Nutritional yeast

What is nutritional yeast?

Nutritional yeast is an inactive form of yeast that no longer ferments. It is often used as a vegan cheese substitute as it has a nutty and cheese-like flavor. Nutritional yeast is usually sold as a powder or flakes and can be added to various dishes to make them tastier and more nutritious.

Nutritional yeast is not to be confused with baker's yeast or brewer's yeast, both of which are active forms of yeast and can be very dangerous for dogs. Baker's yeast can rise in your dog's stomach and cause life-threatening gastric torsion. Brewer's yeast can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress and coma.

What are the benefits of nutritional yeast for dogs?

Nutritional yeast has many benefits for dogs, both for their diet and for their health. Here are some of them:

• Nutritional yeastis a complete protein: this means it contains all the essential amino acids your dog needs to build and repair their muscles, organs, skin and hair. Protein is an important part of your dog's diet and should make up at least 18% of their daily calorie requirements.
• Nutritional yeast is rich in B vitamins: B vitamins are important for many functions in your dog's body, such as energy production, nerve function, blood formation and immune defense. Nutritional yeast mainly contains vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin B12 (cobalamin). These vitamins can prevent deficiency symptoms that can lead to anemia, skin problems, digestive disorders or neurological damage.
• Nutritional yeast improves the taste of the food: Many dogs like the nutty and cheese-like taste of nutritional yeast and prefer to eat their food when it is enriched with it. This can be particularly helpful for picky or sick dogs that would otherwise not eat enough. Nutritional yeast can also help your dog drink more water, which is good for their hydration.
• Nutritional yeastcan make the coat shinier: The proteins and B vitamins found in nutritional yeast can make your dog's coat healthier and shinier. This is because they promote the formation of keratin, a protein responsible for the structure of hair and nails. They can also reduce inflammation in the skin and relieve itching.

How can I safely give my dog nutritional yeast?

If you want to give your dog nutritional yeast, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Choose a high-quality brand: not all nutritional yeast products are the same. Make sure you choose a brand that doesn't contain artificial additives, preservatives or allergens. You should also make sure that the nutritional yeast is not mixed with other ingredients that could be harmful to your dog, such as salt, sugar or garlic.
• Start with a small amount: To get your dog used to the taste and effects of nutritional yeast, you should start with a small amount and slowly increase it. A general recommendation is to give about half a teaspoon per 10 kilograms of your dog's body weight per day. You can either sprinkle the nutritional yeast directly over the food or mix it with some water or broth and use it as a sauce.
• Monitor your dog for side effects: Although nutritional yeast is well tolerated by most dogs, side effects can occur in rare cases. These include, for example, flatulence, diarrhea, vomiting or allergic reactions. If you notice such symptoms in your dog, you should stop giving nutritional yeast immediately.