Brewers Yeast For Dogs And Cats: Side Effects
In general, brewers yeast for dogs and cats is considered safe if you purchase it from a reputable company and use it according to the label. It is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.
According to Burch, brewers yeast has a wide safety margin. Pets that ingest too much brewers yeast may experience mild gastrointestinal side effects. The most common sign seen with an overdose of brewers yeast is an upset stomach with vomiting and transient diarrhea, she says.
That being said, many brewers yeast formulas contain garlic, which can be toxic to dogs and cats in high doses. While only a small amount of garlic is typically used in pet foods and supplements, caution should still be used, especially when purchasing supplements from an unknown manufacturer. Products may also be fortified with other nutrients, so pay close attention to the ingredient list.
If your dog or cat has a current health condition, check with your veterinarian before feeding your pet brewers yeast. Because brewers yeast is high in specific B vitamins and purines, it may not be ideal for breeds that are prone to urinary problems, for instance. Dalmatians tend to develop a type of urinary stone that is exacerbated by a high purine diet, so I recommend avoiding brewers yeast in this breed, Johnson says.
How Do I Give My Dog Brewers Yeast
Brewers yeast is available in powder or tablet form. There are specific formulations of tablets for dogs so that it is an appropriate amount for the size dog you have. The powder is often made of de-bittered brewers yeast, which lacks chromium. Some contain added garlic or garlic flavoring while others contain omega-3 oils. You can choose which is best for your dog based on the effects you hope to achieve. After discussing this supplement with your vet, brewers yeast may be appropriate for daily administration.
What Are The Risks Of Brewers Yeast For Dogs
In large dogs, the amount of brewers yeast needed to have an effect may cause stomach and intestinal upset. Gas is the most commonly reported side effect in all dogs. Brewers yeast can interact with some types of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications. It should not be given if your dog is immunocompromised, prone to yeast infections, or has yeast allergies. It is also inadvisable for dogs with colitis and other types of bowel disease. Beyond these specific factors, there is little controversy about brewers yeast in small doses for healthy adult dogs.
Brewers yeast is also high in calories, at about 80 kilocalories per ounce , so its important to factor the calorie count in your dogs daily intake. Be sure to read the label carefully for added ingredients that your dog may be sensitive to.
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Brewers Yeast For Dogs: 4 Questions Answered
Have you ever seen brewers yeast listed on a dog products ingredient label and wondered, What in the world is that? The name may sound unusual, but its actually a highly beneficial ingredient commonly found in dog food, treats, and supplements. Learn where brewers yeast for dogs comes from, what it does, and how you can incorporate it into your pups routine.
What Is The Difference Between Brewers Yeast And Nutritional Yeast

Brewers yeast is a live active yeast used for making beer that is then heat-killed and turned into a dietary supplement. Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast grown solely for its nutritional content. Both products are made using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a type of single-celled fungus more commonly known as yeast.
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Where Can I Buy Brewers Yeast For Dogs And Cats
Brewers yeast for dogs and cats can be purchased from reputable online retailers, pet specialty stores and pharmacies, health and wellness retailers, and big-box stores.
When shopping for brewers yeast for dogs and cats, look for products that are third-party tested for safety, strength, purity, and quality. Find out whether the company adheres to Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA. You can also check the label to see if the product carries a quality seal from the National Animal Supplement Council . This is similar to the USP dietary supplement verification seal for human products. Companies that display the NASC quality seal on their products must pass an independent facility audit every two years and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to quality, consistency, vigilance, and continuous improvement. They must comply with strict labeling guidelines and include any warnings or caution statements for certain ingredients as recommended by the FDAs Center for Veterinary Medicine and the NASC Scientific Advisory Committee.
Question #: Is Brewers Yeast Good For Dogs
In general, brewers yeast is good for dogs who do not have a weakened immune system, take medications, or have yeast allergies. Furry friends who arent affected by these situations can benefit from a healthy dose of brewers yeast and its array of nutrients. If youre not sure whether this ingredient is right for your dog, consult your veterinarian for advice.
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How To Use Brewers Yeast For Dogs And Cats
As with any dietary supplement for dogs and cats, its important to read the label carefully and follow proper dosing instructions. Brewers yeast is given orally to dogs and cats and comes in powder and tablet forms. The powder is typically sprinkled on or mixed with food, Burch says. Brewers yeast may also already be featured as a supplemental ingredient in your pets food or treats.
If youre wondering how many milligrams of brewers yeast for dogs and cats is considered safe, it will vary based on the product and your pets weight. Talk to your veterinarian about the ideal amount for your individual pet.
