Is brewer’s yeast really beneficial to give to your pup and is it safe as a supplement?
Brewer’s yeast as a supplement for dogs has grown in popularity as of late. Proponents of the supplement say use can improve the skin and coat, help reduce anxiety and stress, promote overall health, support the immune system, and aid with flea and tick control.
In this article, we aim to answer some questions regarding this product:
- How is it different from nutritional yeast?
- What are its benefits?
- Can it be toxic?
- Is there any medical literature to backup claims of its use?
Read on!
What is brewer’s yeast?
Brewer’s yeast is an ingredient used in the production of beer and bread. It is made from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a one-celled fungus. It a rich source of minerals including selenium, B-complex vitamins, protein, and chromium. It has been used for years as a nutritional supplement for humans as a probiotic to improve digestive tract health.
Nutritional yeast versus brewer’s yeast
Both nutritional yeast and brewer’s yeast are inactive yeasts, which means they can not reproduce. Each contains the same vitamin and minerals including, vitamin B, amino acids, potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium and chromium although concentrations are different between the products.
They are from yeast family but are different strains. Nutritional yeast is cheese/nut-flavored while brewers yeast is bitter tasting.
Safety and Utulization of Brewer’s Yeast
Is brewer’s yeast safe for dogs? According to studies, yes. The only significant potential side effect of using brewer’s yeast is gastroenteritis.
However, you need to consider a couple of guidelines when purchasing brewer’s yeast supplements:
- Non-GMO is preferred
- We also prefer products not enriched with synthetic vitamin B (B12 is only in synthetic form).
Dose:
Orally via sprinkled to the diet, or feed homemade dog biscuits/snacks or as commercial tablet, or grooming via sprinkle on dog. If in treat form, give 1 treat for every 10 lb of body weight of dog and can be spaced out in a day.
Avoid:
In those dogs with hypersensitivity to brewer’s yeast
Does brewer’s yeast work as a flea/tick preventative and to improve dog health?
Medical Literature Summary (The technical stuff)
With the recent trend of pet humanization, the demand for functional ingredients that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition has been increasing in the pet food industry. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product is a dry product produced via S. cerevisiae fermentation and includes residual yeast cells, yeast cell wall fragments, fermentation metabolites, and media used during fermentation, and may serve as a functional ingredient due to its benefits to animals.
Studies have reported reduced fecal Escherichia coli counts in yeast-supplemented dogs, such products could increase fecal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, elevate ileal IgA concentrations (e.g. antibodies), and modulate white blood cell populations (involved with inflammation).
Mannoproteins are a naturally occurring group of proteins found in the cell walls of yeasts. Effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product have been seen on fecal characteristics, nutrient digestibility, fecal fermentative end-products, fecal microbial populations, immune function, and diet palatability in adult dogs in a positive manner.
Conclusion
Although the use of brewers yeast in dogs is most common in flea and tick prevention, it appears this information is anecdotal. There is some indication it may help but nothing conclusive from the studies.
However, in reference to its benefits in dogs, the immune system is strengthened, digestion is improved, inflammation is decreased and bacterial balance is restored.
Official dosing has not been established but anecdotal dosing is mentioned above. As studied progress, formal dosing regimens may be established in the future. Always refer to multiple reliable sources prior to deciding on a dosing regimen. And always start your dog with a low-dose in case unwanted reactions occur.
It is most ideal to defer to the opinion of your in-person family veterinarian and veterinary specialist prior to initiating any products, even with seemingly harmless nutraceuticals and supplements.
Medical literature summary
With the recent trend of pet humanization, the demand for functional ingredients that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition has been increasing in the pet food industry. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product is a dry product produced via S. cerevisiae fermentation and includes residual yeast cells, yeast cell wall fragments, fermentation metabolites, and media used during fermentation, and may serve as a functional ingredient due to its benefits to animals.
Studies have reported reduced fecal Escherichia coli counts in yeast-supplemented dogs, such products could increase fecal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, elevate ileal IgA concentrations (e.g. antibodies), and modulate white blood cell populations (involved with inflammation).
Mannoproteins are a naturally occurring group of proteins found in the cell walls of yeasts. Effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product have been seen on fecal characteristics, nutrient digestibility, fecal fermentative end-products, fecal microbial populations, immune function, and diet palatability in adult dogs in a positive manner.
Medical studies
Kroll FSA, Putarov TC, Zaine L, Venturini KS, Aoki CG, Santos JPF, Pedrinelli V,
Vendramini THA, Brunetto MA, Carciofi AC. Active fractions of mannoproteins derived
from yeast cell wall stimulate innate and acquired immunity of adult and elderly dogs.
Anim Feed Sci Technol. 2020 Mar. PMID: 32288071
This study suggests beneficial effects of mannoproteins on the specific and
nonspecific immune responses in adult and elderly dogs.
Lin CY, Alexander C, Steelman AJ, Warzecha CM, de Godoy MRC, Swanson KS.
J Anim Sci. 2019 Apr 3;97(4):1586-1599. PMID: 30770927
This study found beneficial effects to adult dogs by positively altering gut
microbiota, enhancing immune capacity and reducing inflammation.
Theodoro SS, Putarov TC, Tiemi C, Volpe LM, de Oliveira CAF, Glória MBA, Carciofi
AC. Effects of the solubility of yeast cell wall preparations on their potential prebiotic
properties in dogs. PLoS One. 2019 Nov 25;14(11). PMID: 31765439
This study found a reduction in the inflammatory activity of dogs and a higher
phagocytic index was verified for peripheral monocytes after intake, suggesting better
innate immunity.
