What not to feed a dog with a yeast infection
Yeast Infections in Dogs
What Are Yeast Infections in Dogs?
Does your dog frantically itch their skin? Have you noticed a bad smell or greasy fur when you pet them?
If so, they may have a yeast infection.
Yeast are fungal organisms that normally live on a dogs skin without causing problems. However, when a dogs immune system weakens or an underlying health condition, such as hypothyroidism, is present, yeast can overgrow and cause an infection.
The yeast that commonly causes skin infections in dogs is Malassezia, which grows on warm, moist areas of the skin. Yeast infections cause extreme itchiness and changes to the skin, such as thickening and discoloration over time.
Yeast infections in dogs are common among pups of all ages.
While yeast infections in dogs are not considered medical emergencies, they should be treated by a veterinarian immediately to prevent symptoms from worsening. If left untreated, yeast infections can cause extreme discomfort, which can lead to a decreased appetite and lethargy, necessitating prompt veterinary care.
Because yeast infections typically develop secondary to an underlying illness or suppressed immune system, they are not contagious among dogs or to pet parents.
Types of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Yeast infections can affect various areas of the skin, including the ears, skin folds, paws, armpits, vulva, and groin.
EarsYeast infections of the earalso referred to as yeast otitiscause a thick, brown discharge and strong odor in the ear canal. Affected dogs repeatedly scratch their ears to try to relieve the discomfort. They may also shake their heads and develop a head tilt. Ear infections are commonly related to food allergies.
SkinYeast dermatitis refers to a yeast infection anywhere on the skin. Affected dogs have a musty odor, greasy coat, flaky or thickened skin, and hair loss. They tend to lick the affected areas of the body, which leads to brown discoloration of the skin over time.
Dermatitis, which is often due to allergies or a suppressed immune system, can affecta dogs skin folds, armpits, vulva, and groin.
PawsYeast infections that affect the paws are generally related to environmental allergies, such as allergies to grass or pollen. Dogs constantly chew or lick their itchy paws, which leads to brown discoloration between the paw pads. Over time, open sores can develop on the paws.
Symptoms of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Signs of yeast infections in dogs can vary depending on what area of the body is affected.
Symptoms of yeast otitis may include:
Symptoms of yeast dermatitis may include:
Itchy skin
Small, red bumps on the skin
Brown discoloration of the skin
Frequent licking or chewing of the affected area
Greasy hair coat
Thickened skin
Strong odor
Symptoms of a yeast infection affecting the paws may include:
Licking and chewing the paws
Brown discoloration of the skin and fur
Red, moist areas between the paw pads
Causes of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Yeast is opportunistic, which means that although it is naturally present on the skin, it can cause an infection when conditions are favorable.
Yeast infections in dogs can develop if a pup has a weak immune system or an underlying health condition. Underlying environmental or food allergies can predispose dogs to developing yeast infections.
Skin parasites, including fleas and mites, can cause dogs to repeatedly itch their skin, which disrupts the normal skin barrier, making an infection more likely.
Some breedssuch as Pit Bulls, Boxers, and Cocker Spanielsare more frequently affected by yeast infections.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Yeast Infections in Dogs
A vet may use several tests to diagnose a yeast infections in dogs.
First, they will gather a through medical history, including when the symptoms started, if your pet is taking any medications, and if they have previously been diagnosed with any health conditions.
Next, your veterinarian will perform a full physical exam to check your dogs overall health. They may also perform blood work to check for any abnormalities.
Additional tests will depend on what your veterinarian finds during the initial exam, but may include the following:
Tape impressionDuring this test, your vet presses a piece of clear tape to the affected area of skin to collect a sample. Its then stained and examined under a microscope to identify yeast.
CytologyA cotton swab is used to collect a sample from the affected area, and it is then rubbed gently onto a microscope slide. The sample is then stained and examined under a microscope to look for yeast.
CultureA sterile cotton swab is used to collect a sample from the affected area. It is then sent to a lab to identify the type of organism present.
Skin biopsyFor chronic infections or those that are unresponsive to treatment, a small sample of skin can be taken and sent to a lab for a more accurate diagnosis.
Treatment of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Treatment for yeast infections in dogs will depend on the location and severity of the infection. Yeast dermatitis is often treated with antifungal medications and prescription shampoos.
If the infection affects only one area, a topical medication may be all that is needed. For more widespread infections, oral medications and frequent bathing can help resolve the issue.
Yeast otitis is typically treated with topical antifungal medications and steroids to reduce inflammation. Your veterinarian may recommend that you use a medicated ear wash prior to instilling ear medications.
Paw yeast infections may benefit from medicated antifungal wipes and oral medications, including antifungals and steroids.
Recovery and Management of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Because yeast infections in dogs often develop secondary to another health condition, they will not resolve without veterinary treatment.
Determining the underlying cause of the yeast infection and treating it accordingly improves treatment success. For example, if your dog has an underlying food allergy, an accurate diagnosis and treatment can help their skin improve.