Brewer’s Yeast & Garlic Tablets Flea Pills For Dogs
Only Natural Pet Brewer’s Yeast & Garlic Tablets for dogs combine the time-honored formula of brewer’s yeast and garlic to help prevent fleas & ticks from attacking your pet by creating an odor that’s unnoticeable to you and your pet, but unpleasant to fleas, ticks, and other biting insects. Plus, the blend of b-vitamins support your dog’s overall health and wellness, immune system, and skin & coat.
Coming in an easy-to-administer turkey flavored tablet, Only Natural Pet Brewer’s Yeast & Garlic Tablets are the best flea & tick supplement for dogs. Each chewable tablet can be given daily directly to your pet, or combined with food for daily, supplemental flea & tick fighting power. These brewer’s yeast & garlic pills work around the clock to keep fleas & ticks away from your dog.
Try Only Natural Pet Brewers Yeast & Garlic Tablets for Dogs, now available in 2 and 3 packs!
Looking for another dosage form?
Try Only Natural Pet Barrier Bites Brewer’s Yeast & Garlic Soft Chews! |
Zinc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.65 mcgVitamin B12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.09 mcg
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Natural Turkey Flavor, Parsley , Silicon Dioxide.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE:
Give ½ tablet daily for cats or dogs weighing 10 lbs. or less.Give 1 tablet daily for each 20 lbs. of body weight.
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Benefits Of Brewers Yeast For Dogs
The benefits of brewers yeast for dogs result from its characteristics and contents. In particular, its high chromium content helps maintain blood sugar levels in dogs. On the other hand, various antioxidants can help your dogs coat look shinier while improving the pets overall skin health. Furthermore, B vitamins reduce the animals stress levels, contributing to their overall health.
Yeast pills and brewers yeast powder for dogs may also serve as a repellent against various biting insects, such as fleas and ticks. Recent studies also suggest that brewers yeast and garlic are effective in repelling ticks and fleas in dogs. In addition, dried brewers yeast can also positively affect the dogs eyes, hair, and liver function because of its rich mineral content. Similarly, microorganisms found in brewers yeast can aid digestion, while the protein found in the substance can help maintain the animals muscle mass.
Can Dogs Have Flaxseed
Flaxseed is not only safe for dogs, but it contains several essential nutrients that your dog needs to stay healthy. One of the most common reasons to give your dog flaxseed is to improve their skin and coat health. Flaxseed contains omega fatty acids and is especially high in the omega 6 fatty acid Linoleic Acid.
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How Much Brewers Yeast Should I Give To My Dog
The average recommended serving size of brewers yeast is one tablespoon, which is equal to 0.5 ounces or 14 grams, per day mixed with food. It is possible to moisten the yeast to facilitate its ingestion. However, it is crucial to consider each animals individual needs based on its characteristics, such as weight, health condition, age, and more. You should always consult a vet before making any significant changes to your pets diet.
Why Our Specialists Recommend Flea & Tick Guard

These soft chews are a natural way to help keep your dog pest-free. The tasty little chews incorporate a small, yet safe amount of garlic to ward off pests. When eaten daily, the blend of brewers yeast and garlic tablets makes your pup smell unpleasant to fleas and ticks making them stay away. The great part though is that humans and dogs cant smell the odor!
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Promotes Overall Health Of Dogs Horses And Birds
Thomas Laboratories Brewer’s Yeast Flavored with GarlicDirections:
- Birds: 1/2 teaspoon per day
- Dogs: 2 to 4 Teaspoons per day
- Horses: 1 cup per day
Ingredients:
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I founded Medi-Vet back in 1998, because I believe no animal should go without proper healthcare due to inflated costs. This belief still guides us to this day. Dr. Kent P. Walker, DVM, Founder and CEO
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What Is Brewers Yeast
Before considering adding brewers yeast to your dogs diet, it is vital to understand the origin of this supplement, its nature, and its potential uses in food. Brewers yeast is made from a common yeast species called Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This organism has been used for human consumption for many centuries. In fact, it is still used today in the production of beer, fermented foods, and even medicine. At the same time, brewers yeast is an excellent source of nutrients, B vitamins, antioxidants, chromium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and selenium. Naturally, it has been used as a food additive for humans because of its implied health benefits, including blood sugar level regulation.
Brewers yeast usually looks like a flaky yellow substance. Humans consume this supplement in many forms, including powder that can be added to beverages, such as milk. Brewers yeast for dogs usually comes in the form of a pill or a powder that can be added to the dogs kibble. When choosing what type of brewers yeast to give to your dog, it is crucial to consider each alternative, including brewers yeast pills for dogs.
