Have you ever noticed brewer’s yeast on your dog’s food label and wondered why it’s there? Don’t worry—it’s nothing to stress about! This common ingredient in dog food is often beneficial, but it’s always a good idea to understand what’s going into your dog’s diet. Let’s explore what brewer’s yeast is, why it’s added, and what you should know about it!
What Is Brewer’s Yeast All About?
Brewer’s dried yeast, also known simply as brewer’s yeast, is a byproduct of the beer-making process.
During brewing, Saccharomyces yeast, typically Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is used to break down the sugar in grains and turn it into alcohol. After fermentation is complete, the yeast is filtered out. This leftover byproduct is cleaned, pasteurized, and then sold as a supplement or animal feed additive.
Unlike many other byproducts used in pet food, brewer’s yeast is beneficial for your dog. We’ll dive deeper into that shortly.
It’s important to note that brewer’s yeast differs from other common yeast products. Unlike baker’s yeast, brewer’s yeast is “killed,” meaning it can’t reproduce or cause yeast infections in your dog’s body.
Also, don’t confuse brewer’s yeast with nutritional yeast. While brewer’s yeast is grown on malted barley and grains, nutritional yeast is grown on sugar or beet molasses. It often contains added nutrients, making it tastier but unsuitable for your pet.
Why Brewer’s Dried Yeast Is Used in Dog Food
Like many other food industry byproducts, this ingredient is commonly added to dog food because it provides an affordable source of protein.
It contains over 50% protein by mass, and unlike plant-based proteins, this protein is highly bioavailable to a dog’s digestive system. This makes it a better filler option compared to peas, legumes, or grains.
But protein isn’t the only benefit. This ingredient is packed with essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Unlike synthetic nutrients commonly added to dog food to meet AAFCO standards, the nutrients in this ingredient are more easily absorbed and used by the body.
Studies show that the cofactors found in this ingredient are crucial for the body to effectively use B vitamins. Dogs suffering from B vitamin deficiencies often won’t recover with synthetic B vitamins alone. However, when given natural forms of this supplement, these dogs can quickly regain their health.
Considering how affordable and nutrient-rich it is, it’s no surprise that many dog food manufacturers include it in their recipes.
The Benefits of This Ingredient for Dogs
There are obvious benefits for dog food manufacturers when adding this supplement to their recipes. However, as a dog owner, there are also many great reasons to include it in your dog’s food.
Not only is it rich in essential nutrients, but it also supports various systems in the body, helps repel pests, and offers proven benefits for dogs with certain chronic conditions.
Packed with Nutrients
Brewer’s dried yeast is packed with a wide range of nutrients that are often hard to find in most foods. It’s an excellent source of protein, as well as:
- Chromium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Zinc
What makes this ingredient especially valuable is its high content of B vitamins, including:
- Biotin
- Folic acid
- Niacin
- Pantothenic acid
- Pyridoxine
- Riboflavin
- Thiamine
Additionally, it provides 15 amino acids, including the ten essential amino acids that dogs need in their diet.
It’s important to note that despite its high B vitamin content, it does not contain vitamin B12, which is essential for DNA production and cell health. Fortunately, B12 is found in meat and eggs, so dogs eating a balanced diet typically won’t suffer from a B12 deficiency.
When selecting a supplement for your dog, choose one that contains only brewer’s yeast and other natural ingredients. Some supplements are “fortified” with synthetic nutrients, but pure, high-quality brewer’s yeast already contains plenty of natural nutrients that are better absorbed by the body.
Helps Keep Fleas and Ticks Away
This ingredient is also widely recognized as an effective natural remedy for fleas and ticks. While the exact way it helps repel these pests isn’t fully understood, there are a few likely explanations.
It’s believed that the same components that promote healthy skin and coat also work to keep biting pests at bay. Healthier skin is harder for insects to penetrate, making it more difficult for them to feed.
Additionally, this supplement contains sulfur compounds, which are known to irritate many bloodsucking pests. Dogs who consume it may have a faint sulfur scent that deters these bugs. Some supplements formulated to fight fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes even include garlic, which likely contributes to creating an odor that pests avoid.
Scientific studies on its effectiveness for this purpose have yielded mixed results. The most reasonable conclusion is that this supplement works well for repelling topical pests in some dogs, but not all.
Promotes Healthy Skin and Coat
All those B vitamins in this supplement make it an excellent choice for supporting skin and coat health. For years, show dog owners and working dog handlers have used it to reduce dry skin, enhance coat shine, and strengthen the skin to minimize injury during physical activity.
It also contains several bioactive peptides that have been researched in the cosmetics industry for their ability to reduce signs of aging and promote healthier skin. Some studies even suggest that these peptides can protect skin cells from UV damage and prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Additionally, these peptides are known to stimulate collagen production, and combined with its antioxidant properties, this supplement can aid in wound healing.
Supports Healthy Digestion
One well-researched benefit of brewer’s yeast is its ability to support gut health in dogs. It helps in several ways.
While the exact process isn’t fully understood, studies show that this supplement increases enzyme levels in the stomach, which helps the gut digest food more efficiently and can help alleviate diarrhea. Interestingly, this boost in enzymes is also linked to a lower risk of viral infections.
Research also suggests that brewer’s yeast can reduce gut permeability. When the gut becomes inflamed due to food intolerances or other issues, gaps form between intestinal cells, allowing harmful particles like food, bacteria, and debris to enter the bloodstream. This can lead to immune reactions and inflammation throughout the body.