It can take a few weeks to a few months for a yeast infection to fully resolve, depending on the severity. Most dogs start to feel relief from their symptoms in a week or two, but it can take several additional weeks for a pet parent to notice significant improvement to their skin and coat.
Prevention of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Ensuring your dog receives regular preventive care and vaccinations keeps them healthy and less likely to develop infections.
Additionally, health conditions that can lead to yeast infections in dogs can be caught and managed early during routine wellness visits.
Yeast Infections in Dogs FAQs
What food causes yeast infections in dogs?
Most of the food ingredients that cause allergies in dogs are proteins. Chicken is the most common food allergen related to yeast infections.
What happens if dog yeast infections go untreated?
If a dogs yeast infection is left untreated, it will progressively worsen and lead to extreme discomfort. Over time, the discomfort can cause the dog to become very sick.
What should I feed my dog when they have a yeast infection?
Unless the yeast infection is due to an underlying food allergy, its generally fine to continue your dogs usual diet. However, it is best to follow your veterinarians recommendations when deciding what to feed your dog.
Featured Image:SerhiiBobyk/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
WRITTEN BY
Brittany Kleszynski, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Brittany Kleszynski is a veterinarian and freelance medical writer who specializes in creating meaningful content that engages readers...
What to Feed When a Dog Has a Yeast Infection
Like most dog parents, you may have heard that a change in diet can help your four-legged friend recover faster from a yeast infection. But if youre not sure what to feed a dog with a yeast infection, dont fret, its all detailed below. Ive also included what foods to avoid.
If you just want a quick answer, below is a short overview of what foods are good for dogs with a yeast infection, with additional detail in the remainder of the guide.
Whilst theres no research that confirms the following foods will help your dogs skin, there are some foods that are said to be good for dogs with yeast infections. These include yogurt, probiotics, fermented vegetables, non-starchy veggies, sugar-free fruits, eat anti-yeast dry dog food, and lean meat protein.
Dogs with yeast infections should be on a strict diet since certain foods can make the infection worse. Heres that list in full that explains what to feed a dog with a yeast infection. As I mentioned, none have been scientifically proven, but they do make a lot of sense.
Best foods for dogs with yeast infections
1. Only feed starch-free and non-sugary foods
When your dog is diagnosed with a yeast infection, your vet will tell you that you should only give them foods that dont have starch or sugar. Theres a good reason for that, as youll read in a bit.
Some of the common vet-recommended foods for dogs recovering from yeast infections are:
2. Dry dog food that doesnt have corn, wheat, or grains
If your dogs current kibble contains starchy ingredients, switching to an anti-yeast diet could help give them a speedy recovery and prevent re-infection.
Its worth mentioning that there are several anti-yeast dry dog foods on the market. Be sure to consult your vet before buying a particular brand.
They will advise you on the best brand and how to introduce this new food.
3. Lean meat protein
If your dog often eats homemade foods, you can stick to lean protein meals such as plain chicken breast and lamb. Your vet can guide you on the appropriate quantity to offer your dog.
Theres conflicting information online about whether fish (such as tuna) is okay food for dogs with yeast infections.
Some experts say the traces of metal in fish makes yeast grow. Others disagree. The best thing to do here is to chat with your vet before offering fish (since its also lean meat protein).
4. Starch-free veggies
Some dog-safe veggies contain lots of starch that can affect your dogs recovery from a yeast infection. If you want to feed them steamed vegetables, go for veggies with no starch and no seasoning (even dog-friendly seasonings like these).
These veggies include celery, broccoli, cucumbers, cauliflower, lettuce, and Brussels sprouts. Make sure not to add any seasoning or oils when preparing these veggies.
5. Low or zero-sugar fruits as snacks
If youd like to give your dog fruits, only offer dog-safe fruits with little or no sugar. These can include strawberries, blackberries, cantaloupes, and peaches.
6. Herbs to boost immunity
You can add a small amount of dog-safe like oregano, basil, and turmeric to your dogs food. These herbs will strengthen your furry friends immunity, which will help fight off the infection.
7. Healthy edible oils (organic)
Something else to consider when debating what you can feed a dog with a yeast infection is to mix a small amount of dog-safe oils in. This is stuff like organic olive oil and coconut oil, as in your dogs food it can do wonders.
Coconut oil has two main components that work well in preventing yeast overgrowth: caprylic acid and lauric acid. These two acids stop yeast cells from multiplying.
Olive oil contains antioxidants that also stop this fungus from growing. Remember to consult your vet on the correct amount of olive or coconut oil to add to your dogs food.
8. Plain yogurt (or vet-approved probiotic supplements)
Remember the healthy bacteria-fungus mentioned earlier?
If your dog has yeast overgrowth, giving them plain yogurt or a probiotic supplement will help restore this balance. Its simple: no yeast overpopulation means no yeast infection.
Probiotic supplements will also strengthen your dogs immune cells ability to fight the infection. Ensure that you only offer probiotics your vet has approved.
