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Being a pet owner is soothing as taking care of your pet has some mystic healing power but it is a responsibility too because you are responsible for your pet’s health and life. Are you looking for a better and healthier option to feed your dog? We have a better option for you then. You can add nutritional yeast to your dog’s daily diet.
Here the question arises Can a dog have nutritional yeast? The answer is simply “yes” as nutritional yeast is something else as compared to the simple yeast used for raising the dough. This blog will explore the true meaning of nutritional yeast, the difference between the two types of yeast, its health benefits, side effects, and frequently asked questions about it. Let’s dive into the details.
Can Dogs Eat Nutritional Yeast?
Yes, dogs can eat nutritional yeast in moderation. It provides a good source of protein and B-vitamins, which can be beneficial for their diet. However, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian before adding it to ensure it’s appropriate for your dog’s specific health needs.
What Is Nutritional Yeast?
Yeast is a unicellular organism that belongs to the kingdom Fungi, it has a huge importance due to its properties as it converts starch into alcohol and carbon dioxide, a gas responsible for dough rising. When you go to the supermarket, you will usually find two types of yeasts, one that is used for baking purposes by humans i.e. active yeast, in which cells are living.
Baking yeast is not permissible for dogs as a snack because it can cause severe health issues in them. The other is used as a snack which is made by weakening cells under heat or chemical treatment until they become unable to grow, it can be used as a protein source by humans as well as animals like dogs and this is called nutritional yeast.
Why Is Nutritional Yeast Given To Dogs?
So, why would you consider giving nutritional yeast to dogs? The primary reason is its rich nutrient profile. Nutritional yeast is packed with B vitamins, protein, and trace minerals. These nutrients can contribute to various health benefits, which we will discuss later.
Moreover, nutritional yeast for dogs can be an excellent supplement for picky eaters. Its cheesy flavor makes regular dog food palatable, encouraging better eating habits. Some pet owners also believe adding nutritional yeast can improve coat quality and overall vitality.
But before adding any new supplement to your dog’s diet, it’s crucial to understand both the benefits and potential drawbacks. Let’s explore the question further: is nutritional yeast good for dogs?
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Is Nutritional Yeast Good for Dogs?
Yes, nutritional yeast is good for dogs when given in appropriate amounts. Because of its abundance of nutrients, it provides a multitude of advantages. However, it is crucial to ensure it fits your dog’s unique nutritional requirements and is appropriately added to their diet. Speaking with a veterinarian before starting any new supplement regimen is usually a good idea.
What Are the Health Benefits of Nutritional Yeast?
As discussed earlier, nutritional yeast is healthy for dogs and must be given to them to enhance their growth rate and mood. Let’s discuss some important health benefits of nutritional yeast for dogs.
Skin, Muscles and Coat Health
Nutritional yeast is full of proteins and contains all kinds of amino acids which makes it a complete diet as it meets the daily demand for proteins by the dog. Your dog needs proteins for the development of nails, hair, coat, and muscles. Moreover, proteins improve the immune system and help them to combat different diseases. So, adding nutritional yeast to your pet’s diet is full of benefits.
Blood Cells Production
Vitamin B-2 is an important vitamin responsible for the production of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) in dogs and is present in nutritional yeast along with other vitamins. In addition to it, thiamine and vitamin B-12 support brain health and nerve movement keeping the dog active and vigilant.
Here you need to consider one thing, the nutrients or vitamins are not part of yeast cells but they are fortified during the manufacturing process and vary depending on which brand you are using, you can read the whole nutritional profile from the packaging or box and give nutritional yeast to your dog accordingly.
Enhanced Flavor and Taste
Nutritional yeast has a cheesy and umami flavor which makes it a favorite supplement of not only humans but also dogs. If your pet is a fussy eater who doesn’t like to eat several foods, you can try giving nutritional yeast to your pet, as it can’t be disliked by dogs and can make any meal more appetizing.
