Finding the best food for yeast infections in dogs

Key Takeaways:

- Yeast infections happen when there’s a build-up of fungal yeast in your dog’s body.

- Food with a low glycemic index, high-quality proteins, healthy fats and probiotics can support dogs with yeast infections.

- Dog food with artificial preservatives, high fat and sugar can worsen the symptoms of a yeast infection

What are yeast infections in dogs?

Yeast infection is a broad term for when there’s a build-up of fungal yeast on part of your dog’s body. Sometimes called yeast dermatitis, your pooch is most likely to get it in warm, moist areas (known as hot spots) such as their paws, ears, genitals and skin folds.

There are lots of reasons why your pet could come down with a yeast infection: 

• A weak immune system because of an ongoing illness or older age.

• Certain breeds are more likely to get these infections. For example, some bulldogs have more skin folds, which put them at higher risk.

• An imbalance of bacteria.

• Allergies to pollen, dust or certain foods.

• Too many yeast-promoting foods in their diet.

Signs of a yeast infection in dogs

Signs of a yeast infection in dogs include: 

• Irritated, itchy or red skin in the affected areas.

• Foul odours.

• Black spots on the skin.

• General fidgety behaviour, such as excessing licking and scratching.

• Crusty, thickened or darkened areas of skin.

• Greasy or oily coat and skin.

• Thinning coat where they’ve over-scratched themselves.

• Low mood.

How to treat a yeast infection in dogs

The main way a dog’s yeast infection will be treated is by applying antifungal creams and washing in medicated shampoos. Get advice from your vet on which options would be best. If your pet is particularly poorly, your vet might also give them tablets to take too. They’ll also help you work out and treat the causes of your dog’s infection to stop it coming back. 

Making sure your dog has a healthy, balanced diet is also important. It’s one of the best home remedies to help your dog recover from a yeast infection.

There’s some evidence that certain foods can either soothe the skin or make it itchier. 

For example, high amounts of grain, dairy and sugars can trigger infections or increase a dog’s discomfort. 

A pooch’s diet also has a big impact on the health of their skin and coat, as well as their immune system. With 70% of a dog’s immune cells living in their gut, an imbalance in bacteria (microbiome) can lead to inflammation. This can increase the risk of yeast infections and make dogs itchier.

What should you feed a dog with a yeast infection?

Looking for dog food that includes certain ingredients can help your dog heal from a yeast infection more quickly. You might be tempted to give your dog a homemade diet of raw foods, but getting rid of bacteria and correctly balancing their nutrients can be tricky. 

Instead, opting for quality, balanced pet food can help you manage your dog’s yeast infection without loads of effort.  

Low glycemic index (GI) foods

Yeast feeds on sugar. So eating too much sugar or simple carbohydrates (high GI) can boost yeast growth and make your dog’s symptoms worse. White rice, bread, cereals and sweet foods are examples of high GI foods.

Low GI foods slowly release energy and don’t cause spikes in blood sugar. They include wholegrains and wholewheat products, non-starchy veggies (like spinach, broccoli and tomatoes) and legumes (like chickpeas, lentils and beans). 

High-quality proteins

Packing lots of protein into your dog’s diet will keep their body and immune system strong. Lean options also help a pooch’s skin and coat glow and keep them full without feeding the yeast’s growth. 

High protein foods are a must, but adding in alternatives like salmon, venison and trout is great for pooches who are allergy prone or have different tastes. It’ll also add healthy fats like omega-3 into their diet, which boosts immunity and eases inflammation. 

Pre, pro, and postbiotics

Keeping a dog’s gut microbiome healthy and balanced helps their skin and coat recover more quickly from yeast infections. Giving your dog a daily pre-, pro- and postbiotic is a great, easy way to do this and support their wellbeing. Other supplements like salmon oil also help to bring back a pooch’s glow.  

Dog food for a yeast infection

When your dog is itchy and irritable, the last thing they need is tummy problems. Hypoallergenic, grain-free foods made from nutritious ingredients help keep their digestion healthy, support their immune system and fight a yeast infection. 

• Skin & Coat is packed full of herring, collagen and probiotics to support healthy, comfortable skin.

• Health & Digestion is full of lean, easy-to-digest ingredients that stop the build-up of troublesome yeast.

• Sensitivity Dog Food for Allergies is made up of tasty, non-triggering foods for pooches with intolerances. 

The worst dog food for yeast infections

Some foods can make the symptoms of yeast infections worse and should be avoided if your dog suffers from this problem. 

High-fat and high-sugar foods

Fat and sugar fuel yeast overgrowth.  They can also unbalance gut microbiomes and lower a dog’s immune system, making it harder for your dog’s body to protect itself. Cut out human leftovers and fatty or sugary treats, including cheese and certain meats. I know the puppy eyes are hard to resist, but remember it’s for their own good! 

Allergens

Dogs can be sensitive to more foods than you might think. This includes grains, dairy products and even chicken! If your dog has a yeast infection, an allergic reaction can make their symptoms worse. Going for a grain-free, hypoallergenic dog food can help stop the scratching sooner. 

Artificial ingredients

Preservatives, dyes and flavours are all artificial nasties that can unbalance a pet’s microbiome and make their yeast infection symptoms worse. These chemicals also aren’t great for their long-term health, so opting for all-natural foods is always best. 

Prevention and aftercare

Supporting your dog’s health with a balanced diet, as well as getting the right treatment from a vet, will help your dog recover from a yeast infection and stop it coming back. Other ways you can help your pooch stay comfortable in their skin include: 

• A regular grooming routine that includes washing, hair trimming and brushing will stop yeast from building up and causing problems, this is particularly important if you have a dog with lots of skin folds or big ear flaps.

• Drying a dog completely after they’ve been washed or in the water will stop moisture from getting trapped and starting yeast growth.

• Getting any allergies or underlying conditions checked out by a vet, as this will keep your pooch’s risk low and their comfort high.