This condition, known as leaky gut syndrome, is common in dogs and is often the cause of chronic allergies. Brewer’s yeast has been shown to reduce these gaps in the intestines, helping to prevent leaky gut syndrome and potentially reducing allergy symptoms in many dogs.
In human studies, it has been found to help with irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Its ability to enhance enzyme production, reduce gut permeability, and support a healthy gut biome likely plays a key role in these benefits. This supplement could have a similar positive effect on dogs with IBS.
Boosts Immune Health
As dogs age, their immune system can begin to show signs of weakening. One potential solution that has been well-researched is supplementing with brewer’s yeast.
In mouse studies, aging animals that were fed food enriched with brewer’s yeast showed increased numbers of white blood cells and other key immune cells. They also displayed improved immune function after just one month of supplementation.
This effect, combined with brewer’s yeast’s high B vitamin content and its ability to help neutralize viruses in the gut, makes it a great option for boosting immune health in dogs.
Supports Liver and Heart Health
In humans, brewer’s yeast has been shown to help reduce hypertension. In mouse models, it has also been found to lower blood levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, both of which are linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
High cholesterol can also damage liver health, as it is stored in the liver and worsens the effects of fatty liver disease. Mice that consumed a diet with brewer’s yeast had fewer cholesterol deposits in their livers compared to those fed a traditional diet. While fatty liver disease is rare in dogs, it is a common issue in cats, which may also benefit from this supplement.
Boosts Metabolic Health
Non-debittered brewer’s yeast is naturally rich in chromium.
This mineral boosts insulin’s metabolic action, helping to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Chromium supplementation can also aid in weight loss and muscle gain. When combined with its cholesterol-lowering effects, it becomes a valuable supplement for dogs dealing with obesity or metabolic disorders.
Although chromium supplementation’s impact on blood sugar levels in dogs with diabetes isn’t as significant as in humans with type 2 diabetes, this supplement still has the potential to support overall health in these dogs.
Is Brewer’s Yeast Safe for Dogs?
Brewer’s yeast is generally considered a safe supplement for both humans and dogs. However, there are some side effects and precautions that dog owners should keep in mind.
The most common side effect of brewer’s yeast supplementation is excess gas, which is more likely to occur in larger dogs that receive higher doses of the supplement. For smaller dogs, who require lower doses, or dogs consuming food with brewer’s yeast already included, gassiness is less likely to be an issue.
Brewer’s yeast is relatively high in calories, so it’s important to account for this when adding it to your dog’s diet. For older dogs or those prone to weight gain, reducing their food portion slightly can help balance out the extra calories.
The main risks of brewer’s yeast come from dogs on certain medications. This supplement can interact with some anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants, especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Brewer’s yeast contains a high amount of tyramine, which can cause a hypertensive event when combined with these drugs.
Allergies to brewer’s yeast are rare in dogs, but if your dog shows any adverse reaction, it’s best to discontinue use and avoid products containing brewer’s yeast.
How to Add Brewer’s Yeast to Your Dog’s Diet
Because of its wide range of benefits and high nutritional value, adding brewer’s yeast to your dog’s diet is a great idea. Most dogs find it palatable, so incorporating it is relatively simple.
Brewer’s yeast in commercial dog food is typically included in small amounts that may not provide the full benefits mentioned earlier. For dogs on these diets, adding extra brewer’s yeast can be a good option. If you feed your dog a raw or homemade diet, or if their food doesn’t already contain brewer’s yeast, supplementation becomes even more important.
The recommended daily dose of brewer’s yeast is about ½ teaspoon per 10 to 15 pounds of body weight.
When introducing brewer’s yeast to your dog, start with a small amount and gradually increase it over the course of a week to allow their stomach to adjust. This is particularly helpful for larger dogs who need a bigger dose.
Before starting any new supplement, it’s always a good idea to consult with your vet, especially if your dog is on any medications or has existing health conditions.
Brewer’s yeast offers numerous proven benefits for both humans and dogs. It’s rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, all of which help support your dog’s skin, gut, liver, heart, immune system, and metabolic health.
By slowly adding brewer’s yeast to your dog’s diet and feeding it regularly, you can ensure they receive all the benefits without any negative side effects.
Potential Side Effects of Brewer’s Yeast for Dogs
Side effects can occur with any supplement, medication, or even food.
A common side effect of brewer’s yeast for dogs is stomach upset, including excess gas, diarrhea, or vomiting. These issues typically resolve over a few days as your dog’s digestive system adjusts to the supplementation.
Since brewer’s yeast contains protein, it’s not recommended for dogs with kidney disease, as their diet should be protein-restricted.
If your dog consumes a human supplement or overdoses on brewer’s yeast, contact your veterinarian immediately or call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 for guidance.
Brewer’s yeast is also high in calories (80 calories per ounce), so be cautious when feeding it to dogs that are overweight, obese, or prone to gaining weight.
Brewer’s Yeast for Dogs FAQs
Can Brewer’s Yeast Cause Itching in Dogs?
Brewer’s yeast should not cause itching unless your dog has an intolerance to one of its ingredients. It can help with itchy, dry skin due to its nutrients that support the skin’s natural barrier.
How Much Brewer’s Yeast Can You Give a Dog?
The amount of brewer’s yeast depends on the specific product you’re using. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the label to determine the correct dosage. If you’re unsure, consult your vet to ensure the proper dosage for your dog.
Can a Dog Have Too Much Brewer’s Yeast?
Yes, dogs can have too much brewer’s yeast. Supplements that include garlic can cause garlic toxicity if consumed in excess, which can be fatal.
If your dog consumes too much brewer’s yeast, seek immediate veterinary help or contact the Pet Poison Helpline.
