits worth knowing about. Want to know what they are? Find out below.

A Source of B Vitamins

B vitamins play an important role in strengthening the immune system and stimulating growth in living beings. In a dog, they'll also have other positive effects, such as:

• Helping to convert digested food into energy, keeping the body stable at all times.
• Vitamins B1 and B3 regulate the nervous system. B1, also known as thiamine, prevents excess glucose, warding off glaucoma, a very common illness in some breeds.
• Riboflavin (or B2) plays a key role in the maintenance and growth of coat and nails. B8 makes sure the coat stays strong and shiny, as well as preventing hair loss. As you can see, brushing isn't the only thing that will keep that coat healthy.
• The job of taking up all the food eaten falls to pantothenic acid, or B5. This compound is also responsible for red blood cell production.
• Finally, B9 or folic acid is one of the most important fuels for puppy growth and also for the proper working of one of the body's most important organs: the brain.

It Fights Parasites

Did you know that the smell of brewer's yeast is highly unpleasant to external parasites such as fleas? On top of the positive effect eating yeast has on the skin, there's this insect-repellent quality.

A dog that eats yeast as part of its diet tends to give off a particular smell. It's a sort of cheesy odour that fleas and ticks find especially unbearable.

Another option is to make a homemade flea treatment. You just have to mix water, soap and a teaspoon of yeast. The fleas will gradually disappear. If you have a dog with a thick coat or you live in the countryside, yeast can be a great ally.

It Regulates "Bathroom Time"

Yeast has a high fibre content, an ingredient that improves digestion and supports bowel movement in many mammals. It's especially suitable for dogs on beef- or fish-based diets, two types of meat that are low in fibre.

The long-term effects of eating yeast once a week as a nutritional supplement will result in dogs with fewer constipation problems.

It Provides Significant Amounts of Protein and Iron

Protein is one of the substances involved in muscle growth. It's therefore essential for a dog to grow up strong and healthy. On that front, brewer's yeast is around 40% protein.

Yeast also contains iron and helps synthesise it. With this contribution a dog will be more resistant to illness and anaemia.

It's a Natural Relaxant

Brewer's yeast also acts as a calming agent, stabilising the nervous system of the more hyperactive breeds. Because of this ability to regulate mood, it's recommended for dogs suffering from depression.

Recommended Dose and Frequency for a Dog

Want your dog to benefit from all the properties of brewer's yeast we've just listed? This nutritional supplement can be part of its diet even when it's perfectly healthy, since it's a natural food.

The recommended dose is one level teaspoon per 10 kilos of body weight. If you offer it as a supplement to the diet, the frequency is twice a week. You can mix it in with commercial kibble or with homemade food. Over time you'll work out how it eats it best.

If it's a dog with constipation, anaemia or depression problems, the frequency can go up to once a day. That said, at any sign that something is wrong, the first thing you should do is take it to the vet. The specialist will be able to advise you on yeast intake, with recommendations specific to each case.