Intestinal Health
Nutritional yeast is a gluten-free supplement and free of any dairy product which makes it suitable for dogs as it will not cause any disturbance in the stomach and ensure smooth digestion. Research has shown that eating nutritional yeast can decrease the number of fecal bacteria E. coli thus improving intestinal health.
Reduced Inflammation
Nutritional yeast is fortified with antioxidants which reduce oxidative stress by neutralization of free radicals. Dogs with some sort of injury or old-aged dogs must have nutritional yeast as a food supplement as it reduces inflammation and improves heart health. Glutathione and selenomethionine are the two main antioxidants present in nutritional yeast.
Does Nutritional Yeast Have Side Effects?
Unfortunately, yes, nutritional yeast can sometimes harm dogs and has drawbacks and benefits. Following are some serious problems, nutritional yeast can cause,
Gastrointestinal Problems
Nutritional yeast contains cells that, although they are not living, can cause problems during digestion. Common problems that are seen in dogs utilizing nutritional yeast are vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain once in a while. If your dog has not been exposed to nutritional yeast before, there can be problems so if you observe any change in the dog’s behavior stop giving nutritional yeast to it.
Kidney Stones
Nutritional yeast is rich in purine content, these are the organic compounds responsible for uric acid formation and excess of uric acid can be life-threatening for your pet. It can lead to bone diseases like gout and can also form kidney stones so be careful about the amount of nutritional yeast you are giving your dog regularly.
Allergies & Potential Toxicity
As it is said “Excess of everything is bad” so giving nutritional yeast in high amounts, although it is beneficial for dogs, can lead to serious toxicity in the body due to high protein content. Allergic reactions can also be observed if you give nutritional yeast for the first time to your dog or if your dog is on medicine. Start small and see if your dog’s body is allergic to nutritional yeast or not, if anything bad happens, you can consult your pet’s vet.
Can Dogs Eat Nutritional Yeast? How to Feed
There are many ways to add nutritional yeast to your dog’s diet, but we usually recommend consulting your veterinarian about the amount of nutritional yeast per day, how it should be given to your dog, and the suitable brand.
How much nutritional yeast should a dog be given? Generally, 1-2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast are enough per day and can be increased on vet recommendations. You can add this yeast to the daily meals of your dog or in wet foods.
Chewable tablets with nutritional yeast and various cooked foods for dogs in which nutritional yeast is added are available on the market. If you love to cook food for your dog or are fond of trying new recipes, you can add nutritional yeast to these recipes, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can a dog eat yeast bread?
Ans: Yeast bread is not recommended for dogs. The live yeast in bread can cause bloating and potentially lead to a serious condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) or bloat.
Q2. Is nutritional yeast safe for dogs?
Ans: Yes, nutritional yeast is safe for dogs when given in appropriate amounts. It is deactivated, meaning it will not cause fermentation or digestive issues if used properly.
Q3. Does nutritional yeast cause gas?
Ans: In some cases, nutritional yeast dogs can cause gas, especially if introduced too quickly or in large amounts. It’s important to start with small quantities and gradually increase to monitor your dog’s reaction.
Q4. Can dogs eat bread with yeast?
Ans: No, dogs shouldn’t eat bread with yeast. The live yeast can ferment in their stomach, leading to potential health issues like bloating and discomfort.
Q5. Can a dog eat brewer’s yeast?
Ans: Yes, dogs can eat brewer’s yeast, often used as a dietary supplement similar to nutritional yeast. However, ensuring that the brewer’s yeast is specifically formulated for dogs and given in appropriate amounts is important.
Conclusion
Nutritional yeast is an economical food supplement that can improve the overall health of your pet. By taking some precautionary measures while giving nutritional yeast to your pet, you can do wonders regarding your pet’s growth.
Be careful about the amount of nutritional yeast you give to your dog as higher amounts can affect its health. Try incorporating nutritional yeast in various recipes to change the flavor and enhance taste.