On feed plain yogurt to a dog with a yeast infection as this has a lot of natural probiotics. You can consult your vet on how much to serve your dog (and how often) as they recover from a yeast infection.
What foods should dogs avoid with yeast infection?
When feeding dogs with yeast infections you should avoid starchy and sugary foods
Much like in humans, when your dog feeds on carbs (starch), their body quickly converts the starch-filled food into sugar.
The body cells then take up these sugars as energy, which helps your dog stay active.
Most dry dog food and some of the veggies that dogs enjoy have a lot of starch. And if your canine friend has a yeast infection, this starch is a big problem.
You see, this fungus likes to feed on sugar. This is what keeps them alive in your dogs body.
Your dog shouldnt have foods that will make the fungus overpopulate further. Otherwise, the yeast infection will persist.
Feeding your dog starchy foods and high-sugar fruits will only make the yeast continue multiplying. The energy from starchy foods will help them do so.
Another thing is that sugar makes it easy for the yeast to build a biofilm around themselves.
In the simplest terms, a biofilm is a layer covering the fungus. It somehow acts like a shield, making it harder for your dogs immune cells to attack and kill the yeast.
The best dry dog food for yeast infections
In my opinion, the best dry dog food for dogs with a yeast infection is one called Brothers Complete. Its not just me who think this, I saw this comment on social media.
For yeast, my favorite kibble is Brothers Complete. It was formulated specifically to help yeasty dogs. And low carb kibbles are better than high carb kibbles for yeast though. Kibble is never the best food for yeast, because all kibble has to have a pretty hefty amount of carbs to hold together. If you can swing it, canned is better, low carb homemade or raw is best.
Foods you must avoid if dogs have yeast infections
When you avoid feeding starchy foods and extremely sugary fruits, the excess fungus will starve to death. That said, ensure you DONT feed your dog with a yeast infection any of the following as they recover from yeast infection:
- Starchy vegetables such as: pumpkins, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, potatoes, and parsnips.
- Grain foods such as: rice, corn, oats, and bread
- High-sugar fruits such as: mangoes, bananas, and pears
More about canine yeast infections
Most dogs get yeast infections at some point in their lives. Its one of the most common (and super uncomfortable) health problems in dogs.
This infection occurs when the naturally-occurring yeast in your dogs body overpopulate yes, naturally occurring.
All dogs have yeast and bacteria on their skin and gut. The healthy kind. In other words, good bacteria and yeast exist naturally on and inside your dogs body.
Every healthy dog has the right balance of these beneficial bacteria and yeast. And as long as theres this balance, the yeast is pretty harmless.
In fact, yeast (in its correct balance) improves your furry friends overall gut and skin health.
But when something triggers this fungus to grow out of control, the overgrowth disrupts the healthy bacteria-yeast balance. Yeast overpopulation is what leads to an infection.
The trigger can be anything from a moist environment (hence why dogs get yeast infections on their skin folds, ears, paws, or genitals) to food allergies, environmental allergies (like pollen), weak immune system, stress, and hormonal imbalances.
Its pretty easy to tell when your furry friend has a yeast infection. Besides a smelly body odor, they will show symptoms such as:
- Constantly scratching the itchy yeast-infested area.
- Inflamed skin (redness on the affected area).
- Shaking their head most times (if the infection is in their ears).
- A bit of hair loss and crusty skin.
Its best if you first take your dog to the vet for professional treatment. Your vet will prescribe anti-fungal medications depending on the underlying cause of the yeast infection.
When your dog is on medication and at the same time eats the right foods, they will recover from the yeast infection much faster.
FAQs on feeding dogs with yeast infections
Homemade dog food for dogs with yeast infection
The most common homemade foods for dogs with a yeast infection are lean meat protein like lamb and starch-free veggies such as broccoli.
Are eggs good for dogs with yeast infection?
Eggs wont make a yeast infection worse in your dog, so can be considered for feeding. However, there is no scientific proof that eggs are good for dogs with yeast infections.
What food kills yeast in dogs?
The GreatPetCare.com website says the following:
Since yeast is a fungus, you can kill them by giving your dog anti-fungal foods. Look for dog food and treats containing caprylic acid, Pau D-Arco, and olive leaf. Pau DArco is rich in lapachol, which kills yeast. Olive leaf and caprylic acid are believed to break down the cell membrane of yeast.
Is pumpkin good for dogs with yeast infection?
The short answer is no since pumpkin is full of starch. Dogs with yeast infections shouldnt have starchy foods.
Worst dog food for yeast infection
As discussed earlier, you should not offer your dog starchy foods or sugary fruits when they have a yeast infection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no absolute proof that one food will be good for a yeast infection. However, we do know that it is proven that certain foods are bad for dogs with yeast infections. Knowing what to avoid is sometimes better than knowing what to put in your dogs food bowl.
That said, there are some foods that are said to be good for dogs with yeast infections. These include yogurt, probiotics, fermented vegetables, non-starchy veggies, sugar-free fruits, eat anti-yeast dry dog food, and lean meat protein.