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What Is Brewer’s Yeast And Garlic
The combination of brewers yeast and garlic is a natural remedy that repels fleas and ticks from pets, most commonly dogs and cats. It also provides vitamins and minerals to help animals have healthy coats and skin, reduces shedding and improves the pet’s immune system. It can be given as a tablet, pill or powder and some use it as a spray. Care should be taken when administrating brewers yeast and garlic to pets, though, because side effects can occur.
The brewers yeast in this combination helps to strengthen the immune system, makes pets coats shiny and promotes healthy skin. This common supplement is a good source of B vitamins, proteins, amino acids and trace minerals such as zinc. Garlic also helps to strengthen the immune system and, like brewers yeast, repels fleas and ticks. It is believed that, because of the garlic and sulfur compounds in the brewer’s yeast, the pet develops a strong odor that pests dislike and avoid.
What Are The Benefits Of Brewers Yeast For Dogs
Rich in B vitamins and antioxidants, brewers yeast promotes healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver function in humans and pets. In addition to these benefits, the high levels of B vitamins may reduce anxiety in dogs.
Brewers yeast is also high in selenium, potassium, chromium, iron, zinc, and magnesium. These minerals are essential for a variety of cell and organ functions as well as overall good health. Its important to note that brewers yeast does not contain B12, a necessary vitamin found in animal products and sometimes added to nutritional yeast.
In humans, brewers yeast may assist with diabetes control, but this has never been studied in dogs. The high levels of chromium found naturally in brewers yeast help regulate blood sugar, but this has not been tested in dogs. Chromium is removed when brewers yeast is de-bittered, so read the label carefully. Brewers yeast can also be used as a probiotic and digestive aid.
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Question #: What Are The Benefits Of Brewers Yeast For Dogs
Brewers yeast can support your dogs immune system and overall health. It is rich in B vitamins, which aid brain function, digestion, red blood cell production, and dog eye health. These B vitamins are also great sources of antioxidants, such as:
- Niacin Also known as vitamin B3, niacin helps support the nervous system, digestive system, and skin health.
- Thiamine This vitamin promotes carbohydrate metabolism and helps maintain a healthy brain.
- Riboflavin Used to produce antibodies, riboflavin helps fight disease and assists in nutrient metabolism.
In addition to B vitamins, brewers yeast contains other key nutrients that benefit dogs and humans alike. Some of the most important minerals found in brewers yeast include:
- Iron This nutrient is crucial for growth and development, helping to create red blood cells and aiding in enzyme functions.
- Zinc Used for a variety of purposes, zinc helps produce hormones, promotes skin and coat health, and improves cognitive function.
- Magnesium Aiding with muscle function and helping to regulate blood glucose levels are just some of magnesiums many uses.
All of these nutrients are essential to dogs wellness, so its critical to make sure they are present in your pups diet. Brewers yeast can go a long way toward helping your furry friend achieve a healthy lifestyle!
Can Dogs Eat Braggs Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast naturally contains beneficial B vitamins and many manufacturers fortify it with B12. On average, a serving also provides 9 g of protein and that is a complete protein, providing all nine amino acids the human body cannot produce. And, dogs get all of those same perks from nooch too.
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What Are The Health Benefits Of Brewers Yeast
Brewers yeast can provide energy and may help maintain healthy skin, hair, eyes, and mouth. It may be effective at supporting the nervous system and enhancing the immune system. The chromium in brewers yeast may help control sugar levels for patients with type 2 diabetes by improving glucose tolerance.
Does Brewers Yeast Repel Fleas And Ticks

The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that there is not much scientific information available more recent than USDA pamphlets from the 1950s. Recent studies have combined brewers yeast with garlic or oils with mixed results. The amount of garlic in commercially available formulas is safe for pets. It seems as though brewers yeast is the important ingredient, but the formulation is vital to its success at repelling fleas and ticks. Scientists have tried to determine which part of brewers yeast gives it this repellent property. None of the vitamins or minerals in brewers yeast repel ticks and fleas on their own, so it may be multiple components working together.
Recently, dog treats containing brewers yeast with and without garlic were tested, and there was no difference in the effectiveness of the treat. The treat hit a snag coming to market because of side effects in the large dogs in the study. Brewers yeast mixed with omega-3 oils may have a stronger repellent effect.
It will likely take a few days before you see any flea repellent effect from brewers yeast, and not all dogs will have this benefit. Therefore, it is best given in addition to a topical or chewable product that kills fleas so your dog is protected in two ways.
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